So last post I hinted that I have decided to sell a license for others to sell Buttercup Bags. As a result, the Buttercup Bag Sewing Pattern will now be available as a PDF for instant download for $10. Most of you are aware that the original version has been free on my blog but is intended for personal use only. The idea there has always been that if you’re getting the pattern for free, you can use it to sew for yourself or gifts for others…a gift for gifts if you will…but not to make money.
It never really seemed fair to me for someone to profit from selling the bags when I had made a conscious decision NOT to sell the pattern in the first place. But enough of you have approached me now about selling the bags in your online shops, craft fairs and local boutique stores (and so on) that I decided I want to make that an option. Some folks offered to pay for the pattern somehow or even pay a per bag fee (although I think we can all agree that would be a major pain in the you-know-what), so I started talking to other pattern designers about their terms of use.
So starting today, if you purchase the Buttercup Bag pattern from my shop, you will also have permission to sell items made with the pattern (handmade by the purchaser of course, no mass-production please…). So in a sense you will be purchasing both the pattern and a license for use. As an extra perk, I will throw in an enlarged version of the pattern, as well as a link from my blog to your shop or website, if you like (be sure to email me if you would like to be listed as a licensed seller of Buttercup Bags on my blog). However, I still retain copyright on the pattern itself (which means that you still may not copy the pattern, email it to others, sell it, or distribute it in any other way without permission).
There are a few other details; first, when selling or listing the purses design credit must be given to Rae Hoekstra/MadeByRae. Also, one pattern/license must be purchased for each person who makes or sells the bags (although once you purchase you will not need to renew the license; it’s technically good for as many purses as you are physically capable of making by hand).
I am hoping that this will support those who make handmade purses for a living while still offering me some compensation for all of the many hours I have put into making/developing this pattern, maintaining it online, and responding to questions about it. I am also hoping that this will allow those who cannot sew the Buttercup Bag for themselves to purchase it from someone who can. I also think that selling patterns rather than giving them away for free helps support the small-scale pattern industry, although for now I do not have any plans to take down the free version.
Hey, maybe you’ll want to purchase the pattern just to get the enlarged version without having to spend a half hour swearing in front of a copy machine!
Finally, I’d like to say that I really appreciate the overwhelming support I’ve received for putting the Buttercup Bag out there for everyone to use. It’s immensely gratifying to receive such gracious emails from so many people who are using and enjoying it for themselves and others, and I hope that you’ll continue to do that.
You can get to the pattern listing by clicking here or purchase it right here:
Buttercup Bag Pattern (Large/Small Size) + License to Sell
$10
Thanks so much for supporting my leetle pattern business (that sounds so weird)!!!
26 Responses to Rae goes blahdeeblahdeeblah about selling Buttercup Bags
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about Rae
Hi, I'm Rae, a high school physics teacher turned sewing addict. I live in Michigan. This blog is a showcase for my crafty stuff.
More about me...
Email me!looking for spring tops?
looking for boy stuff?
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I offer licenses for handmade sellers who would like to sell items made with my patterns on a small scale. To see all of the available licenses, visit the 
I was only recently linked to your blog from some other website that I can’t remember now, but somehow I think the Buttercup Bag was involved. I (attempt to) design and create purses and I just love your designs and your creativity. You are so talented! Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
I bought mine
THANKS!
Hello Rae, I think this is a great dea. I loved making it . I will wait for you to put the large sige of the buttercup bag to buy it si this way I’ll have both !! I am not into selling my “production” which will be only for gifts. han you for all of that !!
Thank you ever so much for licensing your pattern. I for one just started my business and your bag is really original and i plan on selling them in my shop.
I think all pattern designers should consider having this option on all thier tutorials free or not. As long as credit is given to then for all the hard work they put in.
Funny, I am in the middle of making my first one and was wondering if there would ever be a pattern for the larger bag. So excited. Yay for you and yay for me!
Thank you for making this pattern available to us!!!! I love this bag!
Yay! That is so cool! Thank you, Rae!
Rae,
. I’m so excited, I’m headed over to the shop right now to purchase my very own copy.
Good for you!! You’ve finally recognized that your GREAT talent deserves a little kick back to you my friend
The Spring Top week was SO fun for me to watch and even inspired me to make one top on Sunday, the day after our first farmers’ market. It was basically an adult’s “pillowcase” style top and it turned out pretty good for it coming straight from my head and taking about an hour to make
. I’ll try to share if we get a warm enough day 
.
