Sew Ray Me vlog - August ‘24 - patchwork, baking and channel chat✨ 

I appreciate your honesty about Patreon and while I wouldn’t join I totally get your reason for it. What bothers me is that some crafters have started off saying how great it is to be part of a lovely community. Then they started telling you how great such and such a vacuum cleaner is or a certain lamp. Then they go on Patreon and the only time they appear on RU-vid is when they are trying to sell something or you know their numbers are falling. You go from being part of their ‘lovely community’ to being their customer. Hope we don’t lose you from here. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Do whatever is right for you Rachael and those who love your channel will support you in whichever way they can 🌺

No one can (or should) blame you for needing to protect and support yourself. Why not try both - eg use RU-vid as you always have and supplement your income with the Patreon stuff. That way your RU-vid fans will not be disappointed and you can still share more of your life outside of your business on a safer platform. Don’t know if you’ve watched A Homespun House lately - Molly often shares sneak peeks of her Patreon videos at the start of her RU-vid ones. You could try that too. Wishing you all the best and much success with whatever you decide is best for you!💕🇨🇦

Hi Rachael, you need bake stable sprinkles for funfetti cake to work. Supermarket ones don’t have enough colour and just melt in the oven xx

Hi - just catching up on the last few videos. I have followed people on Patreon, and unfollowed too. At the moment i am following one creator and have been for a few years now. I have stayed with her because she has created a real sense of community there that we all feel part of and want to continue. This person still does podcasts on RU-vid too - yes they contain shop updates, but thats their job. It is a lot of work and effort making content, and there are costs involved too. I can see why creators put more into their patreon than the free platform. You have a limited amount of time and energy, and you need to make a living. You give a lot to viewers already, with your gentle mindful videos, going back years. I wish the critics would try doing this for a while and see how long they last. Lots of love and support from here xxx

Rachael, totally understand the two sides of the story and your choice to start patreon. I have no idea how much these things cost to join, but if it's what it takes to get more great content, then I guess that it's something I will need to consider. You put so much time and effort into your videos, it would be worthwhile. Loved your little tutorial today. The bags look so great!

Thank you for the lovely tutorial ❤, well you will still have poeple to watch your beautiful creations on both platforms, money is important too, always bills to pay! I was on pateon watching few channels and when my circumstances changed and became single mum! i just sent messages to creaters and said sorry that i can't be able to support them anymore, hope that helps, All the best of luck you lovely lady ❤

Hello. I just found your video today and really enjoyed It. I thought I’d add my 2 cents. RU-vid is a lot of work. It’s an amazing platform but you also need to pay your bills. I think utilizing paid platforms like Patreon is a great idea. I know several channels that use their Patreon channel as a vlog style format while keeping their RU-vid channel for certain tutorial videos. Like you mentioned only those that join a paid tier can see those videos. It’s a little more comfortable talking about personal things on a platform like Patreon. Not everyone can afford Patreon but not everyone can afford to purchase things from our shops either. That shouldn’t change what we do. Do what feels right for you and your family and those that enjoy your videos will find their way. Then after a bit you can reevaluate and see what’s working for you. Good luck!

A lovely video Rachael and really loved your patchwork pouches. ❤ your baking always makes me wanting something yummy too 😅. Totally understand your reasons for Patreon, it makes sense for you. I'd certainly support you 😊xx

An interesting mix of topics and subjects to enjoy today. Looks like you have a good book haul to work through there! Hope Joshua enjoyed his birthday and cakes.

I completely agree with a few people who are saying go with it if you need to do Patreon .I think people forget that whilst what we watch is free there is a time cost for the creator.I appreciate there is so much free content about .The only reason I wouldn’t subscribe to patreon on the channels I watch is just don’t have enough time to catch up with them all !Ive noticed those that have gone to Patreon are still producing content as well and it really has to be what works for you. So go for it Ive enjoyed everything you’ve produced already.

Rachael you have to do what's best for you. Looking forward to the next video. Funny I just pulled my ironing board cover apart too. Lovely birthday cakes. Thank you 🎉

Sorry to be late to contribute to the Patreon conversation. I use Kofi and also the one off 'Thanks' button which I feel more in control of. I am not averse to using Patreon and totally understand how it helps a business. I don't totally understand it as I still see people on RU-vid who have Patreon followers too. Hth. Thank you for your posts I do appreciate them. 😊

❤❤🎉🎉 Take care ,rachael,,,,love ur episodes,,, Do what you decide,,, ELAINE 🏠

Rachael ,you have always been one of my favourite podcasts and I have been watching from the very beginning. As a single person living on my own I also have to watch my pennies. I can’t afford to subscribe to any patreons at the moment but you have my fullest support as always and completely understand why you might go down that road.Here’s hoping that I still see you and your projects on you tube from time to time and I’m sure you will get many patreons joining up xx 🥰

Thank you for keeping my company while I peal and core apples for stewing….the trees are providing me an abundance this year. I view patreon much like Netflix or Disney plus etc. some people do have it some people dont. I currently subscribe to a couple of people but when i need to tighten the belt they get cancelled as does Netflix. YT is your volunteering job whereas patreon would be your paid income, I would never critique anyone for needing to add a paid job alongside the voluntary work! X

I just might have to try a scrappy bag I have a jelly roll I think would work. Hope Joshua had a good Birthday.

Loved your tutorial today for the patchwork pouches, they’re so pretty 😊

Hope Joshua had a wonderful birthday!! That chocolate cake looked so yummy and amazing!! I understand the two sides of the Patreon topic. I’ll continue to support you whatever you decide to do. But personally I probably won’t join Patreon. Depends on the cost of course. You’re one of my absolute top favorite channels 💖 and I’ll be here whatever you decide.

