Buying patterns.

[NC Scroller]

I have bought some. I have used free patterns I found online.  I have used patterns from magazines and books.  I even have dabbled in designing. If I see a project I like I make it.  There is no right or wrong.  As far a purchasing I like Shelia's and Sue's work. 

[zimmerstutzen]

I am new to scrolling.  My incredibly frugal PA Dutch heritage makes me cringe at the thought of paying for a pattern.  But I have purchased patterns where the idea is so good that purchase is less trouble than coming up with my own design.   I was blessed with a fair imagination and I can design my own simple patterns for many things.   In fact, I used to cut out animal sillohuettes on a band saw completely freehand without patterns.  Now they were nothing special and primarily used for targets for my kids' toy cross bow that fired suction cup darts.   But once I drew the outline to scale on paper, I could cut several out easily without the bother of tracing or using a pattern.      For puzzles etc, I do use patterns so everything stays more uniform..  But normally they are my own design.  At this point, I am not doing anything complicated,and that is not what I am after.            

[Phantom Scroller]

Even though I make patterns and convert patterns to my liking I buy lots of books and mags and use the internet for my ideas especially from my favourite Pinterest and buy off the toymakingplans.com for toy making. Roly

[Frank Pellow]

We need to support artists and craftspeople!  To that end, we should purchase patterns that are for sale rather than finding some way to obtain the design for free.  Of course, if a designers makes the pattern that I like available for free, then I will accept their gift.
 
In particular, I agree with Mark when he says:

If you want detailed instructions with your pattern check out http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com/
She does beyond fantastic work

Mark

 

I have learned a lot about painting and staining my work from Sheila.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Frank Pellow

[ike]

I make very few patterns, I buy most of mine. for $3 to $& per pattern it's not a bad deal. it gives more time at the saw. I have several patterns that I have never cut, after I see themi donn't like them as far as stating size I ;have never seen one i couldn't cut on my DW 788.

IKE

[Rolf]

I have just designed two patterns and at least for me it was a lot of work and time, so what you pay for a pattern is an absolute bargain. One will be featured in an up coming SSWWC magazine, the other is a Golfinch intarsia that I will be donating at the end of the month for a fund raiser.

Since starting this hobby eleven years ago I have purchased all of my patterns. Either from my magazine subscriptions or online. The designers have a gift that in my opinion needs to be supported. Steve Goode has offered a ton of free designs an has gotten many people started with his designs. In gratitude I like to send him a donation now and then as does our club.

One of my favorites Volker Arnold's designs have paid for most of the tools in my workshop. My favorites are the ones who have instant download pdf files, like Sheila Landry and Sue Mey.

Intarsia has so many great designers. In no particular order Judy Gale, Kathy Wise, Janette Square and of course Bruce Worthington.

Another master of one my all time favorites Christmas items is BirchBark's Peace Nativity.

I would rather spend my limited time in the shop than fussing with a design. 

 

Regarding Instructions, What do you need? fret work is just a bunch of holes in a piece of wood. Wood selection is entirely up to your taste and availability. Intarsia patterns in my opinion are just a suggestion the rest is as I said up to your own idea of what it should look like. Although if you are new to intarsia it is nice to have a finished picture for shaping suggestions.

[MrsN]

I have bought lots of patterns from various people. I love Sheila's patterns. 

for me it comes down to where I can find the things I want to cut. I buy some, make some, use some free. 

[Birchbark]

I haven't said anything.  I do have an opinion.  I gotta say.  I support designers that put so much work into their designs.  I think you all should.  I have always thought that.  I have also considered having a site.  I draw/make it once, its out there, forever.  Once $7, twice $7, over and over.  I got that.  Good.  Anything online never goes away.  Jeff Zaffino?  But, what makes me soooo upset, is when none of those ppl that you think are soooo awesome will come and make a pattern of your dead uncle and his dog.  Do you know why?  Because they can't sell that again, not one $7 from you, or the next woman,.. and on and on...  It is a one time deal.  Free.  For only you.  And the thanks they get?  is what?  I didn't post a pic?  lol.  What?  The least you could do is thank that person and post a pic.  Simple. 

