what's black and white and cute all over?

My latest mad-dash, last-minute, rush-stitched birthday gift sewing project for my daughter's friend that I made with some of the fabrics I included in this FQ bundle. ;)  The invite only came in two days before the party though, so it wasn't my fault this time. ;)  Thank goodness these pouches are so quick and easy to make.

On that note, I always get requests for an English tutorial of this Chinese tutorial pin on Pinterest.  You know, was going to rewrite it in English for you.  But I had a few people questioning the ethics of doing so - copyright and all.  I felt a little uncomfortable thinking that maybe it wasn't right.  So I asked my lawyer.  He looked into it and assured me that translating the pin was perfectly legal.

But just because it's legal, doesn't mean it's cool, right?

It got me thinking.  How would I feel if someone took my tutorial and translated it into another language and posted it on the internet for everyone?  I admit that as long as the translator was courteous enough to link back to my original, I would be flattered and would appreciate the exposure.  If I post a free pattern on the internet, I do so with the hope that everyone who is so inclined can enjoy it, no matter what language they speak.

However, just because I wouldn't mind, doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't be bothered.  As much as I would love to help as many people as I could enjoy making this pouch - which was clearly intended to be used by the general public for free - I hesitate to write it out of respect for the author.

I hope you understand.

In the meantime, if anyone knows how I could contact the author to ask for permission, please let me know!  (It's a long-shot, for sure ... but this internet thing ... you never know!)

Comments

[Sonja Loyd]

I too love this little pouch! I seen one you had made before and its just as cute! I am going to make a few for gifts ,I love your stamps,it make the whole pouch Stylish
Thank You for sharing your ideas!

[Donna]

That pouch is tooooo cute.

[Sigi G]

Such a pretty pouch! Love the fabric used and all the lovely added 'labels' - such a beautiful touch.

[Hildy]

'My childhood cat' was the first thing that came in my mind to the back & white & cute question. But your pouch is, too, and you even include some Hello Kitty in the picture. Now I wonder: How did you know about my cat? Mmhh, I always suspected that you can read minds;-)
About the tutorial: I would love one and I#m like you don't mind if someone is sharing my ideas as long as my name is somewhere in there. But the problem here is that the link isn't working and you don't understand chinese. The only thing I found (and you have this probably, too) is this email address: lehuo@service.taobao.com

[Alicia Key]

What a DARLING little bag! I'll try one w/Be Jolly fabrics from MODA for my grand daughter! Just her sizE!

[greg]

I love the sweet cake and donut. Gotta love that! I think that you are doing the right thing. I struggled with whether I should show a photo of a quilt in a magazine, and decided to do so and provided a link to the magazine. I thought about it for hours before posting. I think that we need to do what we feel is morally right.

[Pamela]

This is too adorable! I love it! The tags are so cute. AMAZING!

[Pinkposies]

Your ethics are commendable...

[Lizzie]

Adorable birthday pouch! I have to agree with you. I would feel terrible and outraged if I saw a favorite designer's project translated into Swedish!! It would be even worse if there were no mention or link to the original project and page. I cannot remember if it was Japanese, but if it is, I will ask my brother if he could write to them and ask.

[pam]

Holy crap I just died looking at this. So bright and cheerful. You're so clever. xo

[Cindy A.]

Sweetwater has a pattern for a similar little pouch that can be seen on their site at this address, http://www.thesweetwaterco.com/?product=stuff-junk-things-pattern, in three different sizes. It might take a little modification for the strap but that shouldn't be too difficult.

As for giving instructions on how you make your project, I understand and greatly appreciate your concern with copyright, especially since I own a quilt shop and am always having to tell folks not to copy patterns for their friends. I had a similar issue come up with a pattern that was by a Swiss designer. I asked her if I could translate the instructions into English so I would have a pattern to give out to those we shared her technique with and she said she had no problem with my doing that. If you can find the original designer of this project and asked for permission to do a translation of the instructions, I'm sure she/he would give it to you. If you can't find out whom the designer is, a tutorial on how you go about constructing this project shouldn't cause heartburn for anyone concerned. You're not selling the idea as your own nor are you selling a pattern for profit. You're just showing everyone who follows your blog how you go about constructing the project. Sharing a how-to doesn't violate copyright laws as I understand them. It wouldn't be any different than showing how to make the project in a class offered in a shop where the pattern was free and all the student had to do was buy the fabric. Besides, I bet there might be a thing or two that you do on your project that wasn't in the original. I know I'm always changing things to work for me, like doing an envelope turn and top stitching rather than binding a small project. If there's a quicker/easier way to do it you can bank on my finding and exploiting it.

