As a lot of you would know, I recently hit my one year in business milestone. I'm one of those people who, when I hit some kind of big milestone - whether it be a birthday, ten years since finishing high school (this year.... ahhhhhhh!!), even just new years eve, I can't help but look back and reflect on the time that has passed. Which means that this last few weeks has included a lot of reflection time as I think about how far this little business has come, as well as what hurdles I need to overcome to keep this little gal going.
The main thing that keeps coming to mind is that I just can't do it all. No matter how much I think I can, no matter how diligent I am, no matter how many hours I work, I just cannot do it all, and I think that (maybe) I have finally accepted that. If I want this business to grow, it can't be up to me to do every little task involved in the process. There is truly not enough hours in the day, and to be honest. I started 2016 thinking I could release 6 patterns in the year. You may have noticed that I have not even released one (except for a couple of patterns in collaboration with Peppermint Magazine)! Obviously something is not working how it should.
As some of you may have read on social media, I recently held a photo shoot for my upcoming pattern (which is coming in two weeks! Yay!) The photos look great and I am really pleased with how it went, but all the photos need a little retouching. Nothing major... a bit of overall brightening up, removing a bra strap here, some stray hairs there etc. My first thought was 'I am sure I could work out how to do it myself.' Although I can use Photoshop, I am by no means an expert, but generally if I apply myself (and watch a tonne of YouTube videos and read a few blogs) I can work most things out. And then I really thought about it. I could spend days learning how to do it and days actually retouching the photos, and at the end, they probably wouldn't even be that good. Because, as I said, I'm not a pro. And that's when I realised I really had to change my mindset about these things get serious about finding someone to help me do the job. I jumped online, scoured the internet for possibilities and found a company I was happy with. Then they edited the photos (for not too much money at all) and I saved myself hours of frustration and heartache. Job done!
This little transaction made me realise that with the growth of online freelancing sites like Air Tasker, Freelancer, Upwork etc. there just has to be people out there in the world that have the skills to help me with some of the tasks that make up my business. And that is why I am coming to you!
I have been thinking about all the jobs I do in a day, and have been trying to think about the things that are really important that I do myself (blogging, social media posts, designing, pattern making, writing pattern instructions) and those that just aren't (illustrating pattern instructions, photographing sew-alongs, cutting samples, sewing samples) and trying to work out how to get help with the steps I need so that I can focus on other things. I have put a couple of positions on a freelancing website, and then it occurred to me that I should also ask here. I know a lot of you are great sewers, but I don't know what your other talents, hobbies or jobs are, and maybe it's illustrating or photograhy! (Which are the two things I am looking for help with first)
So if this sounds like something that may interest you, read on ...
Illustrator - technical illustrations needed for sewing patterns
I am currently looking for someone to help with the technical drawings that accompany the instructions for my patterns. The illustrations need to be created in Adobe Illustrator as I would want access to the original files so that I could tweak them if necessary.
Each pattern requires around 40 - 60 illustrations - depending on the complexity of the pattern. I have previously done the illustrations myself so will hand over my illustrations for reference (as they need to be in the same style for the sake of consistency) as well as a document with all the strokes etc. that I want used. I really need to them to be at the same level as they are currently (or to a higher standard).
The complexity ranges, depending on the step - some being quite simple and only taking a few minutes, while others take a bit longer. I will provide digital copies of the pattern pieces, which I find are handy to start the illustrations with, as well as photographs of each step of the process for reference. I will also provide written instructions to make it very clear what each illustration needs to include.
I am really hoping to find someone who I can work with on an ongoing basis. I would like to get started straight away with 1-2 patterns that are ready to go, but I plan to release patterns regularly in the new year and having someone reliable, who I can count on to do this work to a high standard is my ultimate goal.
Is this something you might be interested in?
- Great sewing and construction knowledge is required
- You will need to have strong Illustrator skills
- Job will be done remotely through email communication, so I really need someone trustworthy and reliable
- You need to have a great eye for detail and the ability to understand a brief
- I want the illustrations to be drawn in the same style that I have done so far so that things remain consistent for my brand - so you must be able to do this
If you want more examples of the kind of illustrations I am talking about, please check out the free pattern I released with Peppermint Magazine a few months ago.
I would love to work with someone who loves sewing as much as I do, is friendly, organised and willing to go the extra mile to do a great job. If this sounds like you and you have all the skills previously mentioned, please get in touch (email hello@inthefolds.com) telling me a little about yourself, why you think you´d be a great fit for this project and some examples of your work.
The second thing I am looking for is a little trickier. I am not sure if I will find the right person for this one, but I did want to put it out there to see!
Photographs required for sew-alongs
I am looking for someone to take step-by-step photos for tutorials on my blog (as well as an aid to the illustrations that are created for pattern instructions).
I am currently taking the photos myself, but don´t have a great set-up, so would love to find someone who has the set-up, skills and creativity to take some really great photos for the blog.
I would provide the freelancer with the pattern and fabric (or we could discuss you purchasing the fabric at my expense), as well as written instructions and you would need to make the garment, taking clear and beautiful photos of each step in the process. Some of my patterns can be quite tricky, so you will need to be a great sewer.
I am really hoping to find someone who I can work with on an ongoing basis. I would like to get started straight away with one pattern that is ready to go, but I plan to release patterns regularly in the new year and having someone reliable, who I can count on to do this work to a high standard is my ultimate goal.
Is this something you might be interested in?
- Great sewing and construction knowledge is required
- You will need to have strong sewing and photography skills
- Job will be done remotely through email communication, so I really need someone trustworthy and reliable
- You need to have a great eye for detail and the ability to understand a brief
Photos would need to be up to the same standard (or preferably of a higher standard) that I currently have on my blog. I don't really mind where you are based as it could all be done online through email and the occasional Skype call.
If it sounds like you tick all the boxes, please send me an email (hello@inthefolds.com) telling me a little about yourself, why you think you´d be a great fit for this project and some examples of your work / link to your blog.
