Congratulations Mary Sue! Please email me at djc at cedesign dot com to claim your Ooo Rah Wallet pattern download and to provide me your mailing info for the fabrics!
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Unfortunately, with this happy news comes some rotten news. Apparently another Etsy wallet pattern seller has gotten a bee in her bonnet that I have copied/stolen her pattern. Nothing could be further from the truth. I think those of you who've been around my sewing and blogging for a while already know that. I'm still new enough on Etsy that I don't know how they act on such complaints, so if the pattern suddenly disappears from my Etsy shop, you'll know why.
Debbie, this makes me sick! I know there are a lot of 'bootleggers' out there but you are certainly not one of them! I remember finding your blog (about a million years ago) and thinking to myself that you most certainly must be an engineer, and it didn't surprise me a bit when you came up with your pattern. And let's face it, a purse is a purse and a wallet is a wallet, it's not like there aren't a ton of patterns out there for all of them! It's not like you're claiming to have invented the light bulb! I would imagine (and hope) in the end you should be okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear that Debbie. Just remember you have a history of your pattern's state right here on your blog. You should be able to easily prove it is an original design.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I've been on etsy for awhile now, and people screaming copycat have been around forever. Stick to your guns. And like Laura says, a wallet is a wallet. I bet if you do more searching on etsy there is more than just the 2 of you, and your accuser has probably contacted them all.
ReplyDeleteI see your shop is gone, Debbie. This is NOT RIGHT. As Swoosh said, you have proof on your blog.
ReplyDeleteShams - I had a mini heart attack. lol ... turns out it was my fault with a typo in my link. The link is fixed and all is OK for now.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping all this blow over. And soon! Hang in.
ReplyDeleteUgh! How frustrating. Hopefully, you'll get things ironed out soon. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh no! That's too frustrating -- but as Swoosh said, you do have a lot of documentation on your blog if they ask for it. I think some people just like to kick up a fuss to try to eliminate the competition without going to all the bother of actually filing a lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a wallet pattern styled like yours (the size and the book-style closure rather than a lift-the-top closure), so I think it would be pretty unlikely that someone has a version of this wallet.
Hope it all shakes out ok!
Firstly...Congratulations on your 600th follower!! Well done.
ReplyDeleteSecondly.. I have been a fan for a long, long time and do not believe that the accusations are any where near true. Gee, a wallet is such a newly invented item that you need to copy the prototype.
I DON"T THINK SO...
XO
OK, Debbie. Tell the truth. You bought MY pattern August 13th, August 14th you blogged about developing your pattern. There are a few pieces of MY pattern that were left with the dimensions completely intact, and if any of your readers would like MY wallet pattern as proof, I would be happy to send it to them, free of charge. (Also, they can see that you plagiarized, nearly word for word, the thank you note I send out with my patterns. Any readers want to see for yourselves?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has been blatantly copied on Etsy you have my full sympathy on the matter. Your integrity will shine through.
ReplyDeleteOh good grief! As if life hasn't thrown you enough curve balls! We certainly all know your pattern is completely original. I hope it blows over quickly.
ReplyDeleteBefore everyone hops on the bandwagon to defend Debbie and call the person "complaining" whiny or a copycat or whatever words you come up with, do note -
ReplyDeleteThe designer making this claim has had her wallet pattern out for months before Debbie "developed" hers. She also has both patterns in front of her - what are the odds that pattern pieces would match up completely? What are the odds that the "thank you for buying my item" note sent with the pattern is almost word for word, including unique usage of punctuation?
This designer wouldn't have gone to Debbie without proof to back up her statement of copying. I've seen the proof myself. But despite contacting Debbie and asking her to please remove the listing, Debbie instead has decided to slander this other designer on her blog.
Guess what Debbie? This designer is a friend of ours, a very talented, wonderful friend of ours. And we will not stand by and watch her hard work be copied and then her name dragged through the mud. Yes, you are popular and have lots of followers. But this designer has very loyal friends who have a very wide internet presence. We'll make sure the truth is told.
Oh,my. You neither need or deserve this aggravation. FWIW, the same thing recently happened to a very creative, very talented, sewing friend of great integrity. How many generic, tiered, ruffled little girl skirts are out there. Hers had a unique creative twist that I have never seen and this person accused her of copying her very generic version. She made all sorts of nasties. My friend knew different and just "rose above". Ignore her.
ReplyDeleteOK I have to get involved here.
ReplyDeleteA magazine I have worked with used to have the perennial problem of a well-known sewing writer who was always going into you-have-copied-me mode every time an article was published on anything she/he had written about. As if one person owned the sleeve head, or a hem, or a collar. This happens all the time and I feel too often in sewing. After all we work with slight variations on near identical pattern pieces all the time. Does Simplicity threaten to sue Butterick because they also have an A line skirt with a waistband? How possible is it to make wallet pieces different? Round? Also most wallets are fairly standard sized so unless you took the trouble to make yours 1/4" different for all possible competitors how would you protect yourself?
If there is an issue with the thank you, and "thank you for buying my item" is about a generic a phrase as I can think of (right up there with "have a nice day" or "thanks for stopping by") and does not require enormous original creativity to write, just change it. How about "Thank you for your purchase" and hope the other 4 million retailers who say that won't mind.
Let's all chill. The world economy is a mess, no one has done a thing about world peace lately, and there is room for all creative people. I am sure you and the other designer are both doing great work.
I haven't bought your pattern yet because I don't have a Pay Pal account. Will fix that and place my order today.
And isn't it always the case? How the anonymous commenters always want to make sure they don't ID themselves? Again, hang in, Debbie.
ReplyDeleteClaudia -
ReplyDelete"She also has both patterns in front of her - what are the odds that pattern pieces would match up completely? What are the odds that the "thank you for buying my item" note sent with the pattern is almost word for word, including unique usage of punctuation?"
I also have both patterns. She must use a different kind of ruler than I'm familiar with since NONE of the pattern pieces match up, "completely" or otherwise. And the "unique usage of punctuation" was to frame a word with asterisks for emphasis, an internet practice that has been in use for more than 20 years from back in the day when only plain text was available. It's something I've always done quite regularly (look back years on this blog or any message board I've participated in). Or is she claiming she invented that too?
And, yes, I bought her pattern on August 13 and blogged about my pattern on August 14. Do you really think I came up with a complete pattern in less than 24 hours? Again I note that my 16 pattern pieces are NOT the same size as her 7 pieces. Further, my construction methods and instructions are completely different too. If I was copying a pattern already in existence, why did I need testers for mine - testers who actually found problems that needed correction? Wouldn't it have worked right out of the gate?
As I told this seller privately, I bought her pattern to compare it to mine to be sure they were different so that I could judge whether there would be markets for each. I guess that backfired on me.
You and this seller may feel justified in your accusations, but the real facts don't add up to anything other than the fact that we both have similar wallet patterns and sent similar thank-you notes.
I encourage everyone to take this seller's offer and compare her pattern to mine.
That really stinks. I bought your pattern a few weeks ago and can't wait to make it. You have worked so hard on it my fingers are crossed that it all works out for you.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I'm in the process of making your pattern! I plan on finishing today. I'm at the point of having to hammer the snap into the flap.
ReplyDeleteYour instructions are great, no guessing as to how to do each step.
Thanks for a great pattern.
Shame on you. In your heart you know what you have done.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, it's not just a similar wallet, you word for word plagiarized the thank you note! You came out with your prototype the DAY AFTER you purchased the pattern. Come on, how can that be a coincidence? Let's be honest!
ReplyDeleteThe testing, just like this blog post, were all part of your CYA maneuvers. Because you KNOW you are in the wrong.
ReplyDelete"And, yes, I bought her pattern on August 13 and blogged about my pattern on August 14. Do you really think I came up with a complete pattern in less than 24 hours?"
ReplyDeleteWHY DID YOU NEED TO BUY IT IF YOU COULD JUST DRAFT ONE SO SIMILAR YOUR OWN BY YOURSELF?
Hi Debbie, So sorry to see you having to deal with this garbage. Stay strong. I really enjoy reading your blog, and loved making your wallet (twice).
ReplyDeletehmmm. Purchase a pattern. Blog that I'm creating a pattern. Copy the pieces almost line by line (gotta make sure it's my own design after all) Load that pattern into an Etsy shop (under a different name than I purchased the pattern with) and start selling. I can make a quick thousand bucks!! Someone bought one? Oh, use the thank you note that came with the pattern I bought, and voila! Come on, Debbie, I looked through your blog that is all full of honor and pride in your Marine sons. Get honest with yourself, show that same honor and pride. Take the plagiarized pattern down, go back to the drawing board and actually make your own pattern. It's one thing to see something and get an idea for a pattern you could make; what you've done is entirely different. And flat-out wrong. And you know it.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that etsy will get to the bottom of this. The information was submitted...I see no reason for harsh words or exaggeration. The truth will soon come out and we'll see who is able to sell their pattern.
