Reminder: It's absolutely OK to be frustrated with pricing of anything, not just bag patterns. It's ok to express that frustration in a healthy manner. It's NOT ok to attack, degrade, or sling insults at designers while also expressing the aforementioned frustrations around pricing. All that's going to do is spiral the conversation into a pit of "avocado toast" insults.

Yes yes yes!!!! As a designer that lives off my patterns (ditched the software consulting gig for this), it’s painful when individuals make those posts. As a Canadian it’s all so much more expensive as well since exchange rate kills us. Thank you for standing up for us all and saying it in a visual format that people need!!!

Designer here 👋 I am one with higher prices. I can say that it hurts every time I read one of those posts. I pay my testers. I include all the extras. I provide support through email and in my group. I pay for a shopify app to help people access their files easier. It takes me months of work before the pattern is up for sale. 😮‍💨 You can't ask for all the extras and expect a cheaper price. So we do all the work and price accordingly...and people complain. I'm grateful for your public rant. ❤ Means a lot! Thank you.

Thank you for posting this. Reading the online complaints has been exhausting. I'm a pattern designer and have been disheartened to see people undervalue our work especially when some of those complaining are using our patterns to run their own business selling bags. We're now expected to deliver more than a pattern, pay testers, and incur the rising costs of operating expenses and supplies without raising our prices. It doesn't make sense. Appreciate you spelling it out for everyone.

SAY IT LOUDER FOR THOSE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM! 😆

Oh gosh! I really, really hope all you awesome pattern designers read this comment. Imagine if we all had to go back to paper copy that had to be posted out. Imagine the shipping costs for each and every one! Do we happily buy take-away foods, coffee, get hair and nails done etc etc. bet we don’t really think of these as a huge waste of money? I am forever grateful that I can have instant access to fantastic patterns, suggestions and instructions from those designers who do choose to do a video tutorial. I know I’m fortunate enough to be able to support designers when I buy their patterns and realise not everyone can afford an increase in costs, but please, at least be kind to each other. 🌻

As a bag maker, it's nice if there's a YT video but after being a tester, I find that I need instructions to be well written. I've been spoiled by the level of directions I've been given for pattern testing so when I find a designer who puts out a pattern that doesn't pass the good instructions test, I will email for clarification and if I get push back, then I don't buy from that designer any more. It's only happened once. I have felt for a long time that some pattern designers should absolutely charge more because the product they put out is worth more. I have been told on many occasions "Wow, you're really going to charge that much?" Yes, yes I am. I made it, and my time is worth it. I would love to break out into the design world but I don't have a unique enough design to really put it down on paper. Your video hits home and I hope pattern designers feel empowered to charge what they're worth going forward. 💟

I’ll gladly pay whatever price the designer has priced their product as I know that so much work has gone into it. Totally worth it IMO!

I am not a bag designer but have been sewing for almost 50 years, during which time I have had to create my own patterns for things when one were available. I totally understand all the hard work and time that goes behind it. I have no problem paying what the designers deserve. It saves me frustration and time, the most precious thing I have left. Thanks for making this video. I really appreciate your directness!

THANK YOU for this fiercekittenz!! I am a designer and have been since 2010. In that time I have only put my prices up by $1. BUT now I have at least 3 times the amount of work to do due to people expecting all the extras for 'free'.....probably more. My costs across the board have skyrocketed and now I have to sell an awful lot more patterns just to be at the same level as before....and that also means a LOT more work because the patterns don't just sell themselves. It's all the extra social media stuff you need to do just to get noticed among the gazillion other designers out there. While yes, hobbyists can afford to do them cheaper because they don't rely on the money, it actually that doesn't make it easier for those of us that do this full time because people grow to have certain expectations and just don't stop to think about all that goes on behind the scenes. Many times I feel like jumping ship and going to another job that is easier and pays more....and doesn't require me to work 7 days a week until 2am...BUT I absolutely LOVE what I do.....Although sometimes I am beginning to wonder if that is enough. I get that everyone has tighter budgets now...hey so is MINE.... and I try so hard to please everyone with all the extras and not charging more BUT it is such a gut punch when you see people complaining. I am just SO lucky I have a bunch of regular customers that love and APPRECIATE what I do and I so appreciate them. Thats why I am still here I guess LOL! I wonder if those complaining or those that attempt to copy our work and make their own patterns, even stop to think that if their first attempt is less than perfect and they need to tweak it and make another, they have already wasted more in material costs than if they just bought the TESTED pattern in the first place. I can't think of any other industry with consumers that has such an expectation of wanting more, and paying less....and actually get away with it because designers become too frightened to stand up and charge what they are worth....me included! :(

