How to Get Your Craft Patterns Published

In 1999 I decided on a whim to send an original tole painting pattern I had designed to Better Homes & Gardens "Decorative Woodcrafts Magazine." I really didn't think much of it and figured it was another one of my half-baked ideas. But what the heck, all it took was a letter and a couple pictures of the painted item.

Imagine my surprise when the phone rang and it was Better Homes & Garden saying they loved my craft pattern and wanted to buy it and publish it in their magazine. This was the beginning of my craft publishing baptism by fire.

I had to quickly learn how to make a basic line drawing, write clear instructions and deal with an editor. All of this was new to me, but fascinating and exciting.

After my first published design, I got a call from a paint manufacturer wanting to sponsor all of my paint. I was in heaven! Paint was being delivered to my door by the box. Every time a new type of paint (or color) came out, I got first dibs on it. It was like a crafters Christmas every month when new paint would arrive.

While it was mostly a positive experience, there were a few downsides. Use these tips to keep your experience a positive one.

Contracts

Always have an attorney read over any contracts just to be sure of what you are signing. I signed my first contract without giving it a second thought. A couple years later when my design (without my name as the creator) was being used in advertising to sell magazines, I had no idea I had signed that right away with the original design.

Editors

Be firm if you know something in your craft pattern has to be done a certain way. I let an editor cut a critical part of the instructions on my first design. This was major mistake as I was flooded with calls and letters from customers that could not get the same affect; because the editor had taken the technique out. You know your craft better than anyone else - stand firm.

Submissions

Look in the front or back of your favorite craft magazines and follow their submission guidelines. Be sure you submit a quality photograph of your item, as this is what is going to sell them on your pattern. Most items photograph best in natural daylight, so try to take your submission pictures outside.

Whether you like to sew, paint, crochet or any other number of crafts, your patterns can be worth money, never give them away.