Shit happens
Like this dress which I made for Jungle January (using the leather-like knit Kat sent) not fitting me.
It is what it is.
And that’s ok as long as there’s a good take home message at the end. Which in this case, was as follows:
1. I should have used a woven pattern for this knit because the fabric has very little give.
For instance here’s another burda knit dress in the same exact same size as the leather-like one (cardigan from Knipmode January 2010).
The reason this one fits and the leather-like one doesn’t is because this is a super drapey light fabric whereas the leather-like knit has very little stretch and no drape.
2. This was the first pattern I ever graded back in 2009. I should’ve placed it over something pre-existing that fits well, just to check for sizing.
3. No more chips for me.
There are other times, however, when shit happens and:
Below is an excerpt of one of those times.
Executive summary (with screenshots): I bought two downloadable patterns from sewingpatterns.com (notice how they say downloadable and not pdf? Red flag number 1).
I tried to download them. Apparently, you can’t. Not without:
- Installing some shite proprietary plugin (i.e. a program they/ someone else made to stop you from owning the stuff you’ve already paid for).
- Installing Acrobat reader.
- Changing your system defaults so that Acrobat is the default program for opening everything with.
- Using Firefox instead of Chrome or Safari or any other browser.
I did all of the above. And after two hours d*cking around with that sh*t I still didn’t have my patterns. So I tried to contact support.
Guess what? You can’t just email or tweet or leave a message on their Facebook page. No, those methods of contact only exist for them to send you shit. You need a login to get support on their system.
So I got one. Guess what?
Their login system is so shite that it includes recaptchas. In case you’re.. you know.. a spam bot that they somehow managed to send a login to?
Eventually I sent in my support query (by this stage it was over 2 hours and 45 minutes-i.e. they owe me money for all the time I wasted trying to get the stuff I’d paid for).
I got this the next day-after logging onto the ‘support system’ and getting through recaptchas (my original complaint is below-their response is on top).
This is what I responded with.
I will never buy** from these people again.
I’m sorry I ever did.
Truly I am.
From the bottom of the hollow burnt out cinder that used to be my heart.
**Their international shipping is a total rip off. Ebay and etsy sellers manage to stuff 10+ designer Vogue patterns into a priority international envelope for $12.99. Why the F*CK are sewingpatternsdotcom charging $18.45 + $2.25 for every additional pattern? Perhaps because the only other option is voguepatterns.mccall.com (it’s not. Patternsplus exists in all it’s dodgy website, random pattern-mix-ups glory).
*UX=user experience. The following is an example of bad design leading to bad UX.
Pattern: Burda 03/2009 Tunic 103.
Fabric: Leather-like knit from Kat.
Modifications: Shortened by 2 cm at waist and 1 cm at hem. Replaced the gathers at centre front with a single inverted pleat.
Tights: Black screen-printed tights from Galstern (not bad but not worth $30+and shipping ..). Grey striped tights from Fiore (not happy-they’re knitted and the stripes still don’t match XP).
Take home message: Always be as polite as possible when (metaphorically) punching people in the head online. Just in case it’s a lolcat you’re punching.
Edit: They sent me a refund. They appear to have responded via their irritating support system as well – probably to tell me they sent me a refund – but I have no wish to further expose myself to recaptchas so it ends here.
Disclaimer: All non-self-generated images remain copyright of their respective owners and are used here for purposes of illustration, discussion and humour. All opinions are my own and are based on (some extremely harrowing) personal experience(s).
Oh gawd that sounds an incredibly bad experience, not just the interface but didn’t they READ your original message?! I’ll be avoiding like the plague. On the other hand your dress doesn’t look like a total loss! Maybe shorten into a top?
Hear hear! Same thing here. Though mine did print. What they don’t tell you is that those patterns are not organized for printing at home, it’s basically the digitized pattern tissue which gives you loads and loads of white pages with extremely tiny bits of pattern lines which is a humongous waste. I’m not buying from them ever again.
And that´s why I rarely buy any patterns online except for Vogue and company! I feel for you, girl!
I feel your pain, thanks for sharing. I’ll avoid that site!
I think it’s the fabric, too stiff? Either way it’s a nice dress.
That really sucks, I’ve heard that’s how Simplicity downloads are too. Really, what do they think we’re going to do with the pdfs, try to pass them off as our own?
Oh, what a horrible experience. Thanks for the heads up. I’m not overly keen on printing patterns, but that would just be the death of it for me.
