Calling crafters who sell their products...

[shirlthegirl43]

Just wondering how you go about selling stuff you have made especially if you have used a purchased pattern.

I want to start selling the shawls I am making but I am not sure if it is allowed when I have bought the pattern for myself. Anyone know the ins and outs of this one?

[Two_Sheds]

I did my degree in textile design, and copyright was a big issue.

You can't sell your work if you've used someone else's design. However, if you change the design it becomes yours and you can sell it.

I think there have to be 4 (or maybe 6?) changes you must make. The high street stores rip off designers all the time in this way.
These could be:

- moving details around
- changing the size or shape of details
- changing colour
- changing the fabric
- changing the size

etc

any help?

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks Two_Sheds. I have some very old patterns which I thought might be okay to use but some reading has left me more confused than anything!

[Two_Sheds]

How very old? Copyright lasts for 70 years according to this

[shirlthegirl43]

Don't know as they don't have dates on them

[Two_Sheds]

Have you made them already?
If not, can you adapt the design to make it your own? This book looks useful, but I'm sure you don't need it

[shirlthegirl43]

Haven't made any yet and could adapt the one pattern I thought of doing to put on ebay fairly easily. Thanks for the link that looks a gorgeous book

Hmm, wonder what sort of colours ladies would like to buy cobweb silk stoles in? I think silver grey might be a good test piece.

[Two_Sheds]

Best of luck to you.
If you sell on eBay, make it dot com, not co.uk. Then you'll reach the American market, they really go for handmade stuff

Have you tried Etsy?

[shirlthegirl43]

Have read about Etsy but not had a look yet. Will do so tomorrow, thanks for the link.