Now … I’m getting ready to make a few quilted “stacked coin” table runners.
Happy Week!!!
How lovely! I will defintely be purchasing one! Thank you for sharing, and also the education on how to work with situations such as this! I’m grateful!
I absolutely love this purse! I was desperately looking for a pattern for a purse because I wanted to make one for some friends who are graduating, but I could not find anything cute for free. I found this pattern, fell in love and have made 4 already to give away! The directions were so easy to follow and I was able to make one in a day (with 3 kids and all) I totally saved me for mother’s day! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I might have to buy the enlarged pattern now. Thanks again, it was very kind of you to post it for free!
How wonderful! Thank you for the free pattern, and for the option to purchase this one–I think I’m going to have to buy it
Rae – this is a GREAT bag, and although I don’t plan to sell it, I’m buying a pattern to support your awesome creative cause, and also b/c I might make and donate a couple purses to some animal rescue groups.
Thanks again for the great pattern, for the blog, and for sharing your talents with the world – truly inspiring!
Thank you for sharing, I just made this bag, it took me about an hour and I love it. I’m going to buy the pattern just because I think you deserve to get paid for sharing this.
I just wanted to thank you for your generosity in posting the free tutorial for the Buttercup Bag. I made my first one a couple of days ago, reduced in size, for my daughter and added a fabric flower. I’m so glad I accidentally stumbled upon your blog. Your work is beautiful!
I can’t wait to buy the bigger size !!! As sson as you’ll say it available !! I’m buying mine !!!! I made two more. They are on my blog : http://www.d-un-bout-du-monde-a-l-autre.com.
Thank you so much for offering this option! I have made a few of these bags for gifts and they are so fabulous. I would love to be able to take orders for these from friends, but mostly I’ll be buying it just for the bigger size! I understand how frustrating it can be to have others profit from all your hard work–you deserve to be compensated! This seems like a wonderful compromise. We’ll be linking to this pattern tomorrow and will be sure to link to this information as well.
~mandy
littlebirdiesecrets.com
I found your blog through Little Birdie Secrets. I think I saw your buttercup bag on Sew Mama Sew, too, during fat quarter month. I’m not really sure.
Either way, I love the bag, and I love that you’ve made it larger. I ordered the pattern. Thanks for everything!
Good for you!!! Looks like they are selling like hot cakes already!
This is awesome! I plan to buy a pattern, I hope to start a little business with handmade things (like everyone else, right?)… but I know these will be a hit!
Hi Rae, I bought your pattern, made the Buttercup bag for a fundraiser for a friend with cancer, and it sold for $85!!!. It was quicky and easy and people loved it! Thanks!
I just want to tell you that I greatly appreciate your efforts to help other people make BEAUTIFUL things to sell. I am downloading it to make for my sister as a present, but if/when I actually start making things to sell, I will return and purchase this pattern! Thanks again!
I absolutely love this pattern. While I am initially just giving this one as gifts, I am purchasing the pattern in the hopes that you will developothers that I can buy.
P.S. I'll be doing one inleater and one in a leather and fabric combo…can't wait to see how they turn out!
Hi, great designs! I run a poject for training women in Uganda in arious skills which will enale them to generate the income they require to provide for their children. We now have over 200 tailors whom hae the skills to produce and we are keen to get them access to external markets to increase their income. I am looking for designs of products which we could produce and sell to high street shops. I wondered if you would e willing to support our organisation in the provision of some designs for the ladies to use. if you could email me on openarmsproject@yahoo.co.uk. If anyone reading this would also e interested in designing for the women to make, please get in contact. Thanks!
I am impressed with your site and the things/variety you blog about. I am interested in purchasing the Buttercup Bag pattern and license. Payment is an issue as I don't use PayPal. How can we resolve this matter? No, I don't want PayPal. Maybe a wire, or Post Office Money Order. You can cash them at the post office if you would feel more secure.
I use the name Raggs2baggs, but my main company name is Specialized Clothing Designs.
Email: designedbycathy@clearwire.net
Blog:
http://bagglady-bagladysbuzz.blogspot.com
By the way my name is Cathy Milne.
Hope to hear from you soon.
I just finished making my first buttercup bag (free version) I loved it so much, I will definitely be buying the larger version! thanks for posting these great tutorials
I love this pattern. I’ve just made my first buttercup bag and now I want to make it in every colour! I may even purchase a copy so that I can make the larger version for my Mum as she likes a roomy handbag
. Thankyou Rae for a wonderful, easy to use pattern!!