Rules For Using My Patterns

I have on average about 10 ideas a day, and, if only one is good enough to share, that is still 365 good ideas a year. What this means is I tend to drive people around me crazy after a while because if I have an idea I have to share it with someone (the cat is not a good audience - I've tried). That's one of the biggest reasons I started this Blog.

I only share my own original ideas as patterns in my Blog. Since these are my ideas, you will see copyright notices when you download them. I look at it this way:

My ideas, My copyright, My rules -- with as little paperwork as possible!

Here are my rules for using any of my pattern(s) that I offer free of charge:

1. FREE for personal use only. This means you can make one or 1,000 or 1 million as long as you are using the item yourself or are giving them as gifts to your sewing circle friends or even the entire town you live in and are not compensated in any way.

2. Do not copy the pattern(s) (electronically or otherwise) to pass out or share with others. You may make one copy for your personal use. If your pattern wears out, then you may make another copy for more personal use. This means you can refer people to this site to get their own copy. If you know someone who would like a copy who has no internet service available, I would be happy to place one in a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) if they will send me one. Anyone can arrange this by sending an email through this blog.

3. You may purchase the right to use my pattern(s) for your personal profit or for fund-raising for your non-profit group. This means you can purchase a license from me for making & selling a specifically agreed upon number of finished items from a specific pattern. A possible alternative arrangement could be the purchase of a license to make and sell an item for a specific period of time in unlimited quantities. Anyone can arrange this with me by sending an email from this blog.

And, no list of rules is complete without this one these days...

4. When you use my pattern(s), you agree to use them at your own risk. Using my pattern(s) for any purpose indicates that you have read & understand my terms for using my pattern(s) and you agree to abide by my rules. This means I am not responsible for anything that happens as a result of your choice to use my patterns.

The Philosophy Behind the Rules

I want to be generous with my ideas. I want to feel free to share. Some of you will think I am naive -- I know there are people out there who are 'takers', those who think that any rules are for everyone else, who think their situation is different and so stealing will be OK. If you really think you have an exceptional situation, I would be happy to discuss it with you through e-mail to see if an alternative arrangement or agreement can be reached. I wish to honor you with my trust & I will treat you the way I wish to be treated in return -- with integrity -- because I believe that anyone who chooses the path of integrity makes the entire world a better place to live.