Changes to your 2023 Charm Patreon Membership
Hello, lovelies!
It’s that time of the year! We’re a few weeks away from announcing our 2023 Patreon theme - and that means some fun changes are coming for you!
Every year, we do something a little bit differently with our Patreon membership. The first year was Celebrating Charm, then we had Camp Gertie, this year is the Charm Artist Collective, and next year’s theme will be…
announced on January 1.
(haha…almost had you there!)
Each new theme brings fresh inspiration and a recharge for our creativity. We love the novelty and surprise as much as you do.
The new theme comes with a change in membership benefits, so keep reading for what this will mean for you in 2023…
FYI: This is a long post, but please read all the way to the end to understand all the changes & what it means for you.
What’s Changing
In many ways, next year will be a return to Charm’s roots. It was clear from the results of last month’s survey that the core of what we do - the patterns, the tutorial videos, and the community - are what you love the most.
Those things aren’t changing - in fact, we’re going to focus on making them even better! But what will change?
Our tiers will be changing. We’re combining Beat & Bohemian Princesses into one tier, and adding a new tier for people who want even more access to me and the Charm team.
Prices will go up for new patrons. We’re going into our fourth year on Patreon, and this is our first price increase for all new patrons. New patrons get access to all four years worth of content and they can join for a month, grab everything, and then leave. It only seems fair that they pay for the library of content, as well as all the current benefits that you receive. We think the incredible amount of content we've released makes slightly higher prices worth it.
This doesn’t apply to you, though. The new prices are only for new patrons.
Benefits will change, as they do every year. We’re retiring the benefits from the Charm Artist Collective to get ready for the new theme. Keep reading to see how the benefits will change in each tier…
The New Tiers & Benefits, i.e. What’s Changing Specifically for YOU
$7 Poets: The Sewing Circle
Your tier will be renamed the Sewing Circle, and new members will pay $9 per month.
There is no change to your benefits next year. You’ll still receive the monthly sewing project, companion tutorial video, monthly live event, access to Discord, first access to Charm merchandise, and the annual free Charm Patterns PDF sewing pattern (Gertie’s choice).
$10 Artists: The Glamour Circle
Your tier will be renamed the Glamour Circle, and new members will pay $12 per month.
In 2023, you’ll still receive “bonus content” on the 15th of the month, but that content will change a bit:
The 2023 content will include:
4 issues of our new digital magazine, Vintage by Gertie (see a sneak peek below!)
8 sewing projects or digital content goodies - these could be pattern expansions, accessories patterns, advanced fit clinics, pattern hacks, guest artist designs, or other fun things that I feel inspired to create & share
6 live Glamour Salon events during the year on either Crowdcast or Zoom
And, of course, you’ll also continue to receive everything from the Sewing Circle level.
$16 Beat Princesses: The Princess Circle
Your tier will be renamed the Princess Circle, and new members will pay $20 per month.
In 2023, we’re adding at least four exclusive Pattern Hack projects to your membership. (I’ll be taking an existing Charm or Patreon pattern and changing it into something new).
You’ll also receive all of the Sewing Circle and Glamour Circle benefits, as well as the ones you’ve enjoyed from this year, like the 40% off coupon for one Charm Pattern (3 times a year), the annual physical gift, and the Charm Patterns sneak peaks.
$19 Bohemian Princesses
Your tier will be combined with Beat Princesses into the new Princess Circle, and new members will pay $20.
In 2023, if you stay at the $19 level, you’ll receive all of the Sewing Circle, Glamour Circle, and Princess Circle benefits.
A SPECIAL NOTE TO $19 BOHEMIAN PRINCESSES
Because your tier is being combined with the $16 Beat Princess tier, you have a decision to make:
Stay in the Princess Circle
Upgrade to the Inner Circle
If you stay in the Princess Circle, you will be losing the 100% off coupon for one Charm Pattern (3 times a year). This benefit is not financially viable for us to continue, and we’ve learned from you that it becomes less and less valuable over time as you collect all the Charm Patterns you want.
We’ve instead added a similar benefit to the Inner Circle tier (as well as some other benefits intended for Charm’s biggest supporters).
