1. How do I use your patterns?
The patterns and instructions I offer on this blog assume you have basic knowledge of sewing skills, such as the ones mentioned most beginner sewing books. I’ll also assume that you have the basic sewing tools mentioned in those kinds of books, including a sewing machine.
What if I’m a complete beginner?
I would recommend checking out this Plush Making Basics eBook .pdf I’ve created 🙂 This included some more detailed information about beginner techniques and supplies as well as how to sew projects by hand if you don’t have a machine.
However, if you’re not familiar with a technique at all, don’t hesitate to ask for more clarification! I might make it into a tutorial so it helps out lots of people!
2. Can I use your patterns to sew projects to sell on Etsy? / Can I use your patterns commercially? / What are your terms of use?
You are more than welcome to use my patterns both personally and commercially. This includes:
Personally:
• Gifts for friends & family
• Personal projects for yourself
• Giveaways & fundraisers
Commercially:
• Sewing the finished project to sell online
• Sewing the finished project to sell at craft fairs
Do not:
• Sell the .pdf & photo instructions as your own pattern
• Use my photos for your own listings
• Use the sewing templates to make a digital product for sale
• Use the project and pattern for mass-production
All that I ask is that you do not sell the pattern, photos, or templates themselves for profit ♥ In terms of copyright, everything in the pattern instructions belongs to me. If you do use the finished project to sell online, I would greatly appreciate if you could credit me in your listing. A simple link to http://www.cholyknight.com or Sew Desu Ne? is fine, just as a way of saying thanks.
3. Can I make changes to your patterns?
You’re welcome to make changes to the original design when sewing your own version of the pattern 🙂 However, please still do give credit with “Modified from a Sew Desu Ne pattern” since that would qualify as Derivative Work. With that said, modified versions of my .pdf instructions and templates are still not allowed for sale, since it is also a Derivative Work.
4. What about licensed characters?
If you’re selling items of a licensed character, you need to be especially careful. Some brands, such as Disney, don’t take lightly to sales of fan-made creations. Meanwhile others might be more lenient, such as if it’s a one-off custom item. However, companies have the right to change their mind at any time. So it’s safe to assume that if you’re selling fan-made versions of licensed characters, you do so at your own risk. At any moment you could get a take-down notice from these companies and at that time you should comply immediately.
5. What about patterns from your books?
My publisher owns the copyright to the actual pattern outlines, instructions, and photographs used to make the projects. But anything you make yourself belongs to you and is yours to sell. We always encourage readers to do something different with the patterns and come up with your own creations though!
6. What programs do you use to design your patterns?
I use Adobe Illustrator to create the actual sewing templates, and Adobe InDesign to create the photo layouts with instructions 🙂
7. How do you design your patterns?
For my plush patterns, I typically break down my initial sketches and ideas into basic geometric shapes, such as spheres, cylinders, and cones. Those are relatively easy to draft, and from there I gradually change those shapes, combine them, and break them apart where necessary to create the new shapes I need. I realize that makes it sound too easy, but I find once I have something, anything, to start with, it’s easier to make changes to an existing creation than try to get it perfect the first time ♥
8. What should I do if I find a problem with your pattern?
I make up these projects quickly since they’re for free, so unfortunately they don’t go through a lot of rigorous testing. If you find a problem with the pattern, please keep that in mind, but also don’t hesitate to contact me by commenting on the project page if it’s particularly bad. Maybe there was a miscommunication and there’s something I can do to help! Either way, I appreciate your honest feedback if you feel there’s something I can improve!
45 thoughts on “FAQ – My Patterns”
Can we sell the finished product at convention with some art? I might get a stand next year, so I’m just asking to know…
You most definitely can! A credit of some kind to me would be ideal, but not absolutely necessary 🙂
thank you for this wonderfull pattern. All are so cute, unbelivable. I really love it. Greetings from germany
how often are free pattern fridays?
They’re at least once a month 🙂 Sometimes two or three — but always on a Friday of course ♥
awesome, most of the plushies I make are just for fun so can never really afford to buy patterns, and yours are my favourites to work with, would love to buy some of the patterns on your etsy at some point
Hi ! I absolutely love your patterns, and am learning through them, they’re amazing and your instructions are really great. Is it possible for me to print your patterns and instructions into a one-time book (you know, one of those myphotobook) for my own personal use ?
Hello! Thank you so much for the kind words about my work 🙂 I’m glad you’re enjoying the patterns ♥ As long as it was just for personal use, you’re welcome to have the instructions printed for yourself. Thanks so much for asking first!
I love your work!! The fact that you share most of your work for free is so refreshing! I cannot wait to begin the projects! Is there somewhere we can post pictures of what we have made with your patterns?
Thank you so much! Most people share their finished pieces on my Facebook 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/SewDesuNe/
I absolutely adore your patterns! I have made many of the free ones and I have recently bought your chili horror plush patterns. My friends are loving them, too! Thank you for all you do and bringing my love of sewing back!
