The Roundabout Burp & Bib Pattern -- And Giveaway!

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My first e-pattern! It's taken months and hours and a lot of courage to come up with an idea and then work through the process of creating an e-pattern. My first argument with myself is "What hasn't been done?" The other me to myself, "It's not about that actually; it's just your take on things. Your best process." Still, though, I read so many magazines, blogs, tutorials, and hard copy patterns, it's often hard to decide what process is mine, what's a combination of my skill blended in with other crafters' or pattern makers' words, and what really has been done enough that isn't necessary to reinvent the wheel again. I wanted to start small, too. I have two crochet patterns and two purse/tote patterns in my studio journaling, however, it's the long process of thinking, writing, photographing, learning to create PDF files, getting the patterns to print out properly on the other end -- sheesh!
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So, here it is. The Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern by Michele S. Chisholm. Me, myself. Not read about anywhere. Not purchased anywhere. Obviously, I've seen something similar out there in the world, but I haven't touched it or looked it's way. This is mine.
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The Burp & Bib is a contoured, reversible burp cloth that lies nicely on mom's shoulder and gives a generous area for baby to move around. Down the road as the baby starts to hold a bottle or sit in the high-chair, the burp cloth attached at the tabs behind the neck transforms into a bib. There are two ways to create the closure mechanism -- twill tape tabs or sewn canvas tabs with gripper snaps or velcro attached. I used twill tape for the first set of Burp & Bibs I sewed, however, the twill wasn't strong and either ripped out of the seam or the snaps pulled away. So, I am going with the sewn canvas tabs when I sew up more.
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The Burp & Bib can be sewn up in coordinating cottons with a flannel lining for absorbency OR one cotton and toweling on the other side with no lining.
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Though I love the look of the coordinating cottons, I think soft toweling on the reverse of a burp cloth or bib is awesome. The item is very absorbent, can wipe up a mess fast, and turns into a washcloth if needed. I use the Walmart bath towels which cost about $5.00 for my toweling projects. The toweling is soft, pretty lush, and stands up to a lot of wear.
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Right now, The Roundabout Burp & Bib pattern is listed in my "college savings" etsy shop at the handmade fair. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, -- and I was hoping for a big to-do for the first week in September, but I'm not ready -- the new calicodaisy handmade website will be ready to go with the pattern available there. Actually, the site is already up with links available; I just haven't figured out how to load it yet with stuff and I haven't decided on the look for the tabs that will take a reader to where she wants to go. Every decision takes me so long to get through! It's hard to wear all the hats in a business. Especially a creative one like a studio. One part of one idea can take me weeks to get a grasp on.
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So, in my own celebration of producing my first pattern, I'd like to giveaway two copies of the pattern. In hopes of a bit of help advertising the pattern, if you'll mention it on your blog and/or put this little button up on your blog and then let me know, I'll add in another chance for you to win. If you can't figure out how to make a button with link, I can send the html code to you through e-mail. Please leave a comment through Sunday, August 30, 2009, and I'll choose winners on Monday morning.
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Of course, if you win or purchase a copy of the pattern and see any errors or problems with it, please let me know. After all the time I spent writing the information and creating the PDF file, I can now make a quick change if necessary! On the other hand, please let me know if you like the pattern, if it is well written, and show me a photo of the finished project if you like. Thanks so much for your support.
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One more thing -- Along with the puchase of the pattern is the permission to sew it up for gifts or for sales in your shop or craft fair. In general, I won't download a free tutorial or purchase an e-pattern if it isn't available to make and sell. I just don't want to remember who said what. My policy is "if I can't craft it for sales, I don't want it." A recent exception made for my blog friend, Stephanie, who just released her first pattern - a hard copy pattern - of her West Linn Bag, which is quite darling and which I plan to make for myself this fall.
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Now, for the next five days, I will be putting together the Scrappy Christmas Blocks for the ModernJax swap I'm in. I've already received two packages from gals who were EARLY! I'm not opening them, though, until mine are made, so I won't be swayed in my own fabric choices and find the need to go shopping again .....

This post can be considered my WIWOW, too.