I heard about this. I am not sure how you are affiliated with Debbie, but I would think that you would wait to hear both sides. In defense of the Sew Fast Sew Easy people, I have taken classes there, I know that they consistently work to provide a creative outlet for New Yorkers. As far as I can see from their blog, they have made no comment on whether or not there is a lawsuit.

Not to be overzealous, but I think this is a repeat of someone's story who told someone who told someone else.

They're not going after Debbie yet, at least not that I know of -- but she (and her publisher, Workman) are the ones with the big pockets (comparatively). It's only a matter of time if they're serious about "protecting" their mark. They have already started going after individual stitch 'n bitch groups -- I read the cease and desist letter that was sent to Chicago yesterday about their CafePress materials (which don't relate to either mark SFSE holds) -- is their stitchnbitch.org domain next?

What's worse is that when word got out, SFSE started deleting comments that were related to the controversy. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Don't send your lawyers after a not-for-profit group that's doing nothing to hurt your service marks. Don't antagonize the rest of the craft community, too.

They've hurt themselves from a PR perspective more than I think they realize. I checked out their site -- nice patterns, even if you don't live in NYC and can't take classes there. Will I ever shop with them now? No. I don't believe in supporting overly litigious, clue-free businesses. Especially ones who claim they had no idea "stitch 'n bitch" was being used in the way it is now. Sad.

As for me -- I write knitting books, I've met Debbie Stoller, but I have no connection with her personally. I sympathize with the hundreds of snb group leaders who are now scared they'll be forced into stupid litigation just because they dared publicly promote their hobby to other people.

But I have no sympathy at all for SFSE...if they weren't just out for the money, wouldn't they have gone after people using the term "stitch and bitch" long before the books came out and sold 250,000+ copies?

I was behind on my blog reading and just came across this today. Are there any updates?

Not so much -- but I just checked in on their site and now they're selling sewing supplies emblazoned with "Stitch and Bitch", so I think it's pretty darn clear what they've been up to all along.

I heard they have shut down more. So far, three more.

i love sew fast sew easy. love you bitches

I teach in NYC and I've had 20+ clients in the past 12 months who have taken classes with them. The feedback I received from each of them were very negative and they all can't be wrong. I'm surprise they're still in business. As I did with them, I suggest to all who have laid out tons of cash, contact the BBB and file a formal complaint. SFSE should be shut down. No business should be up and running when they treat their partons like dirt.

just my 0.2cents.

I would love to know where you teach. Make Workshop perhaps. Sew Fast Sew Easy classes really have taught me everything I needed to learn to apply and do well in FIT.

I like learning there. My dreams of opening a business are because I learned so great tips and they really were patient and encouraged us.

Way to hide behind an alias, "Dianna"! Have you seen this?

Or perhaps you'd be more interested in an intellectual property lawyer's opinion?

There's no need to claim that the only reason no one likes SFSE is that they work in the same field. In fact, it's because SFSE has sought to shut down groups that neither pose any competition to them nor operate in the same market that people are up in arms. And also, their claims are patently hilarious, given that the term "stitch and bitch" existed long before SFSE's owner was even born, and several independent sources confirm the same.

It's all very well that someone there inspired you to start your own business, but I can only hope that you don't take PR lessons from them, too.