This is brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing your rant with us. As one that sews to sell, and also does videos on the side, one of my pet peeves is sewists not charging enough for their time and undervalueing their work. Perhaps a rant for another day. Good job!😀😀

Very well said. The same people who won’t bat an eye at buying hundreds of dollars worth of vinyl/hardware/etc for their future bags seem to want to complain about a minimal (but well-deserved) price increase on a pattern.

Thank you. I love making the patterns themselves and seeing what people make at the end once it's done and dusted - but everything in between that sucks the joy out of it.

You haven't even started to touch on the adequate compensation for the special skills you had to acquire to not only produce bag patterns, but all of the "others" that are expected. 🙌

Totally this! Were all struggling in this economy! At the end of the day if we don't all help each other out then people will be complaining when their favourite small shops or pattern designers end up closing!

People in general have no concept of what it costs to do anything anymore or remotely value people’s time and expertise. I’m seeing this same type of issue even in my figure skating coaching. I’ve had several parents balk at my pricing (which is in line with almost every other coach at my rink) and had a few ask for discounts before even taking a lesson. Like nope, my price is my price, not changing it, especially when just like sewing, I’m paying so many other behind the scene fees that people don’t see. The audacity people have lately is honestly abhorrent. I adore all of the pattern designers I buy from because y’all bring something different to the table and teach me new skills I didn’t think I had. Plus, the amount of work and FREE tutorials on their KZfaq or Twitch channels (including yours) are a valuable resource that don’t get lumped into every cost.

Thank you for taking the time for this. I always support every creator who is taking an idea and creating beauty with it. Much appreciated. As a designer, it takes a lot to make people happy and it isn't always in our scope to do everything.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!!! Thank you for speaking out on this. It's not just in the bag-making or crafting world... it is becoming deeply rooted in our culture(s) I am afraid. Societally, we equate goods from Dollar Tree to hand crafted.... and that is just deepening as everyone's wallets get thinner. It's really hard to stand up for yourself and your work at the best of times. And these ain't them. I cannot afford every pattern I fall in love with - that's just not in my budget. But I can applaud the designer and their product - and save my pennies for the ones I absolutely have to own. It has never occurred to me to ask for a discount because I can't afford it. After all, that's my circumstance, not the designers!

ALL OF THIS! ❤❤❤

If I could like this video a million times I would. I was insta-angered by the only one of those posts I saw implying that since pattern testers aren't paid that there's no reason for patterns to be so much. Well, if they didn't complain about prices, testers could be compensated beyond the "free" pattern that isn't free because they worked for it. The list of what a tester does is more than just sewing a thing together, but that can be gotten into at another time. Also, how'd these people become aware of the pattern? Was it a tester's post on release day? The cost to compensate testers should be part of the pattern's price if the designer is established enough, has sales enough and the tester did what was required for the test. Untested patterns or not nearly enough tested patterns are easy to spot, usually by the degree of how many times you want to ram your head into a wall and if those were $11 than yea, be mad. I've been testing patterns for 10+ years. I'm extremely loyal to my pattern designers. I also buy patterns when I can and when I can't because food is somehow more important or something, I wait. OR I design my own and my gods of thread, fabric and wonder clips will attest for every designer, not just me, I hope, it's not easy. I really could go on more but the pattern I'm patterning has been waiting awhile, staring at me from across the room. Good thing too because I'm too exhausted to come across any more posts in sewing groups today.

