• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Patterns
    • Costumes
    • Apparel
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly
    • Embroidery Projects
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home

    FAQ’s

    Here you can find answers to most of the Frequently Asked Questions I get. Everything from sewing to photography!

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Do you take your own photos? If yes, what do you use?

    Yes! I take all my own photos. I care about the look of this site a lot and have put a lot of time into improving my photography skills. I shoot with only natural light (except the process shots). I spend almost as much time photographing as I do making. It’s IMPORTANT.

    Here’s my equipment rundown: Keep in mind I’ve been doing this for over 10 years. Each piece was purchased separately over time. If you have a limited photography budget I recommend you purchase the best quality lens you can afford.

    Camera: Nikon D750
    Lens: Nikon 24-70 mm VR
    Fill-in light: Rotolight Neo2 bounced off a white foam core board
    Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom & Adobe Photoshop
    Process Shot Camera: Canon Powershot G7 Mark II
    Lighting for Process shots: I have 3 Daylight LED Slimlight Lamps on my cutting table.

    How did you become a fabric designer?

    I decided I wanted to “try” to be designer so I researched what would be involved in the process of designing fabric. I then took online courses to learn Adobe Illustrator (required for most fabric companies). Once I felt proficient enough in Illustrator I pitched a portfolio of designs to Riley Blake. They liked it and it all went from there. I’m actually working on a FAQ post about being a fabric designer. I’ll share it here when it’s done.

    Why is this blog called the Polka Dot Chair?

    Way back in the day (like 2007) it started out as “Melissa’s Creative Mess”. I decided on a whim one day to dump that name and was looking around my sewing room for an idea. I had a polka dot chair in the corner and thought it would be a fun name. It stuck. If I had to do it over again, I would not have picked it. But hey, what are you gonna do?

    Where do you live?

    I’m just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve lived in Kentucky since 1995.

    Why do I have to sign up for your newsletter to get your free downloads?

    One thing that blogging for over 10 years has taught me is that there are a lot of crazy people online. I’ve found it out the hard way with some of the projects posted here in the past. Requiring an email is my way to try to mitigate some of the crazy stuff that goes on. Also, if I just leave a link exposed on my blog for someone to download a file, then bots can find it and that’s bad for everyone.

    If you don’t want to stay on the list after you subscribe you can just click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of every email I send.

    Can I print your tutorials/patterns?

    Yep! Just click the Print Friendly button at the bottom of the post. Keep in mind though, if you print. It’s just for YOU. Don’t distribute or sell the pattern or share it with friends. Because that’s dishonest, and I’m a real person who puts her whole heart into this blog and its content. It’s hurtful and harmful when people do that.

    Do you make money from your blog?

    Yes. I spend 40+ hrs a week creating content for it and managing all of the tech stuff. If I didn’t make money it would be hard to justify all of those hours to myself and my family.

    I’m new to quilting, where should I start, what should i buy?

    For a list of beginner quilt projects CLICK HERE.
    For a list of recommended supplies for a beginning quilters CLICK HERE.

    I can’t find my order

    If you ordered a PDF from our shop then the link will come to your email automatically. Click the download link and make sure to save it to your computer. If you open it and don’t save it, you won’t be able to find it later. We don’t give you unlimited downloads (for security reasons) so you NEED TO SAVE IT!

    Also, be sure to check your spam folder for the email. If you have a separate email address for your PayPal account check that email as well.

    How do you have time to make all this stuff? Do you have help?

    This blog is my job, so I MAKE time for it. It’s a priority for me. If it wasn’t my business TRUST ME I wouldn’t make nearly as much stuff LOL! I don’t have help right now. I need to figure out how to add help in the future.

    Why do you go to Disney World so much?

    I laugh at this one. Every time we are in Disney and I share on Instagram I get this question.

    Short answer, we love it. It’s close enough we can drive or take a cheap flight. We have season passes and can go whenever. A few years ago we also bought at DVC membership and have points that we need to use on a regular basis. Our kids are leaving “the nest” this year but my husband and I plan to keep our Annual Passes and go down a few times a year without the kids.

    Are you a Mormon?

    Yes, I’m an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (sometimes called the Mormons). So to answer your next question, “YES, there are Mormons that don’t live in Utah.” (*wink*).

    At times it’s challenging to live in a part of the country where there are fewer members of my same faith, but I feel like it’s made my kids stronger. They have a great appreciation for their religion and the other members of our congregations since there fewer of us.

    How old are you? You look young to have college kids.

    I get this question all the time. I did get married and have kids in my early twenties, but I’m not as young as people think. I’m in my mid-late forties. I don’t know why I look younger, genetics I guess. I also use lots of sunscreen and drink a ton of water (and Diet Coke, maybe that’s the trick LOL!)

    What advice do you have for a new blogger?

    I could write a book! Instead I’ll just point out a few things that I think many people miss out on when they start.
    1- Make sure you site works well. If it’s hard to find things or your images are all funny sizes it will turn people off. It needs to look professional.
    2-TAKE time to take GOOD photos. It matters. Even an iPhone in natural light will be great. When in doubt, a white foam core board and an iPhone work WONDERS!
    3-Don’t get discouraged. It’s easy to do, I get discouraged all the time.
    4-Take some online classes. I’ve taken LOADS of classes from Pinterest to Illustrator to SEO. YOU are in charge of your site. Make the effort to learn the things you need to know to make yourself successful.
    5-No one will care as much as you do about your site. Be careful what you hire out and to who. They don’t have as much invested in it as you do.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin