TQIC

legal

Privacy Policy

Effective August 8, 2026

Draft for review. This is a plain-language starting point tailored to Tester Edition. Please have it reviewed by a qualified attorney before relying on it for launch.

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how The Quarter Inch Collective (“TQIC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your information when you use TQIC: Tester Edition and any related websites, applications, and services (together, the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to the practices described here. This Policy works alongside our Terms of Service.

2. Information we collect

Account information. When you create an account, we collect information such as your name, email address, and role (designer, collaborator, or tester). Authentication is handled through Firebase; we do not store your password directly.

Content you provide. Depending on your role, this may include pattern PDFs, pattern metadata, tester feedback, tech-editing findings, photos, ratings, and messages you submit through the Service.

Shipping details. Sample-making jobs involve physically posting fabric and a finished quilt, so you may enter a postal address, a contact name, and tracking numbers. These are visible only to the two people in that engagement — the designer and the sample maker — are never included in a notification email, and are deleted when an engagement is canceled. We ask for them only after a quote is accepted, and never for tech editing or ghostwriting.

Payment information. Paid plans are processed by Stripe. Stripe collects and handles your payment card details directly; we do not store full card numbers. We receive limited billing information such as your subscription status and plan.

Usage and device information. We may collect technical information such as log data, device and browser type, and how you interact with the Service, to keep it secure and working properly.

3. How we use your information

We use your information to: (a) provide, operate, and maintain the Service; (b) create and manage your account and role-based access; (c) enable collaboration between designers, tech editors, and testers you invite or accept; (d) process subscription payments through Stripe; (e) send transactional emails — such as invitations, notifications, and account messages — through our email provider, Resend; (f) protect the security and integrity of the Service; and (g) comply with legal obligations.

4. How your information is shared

With other users. Content is shared only according to the role-based permissions of the Service. Patterns and related materials are visible only to the designer, their invited tech editors, and their accepted testers. Photo usage rights (for social, cover, and website use) follow the explicit selections made within a tester round.

With service providers. We share information with the vendors that power the Service — including Firebase (authentication, database, and file storage), Stripe (payments), and Resend (email) — only as needed to provide the Service. These providers process data under their own terms and privacy policies.

We do not sell your personal information. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of TQIC or others.

5. Data storage and security

Your information is stored using Firebase infrastructure. Access to patterns and related content is enforced through role-based database and storage rules, so materials are only reachable by the users authorized for them. We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you close your account, we will delete or de-identify your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements.

7. Your choices and rights

You may review and update your account information at any time from within the Service. Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your personal information, or to object to or restrict certain processing. To make a request, contact us at hello@quarterinchcollective.com. You can also close your account, which will end the Service's ongoing use of your information as described above.

8. Children's privacy

The Service is not directed to children, and you must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, to use it. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will take reasonable steps to notify you, such as by posting a notice within the Service or updating the effective date above. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

10. Governing law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, USA, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.

11. Contact us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your information? Reach us at hello@quarterinchcollective.com.

See also our Terms of Service or get in touch.