I hadn't seen anyone saying anything about this till tonight and I shared your video on their comment and I shared it on Sew Whatever. You are right, I don't think people understand how much it takes to actually make a pattern, the materials you go through alone to make sure everything is right before testing is a lot of money lol. I do hear a lot of people complaining about how many pattern designers there are now and how people have a ton of patterns they don't even use so they're trying not to buy. That kind of sucks now that I've finally stepped out on my own and it's kind of discouraging. But I understand with the economy I've slowed down on buying stuff as well. Thanks for saying what we all haven't said!

It is sad that it has gotten like this. I have a limited income. If I can't afford something, I either save my pennies or pass. It really is that simple. I have been sewing for 55 years. I can make patterns and do at times. I have given them away and had people contact me about things. I no longer give them away. I do not sell bags - I give them away to loved ones. It is an expensive hobby but life is short and getting shorter!

Love this!!! I saw some of the complaints and I'm not a designer but I so so agree with you!! I'm so in awe of those who have that mind set to actually design a bag!!! I think this every time I sew up a complicated beautiful bag. I have no problem whatsoever paying a higher price and even more. Glad you stepped in on this one. Enjoyable and informative rant!!

Wow, I had no idea that people have the balls to demand all of these things from a pattern maker. If they need that level of help, perhaps they should enrol on a sewing class as simply following a pattern is beyond them.

Especially the last part! I was selling some hand made jewellery at a Christmas market and one man gave me the "but I can buy a necless much cheaper in that or that store". My reply was please do, I'm not selling to someone who doesn't see the difference...

Wow, they don’t call you Fierce for nothing💕. You’re spot on. I just started buying bag patterns and when I saw the investment increase I wasn’t surprised because I also sew clothing and those patterns are comparable or much more depending on the pattern company. I use investment increase because your patterns are an investment in our creativity, sometimes income and the joy of our craft. The pattern makers pave the way for hours of enjoyment, otherwise I don’t think many of us would own machine’s that probably at this point cost more than my car☹️. People forget we’re not paying for just a pattern…we’re paying for your knowledge and experience. Thank you for all you create and feisty fierceness 👍🏻

Also, I’ve always (privately of course) thought that pdf patterns should cost less than printed patterns, but I hadn’t considered all of the factors that go into it, so thank you for setting my misguided thinking straight! ❤

Outstanding video! You told it like it is. BTW, I am not a pattern designer. I understand how much work and cost is involved. Thank you!😁 I might watch this every morning just to get me fired up for my day!

YIKES! That's alotta MATH. Ugh . . . I think if all those people P&M-ing had to design a pattern from scratch, they'd stuff a sock in it and have some cheese with their whine. On the plus side, I do appreciate when Fierce Kittenz gets fierce! 🙂

You go girl!, thank you for posting this. I support all small businesses, and don’t mind paying the price they set.

Thanks for this seam ripping episode. Many people truly do not consider the time, effort, and money it takes to create product (whatever that product may be). It's as if 'they' are spitting in our general direction...

Omg! All the work you designers put into a pattern is unfathomable! I can’t believe some people being so crass. I for one, appreciate everything a designer does and am grateful that the patterns are in most people’s budgets. Let them try it once….. you go girl! 😊

I’ve never understood the complaining about paying for patterns. I’ve made a few bags without a pattern and A LOT of time goes into figuring out cut sizes, how big to box the bottoms, how big to make zipper panels, how long should the straps/handles be, etc. I’ve been trying to make a small zippered card case to attach to my keys for two weeks now and I still can’t get it exactly how I want it. Not to mention extra materials if you’re making test prototypes. If I can find a pattern that gives me all the info and I don’t have to spend my precious sewing time figuring it all out, I’m more than happy to pay $10-15 for that! The entitlement that some people feel just baffles me.

