Some of us have downloaded the Sunbonnets from the Quiltery site that were free---Playing in the rain and Halloween were the first 2. Following is an email I received from them ---posted with their permission. It just adds to the thread we had on copyrights a week or so ago. I ordered them and received the Christmas one today. They are a good company to do business with (NAYY). Gen
Free Patterns
One of the main objectives when I started the Quiltery was to be able to bring to Quilters a range of innovative and cost effective quilt patterns as well as providing access to free pattern downloads, to share with quilters both new and old the opportunity to try our designs before they buy - over the past few years we have given away tens of thousands of patterns for free. Giving away a free pattern is not done lightly as patterns take quite some time to design and make, not to mention the cost associated with the increased volume of traffic through the Web Site and it is a very generous offer by Web Site Owners that they give you one to use.
Due to the large amount of "Pirating" of our Free Patterns we have had to make a difficult decision, one that I have thought long and hard about; we will no longer be making available patterns for "Free" on our website. Every time a pattern is copied and shared, the pattern designer is prevented from earning money from their pattern. It may not seem like a big deal, but look at the numbers: One pattern is copied and posted to an online group that has 100 members, each member takes that pattern and shares it with other online groups and friends, who then share it with their friends and on and on it goes.
The amount of people who now have that pattern illegally, who will not need to buy that pattern from the designer is unlimited. The amount of money lost is staggering - and if you think that doesn't hurt the designer in a big way, you are seriously mistaken. Each designer is a person just like you, who loves to quilt and wants to share their love of quilting with others.
How it will effect you: Designers will stop designing, discouraged by the knowledge that no one respects the amount of work that goes into each design. Ironically, these designer's patterns are in demand, or else no one would want them in the first place. Individual designers, publishing companies and craft stores are going out of business - they can't sell what has already been stolen and circulated for free. Eventually, there will be no more jobs for craft designers, craft companies and craft pattern shops - and all the patterns that you love to make will stop being designed, and there will be no new patterns. The rate of patterns being distributed is quickly exceeding the rate that new patterns can be made - and sadly, the crafting companies, shops and designers will continue to go out of business very quickly.
To help overcome the problem and not disadvantage our loyal and valued customers too much, we have reluctantly had to place a nominal, once only charge on the Sunny Sue Patterns of $10.00 AUD. This entitles you to receive ALL the patterns in this exquisite quilt by email, one (1) per month. When you subscribe you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours as well as the latest block in the series by email. If you have missed any of the previous blocks, simply let us know which ones and we will email these through at the same time.
The patterns will be emailed directly to you every month, this way we can keep some sort of control over who does, and who doesn't have our patterns. THE $10.00 IS A ONE OFF CHARGE FOR ALL PATTERNS IN THE SERIES INCLUDING BORDERS!
TO VIEW THE LATEST SUNNY SUE BLOCK SIMPLY CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK, OR GO TO OUR WEB SITE AND FOLLOW THE LINKS.