I was thinking about this --- if somebody has a pattern that you would like to try and you have one that they would like to try, could the patterns legally be "borrowed" to eachother and then returned? If this was legal, wouldn't something like this work out to the benefit to alot of us? I see alot of s&s that I would like to try, but can't go and buy every single pattern without going broke!

I have no idea but I don't feel right about it. I won't even trace patterns for others or myself unless I am buying the pattern or it was given to me and they aren't using it anymore. But then we don't burn software or CDs either. We are pretty strict about it in our house :) The companies really don't care if you are exchanging, to them its the same thing. They don't care if people are stealing patterns as long as they are sharing theirs too lol

No idea of the legality, but I would be fine w/it. I have an irl friend who sews and were always borrowing patterns from each other.

I don't think it's legal either. I *have* loaned out an Ottobre and a KS book. What they do with it while it's at their house I don't know, lol....but I don't make a habit of it. Usually when I borrow something I end up buying my own copy anyway.

Every guild that I know about (ie. American Sewing guild, American Smocking guild, etc...) have chapters that have pattern libraries. Our local ASG guild has a huge pattern library. I'm not a member, but my friend is. The members borrow, use and return the patterns all the time.

I make copies of cds too, though. They're for my own use, though, as I don't like to have my originals floating around the car and I'm always listening to cd's in the car. In my mind, that's not illegal either since I did pay for the originals.

Not sure on the legalities of pattern swapping, but it is perfectly fine to make backup copies of cd's for you own use.

I would think as long as you returned the original, and didn't keep any copies, it would be legal.

I would think as long as you returned the original, and didn't keep any copies, it would be legal.


that is why I couldn't make up my mind, since only one person is using it at a time. But if you make copies and keep it to use later, that would be illegal. Ok, I just wrapped my brain around it lol

My "official" answer is "yes, it is legal". You can exchange, use and return original patterns. It would not be legal to buy a pattern, make 10 copies of it and then lend those copies out. Understand?

For instance, I can go to my local public library and check out books with patterns for sewing, knitting, woodworking, etc... I can make what I want and then return those copyrighted books. All legal. Everything I'm borrowing from my library is in its original form...books, cd's, magazines, etc... The library does not buy one copy and reproduce more for loaning out. Same thing with Blockbuster or any other place that lets you borrow/rent copyrighted materials.

So, I can buy a pattern and let you borrow it. You cannot make a copy of that pattern and then let someone else borrow it. However, you could lend out the pattern I lent to you and it would be O.K.

My library has a copy of one of Sandra Betzina's books and it has a huge envelope in the back with master patterns. Like most other libraries, mine allows you to check out CDs, DVDs, and videos. Any lender can easily copy one of these and then return the original to the library, which is obviously illegal. But lending something out, allowing the user to use it (watch the video, use the pattern to make a dress, etc) and then returning the original, is not illegal. It's the making a copy to keep after returning the original that's illegal.

Or that's my understanding anyway...

So - would anybody be interested in this? Like make a "have" list and "want" list and then do the exchange through pm's or something like that?

We're super strict about copyright things as well and I was totally thinking about this this morning. I'd be game for loaning and returning but I would never keep tracings.

Okay, I would totally be in! What a great idea. I have no idea about the legalities of it all but I only sew for my family.

I would be in. Maybe if some feel uncomfortable with making a tracing for themselves maybe there could be a borrowing from someone who has one already cut or traced in the size they need. Then all they have to do is trace it on the fabric and sew.

I hope we do this for I need a few patterns myself to sew somethings for my girls. Hope someone has some plus sizes:)

I'd love to do a pattern exchange. Count me in! :)

I wouldn't keep tracings either - this would just be a great way to try out a pattern / style without investing in the pattern first. If it turns out to be something that I like, then I could buy the pattern knowing that it suits me. I will keep checking in to see how much interest there is. In the meanwhile, I have been checking out the sites and listing the patterns that I would like to borrow and then am going to go through my patterns to list - want to have my "master" lists to go by.

I know I have some I would gladly give to someone to keep if I could borrow one I need.

Seems like a good idea, the only thing is -- after shipping to you and to me, wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy it? I just got Jalie patterns through the co op for 6.00 each.

Not to be a wet blanket lol

It depends on the patterns I guess. I have checked with alot of my Kwik Sew and they weigh between 2-3 ounces. Shipped back & forth would be approx. 60-83 cents each way. (Or $1.20 - $1.66 total) Of course it would benefit to ship more than one at a time. (Or a large selection could even go flat rate)And I am only interested in the pricier patterns like Kwik Sew, Jalie, etc. - not the patterns that you can pick up when JoAnne's has a 99 cent sale.

I have worked on compiling a list of Kwik Sew patterns that I have that I would borrow out and also a list of some that I would like to borrow. If anybody is interested, just pm me and I'll send you my lists!

Welp, I'll be honest. I'd have a hard time borrowing a pattern and not keeping a tracing of it if I really loved it. I may be morally-challenged LOL, but I rationalize it by knowing I wouldn't use it for financial profit...ie. selling clothes from said pattern. I don't consider that stealing then. Then again, I'm one of those who takes offense that what costs .05 to make gets jacked up to $10. I know, I know...

I'm sure my DH would disagree with this, he once threw a whole case of Diet Coke in the garbage because he realized we hadn't paid for it on the reciept (was under the cart), and the commissary was 1hr away. I thought "Let's drink it" - he was flabberghasted by me and said "No good can come of this pop, now! " and threw it in the dumpster! :hahaha: I never laughed so hard in my life.
Suffice it to say, I'm in. LOL

:happy: just a bump........!