Thank you for the "behind the curtain" view of a pattern designer. As a purchaser of patterns (curator of future makes) price is never my determining point for purchase. I look for a quality make with something different than the run-of-the-mill options. I personally need solid instructions with lots of quality photos or a video. Definitely a visual learner. If a customer takes a Step back and looks at it realistically, grocery prices are up 30-40%, and the pattern standard-bearer for years, Simplicity, now charges $13-$20 SALE price for patterns u less you have a Joann's close by and catch a sail. Their patterns are nowhere near the level of instruction you get from a good independent pattern designer and there are no photos other than the jacket, no projector o]option, no videos and certainly NO ONE answering "I need help" phone calls or emails. IMHO, $10-$15 is not out of line for Quality pattern. Would I love a $3 savings for some sale day?? Sure but it would never be the reason for purchase ... it would just make it easier to buy two! To any designers reading ... please know that you have loads of customers who understand your commitment, process and need to be fairly compensated and we appreciate having so many great patterns at hand. Debbie

I wanted to give the last complainer a piece of my mind but the comments were locked. Pay artists people! Thank you for this

I really enjoyed your rant. I am relatively new to bagmaking and have joined several FB groups. Lately that's all they have been talking about and wasting space - complaining, etc. As you said, everything is increasing in this world - it's the times we live in. As I always tell my daughters, stay true to you.... I certainly don't do this for income, but I like to gift bags etc., and that makes me feel good. Thank you for your videos, I have learned a lot from you.

Sure, everything has gotten more expensive. I now have to shop more carefully for my patterns, and, maybe buy less often. The price I pay is for, not only for quality patterns, but also for the videos, and extras that are in the pattern. I also am not using my gas, or carving out extra time for a trip to the store. I can pay, print, and be sewing in a very short slice of time. That is money well spent. I appreciate all the videos and social content the designers are putting in these days. When I look at how much my skills have improved in the last 10 years of sewing, I am amazed! We are getting free education people! Support you designers as best you can, when you can, and for God's sake, people ,stop the bitching! We are all in the same boat with this economy.

Thank you for this! 🤗 It is a lot of work and I do it because I love it, there certainly isn’t much profit in it. Those nasty FB comments do hurt. I remember the days when I walked into a fabric shop, bought a McCalls pattern and told the employee how much and what kind of fabric I needed (by reading fabric labels and the back of the envelope), picked my notions etc, paid (could be anywhere from $25 to $100 total for a garment) then went home to sew it all by myself - no designer support, no classes re how to sew garments, no videos, no FB sewing groups or buddies. You either do it or die. Things have changed. BTW I still have a Vogue paper pattern for a simple jacket and skirt that I paid $27.50 CAN for in 2003, no SVGs, no projector files, etc. and people complain about prices.

Thank you! I don’t think people realize that if the designer is isn’t covering their expenses then that means the business is losing money. That means out of business = less patterns. There can be some really great ideas out there but if the creator doesn’t feel it’s worth their time, then we’ll never see it.

Absolutely understand and agree! I totally have to shop around and look at multiple patterns before I buy a pattern! Show me where the Big 3 provide all this extra support. Then big box retailers sell $20 for $1.99 or $3.99 because they are counting on you to buy all your materials at their store with a huge mark up. But maybe I am old and remember how hard a Vogue pattern was to make with tissue paper and written instructions using terminology that I had to learn before actually having the skills required. Folks today have no idea how easy it is now when people do sew alongs and videos that walk you through step by step. I have a projector and Silhouette Cameo and haven't learned to use them yet! Too scared to change from the way I have sewn for 50+ years.

This! I saw that post and was absolutely flabergasted at the comments! I raised the prices of my patterns, but they're still under $10 and I have people contact me all the time asking if they can get a discount.

Thankyou!! thankyou !! I am also a designer, not bags, but machine embroidery, we are in the same boat. My prices are extremely low, and I still get complaints, about what I don't provide, what I should provide, and most of my items are priced not much more than a coffee. I'm so glad I don't rely on the sales to eat, because I wouldn't be able to.

I'm with you! Designing patterns for just my use is hard enough, plus going through the testing phase which take so much time and mental energy. I never really trust someone who doesn't design and create things themselves to appreciate the work that goes into it.

