FAQ for pattern designers

Designers can use Threadloop in many of the same ways as other members. For example, you can add and update patterns in the database, create and share projects (including projects using your own patterns), and generally manage your stash and projects for your sewing.

Some designers have even run sewalongs, but please contact Threadloop for permission if you want to do something similar, or if you have other ideas.

You can also participate in the community by answering questions in discussions, contributing in challenges and pattern lists, etc. Just remember to avoid blatant self promotion and manipulation.

Examples of manipulation include but is not limited to:

• Adding your own patterns to pattern lists in a spammy way
• Creating multiple accounts to add votes to your patterns in pattern lists
• Adding your patterns to the database with incorrect release dates

Attempts at using Threadloop for marketing may result in content being removed. Additionally, do not create additional accounts or ask others to engage in marketing activity on your behalf.

If you are unsure, ask admins or mods if an activity may be construed as marketing. 

For more information about using Threadloop in general, see Getting started and explore the guide.

If your brand has been added as a designer on Threadloop, you can ask us to connect your account to that designer if you are the owner of the brand. This gives you editing capabilities of the designer page, and you can use the name of the brand as your display name.

To connect your account to a designer, send an email (preferably from your brand or company's email address) to support@threadloop.app so we can confirm who you the owner of the brand.

Please sign up for an account first and include the display name and email address you used for your Threadloop account in this email.

Once your account is manually connected by us, you'll be able to edit the designer entry, including the name, description, and URLs. You'll also be able to use your brand name as your display name if you want to.

Please note that inaccurate information on the designer page will be edited or removed.

Database entries can be edited by any user (including designers), but entries must be accurate.
 
Please remember that the database is not a sales platform, and is primarily intended for sewists to track their pattern stashes and projects, in addition to discovering new patterns.

Make sure to enter your patterns to the database with accurate, clear information and images to best represent them.

Any inaccurate information or excessive marketing lingo will be removed.

• Do not approach Threadloop like Etsy, where you use lots of keywords in your title and description. This will be adjusted or removed.
• Do not "category spam" pattern entries by including pattern or fabric types, sizes, formats, dates, or design details that are not accurate.
• Do not deface entries by removing accurate information or by altering accurate release dates. The release date is the earliest date a pattern was ever available to the public, not a re-release or update.

Patterns must be hosted elsewhere, even if the pattern is free or just a tutorial. Avoid using direct download links (such as to Google Cloud or Dropbox) to the link field. It's not possible to use Threadloop to host and distribute your patterns.

Defacing or spamming pattern entries may result in having your ability to add or edit patterns suspended.

For more information, see the guide sections:
How the database works
Adding new patterns
Editing patterns

Reviews are written by and for the Threadloop community and are not intended as a marketing tool. Threadloop is not an algorithmically driven platform, so reviews do not affect the visibility or reach of a pattern or designer. The star rating of a pattern is only a small part of the picture - as opinions and experiences using a pattern will also be covered by shared projects, discussions, etc. 

Reviews are inherently subjective and may not always feel or be fair or accurate; and because this is a community space, there may be a broad range of opinions.

For more information about reviews in general, see: Reviewing patterns.

As a designer, you are not allowed to:

• Review your own patterns
• Create additional accounts to review patterns or ask others to do so on your behalf
• Ask others to add reviews to artificially inflate or deflate a pattern's rating
• Offer any compensation in exchange for reviews
• Ask reviewers to remove or change a review

Do not contact reviewers, screenshot reviews, or share personal information about reviewers online in an attempt to have a review changed or removed.

If you feel a review may have been made as part of an attempt to artificially inflate or deflate a pattern rating, please email us at support@threadloop.app.

Reviews that are suspected of violating Threadloop's review guidelines may be removed without warning.

If we suspect potentially inauthentic activity, like a coordinated effort to improve ratings, we may disable reviews for a designer entirely. No reviews will be accepted while a designer has reviews disabled.

If reviews for your brand is disabled, please contact us at support@threadloop.app.

Accounts found to be or suspected of engaging in inauthentic activity may be suspended.

For more information about the "Suspicious" and "Insensitive" flags, please see: Flags and notices.

Threadloop does not support the sharing of pirated or stolen copyrighted materials and we make sure to remove them if found. In other words: we do not allow sharing or distribution of pattern files or instructions. Please contact admins or mods if you find unauthorized links or content.

The Threadloop database includes pattern information in the form of images and text descriptions. As a designer, you can opt out of having your images and/or text included in the database. Notify us at support@threadloop.app if you do not want us using your images and/or text descriptions.

If you do opt out, all your pattern listings will be without images. Members of the platform will still be able to add their own photos to the pattern listing.

As part of the sewing community, Threadloop aims to help sewists find and discuss patterns and share their creations. Allowing us to use your photos and pattern descriptions helps sewists discover your patterns.

Do not require leaving a review or adding a project on Threadloop as part of a pattern test. 

Pattern testers are always welcomed on Threadloop, but should never be mandated to use the platform or feel coerced, and must disclose if they received a pattern for free when leaving a review.

Threadloop does not have a place for hosting pattern tests or testing calls at this time, but might in the future. Let us know if this would be useful to you as a designer.