Terms of service

Effective Date: 24th April 2026
Last Updated: 24th April 2026

OVERVIEW

This website (theurbanstitches.co.uk) is operated by Urban Stitches, a sole trader registered in Bristol, England ("the Guild", "we", "us").

By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site.

The Guild takes these terms seriously. Dave drafted them. Margaret reviewed them. Steve was not consulted.

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By visiting our site and/or purchasing from us, you engage in our "Service" and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service, including our Refund Policy and Privacy Policy (incorporated by reference).

These Terms apply to all users of the site, including browsers, customers, and contributors of content.

Age Requirement:
You must be at least 16 years old to use this website or make purchases. By using this site, you confirm you are 16 or older.

Certain products are marked 18+ (Adult Content). By purchasing 18+ products, you confirm you are 18 or older and that such content is legal in your jurisdiction.

The Guild does not knowingly sell to persons under 16. If you are under 16, you may not use this website.

2. CHANGES TO TERMS

We reserve the right to update, change, or replace any part of these Terms of Service at any time by posting updates on this page.

Your responsibility: Check this page periodically for changes. Continued use of the website following posted changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

Material changes affecting your rights will be communicated via email to registered users where reasonably practical.

3. USE OF WEBSITE

3.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes. You must not:

  • Use the site to violate any UK, EU, or international law
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website, server, or database
  • Transmit malicious code, viruses, or harmful data
  • Collect or harvest data using automated means (bots, scrapers, etc.)
  • Harass, abuse, or harm other users or the Guild
  • Submit false or misleading information
  • Interfere with or circumvent website security features

Breach of these terms may result in immediate termination of your access to the website and legal action where appropriate.

3.2 Account Responsibility

If you create an account, you are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your password
  • All activities that occur under your account
  • Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use (email: lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk)

The Guild is not liable for loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account credentials. Dave cannot retrieve passwords. Steve cannot retrieve passwords either. Steve has been told he can retrieve passwords. Steve is mistaken.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT

4.1 Pattern Copyright

All blackwork and cross stitch patterns sold by Urban Stitches are protected by UK and international copyright law.

Copyright © Urban Stitches 2026. The Contemporary Guild of Peculiar Blackwork. All rights reserved.

When you purchase a pattern, you receive a personal, non-transferable, non-commercial license to use the pattern for personal stitching only.

4.2 What You MAY Do

✓ Stitch the pattern for your own personal use
✓ Gift finished stitched items to friends and family
✓ Sell individual finished stitched items at craft fairs, online marketplaces (Etsy, eBay, etc.), or through personal sales
✓ Share photos of your finished work on social media (credit appreciated but not required: "Pattern by Urban Stitches / theurbanstitches.co.uk")

4.3 What You MAY NOT Do

✗ Redistribute, share, resell, or give away the digital pattern file in any form
✗ Post the pattern file online (websites, social media, file-sharing services, cloud drives, forums, etc.)
✗ Email or message the pattern file to others (even friends/family)
✗ Use the pattern for commercial mass production or manufacturing
✗ Claim the pattern design as your own work
✗ Create derivative works or modified versions for redistribution without express written permission
✗ Print and sell copies of the pattern itself

Pattern redistribution is copyright infringement and will result in:

  • Immediate termination of your license
  • Legal action under UK copyright law
  • Claims for damages and legal fees

The Guild's legal counsel has reviewed these terms. The Guild's legal counsel does not find copyright infringement amusing. Neither does the Guild.

4.4 Finished Work Ownership

You retain ownership of physical items you create using Guild patterns. You may sell finished stitched items. You may NOT sell or distribute the pattern file itself.

4.5 Website Content Copyright

All content on this website (text, graphics, logos, images, the Guild crest, squirrel characters, photographs, etc.) is the property of Urban Stitches and is protected by UK copyright law.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from website content without express written permission.

5. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

5.1 Digital Products

Digital patterns are delivered instantly upon purchase via:

  • Email download link
  • Account download page (accessible anytime)

File Format: PDF
Access: Lifetime (download links do not expire)

Technical Requirements:
You are responsible for ensuring you have appropriate software (Adobe Reader or equivalent) to open PDF files. The Guild does not provide technical support for your devices.

5.2 Physical Products

Physical items (stickers, t-shirts, certificates, merchandise) are shipped via Royal Mail:

  • UK: 5-7 business days
  • International: 10-21 business days depending on destination

Shipping costs calculated at checkout based on destination and item weight.

5.3 Custom Pattern Commissions

The Guild offers custom photorealistic blackwork pattern design services.

Process:

  1. You submit a photograph or image via email and make payment
  2. We provide a proof and estimated delivery time (typically 2-4 weeks)
  3. You approve the proof and note any changes
  4. We create your custom pattern
  5. We deliver the pattern digitally (PDF)

Your Obligations:

  • You must own the copyright to any image you submit, OR
  • You must have written permission from the copyright holder to create derivative works, OR
  • The image must be in the public domain

By submitting an image for custom pattern design, you confirm you have the legal right to commission a pattern from that image.

The Guild will not design patterns from copyrighted images (celebrity photos, copyrighted artwork, trademarked characters, etc.) without proof of permission.

Revisions:
One round of minor revisions included (adjusting size, stitch count, contrast). Major redesigns incur additional charges.

Refunds:
Custom commissions are non-refundable once work has begun. If you cancel before design work starts, full refund issued. If you cancel after initial draft delivery, no refund.

Portfolio Use:
The Guild may display finished custom patterns (with your permission) for promotional purposes. Inform us at time of commission if you do not wish your pattern shared publicly.

5.4 Product Accuracy

We make every effort to display colours and images accurately. However, we cannot guarantee your monitor's display will be accurate.

We reserve the right to:

  • Limit sales to any person, region, or jurisdiction
  • Limit quantities of any product
  • Discontinue any product at any time
  • Modify prices without notice

Product descriptions and pricing are subject to change at any time. The price charged is the price displayed at time of purchase.

6. PRICING AND PAYMENT

6.1 Pricing

All prices displayed in GBP (£) unless otherwise stated. Prices include UK VAT where applicable.

6.2 Payment Methods

We accept:

  • Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Other methods available through Shopify Payments

Payment processing is handled securely by Shopify Payments. We do not store your payment card details.

6.3 Currency Conversion

If you pay in a currency other than GBP, your bank or card provider may apply conversion fees. The Guild is not responsible for these fees.

6.4 Order Acceptance

We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any order at our sole discretion, including orders that:

  • Appear fraudulent or suspicious
  • Violate these Terms of Service
  • Cannot be fulfilled due to product unavailability
  • Contain pricing or product description errors

If we cancel your order after payment, we will issue a full refund.

7. REFUND POLICY

Refunds are governed by our Refund Policy, available at: [LINK]

Summary:

  • Digital products: No refunds (unless file is defective)
  • Physical products: 30-day return policy (unused, original condition)
  • Custom commissions: Non-refundable once work begins

See full Refund Policy for details.

8. SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

8.1 Digital Delivery

Digital patterns delivered instantly upon successful payment. Check spam folder if download link not received within 10 minutes.

If you lose a file, log into your account to re-download, or contact lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk with your order number.

8.2 Physical Shipping

Physical items shipped via Royal Mail.

UK Shipping: 5-7 business days
International Shipping: 10-21 business days

Customs and Import Duties:
For international orders, you are responsible for any customs fees, import duties, or taxes imposed by your country. The Guild has no control over these fees.

Lost or Damaged Shipments:
Contact us within 14 days of expected delivery if your order is lost or arrives damaged. We will investigate and replace or refund as appropriate.

9. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

9.1 Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites (Patreon, Etsy, social media, etc.). The Guild is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of service of third-party websites.

The Guild does not endorse third-party websites. The Guild merely acknowledges they exist. Steve has been told he endorsed them. Steve endorses nothing.