Live and let live I say, consumers have a choice and when times are hard, we are all making choices about how we spend our money. Whereas once upon a time I would see a new pattern and have the funds to buy it, to put in my "must make" one day folder. In todays times, I have a folder where I list the bags that I may want to make one day, with a pretty picture of it from the designers webpage - so that I can revisit it one day in the future. I have no complaint about the cost of a pattern and do realise that they come with a lot of extra's these day. I have seen some designers breaking up their patterns in to a basic purchase, with added features at a separate cost, which I do appreciate as well. Happy sewing everyone

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I’m NOT a pattern designer, but this stuff drives me CRAZY when I see it in groups! I’m on a very fixed income (disability) and don’t have the ability to pump out a bunch of work like others, so I space out when I buy patterns and alternate between my favorite designers and what my customers are requesting…AND I even pattern test with some of my favorite designers: a) to get the pattern for free b) to help the designers “pimp out” their patterns once they’re completed and/or c) to see how the designers work “behind the scenes”. I can confirm, these designers put a ton of work into their craft and Fierce Kitten didn’t even touch some things, like the cost of the designers materials when they’re testing! It’s a wonder the designers even deal with some people’s BS to WANT to create these awesome designs! We get it…the economy is crap right now and everyone is hurting and/or penny pinching or scrimping and making their own sacrifices. It sucks, but complaining without putting the thought of what pattern designers have to go through…well, I’m glad FK is in the position to educate for those of us (them - the designers, I’m just chiming in as a bag maker LOL) that can’t! BRAVA!! 👏🏻👏🏻

OMFG! I saw some of those whining attacks today and about lost my mind. Thank you for this so succinct explanation to those entitled little whiners. I was literally just rant to my husband about this very issue when I can upon this video. Thank you thank you!

I agree 1000% with your honest take!! Thank you for putting this out there. It needs to be said!! 👏👏

This was amazing! In a tight economy we have to pick and choose what we spend our money on. I cut back in other places, make better/cheaper choices on some things so I can afford my hobbies that keep me sane in this crazy, ever changing world. People hide behind their computers and make awful comments forgetting their basic manners. What has happened to manners? If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

I will occasionally get patterns when they’re on sale but usually only for new to me pattern companies so I can judge the instructions. If I find a good designer, I will gladly pay full price. Everything is so much more expensive today. We, as seamstresses, want certain things in the patterns which costs so much more to include. Even paper patterns, McCalls, Simplicity, etc have raised prices. The last paper pattern I purchased was almost $20 dollars. Pattern theives also make it difficult for designers. This is why I only buy patterns directly from the company that designed it.

Well said. I'm not a designer and have no idea how you do it. Deserve every penny.

I love everything about this video!!!! Would love to see the rant continue regarding the cost of handmade bags that you touched on at the end.

In addition to the costs of overhead, I think it's really important to talk about how many hours it takes to create photos and instructions and videos. I have some aspirations of designing sewing patterns, and honestly that's the part that really gets me. I can draft patterns - I've been making bags from my own designs for part of my living for years. I've posted some free tutorials over the years, and even without videos or anything, they take hours to create. It takes a ton of time to go through the process of making the item while taking photos of every step. It takes hours to crop and color correct the photos and write detailed instructions, and putting it into a layout that looks remotely decent and is easy to use. Filming and editing a video takes time. All this means that even a simple pattern for a simple item takes many hours of someone's skilled labor. I don't see why that labor should be less valuable than that of any number of other skilled workers. $60/hour is not a lot in that context. If it takes ten hours to do that stuff for a simple pattern, then the designer needs to make $600 just to cover the time it takes to make it - which doesn't count any time spent on customer service-type questions. For a $6 pattern, that's 100 patterns *not counting overhead at all*. We've all gotten so used to expecting stuff for free, especially digital stuff. My actual background and my other job is in music, and it's a similar situation: Everyone wants free recordings, free sheet music, free online tutorials, etc.

Great rant from a truly Fierce Kitten. Well done Kittenz!!!

I saw a FB post about this for the first time today. Personally, I don’t bat an eye at the price of a pattern for the instant gratification of a pdf download, so I was taken aback by the comment. Like you said, the price of EVERYTHING has gone up. Economics 101 is pretty simple and I’m not even good at math. You designers keep cranking out good patterns for cute bags and I’ll keep buying them without complaint. The majority of us appreciate your talents.

