My Big Girl Job

So, I wanted to have a few working days under my belt before I announced what, exactly, my big girl job is. If you look closely at the picture above you can see that I am listed as a “Contributing Editor” for that issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts. That is the freelance job I have been doing for the last year. Well, my “big girl” job is that I am now and “Assistant Editor” at McCall’s Quilting…OK…I kinda swoon a little bit just typing that.

Here’s my desk. I brought my quilt Miss Hannah in because that was my entry to the McCall's Design Star contest.

Already I can tell this job is going to be tons of fun. Just this last week we had a sewing meeting. As in a SEWING MEETING !!!!!!! The entire staff sat down and we sewed a quilt in about 2 hours. I can honestly say that this has never happened to me before. I mean, seriously, how cool is that?

Here is a little bit about what we do. When we get ready to start an issue, the quilts chosen for that issue show up at the office. This alone is pretty darn fun because you get to see gorgeous quilts done in fabrics that aren’t even for sale yet. And let me tell you, McCall’s has some really top-notch designers. Here’s a shot of the quilts for the issue we just started working on.

From here we have a big meeting to look over all the quilts, discuss the various needs for the pattern writers and plan how the quilts will be styled in photography. I participated in these meetings even as a freelancer and they are fun!

After that the patterning editors (as in me) take the quilts and start figuring out yardages and diagramming construction steps. What’s great about this step for me is that it combines many of my engineering skills with my quilting skills. I even get to use my calculator (be still my nerdy heart).

AND if that wasn’t cool enough, another thing I have on my desk is a giant set of colored pencils…because I get to color all my diagrams…swoon.

AND, I get paid for this!!!!!!

Comments

[Linda]

Wow, can I have your job? I will enjoy it a whole lot more than accounting.
I am really happy for you.

[Sherry Turner]

Lucky Girl!

[Shirley Flowers]

Sounds like a dream job. I'm so happy for you.

[Wanda]

How exciting and fun for you. Glad your big girl job isn't something boring. We wouldn't want all your creative juices drying up!

[Gari]

How great is that? Ongoing creativity. Deadlines, not so much, but I'm sure you are used to that, too. Will we know which quilts you worked on?

[Maureen]

Well, I would say THEY are lucky to have you! And boy oh boy, I would love to share your work with you! (hmmmm, I think the commute from Canada but be a minor issue....LOL)

[Robin]

Congratulations, Erin!! I hope it continues to be buckets of fun for you!! Sounds like a dream job to me!!

[Ellen]

Wow, that's the kind of job I would like. A sewing meeting????? I don't think I'd have any problem getting up to go to work. Congratulations and have fun... they're lucky to have you.

[Karen Martin]

What a dream job!!!

[Debbie Jacobs]

Fabulous! Sounds perfect. What a fun job - and colored pencils too! Enjoy!

[FrancesB]

How perfect for you and for McCall's Quilting!! CONGRATULATIONS! Well deserved. McCall's Quilting will benefit wildly.

[Linda. Boudreau]

I am so proud and happy for you, after all that youhave given to the quilt and design world it is time for them to give back to you. Hugs and best of sucess.

Linda in NS

[Joan Moore]

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Sounds like such an interesting and creative job!

[Kristen]

Sounds wonderful!!! There is nothing like having a job you love. :)

[Carolyn]

Erin, that's amazing...and well deserved! Congratulations!

[kaholly]

Congratulations, Erin! How exciting for you!

[Sandy M]

Ok. I'm officially jealous. So jealous that I'm a bit green. I need a sewing meeting at work!!! I need to play with quilts at work!!!
Definitely a dream job. Congrats for earning the new position!

[Jeanne]

Wow! It is a dream job! Enjoy! ~Jeanne

[Norma]

such a fun job!!! Oh, I have the same calculator. we're calculator twins! :)

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Congratulations Erin - they couldn't have made a better choice!

[paula.thequilter]

Isn't it fun?!! I stumbled into an ongoing freelance job that combines my quilting, graphic design and technical illustration skills. Lucky you, lucky me!

[Debbie]

Sounds like an absolutely dream to have a job like that!!

[Pat]

Lucky you! But, if your neck and shoulders start to hurt, try lowering your monitor. The top of the monitor should be level with your eyes. I wish I could use colored pencils on my job, but I do use a ton of "scented" dry erase markers.

[kathleen]

congrats! Fun job, for sure

[Cheryl]

What a great job for you! Glad you are enjoying it.