9.2 Platform Provider

Our store is hosted on Shopify Inc. Shopify provides the e-commerce platform that allows us to sell products to you.

10. USER CONTENT AND SUBMISSIONS

10.1 Submitted Content

If you submit content to us (finish photos, pattern reviews, comments, suggestions, ideas), you grant us:

  • A worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and display that content
  • The right to use your content for promotional purposes (website, social media, marketing materials)

We are under no obligation to:

  • Keep submissions confidential
  • Pay compensation for submissions
  • Respond to submissions

10.2 Content Standards

You agree your submissions will not:

  • Violate any copyright, trademark, privacy, or other rights
  • Contain unlawful, abusive, defamatory, or obscene material
  • Contain malware or harmful code
  • Misrepresent your identity

We reserve the right to monitor, edit, or remove content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable.

The Guild may feature customer finish photos. The Guild will credit you unless you request otherwise. Steve does not curate the gallery. Steve has been told he curates the gallery. Steve curates nothing.

11. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Your use of this website is also governed by our Privacy Policy.

The Guild complies with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. See Privacy Policy for details.

12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

12.1 Service "As Is"

The Service and all products delivered through the Service are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

We do not warrant that:

  • The Service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
  • Results obtained from the Service will be accurate or reliable
  • The quality of products will meet your expectations
  • Errors in the Service will be corrected

12.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by UK law:

Urban Stitches, its officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any:

  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
  • Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Damages arising from your use or inability to use the website or products
  • Damages arising from unauthorized access to your account

Maximum Liability:
Our total liability to you for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the product(s) in question.

12.3 Exclusions

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for:

  • Death or personal injury caused by negligence
  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
  • Any liability which cannot be excluded or limited under UK law

13. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Urban Stitches from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the website or products
  • Your breach of these Terms of Service
  • Your violation of any law or third-party rights
  • Images you submit for custom pattern commissions (copyright infringement claims)

Translation: If you submit a copyrighted Disney image for a custom pattern and Disney sues us, you are responsible. The Guild will not be held liable for your choices.

14. TERMINATION

14.1 By You

You may stop using the website at any time. You may close your account by contacting lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk.

14.2 By Us

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the website at any time, without notice, for conduct that violates these Terms or is harmful to the Guild or other users.

Reasons for termination include:

  • Copyright infringement (pattern redistribution)
  • Fraudulent activity
  • Abuse of customer service staff
  • Violation of acceptable use terms

Upon termination:

  • Your right to use the website ceases immediately
  • You may still access previously purchased digital files from your account
  • You remain liable for any amounts owed

15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

15.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15.3 Alternative Dispute Resolution

If you are unsatisfied with how we handle a dispute, you may refer the matter to:

  • UK: Citizens Advice Consumer Service or an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider
  • EU: European Consumer Centre in your country

16. GENERAL PROVISIONS

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with our Refund Policy and Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Guild regarding your use of this website and purchase of products.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms to any successor or affiliate.

17. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these Terms of Service:

Email: lovelypeople@urbanstitches.co.uk
Subject Line: "Terms of Service Enquiry"

Postal Address:
Available on request

Response Time: The Guild responds to enquiries within 3 business days (Monday-Friday, excluding UK bank holidays).

The Guild handles enquiries seriously. Dave manages correspondence. Margaret maintains records. Steve has been told he manages correspondence. Steve manages nothing.

Last Updated: 24th April 2026

These Terms were drafted with care. The Guild's legal counsel reviewed them. The Guild's legal counsel was expensive. The Guild maintains these Terms are enforceable under UK law.

CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS VERSION

This updated Terms of Service includes:

  • Specific provisions for digital products (patterns, SALs)
  • Custom pattern commission terms
  • Copyright and licensing terms specific to embroidery patterns
  • Guild voice in appropriate sections
  • UK-specific legal requirements (GDPR, Consumer Rights Act 2015)
  • Clearer age restrictions (16+ for site use, 18+ for adult content)
  • Removal of generic Shopify template language
  • Addition of indemnification clause for custom pattern copyright issues