Lovely school cake for Joshua. Happy Birthday! 🎉. Love your scrappy bags and I think I’ll make some more using your method. I agree - you need to run your business to make money - that’s what a business is for for the vast majority of people. I followed quite a few Patreon channels but have had to take a break as I can’t justify the cost at the moment but that doesn’t mean I won’t re-join in the future. Yes - you will have more control over who is watching your more “personal” lifestyle videos and that’s a good thing as there are certainly some weird/not very nice people out there. I will be intrigued to join on Patreon as I have followed you for quite a long time now on here and your episodes are always happy and of interest to me as I have the same taste in lots of your styling. So - in a nutshell I feel that if you can balance both platforms then go for it. Yes - a couple of YT channels are now very, very quiet as they are now concentrating on Patreon but I don’t think that’s a good thing if you have an online shop as obviously you get custom from viewers. I am sure your Patreon channel will be successful and will build its own following. I’m in if you decide to go for it. Sorry - waffled for too long again. Lesley.

Thanks for a lovely video as always. Wow. That is a hard topic to think about. Ali, LDofW, chose not to have a paid space, because it would be an obligation and not just fun and creative. Just another thought. It is not an easy time to support a family. I take things as they come knowing that I have no rights to anything though I subscribe, watch, and like.

Hi Rachael ,first of all thank you for another lovely video ,,I really enjoyed it . I can see your are really conflicted re the patreon. You have to do what is best for you and your son and pay the bills at the end of the day! Hope you sorted the autumn boxes out too 🙂

I honestly cannot believe some of these comments. I love your videos and totally understand why you would want the option of extra income through patreon. Hope you haven’t taken them to heart as some people do not think before they type. My daughter is on RU-vid and is an illustrator and life is tough for her in the current climate and I have encouraged her to look at patreon and membership. If people want to support you they will and you do have a lot of people who enjoy watching (and I am definitely one of those) xx

Get Baked rainbow sprinkles will work for Funfetti cake and won’t turn green.

That quilt-as-you-go tutorial was making me feel like running to my sewing machine ! So many grateful thanks for this inspiration! I was really interested to listen to your thoughts about Patreon and I can fully understand where you come from as a a single mum cum business woman. The reality of the economic situation is getting starker and starker and it would be totally hypocritical not to consider it. I do support a couple of RU-vid channels via Patreon and although I had promised myself to rotate after a year, two years down the line, I feel that my loyal cap is preventing me from moving to someone else… And you were spot on right when you said that despite some “promises”, a number of them are simply diluting themselves or becoming so scarce that you do end up feeling abandoned despite having been there to put them in a position of success such to turn a hobby into a source of income… As I am not in for the any extensive spread of personal stuff, “peeping tomming” isn’t my cup of tea, I have unsubscribed recently to some because they had lost their ways and souls. Doesn’t it remind you of the time when we move from “free” TV channels to subscription/ paying ones ? Ponder, ponder …🌼

I would definitely support you on Patreon 😘xx

I totally get your comments too Rachel but you could do both and carry on with RU-vid as you are ?? On a completely different topic and loving your plants, have you ever tried growing Helichrysum or straw flowers, I sowed half a packet of seeds in a pot and they’ve just started to flower, they’re amazing and will probably keep for ages, I’m sure you’d love them x Jean H

I would far rather you started a patreon to ensure some financial stability in this crazy world than go back to your corporate job and stop doing RU-vid altogether! You have my full and unswerving support. People have to understand if they can’t afford to pay for patreon then perhaps you’re struggling too and need a new income stream. I say go for it!!

Recently found your channel and have really enjoyed it! In my humble opinion you should do what is best for you and your family. I will continue to enjoy your RU-vid channel and might join you on Patreon if that is an option 😊

Please can I ask about the music you use in your vlogs , I really love them but don’t know how to find them or what they are called .😊

In general, I don't care what a content creator does to make money and most products or affiliate links I have found to be relevant to the channel, tastefully done or at least something that can be easily skipped. I have yet to be remotely interested in Patreon. A creator would have to provide a decent amount of value for me to pay them anything. RU-vid channels are usually started as way to help a creators small business gain exposure so they have a larger audience to sell their handmade goods or whatever the case may be. A means of promoting without having to pay for advertising. Yes, it takes a ton of time and hard work, but it would anyway by having to pay someone to do it (work the 9-5) or having less sales in your Etsy, Shopify, website shop. I will say to ANYONE that viewers are experiencing the same hardships as creators and their time is just as valuable. The time they spend watching your channel and the time they spend working hard at their jobs to make a dollar. So, make it worth their time and money.

Hello Rachel I can see both sides of your dilemma& as a single business woman you would want some patreon stability I do subscribe to 2 non crafting channels ( minimum amount ) & occasionally buy a coffee but they are going to have to stop soon due to no winter fuel allowance & my pension hardly covering my household bills being single person I would miss your wonderful channel if you decide on patreon only so for now I will enjoy & appreciate what I can 🥰

Hi Rachel! Whatever you consider is good for you, for your business..I guess it will not hurt anyone if you give it a try. Maybe you will throw youtube some "crumbles" and we will feed on those falling from the table of the "patrons" 🤣we will watch more advertisements so youtube will be happy to continue making more money on your account. Maybe one day I will quit watching youtube entirely and take back my life and freedom. Cheers!

I would be happy to subscribe to Patreon if that’s the way you choose to go. I fully appreciate you spending your time making your great videos and I am sure it costs you to do so. You have to make a living however you can. x

It hurts me to say this but Patreon is a huge no from me. Since hearing you talk about patreon I am now feeling hugely let down I have nearly finished binge watching all of your videos here on you tube and now this feels like on massive waste of time cause you will be posting content that the rest of us won't have access to and we are the loyal ones.