I love your tights.
I ordered a few patterns from them last year. Not only do you only get 3 downloads, you can only download them to one machine. I opened one at home first to see what it looked like, but I don’t have a printer at home so I had to request a reset of my adobe login. It’s stupid.
I have no words. This is completely s**t! Voting with our wallets is the only way.
First of all, the leather dress was a really good idea on paper. I see that the pattern seems to have been made for knits, but have you thought about cutting the dress into a blouse/ tunic top? It seems the problem area is mostly in the lower part?
Sewingpatterns.com, oh my, what an experience. I will stay 5 miles away from that company. Sheesh. I’m always baffled at people who believe alienating or disrespecting their customers is a sustainable business model. Your final response was pretty good.
Am I crazy or you? I think it looks great on you! It may not be as loose as your other version but I think the way it drapes actually adds to the architectural vibe…. and that fabric is KILLER.
Oh dear. It seems like you’re having an extra Monday-ish Monday. I had a somewhat similar bad experience with SewingPatterns.com a few years ago and have basically sworn off printable/downloadable patterns since.
For what it’s worth, the leather-like dress is pretty awesome looking on you. I’m guessing that the problem is that, without stretch, sitting down is near impossible. Yes?
hahaha I haven’t tried to sit yet- I just put it on, saw all the horizontal wrinkling and gave up. Will try unpicking the side seams and loosening – just putting it off because -it’s lightning stitch and I’m worried about needle holes..
Damn! What a hilariously frustrating experience! P.S. – I’ll be giggling about poor 91 year old Alf forEVER! The leather-like knit is seriously cool – totally bummed that you’re not happy with the fit! I can sort of see what you’re talking about but at the same time… it doesn’t look too bad to me! I still think it’s a winner!
Thanks, I’m going to try and loosen the side seams – fingers crossed for no pin holes. I love Alf-poor dear looks like someone that fought in both wars and now he has to strain his brain over the dog poo box vs the post box… I mean he still writes letters as well-probably has long spindly ye olde handwriting and everything.. XD
Stupid support! I can understand your angry!
I am jealous to your tights collection!!%))
Thanks for the info, and a pox on sewingpatterns.com! I have walked your walk of frustration and anger myself, though not with this company. I end up either crying or kicking the cats (so far just in my head) or going to yoga. If I had a blog I would blog it. The cats, btw, would like me to start a blog. Don’t think it could ever match yours, though!
hahahaha thanks, and that is hilarious. You should totally blog about it. I actually quite like pdf patterns because the local copyshop prints them on large format paper for me (like two feet across and however long you want it to be) and slices off excess paper etc and it’s cost me a maximum of $8.80 (for the Burda Adam coat-multi-sized). The paper is good quality stuff and there’s no taping involved. I don’t buy patterns that involve taping/ gluing though. I tried that with a burda print-at-home once and I cracked the sh*ts at using my precious sewing time gluing stuff together. Not to mention I don’t have the floor space to layout and paste together an entire pattern of anything!
I *hate* downloadable patterns! I guess I am old school and like to have the pattern from the designer/company/magazine (long live Burda!) in my hand than to trust my Bill Gates Microsoft/Hewlett Packard/office Depot software/printer to give me a good print – and then taping the whole mess together! Yuk! I appreciate your review I will stay very, very very far away from sewing patterns.com.
haha-I’m fine with printing patterns because I have access to a good copyshop that prints them on large format reel (see my comment below) but yea, DRM sucks XP
Oh, man, that sucks! Thanks for the review. If you’re looking to buy patterns from the big four, let one of us in the states know and we could buy them for you (they frequently go on sale …………$3.99 for Vogue and less for the others). Over here, we are interested in the international mags.
Thanks Cheryl, I will. I rarely buy envelope patterns due to the inconsistency in fit/ ease-I too prefer magazines but good to know.
Bugger about the dress – I will remember to check stretch etc before proceeding with “stretch” fabrics. Do you have enough to make something else or remake? Do you want to?
As I read your sewingpatterns.com piece I had my head in my hands. Followed by head shaking, frowning and cursing (on your behalf) and I wonder how many people have already put up with the rigmarole of trying to purchase downloads from them and other sites like theirs without saying anything. Thank god for blogland again and thank you for posting about this so we don’t have to go through it all too.
PS did you get your refund?
Wow, that’s quite some customer service, good to know. Also, I think the leather knit dress looks awesome, it really doesn’t fit? In photos it seems like it fits perfectly.
