Pattern Updates
In sewing up my demo of the upcoming Fintastic Fish quilt pattern, I realized a few things needed simplifying, and a few things deserved a little extra charm.
The fish will now all face the same direction, each one will have two bubbles instead of three, and — most excitingly — I figured out how to make them look like they’re smiling! That little addition changed everything. They feel happier. Livelier. A little more… FINTASTIC.
As I worked through the pattern, I also decided to streamline the fabric requirements. The base pattern will now use the same body and fin fabrics for all of the fish to make cutting and assembly more straightforward. However, I know many of you (myself included) love a scrappier look. So I’ll be including a QR code inside the pattern that links to a dedicated update page here on the site with guidance for using multiple fabrics.
Because of these revisions, the pattern text itself needs a fairly substantial overhaul. While I originally hoped for a mid-month release, that timeline isn’t realistic anymore. I’m now aiming for early March. I’d rather give you something polished and clear than rushed and confusing.
Behind the Seams
And, if I’m being honest, life has contributed to the delay too.
Both cats and I have been navigating some health hurdles. Loki was diagnosed with FIP right before Christmas and had a very frightening stretch where things looked bleak. Thankfully, he’s now doing beautifully. Nougat, meanwhile, is dealing with worsening chronic GI issues and will likely need an endoscopy.
As for me, I attempted to wean off the IV fluids I’ve been receiving every other day for my ME/CFS and POTS. That experiment ended badly when I decompensated rather dramatically and had to have a new stiletto IV placed to resume treatment. After three consecutive infusion days, I’m beginning to stabilize again — but I’m still weaker than I’d like to be. Pattern writing requires a kind of mental endurance that’s been in short supply lately.
Even so, the fish are smiling. The structure is stronger. And the pattern is moving forward.
Wrapping Up
If you’re still reading — thank you. Truly.
And if you’d like to quietly support Early Bird Makery while things are ramping up, I would be so grateful if you’d take a moment to browse my Favorite Things page. If I don’t receive three qualifying orders in the next couple of months, Amazon will close my affiliate account due to inactivity. I’m confident that once patterns and tutorials are flowing, it will naturally see more traffic — but getting through this early stage has been slower (and humbler) than I anticipated.
Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and your excitement about these happy little fish. They’re coming — just with a bit more polish, and a bit more care.
