“What do you say when someone wants you to make them a copy of a pattern without sounding holy than thou?”

First of all, can I just say I don’t care about sounding “holier than thou”. I think a little righteous indignation is a good thing in this instance, because maybe it will change the game.

Instead of “OK, let me copy that for you” being a standard answer, let’s practice a few new ones:

• No. Copying a pattern is stealing.
• No. Copying a pattern is a copyright violation.
• No. Copying a pattern cheats a designer out of the income they deserve.
• No. If it inspires you, you should honor the designer by purchasing it.
• No. You wouldn’t ask me to steal food for you, so please don’t ask me to help steal a pattern.
• No. I don’t copy patterns. Please buy your own.

I know that we nice women prefer not to say NO, but in this case, I think we need to get used to it. Give it a try… it’s pretty empowering!

And Karri – thanks for writing with the question, and linking your copy-happy friends to my WASWI writings! On behalf of my industry, a huge thank you!

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