If you would like to stay at the Princess Circle tier, please downgrade your membership to the $16 Beat Princess level BEFORE December 31. This will save you $3 per month, but you MUST do this before December 31.
If you are interested in upgrading to the Inner Circle level, you'll have to wait until AFTER January 1 to do so.
Our New Tier: The Inner Circle
We’re super excited to offer a new tier this year, the Inner Circle. New members will pay $25 per month.
This tier is designed for Charm’s biggest supporters who want to be a part of guiding what happens behind-the-scenes at Charm. You’ll get everything in the other tiers as well as:
100% off each new PDF Charm Pattern when they are released
5% off and first dibs on signing up for Gertie's 2023 in-person Society Sewing Retreats
a quarterly exclusive live event on Zoom as our Inner Circle Board of Advisors
your name will be listed as an Inner Circle member in Vintage by Gertie magazine
20% off coupon for Charm Merchandise (2 times a year) PLUS access to previous annual gifts as merchandise (according to availability)
The Inner Circle tier will become available on January 1.
(scroll to the bottom to download this handy chart in a printable PDF format)
A VERY IMPORTANT Note about Grandfathering, Upgrading, Downgrading, and Your Patreon Payments
As a current patron, you will be “grandfathered” into the new tiers at your current payment level.
HOWEVER - and this is very important - if your payment info changes after January 1, you will be charged the new prices.
This means…if you upgrade or downgrade after January 1, you will pay the new tier price. (So, if you want to upgrade your tier, please do it BEFORE December 31 to lock in the grandfathered rate).
And more troubling…if your payment doesn’t go through at the beginning of the month (because your credit card has expired, for example), you will be removed from your current grandfathered tier. Once you update your payment info, it will place you in the new tier at the new prices.
This a Patreon thing, and there is nothing we can do about it once it happens!
To prevent this from happening, you can
always make sure your credit card info is up-to-date
consider using PayPal as your payment method and add multiple funding sources to your PayPal account as backups
consider changing from a monthly membership to an annual membership. Here’s how.
I’m so excited for the new year and our new theme! We’ve spent a great deal of time making sure the Patreon membership feels fresh & new, while making sure we’re continuing to offer the valuable sewing and vintage content you love.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below, and we’ll answer them over the next week or so.
xoxo, Gertie
PS: The tier prices have NOT changed yet! They will change on January 1.
If you are seeing different prices, it is either due to Patreon's currency conversion fees or the state/country taxes & fees that Patreon is required to charge.
If you are an annual member & want to upgrade your tier, here's how it works: "When you increase your annual membership, pro-rated credit from what you've already paid is applied to the new amount, and you pay the remaining cost for upgrading. When you make changes to an annual membership, it extends your year term from that date."
You can get all your annual membership questions answered here: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042152671-Annual-membership-details
Comments (127)
I was able to update mine just ac few moments ago to inner circle!!!!
For inner circle, the 20% off for merchandise, do that include patterns as well or only the pincusion for example? :)
Merchandise does not include patterns. It means things like pin cushions, t-shirts, tote bags, and the previous year's gifts :)
There is only 1 thing. if i upgrade to the Beat princess tier that changes on January 1th, i need to pay 10 euro extra for this month as well as a renew on January 1th if i want to pay the grandfather price....
I wondered about that too
For the new princess benefit of 4 pattern hacks will there be additional content every month or is it additional content every few months? Thanks!
I've been a member since Day -1, so of course I'm all in! Inner Circle, here I come! :) The content is the best around, and it's worth my time and monies, definitely! :)
I'm thinking of joining the Inner Circle too. I've also been a member since the beginning.
I just upgraded from Artist to Beat Princess to lock in the $16 price and was charged sales tax on the extra amount. I've never been charged sales tax on the lower tier, so I'm just curious as to why? Patreon says one time thank you gifts aren't taxable and the yearly gift is really the major difference I could see being charged taxes that wasn't taxed at the lower levels. Ultimately it won't change my mind on upgrading, I just would like to know what I'm being taxed for. I'm in the U.S. and it does say that my state collects taxes on Patreon but doesn't break down each states rules so, I'm just trying to figure out the difference.
