Sunday, April 13, 2014

Not Cool

 It was brought to my attention that someone is selling a pattern on Craftsy that very closely resembles my fabric box tutorial. The pattern is being sold for $6. I am not affiliated with the seller in any way.

http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html

 Even if she has made significant improvements to the instructions, her finished product looks just like mine. It might be perfectly legal for her to rewrite a pattern and sell it, but it's not cool.

http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html

I have allowed people to use the tutorial at guild workshops and quilting retreats. And if you want to make fabric boxes to sell at boutiques or craft fairs, that's fine with me.

http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html

But selling a pattern that is available for free is just not cool. I know this kind of thing happens all the time. Thank you to my eagle-eyed anonymous commenter for letting me know about this. 

I don't want to provide a link to the pattern, but if you'd like to compare for yourself, search Craftsy for Treasure Box. I have sent a notice to Craftsy and will let you know when I receive a response.
 
http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html

If you'd like to see the variety of boxes being made from my FREE tutorial, please visit my Pinterest board. Thank you, quilty friends!

18 comments:

sophie said...

Aargh! I hate that! Unfortunately Craftsy seems to be a hot bed of this kind of behavior. (Some of my free block patterns are being sold there, too.) Guess what happened when I picked up the phone, called Craftsy and asked about their policy in regards to intellectual property ... I was told someone would return my call, but NO ONE EVER DID.

(Guess where I never spend money?)

Terri said...

Just because you offer something for free doesn't mean it's available to someone else to sell. I hope Craftsy will help you. They shouldn't be allowing infringements on their website.
It is a cute box!
Hugs

Sharon said...

I made a note of the sellers name and you can bet they will never get a sale from me. SEW NOT COOL!

Anonymous said...

Gulp! I almost bought this pattern this morning from Craftsy. Glad I didn't.

Rike Busch said...

Dear Tina,
that's really NOT fear! I hope Craftsy will change something.
Greetings, Rike

suz said...

I agree that is snarky to sell a pattern so much like yours.

I don't sell anywhere but wonder - is it permitted to create boxes from your pattern and sell those?

I, too, want Craftsy to honor your right to that pattern.

Suzi

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

That's really not on and I hope you get somewhere with Craftsy...

Valspierssews said...

I doesn't seem fair but I don't think it is the sort of thing you can really complain about unless the seller uses your pictures. Lots of people sell basic tote bag patterns too but there are lots of free ones. I pinned your box tutorial. We just need to get the free patterns out there.
Valspierssews

Debbie said...

so sorry to hear this. I have found that Craftsy lessons and the patterns section are like two different things. One really has nothing to do with the other. I complained about a pattern I bought that was so poorly written that I was unable to complete the project and was told to direct all inquiries to the author.

WoolenSails said...

I think there needs to be a pattern police, lol. I see so many patterns that are copies of others or slight redo's, it isn't funny and not right to have people selling patterns by using what they find from others. I did a search and found a few like yours and they all linked to your tutorial and I found one tutorial that is similar to yours and dated after yours. That is how I can tell whether a pattern is an original, if the design is familiar, I look around and check the copyright dates;)

Here is a link to the other tutorial:
http://backtosew.blogspot.com/2013/12/fabric-box.html

Debbie

margaret said...

sorry to read this, some people have no sense of right from wrong and are just too greedy, it is so nice to share our talents but then to have others profit from them NO NO NO. Come on craftsy sort this out

Gina said...

I didn't know about this but I have seen other free tutes made for sale by others. Unfortunately, this kind of thing is hard to keep track of other than letting someone know if their pattern is spotted for sale and not supporting that vendor!! Thanks for sharing your tute; one of the things I love about the sewing community is all of the tutorials that are available!!!!

Susan R said...

What?! I have purchased a few Craftsy classes and love them, but this is outrageous! I made one of your baskets and love it (I put my TV remotes in it) and hearing this news really angers me.

I hope you write to Craftsy and let them know this is not right.

Aideen said...

I'm sorry to hear that. I used your free tutorial before, it was lovely. It's a shame that someone copied you

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

These boxes are super cool. Boo for someone copying them and claiming them to be their original design!!

Anonymous said...

Actually I saw the 'for sale' pattern on Craftsy and someone commented on it that it was a duplicate of your free tutorial/pattern. That is how I found you. I have a blog, and shared a link back to your tutorial for the fabric box. I hope Craftsy does do something about it, as it diminishes all the others that are providing their own work. Thank you for your tutorial.

Cathy said...

Bummer! Hopefully Craftsy will respond appropriately.

Katiejane said...

That is so frustrating. They claim to have a copyright. I would question them directly.
http://www.sewmanyblocks.com/faqs