Amen to that. I don't sew but I do a lot of other crafts (mostly stationery related) and it's the very same situation with things like sticker shops and so on. Yes of course I understand if you used to buy something for 4 dollars and now it's 6 dollars that is not the most pleasant thing but if you stop thinking just about your own predicament for just one second and think about the person who is selling this you might figure out that they did not rise the price to become filthy rich or did it just to hurt your finances. That last one actually makes no sense when you think about it since as a business you obviously try to have as many customers as possible. And still people think only of themselves and like to play the victim card (it's the easiest way I guess, not many brain cells required). What shocks me most is that people have no compassion anymore. Anyway long comment to just agree with everything you said. I sincerely hope that the "right" people will see this video and hear what you had to say. And if nothing else at least you were able to speak up for other pattern makers who might not go public with content like this. I take my hat off to you.

I adore you. Thank you FK for using your platform to bring some people back down to earth. :)

Pattern making is hard😅 I feel the spicy energy in this one LOL

Preach it, sister! Preach it!!!

I started seeing these statements recently. I agree, if you don’t want to pay for it, don’t buy it. If you are really interested in making the item, then buy it. I am amazed at the quality of the patterns that I have purchased and the talent needed to make them.

I'm wondering, the ones who complain, do they sell their bags/finished makes? Because I'm pretty sure they aren't selling those bags/makes for $10 or less! I don't really make to sell, but absolutely will if someone asks. Yet I have around 300+ patterns. Some are through testing for designers, so I haven't paid for the pattern (I don't get paid to test either and I don't care! I love the experience of it all). I have a few free patterns too. But most of my patterns, I have paid for. But there are still hundreds of patterns that I yearn for, and can't buy due to my limited budget. I'll get them one day 😂 But if I was buying patterns to make bags to then sell, and make it a business or side hustle, then the cost of a pattern is an INVESTMENT!! Designers take all the pressure off a bag maker, as they've already done the hard work to perfect the pattern, and also make suggestions for additions and tweaks that could be done! The bag maker will follow the instructions and can make bags production style if they choose to. So, if you're a bag maker bit*ching about pattern prices, but are churning out bags and selling them at a profit, wind your neck in!!! You're a hypocrite! You're pricing your made bags to cover your time and materials! That is NO different to the individual who designed that pattern that you are using multiple times!!! (If you're sewing for fun, then take it on the chin, if you like a pattern, you'll pay the price for the pattern and that's on you, not the designer). Lecture over 😉

Y-E-S!! And thank you. I can't bring myself to comment on the ill-informed posts I've seen floating around the bag making socials recently. They are so insulting. Thanks for breaking this down for those who didn't know. Reputable pattern makers (like myself!) will also make patterns for free and often given separate tutorials on how to add strap connectors, etc to any bag/pouch. As well as introducing people to the way we structure our patterns and our individual teaching styles, etc, it shows the integrity of designers wanting to provide opportunities to those who can't afford the charged-for patterns. We are inclusive but we won't work for free. Why should we?! Why should anyone?!

😅😂 so true!! Same for those folks making quilt patterns.. love how you broke down your expenses.. I agree on the video tutorial as I, too find that quite useful.. We're all feeling the pinch in the wallet, but understanding that pattern designers are business owners. We don't have to buy their goods, we can learn to make our own! We can alsobchhose fo purchase the items they've spent creative time, ensrvy and money to produce for us go enjoy and duplicate .. and maybe sell to make back the money paid for the pattern If giving as gift, consider as part of gift. i have a budget. If i can afford it I get! If not, and i still want it, I save up for it.. It's my pleasure!!

Not a designer here. I'm a buyer. Well said! I have only just started buying patterns. I've been amazed at how folks are able to even create patterns. Genius! Thanks for explaining what the designers go thru. I'm even more appreciative.

The actual brain juice it takes to create a pattern from idea to a tangible working pattern design and then make the directions understandable in every possible way to the masses so they don't get confused is just part of the battle. Everything else that is expected on top of that has gone over the top. There's a bag Creator who literally gives away FREE downloadable patterns of his bags AND provides FREE videos to follow along and someone ripped him a new one by commenting that the creator didn't make it easy enough for her to follow. I swear. There are plenty of bag designers who will spell out everything for people and they still get berated because there are those who don't understand that they actually have to put more effort into learning and trial and error before they get the results they're looking for. It can take years for some because that's just how long some folks need for it to "click." It doesn't mean the design is "flawed" or "incomplete." If a pattern states, "this is what you get for this price," then that's what you get for that price. I only make my own patterns when I can not find anything else out there that I need. Everything else, I just buy the pattern because after coming up with all the measurements and seam allowances and pieces that go into pattern making, frankly, my brain hurts, and I need a beer.

