What is your opinion on pattern prices at $12+?

I think I dont mind if its a pattern bundle or a more complicated pattern, but I have seen people price basic plushies or patterns at that price which I personally find is ridiculous.

A pattern to me is supposed to be a bit more affordable, as multiples are sold, and not to mention for people who live in other countries, the price is steeper.

What do you think?

Dolalah

Im with you OP,  there are a lot of basic, simple patterns that are priced too high, I wont buy it.
Im a seamstress also & some patterns are over the moon with their prices.

@SilentMoonCat that bothers me too, why should I pay the same price whether a pattern is digital or already printed out & what really annoys me is, when I buy a sewing book & the templates arent in there but need to be downloaded & print out or are some darn smallies you need to enlarge & print out :@
Hey, I already bought a book, now I shall go & pay for the templates also? Even if I can to do it at home, its a plus on time & money.
You wont publish a knitting book without instructions, would you.
Oh, dont give them ideas...

bugcanyon222

I hate spending more than $5 or $6 on a pattern. If its something I really want, it frustrates me when they want $9+ for it. Its a digital file, so I figure theyve already sold multiple copies - digital is supposed to be more affordable, you know? I try to wait for sales, or, if that doesnt happen (or the sale price is still crazy), I just do without.

paribanou

I seriously dislike creators who think they should price patterns at that rate. talk about a heightened sense of self importance.

Codebreaker5

                               
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bugcanyon222

                               
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2024-9-26 22:10
I hate spending more than $5 or $6 on a pattern. If its something I really want, it frustrates me w ...

Exactlyy. I wish more designers considered this. I mean its their work but still.

Everia

I see your point, especially if the patterns look quite simple... Many creators are just trying to catch a fleeting trend, of make bank by becoming viral and dont really care about long term or affordability. At the same time I think its difficult to charge a "right" amount that takes into account the struggles and time to perfect the pattern and the willingness of people to buy it.
All that to say its a bit of a grey area in my opinion, but we should be understanding first and foremost: maybe comment on an unfair price and move forward without buying, or support a favoured creator even if their prices are a bit higher than wed like :) In the end they can charge whatever they please, but its up to us to buy ;)

SilentMoonCat

I think pattern prices are very difficult to rate because we can buy from all over the world now. If a pattern designer in USA and a pattern designer in Bulgaria both spend the same time on making pattern, they cant offer same price because cost of living for them is so different. At the same time, buyer from USA usually can afford paying more than buyer from Bulgaria. So its hard to judge fair prices.

But I get mad when there is a physical pattern that is shipped and a digital pattern file that is downloaded and digital pattern is almost the same price. You dont have to store, pack and handle a digital pattern, why is there almost no price difference? For sewing pattern, I still have to print it at a shop or print it at home and spend hours cutting and assembling, so in the end, digital gets more expensive than buying paper pattern!

snowqueen87

$12 in my opinion is too expensive unless the pattern had a ton of variations and was for kids and adults then I could see why they might charge such a high price for it.

BluBrd

Hi!
It really depends on the pattern itself. If it is an original, intricate pattern (say, wearable with intricate cable or colorwork) and/or very highly detailed (many sizes included) then I feel its okay to pay quite a price for it.
But some "size-inclusive" patterns Ive but were basically tutorials upgraded with pictures... and thats not really okay in my opinion. If I spend over 10$ on a pattern I should be able to make a garment without guessing anything.

Thats what brought me to this forum though, so every cloud has a silver lining I guess :)

TheKnitter

I understand people who price patterns high - they have to make a living also BUT it basically prices me out of the market.  I wont pay $12.00 for a single pattern no matter how much I like it.