Inklingo in an Elevator

An enthusiastic Inklingoist wrote to me about an experience she had at the AQS Show in Grand Rapids on Friday:

I approached one shopper [who was buying Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses] and asked her if she uses Inklingo. No, she is an EPP fan. I suggested she check into it and tried to tell her what it’s all about. Her eyes glazed over in seconds when I reached the “print the sewing line directly on the fabric” — why???
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to pique her interest.

Thank you for trying, Debbie! Inklingo quilters are the very best “advertisers,” and it is a very friendly thing to do—both for me and for the other quilter.

                                                                                    .

You made me think of elevators, especially my favorite one in Charade. (Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, 1963)

Wait! It’s not crazy. I can explain!

                                                                                    .

Audrey is saying “It’s a great place for making friends.” (Yes, she really is.)

There is one approach for explaining Inkingo that works very well for me. It’s a little variation of an “Elevator Pitch.”

That’s the connection:

friendliness, elevator pitch, favorite elevators, Charade. . .

                                                                                    .

Inklingo is much easier to explain than the plot of this movie. There are a gazillion misunderstandings and twists and turns in the plot. (They are not talking about quilting here.)

There is no mystery about Inklingo. A sheet of fabric is the only clue most quilters need.

                                                                                    .

Most quilters “get it” immediately when they see some shapes printed on fabric, especially if the fabric is still attached to the freezer paper.

Everyone knows someone who uses their Inkjet printer to print labels or photos, so that part doesn’t need much explaining.

Quilters find Inklingo intriguing. Charade is full of intrigue.

It’s this simple:

I carry a piece of fabric printed with diamonds, triangles, and squares from the free shape collection and you can too!

Also, when I mail book orders, I usually include a piece of fabric. There is an explanation on the freezer paper (below, still attached).

                                                                                    .

Example

If you want to do this, you can write whatever you want or download my PDF.

(If you need help creating a custom version, please let me know.)

                                                                                    .

I also include a slip of paper to suggest printing a second sheet with the free shape collection. (You can use this PDF too, if you like.)

                                                                                    .

A friend in Malaysia sent me this photo when she got her book today.

I often hear from quilters who love getting fabric with their books.

Sometimes quilters show the fabric to others too, so one little scrap of fabric can do a lot of good.

Soooo. . . a piece of printed fabric explains the benefits of Inklingo in less time than it takes to ride an elevator—even if you’re only going one floor.

                                                                                    .

Audrey is saying “By the way, for one floor, you should be taking the stairs!” (No she’s not. LOL)

                                                                                    .

You  can get another quilter excited about the value of Inklingo—but it’s a different kind of excitement than you find in a romantic comedy.

Inklingo Demos and Handouts

There are other tips on the website too.

Demo Notes

Handouts

Inklingo Quiz

Top Ten Tutes

Quick Start Guide

I like to print the Combo layout from the free shape collection because it overcomes the misconception that Inklingo wastes fabric. It also encourages everyone to start with the free shape collection, and to print custom page sizes because it is 6.75 x 9.75 inches.

Of course, you can print your favorites instead of the combo.

I often print on dark fabric for my samples, because that is one of the other common misconceptions mentioned in the Quiz. (Print on dark fabrics)

 

Monkey looks a bit discouraged.

Please don’t be discouraged if you can’t convert a quilter who uses EPP immediately.

Quilters who love the portability of EPP should be the easiest to convert because there are so few advantages of English Paper Piecing. (Why English Paper Piece)

It is ironic that EPPers seem to be the last to see how Inklingo can help them create the many designs they have dancing in their imaginations!

We just need to be patient, okay?

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SALE IS ALMOST OVER! HURRY!

The sale on the 4 new hexagon shape collections ends in a few hours. It’s at a very low intro price. (You still get the Hexagon Quilt Design Book too!)

Can you tell how much we love it when you tell your friends in person and online? Thank you!

I hope you will remember the eloquence of a simple piece of fabric, printed with Inklingo shapes the next time you are in an elevator.

Too bad we can’t run into Cary Grant, eh?

Maybe Hugh Grant?

I think I’ll do some hand piecing tonight while I re-watch Charade on DVD.

Linda & Monkey

New to Inklingo? Order and download free shapes and start sewing in the next few minutes. Quick Start (Always FREE.) There are triangles, diamonds, and squares in the free collection—great for dozens of different blocks.

$10 Coupon!  6 Year Anniversary Special on the handbook

Inklingo for Beginners

Inklingo Quiz – Just for Fun!

12 thoughts on “Inklingo in an Elevator”

  1. Pssst…hey Monkey! Over here in the corner…this is off-topic. I’ve often wondered how you always manage to look so ‘clean’ and spiffy. Having traveled all over the world and being petted and patted and fondled by so many quilters. Truth now, does Linda have a closet of Mini-Me-Monkeys who actually go out in the world in your stead?
    Love, Sharyn

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  2. I liked EPP but my whip stitches always showed when attaching colors that were on different ends of the color wheel. Maybe it was the way I was whip stitching. But it drive me crazy! Now I just carry a light grey and a medium gray bobbin and the thread never shows. I’m a happy camper!

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  3. I was at the Grand Rapids AQS Show and was very pleased to see a vendor there with the Lucy Boston Patchwork. But that’s all they had. Samples would have been a great booster to understanding the system.

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  4. Hi Wendy,
    I bet that gentleman went home and told his wife about sitting next to a quilter while he had his oil changed too!
    I print lots and lots of fabric. You can imagine. 🙂 I try to include something in the envelope for everyone, especially when someone orders for the first time.
    A small sheet of shapes explains a lot, and it is easy when they are going in the mail. It is harder to keep my little sheets of shapes neat and tidy in envelopes in my purse, but it is worth it for me because quilters are so visual, and fabric + freezer paper says so much more than individual shapes.
    I like your idea of using small pieces of fabric that fit in CD envelopes—or whatever envelopes you have on hand. You could even print larger sheets and cut them into smaller sheets that would fit other envelopes.
    Thank you very much for telling everyone about Inklingo. It’s a friendly thing to do!

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  5. I have some of the paper CD covers, I’ll bet if I printed out a charm square or two and put hem in the case I could give it out to friends too. Maybe that way it wouldn’t get too messed up in my purse! You’d be surprised how many times I run into quilters when I’m away from home. Today while getting my oil changed I had a gentleman sitting next to me telling me how he was going on holidays and visiting quilt stores because his wife is a quilter…would have been perfect to send him home with a sample!

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  6. A wonderful idea to have on hand a sheet of printed “free shapes” still attached to the fp and your explaination is wonderful and so direct.
    OK, I will make sure to have some on hand at our yearly quilt festival next month here in Utah. I have a class from Cody Mazuran so maybe I will share one with her! LOL

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  7. Hi Cyn, Someone told me that even after several years, there were many quilt shops which refused to carry rotary cutters and did not want to teach how to use them. Inklingo is making progress, but those of us who use and love it are always surprised when someone else doesn’t see the value instantly. It’s okay. We are patient. And persistent. 🙂

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  8. Cute! Love this story, Linda. It is sad but true that there are still so many out there who “just don’t get it”. This Inklingoist is stumped. For my Friendship Group I always carry some Inklingo printed bits and sometimes one of them will try it, but people get very set in their ways and shun new [even better!] techniques. I remember quilters who refused to try the Rotary Cutter! Imagine. It’s a puzzlement! [from King & I; another great movie!]. Hugs to you, Monkey and Russ. Hope you are able to sit on the porch and sew… it is scalding a bit here in S. Calif, USA.

    Reply

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