Well, next payday ill be shopping your patterns.

Ive always loved your channel bc you were always straight on 🙌🏻. It bugs me when they like to bash Sarah and her pattern bundle pricing when it averages $10 a pattern but you have to buy a bundle. Its her prerogative and if they dont like it dont buy it. Simple.

I too am a Software Engineer and I don't think I can do bag selling business - I just make bags for hobby and give it to friends, family and charity. I have purchased a lot of patterns because I love the style or the designer

Have to say I have at times wondered why the prices of PDF patterns are so high. Having you explain all that goes into making that pattern for sale was extremely interesting for me. I would never complain or berate someone on line, but now I won't even have those thoughts in my head. Thank you. Hope you feel better after your rant.

Very well said. I for one do not put in codes if the designer is giving a discount to one of the sewist's tutorials. They worked hard on that pattern, I tried to make a pattern one time and laughed so hard at the results. I don't know if anyone has looked at the costs of the big 3 (But*****, Si*****, Mc*****) but I was going to get one pattern and it was over $18 and believe me, no pictures, hacks or video tutorial. My rant is over.

Recently discovered your channel when I fell down the bag making rabbit hole. I have kearned so much and appreciate all the content you put out. Thank you. also, for standing up for your fellow designers! I hope soneday to graduate to designing myself and it is comforting to know there are people with the courage to speak out when needed. I don't know if I could have been so levelheaded and succinct.

Wow!!! Is this the best rant I've ever heard. Yes, yes it is. Love it. So true. I'm on 8 hours of my next bag project. Its all in cardboard and tape at the moment. These things take time. As you said , if you aren't happy, make it yourself. Thank you. Uk 50 something male bag maker. I get funny looks at people I tell.

I’m all good with paying for a pattern, the only time I have an issue is when I pay that price only to find a “pattern” that looks like it was drawn with a sharpie by a 2 year old and scanned into adobe’s free software. I have 6 patterns that I’ve purchased that are sold that way and it’s horrible.

Thank you for this video! I truly appreciate it 🫶🏽🥰

You are a gifted orator!!!

Thanks for this video, you're spot on with this. Also reminded me I've been meaning to buy one of your patterns, so now I have a new pattern to sew up. :D

YES!!!!! I'm not even a designer who sells patterns and totally all of this!!!!!

Thank you. This needs to be said from time to time.

I inserted every swear word where applicable (every other word). People are off their rocker nowadays. I'm happy to pay for these patterns. Time invested. Money invested. Materials invested. Sanity... invested. Most of these patterns come with projector and svg files. That's an added bonus for me at a great price. We all aren't doing well in this economy. Compassion and understanding is a thing of the pass. Wasn't a rant for me. Just straight facts.

I don't make patterns, but I do quilt. I've sold a couple things by word of mouth, but it's not what I do for a living. The amount of time that I put into a quilt, everything from deciding what to make, purchasing fabric, cutting, piecing, finishing, etc., are things that I love, and I do it to stay sane during the northeast winters. My eyes and brain need to see colorful fabrics. With that said, did I make a profit? NO! But it's not what I do for a living either. However, when I was a freelance writer, I spent most of the time scrounging up worthwhile jobs in various magazines. Most horse magazines only pay around $150 for an article, unless you're a vet and it's specialized. I have to think up the idea, find sources, write it pitch it, etc. Fortunately, I also had, and still have, a great gig with a trade magazine and they pay VERY well (in case anyone out there wants to know the best paying writing gigs). The best thing was when I was in a 'stable' for a couple magazines and could pretty much count on a certain amount monthly. But I still went out substitute teaching, picking and choosing, not accepting classrooms that were horrible. So, I totally get your creative process and wanting to get paid for it. :)

The entitlement is insane. Here my generation is being told "just don't go to Starbucks and you'll be able to afford a house" (spoiler alert, Starbucks every day for a year doesn't even equal $3k)... But buying a pattern for $15 that you can then make multiple times, and sell those finished products repeatedly? That's just too much... Time to start getting the generic metamucil and denture cream, save a few bucks and one day you'll be able to buy a $15 pattern.

