Connie, I am so very sorry that you were betrayed by someone you called a friend. I truly know the feeling, and it is devestating.
In the recent past, it seems to be a re-occurring problem. I would venture to say that most of the long time YT vendors have faced this issue at least once. Not too long ago, I received a pm from a YT vendor who was upset because she had been "called out" in a pm. It seems like this YTer had copied a technique that was unique to another member. I was really amused because she was outraged that someone would be upset and wanted to know if I had ever received similar ugly pms.
I don't think she liked my reply 'cause I haven't heard back from her.
There was a time when YT vendors took pride in their work, the work of others and there was mutual respect. Although dresses looked similar you could always tell who made the dress because each vendor has special little techniques that earmarked their work. It might be something as simple as how the velcro was sewn in, or something more significant such as the shape of the skirt and/or the amount of gathering. Now it seems like the "vultures" come out of the woodwork when they see something popular and either buy one and remanufacture it (take it apart to make a duplicate) or just copy it from pictures. I long for the "good ole days" when each YTer took pride in the fact that the work they produced was original, well made and was sought after by YT members for it's individual merit.