IndiePatterns - AI generated/created.

kurukurokurin

I've noticed mass uploading of IndiePatterns lately and thought I'd google and check them out. What I found wasn't good and I believe IndiePatterns should be tagged with AI descriptors based on the following information  (repost from reddit with permission):

      IndiePattern and TinyCoutureKids have over 300,000 sales combined and has made millions of dollars (1 sale can contain many items but is still only counted as 1 sale), but the operation behind them is an e-commerce person and not a professional pattern maker.   
      • None of the patterns are tested. Many contain serious errors. He often fixes them only after buyers point out problems in reviews.   
      • Every product photo is stolen from Shein listings, then edited with AI to avoid detection. He finds images on Shein, commissions patternmakers to replicate the garments, and uploads the stolen or AI-generated images. He has used over 2,500+ stolen photos. Every single image on TinyCoutureKids is AI-generated.   
      • Many reviews are fake and include Shein customer photos, which are taken directly from Shein’s review section.   
      • When bad reviews start to build up, he floods the review section with fake 5-star ratings from burner accounts. For example, one frequent fake reviewer, “Misty Hixon,” left 10 x 5-star reviews immediately after a really bad review negative one called the shop out as scammy and AI.   
      • In just two years, he has uploaded over 500 sewing patterns. For comparison, McCall’s, Vogue, Butterick, and Kwik Sew combined release about 250 new patterns per year (with full teams of trained professionals). It’s not realistic to produce this volume of patterns alone, especially without technical expertise.   
      This isn’t just a scam, it’s a deceptive operation posing as a female-owned indie brand in a niche built on trust, skill, and community. Shoppers think they’re supporting small, independent designers. In reality, they’re buying slop.
      What You Can Do   

•             Report the shop on Etsy if you believe the listings are misleading!! Request refunds or file disputes by “opening a case” with Etsy if you’ve had a bad experience.  This is the most helpful thing you can do   
  
•             Leave honest reviews and include photos when possible - it puts the review to the front of the pack.   
  
•             Share this information in sewing groups and communities
  
  

I know many will just sigh and say AI is here to stay but I do believe in being presented with full information of what something is, where it came from, etc so people can make informed choices. That said, garbage patterns create waste and frustration for crafters so even if AI doesn't bother you, pushing out sloppy unworkable patterns should. Even though patterns here are 'free', they do cost pins and I would hate for people to spend pins on a pattern that ultimately doesn't work. You can get a refund through Etsy but not here. Would like to see moderators to step up in this regard as this was pretty much the top result on a google search which takes a couple of seconds.

kurukurokurin

ChrisPBacon replied at 2026-1-19 01:56
New AI guidelines are being worked on right now. Please give @Turquoise some time to get it all figu ...

I appreciate that guidelines for this sort of content is being worked out although it does sound like the forum is understaffed in terms of moderators if they don't have enough time to check out patterns for this sort of thing. Like I said, I only googled them because of the sheer volume being uploaded which seems to be a pattern with AI generated content here. I don't know how moderators check patterns though I hope they look over the content, check for any viruses and nasties then release...maybe you need some volunteer researchers? I know some forums around creative content have taken on moderators especially to detect AI patterns and content.

There's a range of patterns under the designer name 'Emma' in the crochet forum where there has been talk/offers of a 500 pin bounty with the argument that people can try their luck if they want but a) I personally think my time (and anyone elses!) is worth more than that and b) why should anyone essentially pay to test a pattern that is likely to be riddled with errors? The crochet patterns have also been stamped 'good' which I assumed only moderators could do though I'm not entirely sure on that. A cohesive stance would be helpful in regards of the future of the forum although I wish there was a little more community imput through a poll or something.

I also don't think they should cost pins beyond the 30 pin download fee if they must be present on this forum. It's a bit ridiculous to see a Cashmerette pattern (which is generally drafted well and with care) next to some AI-spewed pattern and perhaps to see they cost the same amount of pins...but perhaps that is a discussion for another thread, another day.

Food for thought, anyway!

I'm reading the posts in this thread with great interest, respectable discussion is always a good use of time.

saja.kashmir

Thank you so much for pointing this out. Another giveaway is that none of the models in the photos are ever the same person! I would be wary of Chikafrik patterns for the same reason.

ChrisPBacon

New AI guidelines are being worked on right now. Please give @Turquoise some time to get it all figured out and to let everyone know

Thank you for the information on the Shein images. Designers are getting so tricky and Etsy needs to be better in how they allow reviews.

This is why it is important for members to continue taking an active role on the site. The moderators cannot do extensive research on every single pattern that comes through the site. There is not enough time in the day. Together, we can all get it straightened out.

earlyaardvark

I'm glad at least some of the AI patterns are not allowed although I do wish that even the "sale AI patterns" were removed or put in a separate area and not rewarded.
I find it hard to trust new patterns I see here if the images look too similar to AI.

Turquoise

Thank you so much for your info and suggestion very important ...


-We will not accept FREE AI Patterns anymore ...

- we will accept "sale AI patterns" ... Because we are sharing site ... But we will add moderator notes on the posts with big puntos ... If any user tried and upload in our site , we will give 150 pins for these pictures and we will add to main pattern post ... And our users will see what they download  

blankie

I am glad you opened this discussion, as I was debating with myself if I should say anything. I am glad the moderators were so quick to respond with decisive action. I appreciate all the extra info they give when a pattern is uploaded and was hoping they would mark all these types of posts as AI generated. Deleting them is even more preferable to me. It keeps the forum cleaner and more searchable, even though I'm sure it means even more work for the moderators.

ChrisPBacon

spf500 replied at 2026-1-18 10:19
Another tip to identify AI sewing patterns is to check the line art. A well made pattern should have ...

Unfortunately, line art is not always an indicator. Designers write their patterns for a huge range of different skill levels and not all patterns are what you would consider "well made" but they are human made. Also, instructions are not always included with a sewing pattern.


I appreciate your help

Crochetguy99

thank you for this warning!!!

ggukthic

I don't even understand why the moderators are allowing fake pattern here ? even tho they are basically free, I think it's wild to upload them in mass on here. And offering 500 pins to the first person that crochet an ai pattern only encourage it on the website, like why are we doing that

Jane Doe

@Turquoise
What do you think?

spf500

Another tip to identify AI sewing patterns is to check the line art. A well made pattern should have line art, and details in photos should correspond to the line art. Smaller details like gathers, pocket placement, and closures should be consistent from line art to garment photos.

ggukthic

ggukthic replied at 2026-1-18 17:20
I don't even understand why the moderators are allowing fake pattern here ? even tho they are basica ...

**150 pins

Bunbuni

Thank you for sharing