Thank you for explaining what goes into the entire process and costs. Well said! More people need to view this video!

I guess I don't understand why this is even a problem at all because as you stated it's no different than the flea market mentality. Of course they'd feel appalled if someone tries to haggle them down on their own finished products. It's retail 101, they know damn good and well they'd lowball themselves right off the line and put other makers in an unfair position. I mean there's a reason I don't belong to most groups but these basic principles were beat over our heads for a good reason.

Unfortunately people are comparing some mass produced product and wanting to make something cheaper. Sewing for most people is a hobby and just buying the fabric most of the time costs more than a retail product. But thats where expectations need to shift. I to have both designed from scratch or deconstructed another bag and its a lengthy process. Of course I'm only making patterns for myself. Its certainly tricky to make money with all the setup and hosting costs so i don't envy you. I love your statement that if you can't afford the pattern then make your own. I think for most of us it would end up costing more with wasted fabric and loat time so buying the pattern is a better idea. Love your content.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Thank you for saying these things that really need to be said!❤❤❤❤❤

You rock, fiercekittenz! I agree with you. Love the beanie!

Loving this! ❤❤❤

Great video thank you

I totally agree! I can only imagine the amount of time and effort that goes into producing a well-written pattern. Designers deserve to be compensated for their time and effort.

I absolutely agree with the setting out of the realities of pattern making. As a customer I am glad someone else has the expertise, the business and makes my life as a bag maker so easy that I can buy patterns with tutorials for all the prices the designers have pitched them at. Sometimes, some people need to hear the truth broken down - that’s not to say they’ll ever understand or appreciate your work and talents. I do and I am grateful for them.

Not a designer (although more than capable of doing my own, I dont have the time). I refuse to make bags to sell to other people. I have the same industrial machine as you, I work sew from home and use it to make bags for myself and family. When people see my bags and ask if I will make them one, I usually politely refuse. The time I spend carefully sourcing materials, hardware, thread etc (I never seem to have the right shade) and dont start me on the amount I spend on interfacing, then add the time to make the bag would shock them. They see the price of mass produced bags and say oh, but I can get xxx cheaper from xxxx. Fine, is my usual answer, but now do you realise why the large designer houses charge what they do for their hand made bags and how much more they are than mass produced imports.

I love your rants 😂

Yes! you rock!!

praise be! You are sooooo right.

Bravo!

The fact that you even have to put up a video like this absolutely blows my mind. Being polite, do these people even have two brain cells to rub together? They pay for a pattern once. Just once. And the pattern is theirs for life and they can make as many bags as they like! It's a one-off cost to them. But as you quite rightly stated, the ongoing costs for that one pattern for the designer are there until they effectively take it down. I see a similar trend with books. Readers don't like paying the same price for an ebook as a print book, even though they have the same editing, formatting, and cover. At the end of the day, people can't get butt hurt over something that is out of their control. The price is what it is and if they don't like it, move on and find another pattern. If they really want that pattern, they'll have to suck it up and pay for it. Designers have to make a living and it's not as simple as throwing together a pattern and wacking it up as a PDF. **sighs**

Thank you for speaking up. I agree and I’m not a bag designer. I just like making them.

All I got to say is: co-signed.

Well said on the breakdown of this. I've seen this in every community I am in. Creators are raising and most of them have good reasons. Woodworking, laser cutting, and 3D modeling, all of those do "patterns" that the individual makes at home. Now, most good creators will do tests before releasing it, but I have been seeing a trend of just producing without testing so I avoid those creators.

I agree with you 100%. Maybe they just shouldn’t make some thing from a pattern, go buy in the store and pay their prices and hopefully you won’t buy something that’s cheaply made.

I hear ya! I gladly pay a designer what they want for their pattern.