Civility.
It’s funny, when I created the Kimono pattern, I wasn’t focused on proper sewing techniques and terms…. I just wanted an incredibly simple pattern that would be really easy for people, especially those new to sewing, to make. I wanted to offer the pattern digitally and I didn’t want people to have to print out paper and tape things together. There’s many things throughout the pattern that go against sewing ‘norms’, and it’s these things that allow me to know the pattern is uniquely mine. Which is why it’s hard for me to see someone do this:
It’s one thing to take my pattern, make the kimonos and sell them after I’ve expressly asked you not to. It’s an entirely different beast to just lift someone’s work, claim it as your own, create an etsy shop and profit from stealing. Thanks to an astute reader, I was notified this morning that pattern offered is exactly my pattern. The document was forwarded to me and it’s literally my pattern…. copyright and border clipped off. MY photos, MY math, MY instructions, MY effort.
I’ve had email exchanges with people who have made kimonos for charity, for children in the NICU needing feed tubes, for relief organization in Haiti…. all of which keep me going. Keep me thinking maybe this simple little pattern makes a difference for some people. So I leave my email address up and still offer the pattern for free (since 2008) even when everyone around me tells me I should be charging people for it.
We’ll see how Etsy handles this…. I am not hopeful, but will be pleasantly surprised if they do the right thing.
That is so wrong! I hope Etsy will do the right thing. The jpeg name made me laugh- so true!
Lindy!!! How are you???
I didn’t realize anyone could see the jpeg name…lol. I guess that’s what happens when I blog before my morning caffeine has kicked in. I’m a little surly.
Dreadful
Yes…. it is. The utter lack of creativity from some who owns a “design” shop on etsy, as well as the sheer laziness with which she lifted the pattern. Astounding.
Yuck. If there’s anything we can do, let us know. We can all write Etsy and tell them we will boycott!
I will! I wrote Etsy and the shop owner directly. We’ll see what happens. I do feel bad for the people that paid for an otherwise FREE pattern. That strikes me as Fraud, plain and simple.
What a rat!! We’ll twitter @Etsy to help expose the slavish copier:(
Great designs A! You are so flippin talented:)
Thanks David! Tweet the scoundrel!
I have her pattern and am sending everything off to Etsy’s legal department. Me thinks this will not be a swift action, but I did write the shop owner directly. I highly doubt she will take the pattern down, but maybe she was just selling it until she was caught.
I can see Canada from my office window. I’ll glare my evil glare in that general direction as well.
What a shame. I’m really sorry for you… You’re so generous. Hugs from France. My children loves their kimonos!
It is such a shame your generosity in sharing your work has been abused like this – it is completely scummy. I love the kimono pattern, and the one I made for a friend’s baby has been worn a lot. I have fabric put aside now to make another one for my daughter.
I think the person selling your pattern should send any money they made from it to you, or refund it to the people who paid for it.
I hope Etsy respond quickly and appropriately.
that sucks!! hope it gets resolved quickly!
k xx
The shop owner removed the pattern…. the plot thickens….
The world is funny. You were kind enough to send me your beautiful pattern months ago. This morning I was struggling to find an idea for a friend’s baby shower and remembered it. I was looking at your beautiful instructions, thought I’d see what you’d been up to on your lovely blog, and learned your news. The good things people have done with your work far outweigh this cad scoundrel’s theft. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
I’m the apparent scoundrel. With much horror and investigation, I’ve found the pattern to be the same and it sickens me. Period. Amy, Please read my email sent earlier today. My offering to donate any proceeds from these sales to a charity of your choice is all I can do to help turn this table around. I have no intention of keeping money from this complex incident and I had no clue until you notified me yesterday.
Amanda, your reply is wonderful. I’m happy to hear the situation is resolving and that you and Amy have made contact. Restores my faith and serves as a good reminder that I shouldn’t jump the gun…..
Glad to hear you will be donating profits to a charity. Best of luck to you both!
Oh dear… I just emailed you for this very pattern and here I find out it is the subject of much controversy.
I just want to thank you for your kimono pattern. I have a similar pattern in the states but need it here to help out moms in the poor neighborhood I live in. Thank you for your part in my ministry and I hope you keep helping others even when some do the wrong thing.
So sorry this happened. I’ve just seen the post after sending request for the pattern. I hope you and Amanda found a solution for this mess!
That’s just terrible, some people have no morals.