Pattern Library

Ok, So it has just occurred to me while looking through my stacks of patterns for my Victorian ones, that something that might be very useful to have here in the NZLarps Community is a pattern library.

People could post on here what patterns they have that other people could borrow to make a copy of. I know that I for one have a range of medieval, Victorian, regency, and 1950’s patterns that people are welcome to use.

Thoughts?

I have a few useful patterns, though I’m leery of lending them out considering previous experiences. People are welcome to make copies, but I would prefer they didn’t leave my place, so they don’t risk joining the list of patterns that never came back…

Perhaps some sort of scanning/mass photocopying? Then people can use the copies or print their own.

Patterns are actually pretty reasonably priced compared to scanning and printing very large pieces of paper. Also, in my opinion, the people who create them are ethically entitled to get paid for their work. I think borrowing patterns off friends falls under fair use, but scanning, printing and maintaining a library is a little bit off…

Possibly NZLARPS could buy some patterns that have been identified by the community as particularly re-usable, and then lend them out to people who request them? That way they’re not personal property, so it doesn’t matter so much about the inevitable wear and tear. They would presumably be small and light enough to mail out, with borrowers paying postage and possibly a small hirage fee that would eventually pay off the pattern cost. Someone in NZLARPS would actually have to want to manage the library and sending out items though.

Good point, there I go posting without thinking again. Ok scrap idea.

I reckon distributing copies is off, but making a lending library of individual legally-purchased patterns is ethically okay. Book libraries do it, and presumably the ethical entitlements of authors are similar to those of pattern-makers.

Patterns are actually pretty reasonably priced compared to scanning and printing very large pieces of paper. Also, in my opinion, the people who create them are ethically entitled to get paid for their work. I think borrowing patterns off friends falls under fair use, but scanning, printing and maintaining a library is a little bit off…[/quote]

I’ll be honest that I fall under the ‘copying is not theft’ side of this debate, but in any case it was more in the interests of people not losing their patterns, or having them damaged by careless handling. Those pieces of paper are fairly thin and fragile.

As an aside, here’s an interesting article on copyright law and the sewing pattern industry: brianrowe.org/LIS550/2011/03/11/ … -bullying/

For something that is fundamentally a dull topic, that’s actually quite interesting. :wink:

Regardless of the practice within the industry of ripping off each others designs, I personally feel that the people who put together these patterns are entitled to the few dollars profit they make selling them.

As a pattern maker, I know I’m biased, but I disagree with this post… Pattern Drafting even with the help of a computer takes heaps of work, and then even more work to resize it in multiple sizes… and make hardly any money off them… furthermore you can get 10 people to draft the same dress and each will draft it differently and put it together differently… that is what is copyrighted, the method of constructing the garment and the actual pieces, not the finished dress…