I know people have been waiting for me to release these patterns… I’m really sorry, I had no intention of holding out on you, it’s just been a shocking 6 months for the Funky Friends this year BUT first I have some very BAD news…
I’d say this is probably the most damaging thing that’s happened to my business, and the most stressful experience for me personally, since I began my business almost 20 years ago. At the beginning of February I was made aware of a number of Keepsake Businesses in the UK that have been selling toy sewing patterns that look like mine. This isn’t something new, businesses have used my patterns commercially without my permission in the past – BUT this is the first time that it’s been my own customers! It’s been an unbelievably stressful roller-coaster ride which I could never have imagined. Not only have I had to hire a lawyer in the UK to defend my copyright to stop other people from using my intellectual property and destroying my livelihood – on top of this I have been harassed on Facebook and via Etsy by cyber bullies, thrown out of a keepsake makers group that I have been a part of for over 6 years, I’ve been accused of everything from being demanding and unreasonable, to threatening and monopolistic and I have been threatened with a defamation suit – all because I have been trying to stand up for myself and defend the last 20 years of hard work it’s taken to create an original business from scratch.
I am obviously considering my comments very carefully, even though I am entitled to comment on a dispute which I am involved in, this dispute has not yet gone to court and nothing has been ruled in my favour so I cannot say that my copyright has been infringed (or I COULD be sued for defamation) but I feel that as my loyal customers and followers you have a right to know what has been happening to me and my business and why I haven’t made my patterns available to you. I was told by the lawyers that being involved in legal proceedings is not like a sprint, it’s like a marathon and I am hopeful that we are approaching the final hurdle!
I want ALL of these Keepsake Businesses to have successful, thriving businesses – just NOT at my expense! I believe that common decency will prevail so that all of us can get on with our lives and that is why I am moving forward in good faith and releasing more patterns.
NOW for the 4
NEW Patterns!!!
First up is Oscar the Otter!
*** The OTTER Sewing Pattern is now available as an Instant Download PDF sewing pattern on the website!
Oscar is a cute little sea otter who loves swimming around on his back and foraging around for clams. He looks fabulous in natural browns and creams or in funky bright colours like this Tula Pink version sewn in Tula Pink Spirit Animal Otter and Chill Sunkiss fabric.
I have created photo tutorial for my new Otter Pattern. (As usual, there is a link in the ‘See-Me-Sew’ section of the pattern to take you right to the photo tutorial web page. *Please make sure you type the link correctly or you’ll get an error page ~ I never take the photo tutorials down!)
The finished otter toy is 43 cm (17 inches) long so he is a great size for hugging! The otter sewing pattern has got some small, fiddly pieces so I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner but I am sure that once you have sewn one otter ~ you’ll want to sew more.
Next up is Rascal the Raccoon!
*** The RACCOON Sewing Pattern is now available as an Instant Download PDF sewing pattern on the website!
Rascal Raccoon is a naughty little raccoon who loves raiding rubbish (trash) bins and stealing bird seed. Given half a chance he’ll steal your heart too! The finished raccoon toy is 52 cm (20½ inches) long so he is a nice cuddly size!
I have created photo tutorial for my new Raccoon Pattern. (As usual, there is a link in the ‘See-Me-Sew’ section of the pattern to take you right to the photo tutorial web page. *Please make sure you type the link correctly or you’ll get an error page ~ I never take the photo tutorials down!) Even though this is an advanced pattern (Rascal Raccoon has lots of pieces and a bit of a fiddly face mask) he is worth the time to make as he’s such a cutie!
Next up is the Giddy Goat Pattern!
*** The Goat Sewing Pattern is NOW available as an Instant Download PDF sewing pattern on the website!
When I was asked to design a goat pattern, I took my inspiration from the hysterically cute baby goat videos I saw online. I created two little baby goats (Giddy and Gus) with variations for short or long ears and an option to add on some little baby goat horns.
Baby goats are so adorable ~
I challenge you to make ONLY one goat! LOL
I have created photo tutorial for my new Goat sewing pattern. (As usual, there is a link in the ‘See-Me-Sew’ section of the pattern to take you right to the photo tutorial web page.
*Please make sure you type the link correctly or you’ll get an error page ~ I never take the photo tutorials down!)
AND last but not least…
A sneak peek of a NEW keepsake pattern I’m working on!!!!
When I designed my Calico Bear pattern 11 years ago I had no idea how he would become so popular. He has been used by thousands of people around the world to sew lovely keepsakes from baby clothes, school uniforms, wedding dresses, denim jeans, even fur coats!
Lots of home sewers like me have created Keepsake businesses and sew keepsakes from items of clothing for their customers. I am really proud of how I have been able to help other home sewers like myself make money from their sewing skills…. it’s been an amazing innings Calico!
BUT NOW there’s going to be a new Keepsake Kid on the block….
So what’s different about this Keepsake bear???
GOOD QUESTION…
BUT you’ll have wait and see!
I wonder which of the NEW patterns is YOUR favourite?
Bye for now
xxx
Pauline
Hi Pauline. Just wanted to let you know how sorry I am that some unscrupulous people took advantage of you the way that they did. But I am extremely happy that you went ahead and published your three newest patterns. I just finished downloading them and they all look absolutely adorable! The goat is too cute. I will have to make some pajamas for him as my daughter loves watching videos of pygmy goats in pajamas. The otter is my personal favorite and the raccoon is just too sweet with his smile and posture like he’s just waiting for a treat. Thanks for your creativity and your willingness to share with the rest of us.
I love every one of your patterns and nearly have them all. I’m so excited for your new patterns. Especially can’t wait for your new bear. Love the sneak peak! If it wasn’t for you then I wouldn’t have a keepsake business. So thank you so much for your amazing work xxx
Pauline (This was my mothers name also), I help to make samples for a local quilt shop in Pennsylvania. Usually I do the applique quilts. One day we saw this adorable moose made out of Minky Fabrics. After some research, we found it was made using a Funky Friends pattern. We located your website and ordered several patterns for download (including the moose and puppy dog). My first challenge was Puppy Pete and I was hooked from there. Since then I’ve made the Moose, the Fox and the Bunny Rabbit. We enlarged the patterns by 45%. I also made Puppy Pete in original size and enlarged by 45%. We have taken your patterns and the samples we made to a quilt show earlier this year! The animal samples were a huge success! I was very surprised at the number of customers recognized the patterns as we had them hanging in the front of our booth. We sold out of patterns the first day of a four day show! Thank you for your patterns. They are very well written and easy to follow.
Hey Tammy! Sounds like you are having fun sewing the Funky Friends! Thanks for taking them to your show too! 🙂 xxx Pauline