I have something I need to say
 

I know this is long but I hope everyone will read this.
I am friends with and have been talking to several long time members that are sellers here (that sew dog clothes) and I really feel it is time to say something. There are a few things that are bugging us sellers but we are all too nice to say anything and again and again people take advantage of this so here goes:

I think I can speak for most of us when I say we dog clothing seamstresses love what we do but we also do this for a living. I feel it is important to know that this is what we do to support our family, to pay bills and some of us just scrape by because to be honest a lot of work goes into this job and many of us dont charge all that much for our labor & time. It may be a hobby for some but for others there is more than just sewing the dog clothes so there is more than just the simple fabric and raw materials expenses. There is so much more work involved. I for one(as well as many others on here) have completely designed and update/maintain my own website(which alone this can seem like a full time job), I also take my own photos of products and edit them, cut and sew my own clothes with no help from assistants or factories, I also order products for resale for the website, handle all communications with both vendors and customers, package and ship as well as other things. More importantly, I came up with all of my dog clothing patterns through much material expense and many laborous hours of trial and error and testing them on my sweet cooperative furbabies. The reason I am telling this to everyone is because recently there has been some people that seem to order from a YT member and then turnaround, copy the pattern and start selling. Ive even seen post on here where someone will ask, "where can I find dog clothing patterns?" and sometimes someone will respond by suggesting they take apart someone elses designs and use the pattern. This just breaks my heart because I put so much thought, time and effort into my work as I know everyone else did to. I think people think this is an acceptable thing to do because they think maybe I just bought my pattern somewhere, but Im here to tell you I didnt, I worked hard to come up with my own. Another problem is some people seem to be copying exact designs & techniques and it should go without saying that this really hurts the original designers feelings and it is just not right but I really feel lately that this is something that has become universally accepted as and okay thing to do. But it is not okay and it is not ethical. I always try to have the best business ethics and I know my customers know this and this is one of the reasons they like to order from me and that does make me feel good. But it still does not make me happy to see the other unethical businesses reap the benefits of copying my hard work and designs and I feel like this is sometimes encouraged by buyers. I know many of us end up with the same fabrics and this is fine, this will happen alot as we shop at the same places so this is not what I am refering to. And I am not just talking about things that have happened to me, there are many cases of these types of things happening to several sellers on here. Some members have even left because of it. So basically I am saying all this because Im just hoping that if I shed some light to the hard work that goes into these businesses, more people will start respecting the products, patterns, designs and the sellers. If you want to sew dog clothes I am not trying to discourage you. I simply ask that you go buy a pattern from a fabric store or try to come up with your own. And please develop your own designs and techniques.
I really hope I have not offended anyone with this. I did not start this thread to cause a problem or debate and this thread is not directed towards any single person, simply a innocent trend that Ive noticed lately. So I simply wanted to try and give the general public and inside look to what goes on when someone makes dog clothes. Thank you to everyone that reads this.

Hugs,

Shana

So sorry this is happening. I've noticed the same thing and I don't even sew to sell.

Hope everything works out.

Im glad someone else is noticing it. Ive been on this forum for several years now and back in the day when a seller designed an outfit or especially a certain unique look/technique- it was considered that sellers "thing" and it was uncool for others to copy it but I feel that now it is the exact opposite. Im not saying anything specific. And obviously there is only so many ways that a t-shirt, harness, dress or skirt can be done so I hope people dont read something more into what I am saying. Its just little techniques such as maybe the way a bow is made or a particular unique shape of the bodice of a dress, but in some cases sometimes its an entire outfit that is actually duplicated and sold somewhere outside this forum (like on ebay where they are hoping we wont find out). I just dont understand why people do this :(
I hate to say this but sometimes its customers requesting a different seller make something a certain way other than how they normally make it (such as a technique that is unique to a different seller) and this is how I think a lot of it might happening. So this is another thing I just wanted buyers to maybe be aware of so they can help not encourage so much of the styles and techniques to be copied. :) And Im not trying to upset anyone if this is something maybe you've done. I know a lot of people do it and just dont realize :)

Aww...I am sorry this is happening Shana. I would be upset too if someone were ripping off my original ideas that I use to support my family as well.

I don't really have any words of wisdom or comfort, but if it helps in the least little bit, just know that I can't sew worth a darn so I'm at least one less person you'd have to worry about being a copycat.

I completely support your post Shana.
I took atleast 2 years of perfecting my pattern and style to get it where I am proud of it and what I thought was unique from others and to fit how I think things should fit. When you've put that much time, thought and effort into something...you can spot your pattern immediately even if it's listed on ebay or etsy, without elaborating, recently there have been some instances that I am shocked about and have been very hurt.

