Pattern Testing with @TheCajunCrafter!
I am so thrilled to introduce Denise of @TheCajunCrafter for today’s Tester Tuesday interview! Denise is another amazing serial pattern tester who regularly becomes everyone’s personal cheerleader. She makes you feel loved! She makes you laugh. She cheers you on every step of the way, and then rocks her own test and photos, too. Please enjoy this fun interview with Denise, and then give her a follow on Instagram.
Denise is wearing the Latice Lace Dress above (@by.stephanie.erin), and below: the Dove Dress (@madebyhaileybailey); the Better than Basic Ringer Tee (@by.stephanie.erin); the Eliana Sweater (@by.stephanie.erin); and the Seashell Sarong (@thefrostedstitch).
When did you first get into pattern testing? What drew you to pattern testing?
I started pattern testing in August of 2019 (which is a little over a year). Even though I’ve been crocheting for over 50 years, my crochet portfolio was very small. When I was growing up, there weren’t many ways to get patterns… remember, there were no computers nor was there such a thing as the internet! Therefore, for over 40 years, I only crocheted blankets.
I’ve always dreamed of crocheting clothing. I wanted to make everything I would see in magazines, books, and/or pamphlets. However, what looks good in a magazine and what it looks like on me (because I’m plus sized) are polar opposites. So, I figured the next best thing was to crochet the item and just send it to the company so that it could be worn by models. Then, reality sunk in and I had to admit to myself that no matter where I would send my makes, whatever I made would never reach its intended destination. That overpowering drive and determination to make samples is what drew me to pattern testing.
Honestly, I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as pattern testing until last summer. My 25 year old daughter was the one that suggested that I join a crochet group through Facebook. By doing so, she introduced me to a whole new world.
How do you decide which patterns to test?
Here’s what my current check list looks like:
First and foremost .. Whatever I test, I have to like it. I have to be able to see myself wearing it.
My clothing style is classic and chic, but of course with a modern twist… I certainly don’t want to look like an old lady! So, I’m always looking for designs that follow a classic style.
At the moment, I am into tops and sweaters, mostly because that is what I have the least of in my closet. However, I will never limit myself to specific items.
I actually look for structure. I tend to lean towards designs that have some sort of waistline. I find that structure is what flatters my body and I want to always look good.
Lastly, I look at yarn weight…. I love working with lighter weight yarn. I’m all about drape!
What is the idea behind #SeasonedStitches? Why did you start that hashtag, and how would you like to see it used by others?
The idea for #seasonedstitches came about when I first started Instagram. I became instantly aware that the younger generation has taken the crochet world by storm and shook up what most considered “an old people’s hobby”. I am sooooo thrilled and excited for the transition! I so badly want the legacy of crochet to continue, but there are some people from my generation that think that the accomplishments of the younger generation cannot be incorporated into their world.
Now, I find it my mission to get some of us who are more "old school” to look and see that these designs are appropriate for every age, style and/or body type.
I created #seasonedstitches because I wanted this to be a place to go for fiber artists (of any age) to find designs that are appropriate for wearing to work or casual social events (like school functions, casual events with family, and/or church).
Ask yourself….” Would I wear this to work, or some other casual event?” If the answer is yes, then please use #seasonedstitches.
I would love for the hashtag to be used by designers, testers, and anyone who posts their makes on Instagram….It isn’t exclusive to just crochet. I would love to see Tunisian crochet and knitted items there as well.
I’m in the process of starting a #seasonedstitches board on Pinterest. With that I’m hoping to generate more interest outside the Instagram world.
What is your favorite part about pattern testing? What is your least favorite thing about pattern testing?
Without a doubt, choosing my yarn is the most exciting part of the pattern testing process. Yes, I do stress over colors… but that’s because there are just sooooo many color and fiber options out there. Yes, you do have to stay with whatever weight yarn the pattern calls for, but you typically have carte blanche when it comes to the fiber content and that fits perfectly into my obsession for making things that I can wear in my warm climate.
