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!
74 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!
How well would patterns scale up? I wanted to make this fox plush ( https://cholyknight.com/2018/12/07/fox-plush/ ) but I wanted it to be about 2 feet tall or so. Would it be as simple as enlarging all the pieces by the same scale factor, or would I need to do something special to make it work?
Hello! Scaling up all the pieces the same should work just fine! The only thing I’ve encountered is that you might want to round up your percentage. As a plush gets to really large sizes like that, it might slouch a little under its own weight and actually end up a little shorter. I hope that helps!
Thank you. My plan was to make one big fox plush, and then a bunch of normal size ones to surround it, so it’d be like a happy little fox family. The slouching wouldn’t be much of an issue since they’ll be sitting on my bed against the headboard, but I’ll keep that in mind.
Hello I have an questions about your pattern’s do they have a ce certification because I want to give away the plushies to hospitals but they only take ce certificatcated plushies
Hello! My patterns themselves aren’t CE certified since that’s a certification that’s dependent upon the construction of a plush toy 😊 Factors like the materials used, its durability, and flammability.
You can find out more here: https://www.marjorieminnie.com/news-1/2020/4/8/safety-first-ce-testing-self-certifying-and-lab-testing
https://www.ahandcraftedbusiness.com/ce-marking-for-handmade-soft-toys/
I hope that helps!
Do you ever make Svg’s? I would love to be able to cut this out on my Cricut. I love your patterns but I haven’t made any yet.
Hello! I don’t typically make SVGs because I don’t have a Cricut myself so I wouldn’t be able to test them. So if anyone ran into problems on their machine I wouldn’t be able to help. But I’ll certainly keep it in mind for the future!
Hello! So i’m a little unsure but for the free possum pattern i know you say that 1/4 seam allowance is used throughout the whole project. Is the seam allowance already added onto the pattern and ready to just trace out on the fabrics or do i need to add 1/4 seam allowance when cutting the fabric, i just want to be certain so i dont make the end product look wonky from using too little or too much allowance. Thank you so much! cant wait to to make these later this week 🙂
Hello! The seam allowance is included in the pattern 😊 So when you print out the templates, you’ll see the pieces have a dotted line — that’s the original seam line. Then the solid line outside of it is the cutting line which is 1/4″ away from the seam line. So no need to add your own seam allowance 💖
Hello! Its me again! I’m 11 years old and I may make my own Esty shop, I love using different color fabrics on the tiny dino pattern, and was wondering if I sold custom ones for 10, and specific colors for 6 would a 50/50 split credit to you would be good, please Let me Know if you would want it any higher! Also maybe leave a link I could send it to. BTW It won’t be for a little while!
Hello! There’s no need for any payment on my part 😊 You can keep 100% of your earnings. All I ask is a mention of my name in the description when you post your products ♥ That’s all I need for credit. But I appreciate you asking first, and I hope your selling goes well!
thank you so much! will do!
Good evening! I teach an online Apparel class with about 50 students across my state of NC. We will be heading into Applique techniques soon. We have an online classroom site and I was wondering if I could post the .PDF of your manta ray instructions and pattern in the classroom for my students to direct download to complete the project? Full credit would be given to you of course and a link to your page as well for those that may want to follow your work more closely or if they can do more on their own. Your work and patterns are right up my high schoolers alley with all the anime and kawaii looks, but easy to follow instructions. Thank.you. Ms. Mac. – Family Consumer Science teacher, NC Virtual Academy.
Hello! You’re definitely welcome to share my free patterns with your students as a learning aid 😊 I hope they enjoy them, and thanks so much for asking first!
Thank you so much! I’ll email you a link of some of their final projects!
Will you ever make a book about how you make your patterns? I am interested in creating my own, and so far, I managed to figure out how I would make some designs based on some of your patterns, but I would like to know your process a bit more detailed than what is explained in #7 of the FAQ.
I’ll certainly consider it! Thank you for your suggestion! I definitely feel like I still have a lot to learn myself, so I haven’t quite felt ready to share what few techniques I do know. But it’s always in the back of my mind 😊
I really like your patterns, thank you for providing so many for free!! I’m especially having fun with the kitty pumpkin hat atm!
And that’s something I wanted to ask about: I wanted to sell some that I make, not in a way of quickly sewing a lot to sell away and make new ones, but just making a few in-between projects, some to sell, some to gift to friends. Would that be alright?
Yes, you’re definitely welcome to sell anything you’ve sewn using my patterns 😊 A credit back to me would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for asking first! ♥
Hello! I’m having trouble printing your free patterns; the kitty purse printed blank pages from the pdf and the duck/turtle plush only printed the guide for the eye and bill placements; nothing else from those pages printed. Is there layers on these patterns that I can’t find? I’ve printed through Adobe and Google Drive, and both are unsuccessful. I absolutely adore your patterns and can’t wait to use them!
Hello! I’m so sorry you’re having trouble printing the .pdfs! I’m not sure what the cause might be but I know what has often worked in the past is the “Print as Image” option. It’s in Adobe Reader under “Advanced” in the print dialog. But I’ll definitely look into other causes or solutions in the meantime!
Hello! I have been thinking about opening an Etsy shop recently, but I wanted to ask about something specific: I have been wanting to offer custom plushies, like I would take commissions to make people a character/their OC or whatever they’d like, probably just humanoid for now. Would you be okay with me using your patterns for this purpose? I wanted to ask because it is more of a unique situation and I did not want to do something you’re uncomfortable with 🙂 and of course I would credit you for the patterns in the listings! Thank you so much 😊
Hello! You are definitely welcome to sell items you’ve sewn using my patterns! I know some other people do their custom commissions that way, so you’re definitely not alone there ♥ And it would be wonderful if you could credit me! Thanks so much for being sure to do that and for asking first 🥰 I hope you have very good luck with your sales!
Thank you so much! You are my favorite pattern maker and I’m so grateful for all the hard work you put into it 😊 happy crafting!
Hi I absolutely love your patterns and have created a few different plush animal as a starting point for getting back into toy making.
I wonder though how do you think your patterns would work with a non stretch fabric such as cotton? I need to us up some of my stash to make way for more plush and fur v_v
Any thoughts greatly appreciated x
Hello! I’m glad you’re enjoying the patterns! I tend to recommend stretch fabrics because it results in a plush that looks softer and rounder. Non-stretch fabrics tend to create a plush that looks more elongated and the edges look sharper. But you can see a clearer comparison and a lot more explanation in my starter guide: https://cholyknight.com/2022/01/14/starter-pack-plush/ (specifically on page 8)
I hope that helps!
Thank you for the reply. I’ve had a look at the starter pack and understand exactly what you mean.
Hey there Karen! I am a quilter and definitely understand “the cotton stash” issue. I have a suggestion for you as well. To help use up some of my cotton for the plushies, I have begun using the cotton printed fabrics for a lot of the plushie bellies or for their spikes, horns, tails and so forth.
This has made from some of the cutest and most interesting plushies I have made from these patterns, but having the plush material as the main body will still help round it out and make it soft and cuddly.
Happy Sewing!
Thank Ms Mac. That is a great idea and would definitely make for some individual Creations.