I am so sorry this is happening and you had to post this thread. I hadnt noticed it but will be on the look out for it now

I totally agree with you. Its just not right. I wouldn't even have the nerve to do something like that. Just like Bamafan121s I can't sew... I mean I can probably make a harness but not the best....lol and if your baby isn't 7 & 12 lbs than I can't make it..LMAO I bought my machine to make belly bands for Timmy....I use to mess them up too...lol yeah a belly band. Ever since he's been fixed he doesn't need them anymore so my machine has been collecting dust in a corner.

Anyway I'm so sorry.....but I'm very proud of you for saying this. This is how you feel and there is nothing wrong with expressing your feelings.
BTW I support your feelings. It isn't right for ppl to do that.

new here
 

I agree with you. I am new here, but run my own small business. I cut ,sew, design, and market my own products. Not t-shirts but other pet items. I also buy some for retail. I have seen other's copy my item's and its frustrating, and complimentary at the same time. Apparently they like what we have created on our own that they thought it was great enough to copy.... It's still not right though. It is true we do put all of our time and effort into our business. I tuned my two car garage into my workroom, office, sewing room ect... I awnser the phone call, send the packages, and create the items. No oversea slave work coming from me!!!

I can imagine how frustrating this would be. I used to have a handmade soap business. There were a few times I came across other sites who had completely copied my wording, word for word on different things. This drove me absolutely crazy and the time and effort I put into my wording was minor compared to what y'all put into patterns and designs. It might feel innocent but it is stealing.

Several times I've seen "duplicates" of someone else's design being sold by others here. I don't agree with it. Shows a lack of moral charactor and a decidely lack of creativity imho.

I agree, I get requests all the time from overseas companies wanting to manufacture my items and it is just not something I will consider.

Hi Shana oh so sorry this is happening to you and to the other YT vendors.:( I don't sew either beccause you see I'm a professional shopper.:D So you don't have to worry about me but can certainly see your point. I see a lot of things on this site that I know were duplicated from YT vendors so I don't even go down that road.

I hope others see this thread and think twice about purchasing from those that copy.:( It's not worth saving a few bucks in my opinion.

Shana - you and I have been here a LONG TIME and I know exactly what you're talking about - seen it often and always feel bad. You just posted in a non offensive way about a problem that I see happening everyday....I totally understand everyone who sews wants to show off what they make and or sell their clothes - but I've also heard the quality of some leaves ALOT to be desired. I hope this helps those who really are serious about sewing and maybe makes the hobby sewer think a little. There IS alot of work into custom designs and it's sad that so many are being undersold.

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you or anyone else. Unfortuantely, this seems to be the world we live in now.

I did some checking and it appears that, unless you get a patent for your idea,design, etc. or even a copyright on your written marketing, there is no legal ground that you can take to protect yourselves from theft of this sort.

I'm currently working with trial and error on a few doggy things (not dresses/clothes) and I can 100% see where you're coming from and it's sad :(. It is a very hard thing to do and money consuming as well at first and I know I would be heartbroken if/when I do start selling my things on here/on the internet. I most likely wouldn't take it as lightly as you are though :eek:. It's down right stealing and it's down right ridiculous. The way I see it, if they want to take your work (or anyone elses) and copy it and sell it, then they need to just go ahead and send you the majority of the money they make off of it ;).

C'mon people, stop the "stealing" - it's ignorant.

Oh Shana, I'm so sorry this has happened to you and other sellers. I will go so far as to say this:

I am a REPEAT customers because the quality of your work is amazing. Some people may be tacky enough to steal your patterns but no on can steal the quality of your work. I will always order from you. :thumbup:

Well you never have to worry about me! I never learned how to sew or anything close to it!
I can imagine it must be frustrating and heartbreaking for it to happen though!

I agree with this. I can't sew if my life depended on it. I'm so sorry you are going through this Shana! Stealing is not right!

But yeah, I really really want to order that gator harness from you, so please respond to my PM! :D

I think it's great that you posted this!
 

I don't see why anyone would be offended by it. Perhaps people are doing it without thinking of it the way you put it in your post.

If I were inclined to sew, which I'm not, and I balk at anything more complicated than sewing a button on, I probably would have done exactly what you're talking about. I don't think it would have occurred to me that it's not really polite or ethical, even though it's not illegal.

Hopefully, those out there who do make pet clothing and are doing this without a second thought will now think twice about it!

Shana - I couldn't agree with you more. I've created my own designs and strive very hard to make them as original as possible (with the one exception of the pattern that was given to me, which I have altered to make it my own). Although imitation is considered a form of flattery, in this instance many, many hours of hard work and trial and error have been stolen.