Thanks-but yea it is too tight from the hips on down and because I’m short in the waist that kinda hikes it up-the horizontal folds you see in the front kinda look when hello kitty’s face when I try to move (very appropriate for that area but not for wearing out)XD
I agree – I had the exact same terrible experience and like you have now refused to ever use them again!!!!
So I won’t be buying patterns from sewingpatterns.com ever. That’s a lot of rage and disappointment from buying 1 download failure.
To be fair there were two and also there’s a fair bit of entertainment in there for anyone not directly involved XD
I’m so sorry you’ve had such a bad experience! Well, TBH, I’m not sorry because this hilarious post is just what I needed this morning and it’s all about me, really. Seriously, I’m chortling. At your expense. Sorry.
Also sorry the leather-like dress does not fit, but it looks good in the photos. Take lots of pix, then turn it into something else.
That is good. I have found that everything irritating that has ever happened to me is actually hilarious and this effect is directly proportional to the time that has passed.
Oh NO! So sorry this happened to you…but thanks for the warning. No way would I jump through all those hoops, especially given my technical incompetence. At least you are able to tell plenty of interested friends
as for the dress, we’ve all done it and we feel your pain! X
I know I shouldn’t have enjoyed that, but I did. Print sew dot com huh! I wonder how many people have parted with their hard-earned and just slunk off quietly to lick their wounds. I rather like the leather dress btw, maybe the fit problems aren’t so visible in a photo?
hahahaha you totally should enjoy that-it is one of those experiences that is totally hilarious to anyone not involved (and eventually hilarious to those involved as well, once time has passed..). Its a bit too long in the waist and that wouldn’t have shown if it wasn’t tight at the hips.. I could loosen the side seams but I’m concerned the needle holes will show =P
First, I love your hair cut, the tights are awesome and I love both dresses. I’m copying a knit dress and have learned the differences of different knits. One was way to huggy around the hip area, but a rayon knit was awesome. Live and learn and usually the hard labor intensive way. I’m so over recaptcha’s (however the hell it’s spelled), logins and lousy customer service especially when they are all from one company.
CRIPES.
What a debacle. Thanks for the warning, though… Now I know to stay away.
Oh I feel you! I have downloaded (rented) a pattern from them once. I also use Mac, but it took Windows on another computer and an IT professional (my husband) to make it work. And I am not that helpless when it comes to making things work, you know! I think those patterns are more hassle than they are worth
So I read your first story about the leather-like dress, sighed in sympathy, thought ‘hey it doesn’t look so bad, and at least she learned stuff!’ and innocently scrolled down into the vortex of rage and utter despair that was your epic tale re:sewingpatterns.com, oh man! =S!
I’m too silly to manage a laugh at your frustration (I mean really, when I read the headline to Alf’s story I winced and hid my face and scrolled down as fast as I could -.-) but you have my heartfelt commiseration!
hahaha the hideous tale was meant to be funny because-it is but not when you’re living the hideousness (because I wanted to warn others but without whinging and whining and I reckon entertaining people/ making them laugh is a better way). Please don’t feel bad, it is what it is-I have lots of friends in software and webdesign and they all laughed their @sses off because it is such a textbook example of what not to do XD
Maybe I have problems like poor Alf, but from where I am sitting the dress looks fantastic. Wow sorry to hear about all the problems with sewingpatterns.com, thanks for the warning, I shall stick to old fashioned paper. Oh gosh I am turning into Alf!
Noo you are not turning into Alf-it wasn’t his fault the dogpoo box was the same design as the letter box (but with a bigger hole) XD I think I shall alter that dress..
I like your leather dress but I well understand how one can be disappointed in a project! This is the first report I’ve heard about sewingpattern’s downloadable patterns, but I have *certainly* heard many other complaints about the company. Maybe you should try Lekala.
What an exhausting experience! Crazy pattern downloading aside, you’re rocking the leather dress look. I think you should definitely give it another go.
Oh man, that story about Alf. We’ve got it stuck up in one of our design projects as a reminder of what happens when you don’t user test things properly. I nearly cried when I read it.
(And nearly hit my head against the table multiple times when reading your story. Argh!!! Will they never learn?!!!) (I work in UX, by the way. Sh*t like that pains me no end. Oh well, guess I won’t be out of a job any time soon! 
On the dress – I like it! If it’s too tight around the hips, could you cut it off into a top instead? The fit looks fine elsewhere based on the photos….?