I did wonder if you don’t currently have an embroidery machine, what is the best way to do appliqués? My Cricut is good for iron on, but most of the higher pile minty doesn’t do well. Any tips or tricks?
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the patterns 🙂
I personally use flannel for my applique, but quilting cotton also works well and I imagine it would cut easily on the Cricut. Some also prefer felt, which is thicker, but it’s also not woven or knitted so it might cut easier than minky.
I hope that helps!
Do you have have A0 sized pattern files to print at a copy shop? I’ve been using BlueprintsPrinting.com to purchase all my Made for Mermaids, Patterns For Pirates and Ellie and Mac patters on one sheet since I do not have a printer at home and the couple of times I tried to tape together all my 8-1/2 x 11 sheets, my dogs were less than helpful LOL!
Hello! I don’t normally offer A0 sizes for my patterns, since most of them usually don’t get that big. But I would be happy to make an A0 version of any you had in mind to post here in case it might help out others 🙂
Not sure if you check this frequently but I was curious if using a pattern of yours as a base and then selling the finished product was fine. I was planning on using your Bat Girl + Cat Girl doll pattern as a base (just use the body and head pattern) but modifying the details and clothing to look like existing characters (for fandoms with more relaxed fan merch rules) and people’s original characters. Is this okay or would you rather me seek out another doll pattern to use as a base for these projects?
That’s perfectly fine! Especially if the fan merch rules are more relaxed 🙂 Thank you for asking first!
Thanks for the great patterns I have made almost all of so far. I donated them to toys for tots this christmis.
Is it okay if I show a tutorial on how to adapt one of your free patterns for a fandom-specific use? I was planning on doing a Todoroki shrug using your Eevee evolutions shrug pattern.
Sure! That sounds like a lot of fun 🙂 Thank you very much for asking first, and I hope the project goes well for you ♥
Hi! I absolutely adore the patterns. Last december I made a plush from the free owl pattern and my partner loved it. Since it was fairly easy and having too keep my hands busy, I would like to make a 3’5 / 1 meter one for our local hospital. How do you recommend I should scale up the pattern? ‘Cause to be honest, I have no clue how to without messing it up.
I apologize for any bad English, it’s not my native language.
Hello! Thank you for the kind words about the patterns, I’m so glad you’re enjoying making them 🙂 If you wanted to enlarge one of the templates, I have a tutorial here that shows how to do it though Adobe Reader: https://cholyknight.com/2016/10/25/enlarging-reducing-pdf-plush-patterns/
If you wanted it to be about 1 meter tall, you’d likely have to enlarge the pattern by about 600%. So it sounds like it will need a lot of pages to join together.
If you have access to a service that can do large-format printing for you, I would be happy to enlarge the pattern onto a larger sheet of paper so you can send it off to be printed.
I hope that helps!
Also, your English is perfect 🙂 I never would have guessed it wasn’t your native language ♥
Hello, I absolutely adore your patterns!
I was just wondering if there was a way to downscale the no face embroidery mask file? It’s absolutely huge and when I printed out the pattern and cut out the fabric, I embroidered the face and it’s only available in one size that was too big for all the pieces I’d cut so I wasted a lot of fabric and didn’t have anymore to do it again.
I want to try again but with the mask an inch smaller if that’s possible please ;^;
I’m sorry you ran into issues! Here’s a smaller version of the mask 🙂 I hope that helps!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sb3o5lcvo4suzcg/AABlNPCbQP-YjzhGMc2cwmOza?dl=0
Thank you so much!
I recently started sewing and your patterns are the best! I gifted my nephew three plushies made from your trex pattern for his birthday and he loves them!
I wanted to ask about your patterns you have for sale. I work at a humane society and had the idea to buy the sitting dog and cat plushie patterns to make and sell at work. My boss is super on board with this but I wanted to make sure that was okay.
Yes, it’s definitely okay 🙂 You are certainly welcome to sell items you’ve sewn using the patterns. A credit back to me would be much appreciated ♥ Thank you for asking first!
Hey, I wasn’t sure where to ask this question, but I have seen cut and sew custom pattern sets on your spoonflower shop, and wanted to know how that works exactly, so that I can have four different cut and sew patterns on one piece.
Sure thing! If you let me know which 4 designs you’d like to see in one yard, I can arrange them into a custom bundle for you 🙂 It usually takes about 48 hours to upload and update ♥
Ok, as soon as I pick which ones I want on it (it’s hard to pick, they’re all so cool!) and get the money for it (I am only 16 so I have to wait for allowance-_-), I will reply again to let you know! Thanks!
Hi there!