[OhStitcherella]

As much as I love those little pouches (and one day I WILL try it) I agree. The worst that could happen is that the author doesn't speak English and sees your "knock off" instructions and not realizing you even gave them credit... they may not pursue legally but imagine all of the ache over nothing at all. It's just best not to do it. Don't worry about us... we'll figure it out. :)

[jenni]

This just makes me love you more! I agree, be respectful. Thanks for having integrity.
Jenni

[lori hunstad]

Totes adorns! :-D

[Bari Jo]

This is SOOOO cute. I am in a diabetic coma every time I read your blog! And. I think you are wise not to do it. :O) It's just safer that way and no risk of hurting the original designer's feelings or having it look like you were doing something you weren't. One of these days I want to figure it out, though, as it is sooo cute!!! And your labels are to die for!!!

[Gillian]

The little pouch is really lovely. As for sharing the instructions - I think you're right to leave well alone. As someone once said to me - 'if in doubt, leave it out'.

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Love, love, love! The labels take it over the top! I am finding myself looking at fabrics that I can make labels from these days. I so appreciate your desire to give credit where it is due. You are the best, K.! :)

[Sharon]

Had a go at this from the Chinese instructions, can't read Chinese. It ended up back to front and the flap upside down Doh. Remade it the right way round, easy peasy when you know how. So for those out there who dare not, jump in with both feet, you will soon work it out if you do it wrong. Thank you for your lovely blog. Regards Sharon

[Mara]

I recognized your FQ bundle fabrics right away, so cute.

[JP]

While I don't mean to be a pedant the tutorial is not in Chinese as you suggest but is actually in Japanese. There are Chinese characters which are also used in Japanese, but the meaning of the words are not necessarily synonymous with current Chinese usage.

Thanks
J

[Kristyne]

Hi JP,

That is so funny. A while ago, I referred to the pin as a Japanese Tutorial, but someone commented saying it was in Chinese. Since I have no clue, I assumed she was correct. I guess I should just not be specific about something I don't know. Thanks for the feedback ... it's always welcome. cheers, k

[Susan]

I agree with you and your values! Good for you to stick to them. I, too, think these cute little pouches are adorable, but they may be too difficult for someone (like me) that struggles with directions and sewing... Looking forward to your next inspiration! Happy Holidays!

[bobby pin bandit]

This pouch is so darling! I adore everything about it!

I really respect the fact that you are being so careful with the sharing of the pouch pattern. I embroider a lot of patterns that, while free, are copyright protected and not to be sold once stitched. People ask if I can sell them, and I don't. I offer to either help them embroider the pattern, or do a trade for something they can hand-make for me. I always want to honor other makers and creators, because I always think about what I might do or how I might feel if someone were to take a pattern or something I create and do something with it, that I might not like. It's tricky, but I think if you can get a hold of the person who created the pattern, it can be a win-win all around!

It's a great pouch, and I am sure the recipient is over the moon with it!

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Thinking of you today! I hope that you are all settled in and doing well! *hugs* :)

[Kay]

This is just lovely, I especially like the little applique pieces you added. x

[Stpauliegirl]

As far as the Chinese pouch discussion...I completely disagree. The author put it out on the Internet with hopes that someone would love to make their design. I'm sure they had a chance to include their name if they so desired. I'm also pretty positive that they intended for as many people as possible to sew up their cute little pouch. And on the flip side, as soon as the author sees that their pattern has caused so much interest and is being sewed around the worl I'm sure they would come forward. As I mentioned before, I'm pretty sure there was an opportunity to put their name on the pattern when they decided to post it online. "Privacy" has gotten quite out of hand in this digital age. There are plenty of opportunities to claim your original work in these days of unbelievable technological advances. I'm sure the author would be quite pleased that their design is clamoring for so much attention. And then when or if they post their name their is the opportunity for them to capitalize on the publicity. All in all I do not feel as though the author/pattern writer would be offended since it's already out there in Internet-land. Just sayin😊

[Cecilia]

Hello ! I love all the things you make, they are so beautiful. I looked at the pin to see if I could recreate it myself, but I can't understand one step in the process. If you can help me I'd appreciate it since I'm new to this. It seems like I'm sewing the whole thing enclosed inside out! Ha! Even when I look at the photos, she sews the the flap and handle inside the the top and bottom pieces (which are right sides together). repostions the fabric and sews the other two ends together. What am I missing here??? If you are comfortable with helping me that would be great, and if not then I will have to figure it out somehow. It may take me a few tries, but I'm willing! Thank you so much!