Two scroll saw magazines have asked me to make them patterns, they would publish them and make me famous.  lmao.  Yeah.  They have no budget to pay me anything, but will send me a free issue.     No money in the budget to pay me. Not even a pack of smokes..  But will advertise my site, name etc...  i passed.  Charlie asked to sell my patterns.  Use his name and fame.  Give me 20%, he gets 80%, because "that is what they do in art galleries".  I passed on that one as well.  So I am a little sour when it comes to paying for one.  But that is, understandably, just me.  It upsets me when i don't see anyone helping in the request section.  all these *awesome* pattern makers and not one helping make a pattern of your dead uncle and his dog?   I look at my stats, I don't have a bunch of posts, but i'm sure that half of those are for helping people with a request.  None get cut.  I have a list of twenty ppl that have posted a pic from all the years i've been doing this. 

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sue Meys work.  Or all original work.  But, as we've all seen, with all the tutorials that are available on this site, anyone, anyone, can make a picture into a pattern.  So actually sitting here and staring at a blank, white, canvas and trying to think of something that nobody else has done, then make it happen, is hard.  You should pay for that, much more than you do, but the others, that turn someones photo into a pattern... not so much. 

I'll stop now, but i do have other thoughts... 

 

I'll be honest and say, i haven't read all the post on this, so if someone else has already said this, it's my opinion as well.

 

Russell

[meflick]

Russell - Birchbark - I just wanted to reply to your post regarding people asking for help on a "personal file," that someone like you takes the time and effort to do for them for FREE and then them not coming back and showing a picture of the file actually cut or saying Thanks much less paying for it.  I wanted to say Thanks for yours and others efforts here on this forum and others who so kindly and generously take the time to help others out with these types of files.  You are right - nobody who regularly  "sells" patterns are going to do those for "free," and they aren't going to do them because they don't make more than one sell with them usually. I haven't been here on the forum long, but I have seen you and a few others time and time again jump right on to help out in creating a pattern when someone asks for one.  I appreciate that you do this.  I know a little the amount of time and effort that you put in to doing that and I don't think its asking too much for a "thanks" and to show a photo of the finished project.  I hope others realize that and learn to come back and share so you and others can see your work "completed."  I do somewhat understand your "pain".  While I am new to the scroll saw and patterns for it - I have been on a paper cutting forum (several) for about 10+ years.  Same thing happens on them.  People come and ask for help with their cutting machines, their software, and for designs they want "personalized".  Lots of people share "cut files" that they create for free.  They share them in different ways.  Some on the forums.  Some on their own blogs, etc.  You can often see how many times a file is "downloaded" and then see how many "replies" there are on the posts.  Usually it is at about 10 to 1 or higher.. That's 10 downloads for every one "thanks."  However, many will still ask for help with that "personal" file that they need yesterday.  Many ask "emergency" help with the cutters and software because it has to be done yesterday. Few come back and say thanks or show the "personalized" design cut and used or acknowledge that their problem was fixed with the help provided.  It used to bother me but then I came to a conclusion - I would do what I could/what I wanted to do and not worry about what other people did in return for that help.  I did it for myself - for the pure enjoyment of helping out others or giving back to the forums or learning my craft better and quit worrying about those who couldn't bother to say a simple thanks. I decided it was my way of "paying it forward" and I wouldn't worry about those who couldn't take 5 seconds to say thanks.  That helped.  Should they say thanks, show what they did with it - absolutely but I decided that I wouldn't let their failure to do so make me upset and ruin my day when they didn't.  Some people sell those cutting files - some are pretty basic and easy to create.  Others are 3-d objects and sometimes quite complicated to create and get right for cutting and assembly- some people take ones people have given away for free and sell them.  Others take "inspiration" from ones being sold and craete their own. Same as with scroll saw patterns. Hard to regulate and keep track of "who" created a pattern.  So, like you I decided that it wasn't worth my time and effort to create and sell files.  If I created something and thought others could use it I would post it free for others to use.  However, because of my work in making cutting files I know how time consuming creating a file can be.  I try to thank people when I download a file.  I try to buy a pattern if I see one I like because I know it would take me more time to make my own and the price to buy the pattern is usually cheaper then my time is worth to make the pattern or something similar.