I’ve got 2 questions, I’ve read the FAQ about selling the finished product.
it said something about Mass production, what exactly do you mean by that?
is that making a total of 10 plushies out of 1 pattern, or do you mean making thousands of plushies?
and I don’t have an established website yet,
Am I allowed to sell plushies through twitter?
I don’t want to do something that’s not allowed,
thank you for reading this.
sincerely,
FarraArts
Hello! As far as mass production, I am talking in the thousands like you thought 🙂 The patterns aren’t intended to be sent to a separate plush manufacturer for use in making them in bulk for wholesale sale.
And you are certainly allowed to sell the items you’ve sewn through Twitter 🙂 A credit back to me would be much appreciated. Thank you for asking first!
yeah no problem!
thank you so much for answering, I really appreciate that! ^^
Hello!! I absolutely love your patterns and have been using them since I began sewing plushies. I was just wondering what software you use for editing/digitizing your embroidery designs? Thank you for your time! 🙂
Hello! Thank you for the kind words! I personally use Adobe Illustrator to create the base shapes, then import them into a program called Hatch by Wilcom to digitize them into stitches.
Hello choly ma’am! I love your patterns and everything. I request you to make a cute unicorn plush with colourfull unravelled yarn hair with white body a kind of looking like the neck mer animal unicorn that you made but it should have legs.
Hope you grant my wish …..
I suggest you to also make a hello kitty or a rillakuma plush. It will be awesome!
Thank you
Love ,from India 😊
Hello, I adore your plush patterns and my kids are greatly enjoying them. They are the reason I convinced my husband I need an embroidery machine.
I love to make mini (half sized) versions because I think it is super fun. My only problem is the embroidery files when shrunk down are too dense. I am currently using ink stitch as I debate what software I am wanting to buy, and there is not a way to change the density of those. (I can on files I make myself but I am not very good at it yet)
Do you have a good suggestion?
Thank you so much!
Hello! Thank you for the kind words about my work! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the patterns ♥
I haven’t worked with Ink Stitch yet, but I know with most embroidery files the density is set once it’s exported from the native file. So unless Ink Stitch allows you to select each shape and change the density manually, I think your next best bet would be to create new shapes by tracing the designs. I would also be happy to resize the designs for you since I have the original files 🙂
I hope that might help!
Thank you so much. I tried tracing the designs…several times. That is beyond my skill set at this time, and you are an amazing artist to do all these!
Can I request half sized versions of the trex, turtle, and frog please!
Thank you again for making these possible.
Sure thing! Here’s where you can download them from my own personal storage: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8ni5xcevjb9ls72/AAADHMzI_6ocTCEWuKVhdukda?dl=0
I hope that works for what you need!
Thank you!
I loved your patterns/instructions before as being well written. I appreciate them even more now for your kindness and help!
The mini is coming out perfectly!
Hi! I’m making a video showing my process for making a plush. The pattern I use is one I drafted myself and use commissions, and I was wondering if I could plug one of your free patterns here as a free alternative to anyone interested, You’d be credited by name in the video with an onscreen graphic, along with a direct link to the pattern in question in the description. Thanks!
Sure! That would be wonderful 😊 Thank you so much for asking!
Thank you so much! You can watch the video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmV0eNIWRhE
Hi I love your patterns. I’ve made a couple and wanted to do the eevee pouch. I’ve been having problems with the zipper. I’ve never sewn a zipper and it’s confusing me so much. When I get to the end and flip the finished project the zipper tab is inside and I can’t unzip it I have to undo stitches. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I figured the tab is facing down or inside when sewing the zipper so when you flip it it’s upright. Maybe when I sew the linings and outer fabric together. I sew the 2 outer fabrics together and push both linings out of the way. Am I supposed to sew the outer fabrics and 1 lining together flip and sew both lining together and leave an opening. This is the only thing I could think of. Please help.
Hello! I’m sorry you’re having trouble with the pattern! If you’re brand new to sewing zippers, this is definitely difficult project to start with. But I’ll do my best to try and answer your questions.
You’re correct that the zipper tab should be facing down when you sew it. Also when you sew each side of the zipper, it should always be sandwiched between 1 piece of lining and 1 piece of outer fabric. So that way you end up with outer fabric and lining on both sides.
But I think the confusion might be in step 23. For the first part, you’re only sewing the outer fabrics together along the bottom. Then for the second part you’re only sewing the lining fabrics together. So the lining doesn’t get sewn directly to the outer fabric along the bottom.
When you go to turn the piece right side out, you’ll start at the opening in the lining. But you’ll eventually need to flip the zippered area. However at this point you’ll only have access to the back of the zipper. So if your zipper is completely closed, it might be difficult to unzip. To open it, you’ll want to nudge it a little by grabbing the tab through the fabric. Then when it’s open a little it’s usually easier to reach in and unzip it the rest of the way. That should allow you to flip the rest of the pouch right side out.
I really hope that helps and I understood your issue correctly!