Hi Rebekah, my guess would be that your state started requiring that Patreon charge sales tax after you signed up for the Artist tier, and since Patreon considers the upgrade to Beat Princess to be a new membership, they started adding sales tax to your "new" membership. It sounds like you may have already found this slightly helpful (and incredibly boring) support article about Patreon taxes, but just in case you need more info: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043054911-Patreon-s-Sales-Tax-Requirements
I'm at bohemian princess right now, and want to upgrade to inner circle! So as for now, I do nothing? And just wait for january 1st? To change it? So I don't do anything wrong <3
Wonderful! Yes, just wait for January 1st when we unveil the new theme and open up the Inner Circle tier. ❤️
Reading the Patreon guidelines, those of us who are Bohemian Princess paying ANNUAL will lose out big time. We wont be able to take advantage of switching down to $16 a month pro-rated grandfather tier in New Year. We will have paid $19/mo, and in 2023 will continue to pay this rate, as Patreon doesn’t allow a downgrade in tiers for annual subscribers without canceling. So the suggestion to downgrade for “$3/mo discount” grandfathered in doesn’t work for us. A nice gesture might be a $36 credit or gift for us annual Bohemian Princesses who stay put. ❤️
Or, If I downgrade annual now, it will do so on renewal date Jan 1, 2023, but will it be at new $20 tier, or at locked in $16 tier - so confusing!
hello, with monthly paiment renewal is automatic ?
I’m excited for the new toer! What I want to know is I can’t see if it’s been asked already sorry! If I get charged on January 1st and then want to upgrade to the hugest do I pay again?
Good question! Any time you upgrade after your payment for the month has already been processed, you only get charged the difference between your current tier and your new one ❤️
We international patreons aren't really able to cherish all the Inner Circle benefits such as the 5% for retreats or access to merch/previous gifts due to travel or delivery costs. I'd love to join the new tier but it's not that attractive in regards to the above. Perhaps some changes can be made to make it work for internationals as well 🙏
That's a great point! I would love to hear what benefits you would find useful as an international member.
Is this going to be a new trend to create a new top tier? So those patrons paying the premium already will have to pay more each year supplementing the one month members?
No, I wouldn't say it's a new trend! It's an optional upgrade for those who have been requesting even more benefits. Our goal was to make sure our current patrons would not be charged more, only new members and those who choose to upgrade.
For the inner circle and new patterns being 100% free, does that mean you get both size ranges of the pattern? What about the sizing updates of the previous patterns will those also be free when they are available?
Yes, you will get both ranges in all new Charm patterns being released! For sizing updates, we will continue to provide free courtesy expansions for those who have already purchased the pattern in the 2-20.
I too am looking forward to the magazine!
Also very excited for the magazine!!
What would be lovely is if those of us in the $19 category who stay there get upgraded to the Inner Circle (only because I know I will forget to change up and I don’t want to miss out!)
Hi Lily! Patreon doesn't allow us to manually change someone's tier for them, but don't worry--we will be sending out reminders about the new tier once it's available!
Oh wow! Inner Circle sounds like a steal for $6 extra a month from where we’re sitting. We will most DEFINITELY be signing up.
Will there be pattern hack videos every month?
Hi Angeline! We will be providing pattern hacks at least 4 times a year.
I followed advice and changed from debit card to PayPal, and got an instant additional charge of £1.80. Which leads me to suspect its put me on the new price scheme already!
The tier prices have NOT changed yet! They will only change on January 1. If you are seeing different prices, it is either due to Patreon's currency conversion fees or the state/country taxes & fees that Patreon is required to charge.
I'm so excited you're bringing back in person retreats! My question is--and maybe you aren't sure yet--but will these be like the dress workshops you used to do? Will there be information about what they're all about prior to being able to sign up for one? Will each one be open at different times to sign up or will you have them all booking at the same time so people can pick and choose which one they'd best be able to attend? I have been hoping since 2020 that you'd bring these back! I'm so excited for the new year!