 

The work you and a few others do here Russell to make "personalized" patterns for others is priceless.  I do appreciate all the time and effort that you put into the patterns that you create for others. Its not asking too much to be thanked and shown a picture of your work actually cut out and I hope that others will make an effort to do that when they get your help.  What they don't seem to understand is that if people who do this are not given a quick thanks, shown what people actually cut then those people will often quit doing the work.  Then, the next time they come back looking for "help" with a pattern nobody is going to be there to help. Some people in the paper cutting forums who create "free" files have a "donate" button so people can make a donation when they get a file.  If you have a paypal account perhaps you or others who do this type of free work for others could setup a donate button so people can "give back" for your work.  Another option is to tell us where you like to buy scrolls blades, or the type you use so those who are wanting to "pay" you back in some way could at least donate some blades or supplies to you. Just an idea for you to consider if you would like a way for people to "give back" to say thanks for your help and work without actually "selling" the file. Just a couple of suggestions that will give people an option of a way to say "thanks" beyond the simple word.  I've never done that nor ever asked anyone who did so I have no way of knowing if that even gets much response to be honest.

 

Finally, in regards to others not helping in the pattern requests area.  Many think they don't have the "skills" necessary to help out there.  Many don't do computers and software much beyond the basics so there will always be limited numbers who can or will help with those.  Those who "sell" files often don't come to the forums but they do give away free files on their sites.  They are not however personalized files like you and a few others create here.  They are done with the intent that they hope you will like their files and come back and buy more. I wanted to note that while I have the computer skills and software skills I haven't felt like I have the "scroll saw" knowledge needed to create a workable scroll saw pattern work yet.  I think you have to have a good working knowledge of "how" something needs to be cut with the saw in order to create a workable pattern.  In many ways, my paper cutting with an electronic cutter translates over very easily to scroll saw patterns BUT with the electronic die cut machine - I don't have to worry about some things that you do when cutting with a scroll saw.  My plan, once I get more familiar with the scroll saw and patterns for it is to try to eventually help out by creating patterns if and when  I can.  I actually have at least one "basic" trivet pattern I have made and cut out that I need to share on here soon. However, to do the detailed portrait patterns that are often requested that you and a few others do are at present beyond my skill set since I don't really yet cut that type of work.  I do look at the patterns that you al create though to "see" what you have done to make it "cuttable" so I hope to "learn" from seeing.

 

Just wanted to let Russell know that I read his rant, I understand his rant and hope others will as well and learn to say thanks for his efforts when they ask for help and get it.   

[Phantom Scroller]

Umm interesting now where's that PayPal button my account should be full by now. Good job I work for free and get that warm fuzzy feeling and poor old Kevin works through the night with no sleep for nothing.

I'll be honest a thank you goes a long way for me don't want paying we're FAMILY. If your running a business you should be paid. I DIGRESS OOPS!

[lost_in_endicott]

I've bought a few books, but I mostly download free patterns. I like Steve Good's website for free patterns. I've been thinking of buying his wooden vase pattern book.

[Sparkey]

The biggest advantage for me buying patterns is I really suck at making them myself.

[Sam777]

Hi all,

Talking about patterns.

Thank you to all the pattern designers and contributors on this forum.

I don't see why we should only look for free patterns. I just bought a few myself.

While we talk about buying patterns, shouldn't the buyer be able to download patterns after he/she pays for it? Am I missing something here? Today I purchased a few patterns from the WTB and expected to download them, but instead I had to pay for shipping first class mail. I guess they send me paper patterns. Is this normal? do all patterns sellers work this way?

Thanks

Sam

[hbird23]

I bought some patterns from Sue Mey and she emailed them to me as a "pdf". No shipping or handling fees.

[Rolf]

Russell, as I stated in my earlier post your Peace nativity (picture) is one of my all time favorite Christmas patterns. 

 

I am curious about your comment regarding the magazines not having a budget for paying the artists. I know SSWWC pays the designers and Creative Woodworking and Crafts went under. I know the artists had issues with payment from them. The only other magazines I am aware of is one in Germany and the E-zine that Bruce has been dealing with.

 

I also think that Woodworkers Journal and Wood magazine occasionally have a scrolling project in them. 

 

Regarding your rant, the lack of a simple thank you or acknowledgement for kindness or generosity given seems to be prevalent all around us. 

I try to always acknowledge the designer but confess I have on occasion have missed that step. I now re- read my posts and make sure I don't forget.