ReplyDeleteI had been planning to buy your pattern, and I just ran right over to Etsy right now and purchased it. The review by The Sewing Lawyer is what convinced me your pattern is unique because she praised the completeness of your instructions - something that is sadly missing all too often. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteIf Debbie bought the pattern and copied it, why does hers look better, have more features, and a better sewing process? Why would she buy a pattern and 'fake' issues with it like putting the zipper in the wrong place and improving the credit card pockets so the cards don't fall out? All this is part of the pattern development documented on her blog. And how is posting about the issue on her blog any different than posting about Debbie on message boards and face book? Think, people. Buying a pattern when you are developing a pattern is not PROOF OF COPYING, it is PROOF OF PRODUCT RESEARCH. The only evidence presented that is not circumstantial is the thank you email. And that is hardly the heinous crime presented here.
ReplyDeleteIf you purchased a pattern for the purpose of ensuring yours was different enough to have a market, wouldn't you be sure to alter your thank you note just a little more than this?
ReplyDelete***DEBBIE"S NOTE READS:***
Quote:
Thank you so much! I appreciate your order.
If you have any questions about the instructions or anything else, please let me know. I check my email often.
*Remember*, when you print the pattern, turn all scaling OFF. There is a 1" square on the first page of the instructions and also on the first page of the pattern that you can measure to make sure that the pattern printed to actual size.
If you have any feedback about the pattern instructions, please let me know. I'd love to see what you make!
Thanks again!
***THE OTHER PATTERN IN QUESTION READS:***
Thank you so much! I appreciate your order.
If you have any questions about the instructions or anything else, let me know. I am usually able to check my email a few times a day.
*Remember*, when you print the pattern, turn all scaling OFF. It might tell you something like "some clipping may occur", just ignore it. There is a small 1" square you can measure to make sure that the pattern printed out to actual size.
If you have any feedback about the pattern instructions, please let me know. I'd love to see what you make!
Thanks again!
Meh, stuff like this happens on the internet. Let it slide right off. I'd change the thank you note if that's such a big deal. I don't think you copied anyone. I think the internet can be a brutal place for no damn good reason sometime.
ReplyDeleteAmen Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteThis should leave no doubt...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/67910291@N06/6177898913/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67910291@N06/6177898913/
ReplyDeleteThe numbers at the end of the flickr link should read 6177898913/
ReplyDeleteIt's cutting off the last few numbers.
I haven't seen any of the patterns in question - but I have seen a lot of online printable patterns that ALL state
ReplyDelete1) the info about printing and scale
2) contact me if you have anything to say or show me
3) thank you for using/buying my pattern.
There really isn't a whole lot of ways to write that.
At least have the decency to admit it. Honor?? The original pattern makers family is military as well. He is a decorated soldier. Are you really that honorable to rip off another military family's living?
ReplyDeleteShe tested her pattern with quite a few people, and the flickr pictures show the truth.
How can you sleep at night knowing you did this?
Of course people come out with patterns all the time, but how often do they buy a pattern, then the exact same pattern is suddenly designed by them? Come on now.
Again, you need to take honor off of your blog.There is no honor in this.
My daughter has a friend who has been making wallets for about 5 years, and selling them. They are somewhat similar to yours. That said, aren't all wallets similar? I mean, you need a slot for bills, a slot for coinage (maybe), credit card slots. So let her howl. And just keep selling your wallet, knowing that it is all yours (we saw the creative process right here, so we know the truth).
ReplyDeleteThat is true. There are only so many ways to make a wallet. But please look at the flickr picture linked above. Several pattern pieces have EXACTLY the same measurements. Logically speaking, there is no way that would be true if the purchased pattern wasn't used to make Debbie's pattern. True, I can look at any wallet and make on that is strikingly similar. But the pieces would not be exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteJust because you follow someone on the internet, doesn't mean you should trust them. Just because they are funny, smart, creative and have a great blog, doesn't mean that there isn't a possibility that they are not who you thought they were.
The pictures speak for themselves. There is no way that you could look at them and not know what the truth is.
Wow. And I thought my week was a bit wacky.
ReplyDeleteWow.... that's it! I'm going to design a wallet, open an Etsy shop to sell the pattern and my home sewn wallets and travel around the world on my huge profits!!!!!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous/Truth Be Told - I'm a little confused - and that would not be a first, alas. I don't see any way to actually get to your pattern. There are something like 16 pages of wallet patterns on Etsy, and many of them look, to my untrained eye, pretty similar, so I'm not sure to what I should be comparing. I will say that I have been a distant acquaintance of Debbie for the better part of a decade, and I would *never* describe her as a thief.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, the pic will be back up in a bit. And it will continue to be put back up no matter how many times it is flagged.
ReplyDelete