My least favorite thing about pattern testing is the final touches. I hate weaving in ends, sewing pieces together, adding ties, tassels, pompoms, buttons, etc. It’s like, okay, I’ve done all the hard parts, now do I have to do this little detail stuff? It just drives me crazy!
If you could give one piece of advice to other makers out there who are considering pattern testing, what advice would you give them?
Oh boy, you know that I have lots of advice for those who want to pattern test! But…since I have to play by the rules and only choose one…….. here is my advice…..
Get Over Yourself!
I know it sounds rude, but at least I got your attention! And of course, I mean it in the positive way….Get over all those fears and insecurities you have about yourself. Know your body, embrace yourself and most of all, love yourself.
As a pattern tester, one of the most important requirements is to take pictures of your completed project modeled on an actual person. People want to see how the pattern fits on a body that looks like them and designers want to see how their design looks on every kind of body.
Since most of us don’t have people that they can count on to model their pattern tests on a regular basis, your very best model will be yourself. You have to embrace yourself and accept yourself for the beautiful person that you are. You have to get over all of those insecurities you have about yourself…
Get over that insecurity called body measurement. It doesn’t matter what your body measurements are, they just need to be accurate.
So why is this important?
This is so that you can test the accurate size, because when the design fits,
it flatters your body
it makes you feel good
it makes for great pictures…. Let’s face it when you feel beautiful, your body radiates that beauty into every snapshot you take….no fancy cameras, no elaborate backgrounds needed….
It makes the designer proud
And for those of you who say, I just want to test hats, scarves, socks, etc…..designers still want you to model those as well, so all of the above still applies.
It makes me happy cry just trying to convey how important this advice is…even if you don’t become a tester… Just love yourself for who you are, be true to yourself and don’t ever try to change yourself to try to fit someone else’s mold!
What is the boldest pattern you ever took on to test? Why did you decide to test that one? What did you learn from that experience?
So far, the boldest pattern I ever tested was the Midnight Horizon’s Raglan Sweater by Stephanie Erin.
I applied to test that pattern because it was my very first test pattern that used fingering weight yarn. It was as simple as that. I scoured Facebook and Instagram for a couple of months and the minute I saw that it used fingering weight yarn, I applied and to my surprise, I was accepted.
I learned 4 of the most important lessons a tester can learn from that test.
Sizing---the largest part of my body is my hips, so in the past I would always choose to make the size that would cover my big rear end. Because, you know it fits if covers your largest part, right? Wrong!!!….I wound up having to make the yoke three times, because I didn’t even look to see that the pattern sizing was specific to your bust and not how big your hips were.
Gauge—the importance of that was also a hard lesson learned. We all crochet differently. And because of that, as a tester you have to keep in mind that once you get that pattern, your hands are not yours any more…During that testing period, you become that designer….making the pattern (the way she would) in your size to make sure that all of the information and calculations are correct.
The importance of the testing group within a pattern test is the unsung hero. The love, acceptance, encouragement, compassion, and camaraderie within that group is unbelievable. When you get frustrated and you want to cry or give up, or you don’t understand something, you don’t have to do it alone. There is always someone there that will listen, help, and give words of encouragement. When you are super excited about an accomplishment or you just want to show off what you’ve done…they are there cheering you on. The designer is also there with you, so when there is a problem or you have a question, there is an answer for you coming straight from the boss.
The Instagram fiber community is the most accepting, wonderful, amazing, awesome, and loving place on earth. I am home.
What's next for The Cajun Crafter?
For me, will continue to be a serial tester. I have no desire to be anything but a fiber tester/sample maker. It is time, however to broaden my horizons when it comes to testing. I’m ever so slowly venturing into the Tunisian crochet and knitting testing world. I have lots to learn in both of those worlds, I just hope that all designers continue to take a leap of faith and give me the honor of being the hands that make their designs come to life.
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Thank you so much for reading this fun interview with Denise of @TheCajunCrafter! Be sure to check her out and follow her on Instagram. And if you see her pop into your testing application pool, I highly recommend selecting her! She’s incredibly talented and pure joy to have in a testing group.
