And NOW…an Instant Download Option!
So... the BIG NEWS around here is...
We're FINALLY adding pdf patterns
to our pattern catalog!
Now you might be wondering why in the world this is such a big deal, because after all, don't most pattern designers offer their patterns this way now, (even if they also sell them in hardcopy format in addition)?
But here's the deal... I've been "kicking this can down the road" for almost 12 years now and I've written about our decision to NOT publish our patterns in pdf format on at least THREE different occasions, including in
April 2014,
June 2015
and also August of 2019!
So why now!
What's changed? Well actually... quite a LOT has changed in 12 years!
- A MASSIVE increase in international shipping fees! - after years of having a vibrant overseas following, the shipping fees for international deliveries has risen to the point where it exceeds the cost of the pattern by a whopping 25-30%! INCREDIBLE!
- An incredible change in the way international VAT charges are assessed. - a couple of years ago, the EU instituted a new way of assessing VAT charges. It meant that the seller would pay the VAT charges up front and then be responsible for sending the fees to each individual country. CRAZY!
- A seeming collapse in the wholesale show circuit. -Especially since COVID, the amount of foot traffic at these very important wholesale shows has continued to decline, making it increasingly difficult to market our products to retail stores. (As a matter of fact, it's been announced that there will no longer be a Fall or a Spring Quilt Market.)
- Printing costs have risen considerably! - the continued collapse of what seems like ALL printed media has meant that printers have had to increase their prices, which in turn has significantly increased our costs & lowered our profit margins.
- Family health concerns are limiting our ability to travel. As much as we love to connect directly with our customers , my husband has continued to battle a degenerative neurological disorder that makes it more & more difficult for us to travel and vend at these shows which have been a mainstay of our bottom line since 2008.
so all of this means that...
For us, something HAD to change!
So... we've decided to gradually convert our product catalog to offer instant downloads as well as hardcopy patterns!
So far... we've added the patterns pictured above as instant downloads in addition to our hardcopy offerings, and we'll continue to add a few more each month until all of our patterns are available in both ways!
And now.... it's YOUR turn!
If you have comments you'd like to share, suggestions you'd like to make, or questions you'd like to ask about our decision to start offering our patterns in both Hard Copy & Instant Download, please feel free to leave either or both in the space provided below.
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