Call for Submissions: Annual Five
With our fourth Annual on its way to the printers, it’s time we turn our attention to next year’s issue!
Blustery walks with an inside out umbrella, seagulls stealing your chips, striped deckchairs and windbreaks, the bright lights of the amusement park… Issue 5 is all about the seaside, and we’re looking for some coastal-inspired submissions from you talented folks for our Annual Issue 5 – ‘Seaside Kitsch’.
We’re thinking beach huts, vintage scenes, rainy days, seaside fairgrounds and ice creams on the pier. Anything that you think epitomises the joys and delights of being by the seaside – rain or shine!
Please find a mood board below, brimming with images. If you’re feeling as inspired as us and you fancy joining us in our seaside theme next year, then we would love to hear from you. We’re looking for knitting and crochet patterns influenced by fun-filled seaside antics and that can be worn and loved when you’re enjoying the beach and sea, as well as exciting articles, puzzles, recipes, illustrations and any other magnificent features that you think fit our ‘Seaside Kitsch’ aesthetic.
View our Annual 5 mood board here.
If this has galvanized your creative juices, then pop your submission, including any sketches, and an outline of your bio in an email, to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is October 4th 2024 and we can’t wait to hear from you talented folks! The mood board is there to inspire and inform but not necessarily dictate. We’re so excited to hear where it has taken you, please just fill us in by explaining your creative thinking in your submission.
Designs
For this issue of our Annual we are mainly looking for accessories, but if you have an absolutely blinding idea for a garment, please feel free to present it too. We are after patterns that won’t take too much space to print: hats, scarves, cowls, gloves, mittens, shawls, socks, or homeware. We will be printing 5-8 patterns depending on length of pattern text. All crafts are encouraged; show us your knit, crochet, embroidery, or tapestry ideas. Can it be made with our yarn or tops? We’d love to see it!
Articles or Other Ideas
Did our mood board get your creative juices flowing? Did inspiring topics and ideas start fluttering through your mind? If you think you’ve had a brilliant idea for something other than a pattern do let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts on articles, puzzles, illustrations, or anything else you think might work within the pages of our Annual.
Compensation and Support
We will, obviously and happily, provide the yarn needed for your sample. Any and all of our ranges can be used in your design, and we would love to know if you have a favourite. We are planning on having each design worked up in two samples, to show off as many of our bases as possible. This year we are also planning on having a few items worked up with hand spun. For this reason, designs which can be made in more than one thickness or gauge are welcomed.
Compensation is offered on a scale of difficulty of the design. We will provide tech editing and testing for the finished pattern and the designs will be professionally photographed. The designs will be beautifully presented in our Annual 5 magazine in print and PDF format. We will have full rights to the design for 12 months after publication after which the rights will revert to you.
We will pay the designer on a sliding scale between £200 and £400 depending on complexity of pattern. All other submissions like recipes, illustrations, puzzles and articles are also compensated. Payment is by bank transfer in the UK and PayPal or Wise if you are abroad. Each contributor will receive a printed copy of the Annual.
Timeline
Submission deadline – 4th of October 2024
Designers notified of selection – 21st of October 2024
Patterns due by – 20th of December 2024
Samples due by – 30th of January 2025
Publication date – September, 2025
Want to Submit?
Please provide a design proposal in PDF format with your design, swatch, suggested yarns and / or tops, design inspiration and how it will work with our issue theme. Please also include a little bit about yourself and your previous design work. Please email your design submission to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you!
Questions? Please email us at [email protected]
Diversity and Inclusivity
We believe a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment is one where all employees & customers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, religion, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach and to keeping all John Arbon Textiles spaces (be they at our Mill, our Shop, a yarn show, or online) safe and enjoyable for all. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and wish to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.