We haven't set dates for the retreats yet, or nailed down any of the details. As soon as I have more info, I'll let patrons know. (If you're not on our email newsletter, that's also a great way to stay on top of things. You can sign up here: https://charmpatterns.com/signup)
I've only been a member for a couple months and I honed in on in-person sewing retreats!
Amazing Gertie! I look forward to supporting your accessible and inclusive patterns. I intend to go Inner Circle in recognition of the amazing community you’ve created. Thank you for the opportunity to amplify and elevate your creations.
This x10. I could not say it better.
Hey Gertie, looks fab! :-) A couple of Qs please. 1. Will the in person retreats just be in the US and approximately how much will they be please? I'm in the UK and would love to attend, depending on the cost/length and when they are. 2. What time of day are you planning for a) the salon live event and b) the Inner Circle. Again I'm in the UK and start my mornings at 5am... Thank you
Fello UKer here too, I was wondering the same for the second points. Thanks ❤️
Haven't seen this question yet... I am in the Princess Tier since the beginning. I already have all Charm Patterns up to date and still some unused 100% coupons. I will certainly upgrade for the Inner Circle so will not be using them for the future Charm Patterns. Can I gift the coupons to someone? I love what you did with the new tiers and cannot wait for the new theme! Back to classic Charm has me so excited !!!
Great question! It's not possible to gift the coupons directly by sending the coupon code to someone else, as the coupon code is tied to your Patreon info. However, you can always use the code to get the pattern yourself, then gift the pattern to someone on your own. Thanks for asking!
Please send out a reminder about upgrading to the inner circle on the 1st.
So exciting!!! Can’t wait for Jan 1! And for in person retreats!!!!! That made me squeal with joy!!
I'm tempted to upgrade but those of us international patreons are already paying more for Pateron with our exchange rates and GST, and that may price some people out of the higher tiers. I'd like to upgrade but think I better keep my current price.
Yes, im paying 14USD for the 10USD tier already.
Wow. Here in New Zealand, once you add GST, that will push us up to $45 a month for the new inner circle. Guess I will have to do some serious thinking over Xmas
Wow, yikes!
I am LOVING the new ideas and tiers and thank you so much for giving us all the info ahead of time:) A+ for all the foresight that went into the planning!
Will the magazine be a Patreon exclusive or will it be available for purchase elsewhere?
It will be a Patreon exclusive, only for Glamour Circle members and above.
Mine is already hitting me with higher prices. I paid 14.00 aud this month but, it is already saying it is 17.00 AUD now. I upgraded to princess status and got charged a difference charge but, that comes to a total of 28.00 AUD. It says that is should be 26.50 AUD but, even that seems more expensive after the current exchange rate and puts the tier at 18USD instead of 16USD. Actually regretting the upgrade now with all this confusion. It also sent me an email like I am a completely new member not an existing one.
I dont think it can be. It seems like when you sign up to a tier it gets locked in at a specific price at that time. So when i signed up to Artist it locked me in at 14.00 AUD based on rates, fees etc. But now that we are technically changing tiers we actually lose that locked in rate and it is done at the current exchange rate and fees/patreon buffers. Gutted as had i realised that it was going to do that i would have just stayed on the artist tier
Inner circle here I come!❤️
Will those who are not in the inner circle also have a chance to attend the in person retreats???? I am going to upgrade from the 10 dollar tier to the next level but perhaps not inner circle ( conversion from usd to cad does not work in my favour!!!!!)
Yes, as long as spots are available! Inner Circle members get first dibs to sign up, since retreats often sell out.
Pretty sure I’ll be upgrading to Inner Circle.
Recently i wanted to check payment information and patreon changed $ to € automatically (I live in Europe) and I changed it back. Got a welcome mail 😳i am a patreon since years. Means patreon canceled my membership and set up a new one. I didn't even switched tiers! If that happens again I will be charged like a new member 😔
I had the exact same happen
Well I upped my tier again lol
It goes without saying i'm gonna be an Inner circle girl. Just to check as i currently pay monthly, i pay my monthly subscription on 1st of the month as usual and say the next day i could change to the new inner circle tier, is that right? Just one critique, i don't like the name of the tier, the others sound well, more glamorous! I adore the new magazine though!