And, Jodi - you are so correct that you can spot your design/pattern immediately.

I know that all sewers will happen upon the same fabric from time to time, but it really bugs me when I feel like some others intentionally go out and buy that others have searched for. I have had requests to make something like another seller and I always turn the request down and steer the buyer to that seller. I appreciate that a customer wants to purchase from me, but I won't copy another's design and I won't specifically buy fabric that another member has already posted. I just feel it is the right way to do things.

And I totally agree that most of us completely do our own work (I do everything myself, including my website) and some of us even have multiple jobs!!!! And we still don't make much money!!!

Shana, thank you so very much for starting this thread I have the utmost respect for you and your work ethics and I agree with you 100%. And what about vendors who subtly promote their items as "hand made" when they actually outsource to factories - some outside the USA where work conditions are less than desirable.

I worked very hard to perfect my designs - it took years of hard work, an untold number of "throw-aways" and yards and yards of material to come up with the items that I make. It is my greatest hope that ALL of my YorkieTalk Family - who sews and sells - would take the time and effort to design and develop their own original lines. So that when a picture of the item is posted you can tell who made the item because it is an "original" and not a copycat.

I would like to clarify my comments above. There is absolutely nothing wrong with selling items which have been commercially manufactured, as long as the seller is up front and honest with their advertising. Leading people to believe or allowing people to continue believing that items were hand made by the seller when they were made in a factory is false advertising. Our YT members deserve better treatment than that.

I agree that stealing someone's handmade design is wrong and honestly very childish to "copy-cat" someone else; however, with regard to the statement above, there are many, many sellers on YT who sell things from "companies" that they order from, not all handmade, Shana being one of them. I'm not trying to pick her out...there are a lot...that's my point. But she started the thread, and I don't think that is what she was talking about...maybe I'm wrong though :confused:

Also, just to clarify, I'm not representing that items she or anyone else has for sale are from such "factories, outside the USA where work conditions are less than desirable"...I am just making the note that many sellers have things for sale not hand-made, and I see nothing wrong with that.

Last point, I have bought items from Shana, Cindy, Jodi, Jodie, Des, and many others on here and enjoyed each thoroughly :)

I readily agree with this.

Gotcha ;) :thumbup:

I completely agree. :thumbup:

I can just about sew a button on..:rolleyes::p

You are extremely hardworking and talented..and I can Imagine how frustrating this is..:thumbdown

By the way..when I get some ££££'s in my Paypal i'll be buying some goodies from you!;)

Very good post Shana. I do want to let you know that you do NOT have to pay for a copyright to assure your designs are YOURS. I am in the business of designing the patterns to and handmaking teddy bears. I do know that once your finished product is offered for sale, that in itself makes that design automatically copyrighted to you and if someone copies it and attempts to sell it, it is an infringement and can be prosecuted. We see it in the teddy bear world all the time. Sewing dog clothing is, as you said, more limiting in the design aspect and I can see where many different people could independently create the same pattern. But I surely would question the same pattern along with the same fabric. Also, not sure if you knew this little tidbit, but did you know that it is NOT illegal to take someone's product apart, copy it and create their own from it?? It is true.. it is not illegal... UNLESS they offer it for sale! Using it to copy and create something for their personal use or to give away as a gift is NOT illegal. Using it to sell is illegal! Crazy but true. Us teddy bear artists have seen this happen over and over and there are cases that were prosecuted with positive results.

i totally agree on this and I have seen the same thing.

I couldnt sew if my life depended on it. But what cindy says is soo true!!

[QUOTE=LuvMyPrinceKobi;2206100]I agree that stealing someone's handmade design is wrong and honestly very childish to "copy-cat" someone else; however, with regard to the statement above, there are many, many sellers on YT who sell things from "companies" that they order from, not all handmade, Shana being one of them. I'm not trying to pick her out...there are a lot...that's my point. But she started the thread, and I don't think that is what she was talking about...maybe I'm wrong though :confused:

Also, just to clarify, I'm not representing that items she or anyone else has for sale are from such "factories, outside the USA where work conditions are less than desirable"...I am just making the note that many sellers have things for sale not hand-made, and I see nothing wrong with that.

Last point, I have bought items from Shana, Cindy, Jodi, Jodie, Des, and many others on here and enjoyed each thoroughly :)[/QUOTE


Yes but shana doesnt claim that those items are handmade. She does do some selling of items like monkey daze items or others which we know of and never once has she said those items she made. She will clarify which item is her design and which is not.

but there is so of what cindy was saying going on. Sellers posting pics on here of items they say are their designs and that they handmake but are really not hand made by them but by factories.