Alf is a dear. Very tragicomic situation there. Re the dress I’m gonna try letting the seams out-bit worried about needleholes in the fabric (I used lightening stitch) so I’ll rip a couple and see how it goes XP
To be honest, I hadn’t even heard of these peeps… what an utter waste of time and wonga. What shitheads.
I do like the dress, actually… Maybe just a dress that you go to the shops, cinema, gig.. etc and then come home and get changed. Statement- yes, practical and comfy- probably not!
bundana x
I think the leather dress looks great, but then if it doesn’t feel right, then yeah I guess it’s a wadder. The tights make it all the more awesome. I checked out printsew once long ago when they offered a freebie and did get a printout, but it must have been dumb luck because there’s plenty of annoyance posts about them in other forums. I like downloadable patterns and others like Colette and the freebies from fabric.com have given me no problem at all since they are pdfs.
so that’s an ‘avoid’ place good to know.
So sorry you had such a bad frustrating expeirince, thanks for saving all of us from your nightmare though! I do like the leather dress, looks very well sewn and good on you.
The dress may not have the drapey fit that you were looking for, but I think it looks great never-the-less. The silhouette is actually very flattering on you. Especially for a leather look dress that isn’t meant to be especially body conscious. I think you look great.
Also, I recently purchased a similar looking material (leather look, but woven, similar in weight and hand to cotton sateen) and I’m thinking of making a draped blouse. I can see my garment having similar properties to your dress. I’m more excited to make it since seeing this post!
Great job on the smack-down. I’ve used them before as well and they are a total PITA. So glad you got your money back.
You look smoking hot in that dress, I totally share in the sewingpattern.com rage (never-the F- again), and I do love Alf
In haste,
Stef (still submerged by savoury snacks)
For the record, I like the leather-like knit dress and I think it looks great on you. Thanks for warning about that site.
So sorry to hear you had that bad experience, but your post is funny, I loved it! I have bought to them several times but I just had problems when I tryed to print them in other computer (copy shop) because they used to have the option to print them in a big piece of paper not just letter or legal. I guess to download patterns are a very good option to whom not live in USA, for me it’s cheaper to download than order them to send to Mexico………by the way they DO NOT send to México!!!!
I have bought lots of real in the hand patterns from them in the last couple of years. Their postage is indeed a rip off but I have to say when twice they sent a wrong pattern, it just took an email and they sent the one missed and no request for the other one back. I have tried to download one of the free patterns and gave up – I gave it about 5 minutes – I don’t have the commitment for your long episode. Your story is one of those that is funny…. if it happens to somebody else, as I say!!
oh dress looks great I think!
I don’t see this dress as a miss. If you’re really uncomfortable in it maybe shorten to a top and/or skirt? Sorry for the unfortunate downloading experience……..!
Firstly I think your dress looks fab. I hear what you are saying about the ‘give’, but I honestly think it looks totally cool! And thanks for the tip off. Incredibly arrogant and stupid of an online pattern company to think they would get away with such poor service when there is a very large and strong online sewing community who liaise and share experiences… der….!
I think your dress looks really great on you, it’s a huge shame that you don’t feel good in it. Re downloads, I too had the same problems as everyone else, when I bought the pattern I couldn’t print it out, logged in again a year later, it worked, don’t know why though!!! Even if it’s great to have the pattern instantaneously their site is horrible!
It was daring the first material but it is very pretty! Bravo! The second mesh is very beautiful but it is also sofistiquée I found! What is it they are two very pretty dresses!
Just musing on the fitting, would a godet from the hips down on both side seams help? That’s if you have any fabric left. Such a shame ‘cos it look all kinds of wonderful in the photo.
Yes I will be letting the seams out and hopefully that’ll leave more room-I can’t add stuff at this point because I’ve already finished off the yoke and I’m worried about pin holes showing – also everything is in lightning stitch so yea.. =P Thanks though.
Despite the fact you’re not in love with the fit, I REALLY love the way this fabric highlights the style lines of this dress; it’s very striking ^__^ I don’t read the horizontal lines as poor fit, but rather as a characteristic of the heavier drape of fabric… but obviously, it’s got to be comfortable to wear or else you won’t wear it! LOL I hope you can fix the fit and make it work for you
I hate it when I get horrible customer service from online companies… there’s enough amazing ones out there that we have other choices – you’d think they’d get that
Feel for your terrible experience. Thanks for sharing.. The dress isn’t what you expected but it’s cool. I like it x