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!!!!!!
Cool!
Posted by: Gina | 09/18/2012 at 03:31 PM
That sounds like a dream job! Congratulations and good luck!
Posted by: Janet | 09/18/2012 at 03:32 PM
Congrats! It is so wonderful to hear about your new adventure. Love following your work! Well done!!
Posted by: Lee Ann | 09/18/2012 at 04:41 PM
Wow! I'm impressed. I'm glad you have a job that you love.
Posted by: LIsa E | 09/18/2012 at 06:44 PM
What a blessing job, congrats!!!
Posted by: Michelle M | 09/18/2012 at 08:37 PM
WOW, WOW, WOW!! That's fantastic! Congratulations!
Posted by: Liz | 09/18/2012 at 09:30 PM
That is just SUPER COOL!
Posted by: Elzaan | 09/19/2012 at 03:42 AM
Dream Job!! Congratulations Erin... you deserve it.
Posted by: Mishka | 09/19/2012 at 08:34 AM
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. Can't wait to read your magazine!
Posted by: Rhonda | 09/19/2012 at 09:13 AM
Congratulations! It sound like you have found your perfect job. Not an easy thing to do, but you did it!
Posted by: Jill | 09/19/2012 at 10:51 AM
They couldn't have chosen better. I wondered how you were going to handle a job and keep up with your quilting...turns out you probably come home energized instead of tired! If someone who does what you do could custom design a job, this would be it for you. Go,girl!
Posted by: Denice | 09/19/2012 at 06:50 PM
Jealous! Congrats, you deserve such a great job.
Posted by: Sue | 09/19/2012 at 07:40 PM
Do you pinch yourself to see if you're dreaming? It sounds like a dream job to me!!
Congratulations!
P.S. Now, when I have my copies of the magazine I can point to your name on the staff page and tell my friends, "You should check out her blog. That girl is really talented!"
Posted by: Laurel | 09/19/2012 at 08:29 PM
I had been wondering what "the big girl job" was and thought, well, maybe that was an area of your life you wanted or had to keep private.
I am delighted for you. A perfect "win win" situation! Congratulations!
Posted by: steph | 09/20/2012 at 02:32 PM
Congrats, Erin! What fun to play with quilts all day! You go girl!
Posted by: Lynn | 09/20/2012 at 05:32 PM
Now that I'm retired, this sounds like a dream job--getting paid to do something that I'd do for free (except for the dealines). Congrats!
Posted by: NancyinSTL | 09/20/2012 at 05:49 PM
WooHoo!!!
Posted by: Kalli Inman | 09/21/2012 at 08:44 AM
Of course, you have to use a Scientific calculator (as far as I can tell from the picture)!!! And is that a TI calculator....? If it is, I still love you, hehehehe... as I am a diehard HP calculator gal! ;)
I am so excited for you!
Posted by: Ivory Spring | 09/21/2012 at 08:45 AM
Congrats! That issue was the start of my Seasonal Banners. Did you have anything to do with accepting them? I loved working on them. I would love to have a job like yours. Sounds like a fun job.
Posted by: Susan | 09/22/2012 at 01:03 PM
If you don't mind me asking? How would one go about getting a freelancing job with McCall's?
I think that would be the coolest job in the world! :) Quilting and creating designs and getting paid for it! :) Too Cool!
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