Yes, you've got it! Just stay in your tier until after the 1st, then come join the Inner Circle sometime in January. 😘
Inner circle here I come!! Hopefully I can actually make some of the Zooms in 2023, too!
I might be confusing the mechanics of Patreon with Kickstarter, but will there be a limit to how many people can join the Inner Circle tier?
There is no limit to the number of Inner Circle patrons. We'll welcome you all! 😘
Also living for this new magazine idea 🙌🏻📚🙌🏻 cannot wait to see what kind of content you create and share with us. 2023 is looking up for sure 💗
Inner circle girlie 🙋🏻♀️ can’t wait!
Obvi need to be in the inner circle 💅🏻
According to the linked patreon support article, there will be no way for current $19 Bohemian Princesses to downgrade an annual membership to the new Princess Circle tier: "At the moment, there’s no way to decrease your annual membership tier. You can, however, lower your tier level after your year membership has ended with a slight workaround. You can cancel your membership near the end of your year term, and then repledge at a lower-tier option once the year term has passed. "
So I guess this means if Bohemian Princesses want to stay at the Princess Circle tier with the grandfathered rates, we should cancel our membership and re-plege before December 31?
Totally gonna upgrade to the Inner Circle!
Same! I love the idea
i'm so here for the inner circle! love supporting all this magic! i was thinking about getting a new ipad. now i really want one just for the magazine! eeeeee
Just upgraded to Princess! Can’t wait to up by sewing game in 2023!
If I Downgrade to the $16 Princess do I lose access to the $19 Bohemian Princess content that I've paid for for the past three years or does the system know that I was a member of the tier at the time of the post?
Charmion, yes, once you leave a tier, you lose access to that tier's benefits. However, the benefits in the $16 Beat Princess level and $19 Bohemian Princess level are nearly identical (which is why we are combining them). The only difference between the 2 tiers is the %-off coupon codes. If you have any unused 100%-off coupon codes from being a Bohemian Princess, you'll still be able to use them. Hope that helps!
I'm so upgrading to the inner circle.. of course I always have to have the highest Gertie tier... I cannot remember what coupon codes I used so I'm excited about not having to remember that. And Ruby will want to come to a retreat too so I will just need to find a Corgi friendly hotel
I love the idea of pattern hacks to our beloved patterns. I would love a sleeve on the Liz. I’m more mature and I would like to have my arms covered without having to wear a bolero. I adore the Bryant and have made many of them in all kinds of fabrics. The sleeves on the Bryant both long and short make me feel more maturely glamorous with showing all my bingo wings.
Just upgraded to princess... it was only a matter of time ;)
Out of curiosity, what was the physical gift for the princess tier this year?
A 2023 calendar
I use PayPal and I’m gonna change card this year because mine expires. Does that count as changing payment, or not? 😅
It's so confusing, right?!?!! If you sign up for Patreon with PayPal, make sure you have multiple payment options, and you should be fine. 😘
How do I upgrade from artist to beat Princess tier now please? I ultimately wish to be grandfathered into the Princrsses tier so I receive the pattern hacks.
Yay! Just follow this link, and you'll find instructions on how to change your tier: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000126286-Editing-your-membership
The theme sounds like Old Hollywood Glamour to me and if it is, I'm so here for it. But even if it isn't, I'm joining the inner circle! I love what you do Gertie, and team! You all are absolutely fabulous! ❤❤❤
Same!!!
I am so confused. I want to join the Inner circle, but it isnt listed in the tiers. Do I wait untill januari 1?
Yes, you can join the Inner Circle after January 1.
Really looking forward to the Magazine! Cannot wait to see what will be in it!
Here I come Inner Circle.
My question is about the retreats if in the inner circle tier. Will there be a calendar of when and where these retreats will be prior to upgrading?
Great question! I'm planning on retreats in NY during the warm months of the year (late Spring/Summer/early Fall), but that's all I know right now.
Oh, also... does moving to the inner circle make princess coupons useless? I have one waiting to be used but if I move to inner circle are the coupons necessary?
If you have a Princess coupon, you can use it as long as it hasn't expired. You can use a Princess coupon on ANY Charm Pattern. The Inner Circle members will only get the new Charm Patterns that are released during their membership. Hope that helps!
