Respecting Copyright
Over the weekend, one of our featured designers discovered that her free tutorial, along with the other five designers’ free tutorials, had been stolen and posted on another blog and also on a Facebook group. The photos and files were posted without any credit or links back to the designers that created them. This is unacceptable!
Not only is it illegal and unethical, breaking copyright laws in four countries, it’s a really crappy way to say Thank you! to the designers that have created the FREE blocks for everyone to enjoy.
I feel really guilty as I’m the hostess and organizer of this Block Party and I asked the designers to create PDF files of their blocks to make it EASY for everyone to save and print the files for personal use.
The designers have not been financially compensated in any manner for the blocks they have/will create. They create the free blocks out of the goodness of their hearts, their desire to share with others and, yes, to gain some new followers and friends to their own blogs. A small compensation, if you ask me. Plus, many of them are offering a give-away on their special day too.
Yes, I do have advertising that goes along with the Block Party blog posts in the form of the Super Deals. So, yes, I am personally compensated by the advertisers. However, the amount I’ve received doesn’t even come close to covering the amount of time I’ve spent putting together this party. I do it because I love to share, love to introduce new designers to my readers, love the blocks they create, love the fabulous Super Deals offered by our favourite online retailers and lastly because I love to see what quilters around the world do with the blocks to make them their own.
I could say more, but really this entire incident has put me in a foul mood for the past several days. Please respect the copyright of the designers and do not steal their files and publish them elsewhere.
If you are having difficulty downloading the designer’s file, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll do my best to help!
Now for today’s post … a squeal-worthy block, it’s so cute!
P.S. I am happy to report that the files were removed from the blog and Facebook group in question. I was also surprised to discover how seriously Facebook takes this sort of thing, as they contacting me yesterday for more information after I filed a report on Sunday. The files had already been removed at that time so no further action was/is required.
Hi everyone! Welcome to Day 7 of our Glorious Autumn Block Party. Today we have Shelly Pagliai as our featured designer.
Visit the Block Party Headquarters for more info and upload your completed blocks to the Flickr group.
Featured Designer: Shelly Pagliai
How did you get into quilting?
My grandmother enrolled me in 4-H when I was 8, where I learned to sew clothing. When I was 12, my great-aunt Charlotte gave me an entire huge black garbage bag of scraps, and I discovered patchwork. It’s been all downhill from there! A friend once told me, “There’s a fine line between hobby and mental illness!”
I don’t have any pictures of my early quilts, and either didn’t finish them and got rid of the UFOs, or have given them away. I know better now, and usually take pictures (when I can remember).
How/when/why did you transition from a quilter to a designer?
In 1996, I started teaching quilting classes, and made up my own designs to teach. I got asked for the patterns from the classes so much, that I decided to publish them for sale, and it’s just grown from there.
Which quilt is your favourite? Did you design it? Why is it your favourite?
They’re all my favorites! I don’t think I could ever pick just one. But my favorite right now is this one called Scrappy Wild Geese. I designed it for a workshop I taught last fall, and I like everything about it – the colors, the design, the overall look of it, the scrappiness, even the quilting I did on it.
How many UFOs do you currently have? Too many to count – it’s an embarrassing number.
What size of quilt do you prefer to make/design? (e.g. table runners, lap quilts, bed quilts, etc.) Bed quilts.
What colour do you use most often in your quilts? Red – I can’t stop myself!
Favourite one-sentence tip for a new quilter: Don’t sweat your color choices — if you like it, then it’s not wrong.
Favourite size and brand of rotary cutter: Martelli 45mm
Favourite quote or mantra: This one comes from my great-aunt Ruby, bless her lovin’ soul, and I use it ALL the time: “Take all the advice you can get, then do as you please.”
Block Party #7 – Hide ‘n’ Seek
Here’s Shelly’s block, Hide ‘n’ Seek. Yes, I squealed when I saw it .. it’s just so cute!! Head over to Shelly’s blog to download the block tutorial.
Designer Give-Away
Shelly is giving away a kit to make the block and a little fall hanger that will hold a 12″-wide wall hanging or whatever you’d like to hang on it. Enter the give-away on Shelly’s blog.
Share the FUN on your blog
Please share the logo below on your own blog.
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Thank you Michele for all that you have done to organize the block party and also to protect the rights of the designers. This is so disappointing.
This pumpkin block is just adorable!
Glad that the situation with the blocks is resolved. Thanks for hosting this great block party!
What a cute block! Heading over to her blog now, thanks!
that pumpkin block is adorable.
so glad to hear that things got straightened out with the tutorials.
What a cute block.
What a great block! So cute, I love it. Pumpkins and cats, my favorites.
So sorry about the problems with the block party but I’m glad it’s all getting straightened out. Thanks for hosting this.
Thanks for all you do!
Too bad that others take advantage of generosity. I’m glad the issue was resolved but sorry for the stress it caused everyone. I enjoy all the “sew-alongs” you plan. Thank you.
Adorable block – such a sweet name, too. Like everything about it including the fabric blocks on the side and bottom.
I, too, am upset about the stealing of tutorials and designs and I’m not truly involved as you and the designer are. I hope they come up with some ways to stop the pirating and can catch the culprits. I am pleased to hear that Facebook is being so sensitive; I’ve heard (recently) that Google isn’t as involved in pulling off blogs that are pirating others. Shame on you, Google.
Love that pumpkin block!
Thank you, Michele for protecting the designers and writers, etc… Some people don’t understand what goes in to designing and making sure all of the info is correct, etc. before publishing and that is sad…. I have taught quilting for 25 years and ran into that a couple of times with students that went on to bigger and better things (in their minds)…. Both times that happened I did a “speech” in every one of my classes for the next year covering that subject….. AGAIN… THANK YOU
Also, thank you, for putting all of these fun free projects together for those of us that can only sit home and dream of….. Due to whatever circumstances in our lives.. God Bless you and all the other participants…..