My question is, are all future charm patterns 100% off or is it all charm patterns (including current patterns)?
Rachel, Inner Circle members will receive 100% off the new Charm Patterns that are released during their membership. Hope that answers your question!
I'm thinking about upgrading to the inner cirle tier next year. Will there be any workshops/sewing retreats in Germany?
Right now, we're planning the 2023 retreats will be held in the US only.
Fantastic! So I can upgrade from the grandfathered cost of the Poet tier to the grandfathered cost of the next tier up before Jan 1st? ☺️
You got it! As long as you upgrade before Dec 31, you'll stay grandfathered at that tier's rate.
I’m a little confused about the issue with Patreon changing your tier if you have to update your payment. Is that only if you miss your auto payment because of a card error? Or will patreon change your tier even if you update CC info before your autopay date?
It IS confusing! And so frustrating! If you keep your payment info up-to-date, it shouldn't be an issue.
Will changing my surname count as change in payment info or is that just the account number?
As long as you keep your payment info up-to-date, it shouldn't be an issue. If you have a name change, it shouldn't affect the payment info.
For the Inner Circle Tier and its guidance for what happens behind the scenes - will this be done via surveys/polls or at the quarterly zoom circles (which are not recorded and tricky due to time zones)? 🌺
Great question! We'll be reaching out for Inner Circle ideas in different ways - we haven't nailed down the details yet. One of the things we're going to work on in 2023 is more variety with the days/times of the live events, so that might help. 😘
I’m in the $10 tier, can I upgrade to the next tier and pay the $16, or will have to pay $20.
Thania, if you want to upgrade to the Princess Circle tier, please upgrade to the $16 Beat Princess level BEFORE December 31 to lock in that price. Thanks!
The thought and consideration into this is *chefs kiss! I’m upgrading my membership for the new tiers because I’m excited to see what you guys do with it 😍🥰
So if I want to upgrade to the next tier before the 31st, do I just pay the difference for one month?
Yes, if you'd like to upgrade before the 31st, you'll just be charged the different this month.
I am at the top level right now and I believe I am paid up until August 2023. I want to upgrade to the Inner Circle. Will I only be charged the additional amount or will it bill me the total amount??
Excellent question! (And you're the second person who asked it, so I'll add it to the post above). Here's what Patreon says, "When you increase your annual membership, pro-rated credit from what you've already paid is applied to the new amount, and you pay the remaining cost for upgrading. When you make changes to an annual membership, it extends your year term from that date." You can get all your annual membership questions answered here: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042152671-Annual-membership-details
Will there be an annual fee to move to the inner circle we could pay after the 1st? And is it any cheaper than paying monthly?
Kim, great question! You'll be able to join the Inner Circle either monthly or annually, after January 1. The price is the same either way.
Great info. Thanks Gertie!!
Question: I currently am at the top tier and I paid for a whole year up front. If I upgrade, will I have to pay the difference in full again?
Excellent question! Here's what Patreon says, "When you increase your annual membership, pro-rated credit from what you've already paid is applied to the new amount, and you pay the remaining cost for upgrading. When you make changes to an annual membership, it extends your year term from that date." You can get all your annual membership questions answered here: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042152671-Annual-membership-details
Inner circle = Jaimaca theme 😉
Sounds great. Can't wait to hear about the sewing retreats. I will say in the $10/12 tier for now. Maybe I can attend a retreat one day.
I have been in the top tier since the very beginning, am I right in understanding that if I wish to remain in the top tier I am actually upgrading and so my current price won’t be grandfathered? Sorry if I have misunderstood
I was also wondering this, as someone who has been in the top tier since the beginning. Seems a bit like our tier has the most to lose?
Hold on.... so inner circle members literally get every new Charm pattern for FREE?? That is 100% off, right?
Yes, you've got it!
YAY! I'm so excited about the new theme for next year!
No comment except- thank you Gertie and to the entire Charm team for these magical things you do. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 I look forward to continuing to support your work❣️💝
What Cristy wrote... And my brain going: alalala long.. alala la long 🎶