FAQ

End of Year Shipping Delays

It's that time of year again, friends.  Shipping companies are becoming overwhelmed with holiday deliveries and your order may be delayed.  If you need your patterns right away, we suggest you choose a downloadable pattern.  You may also email us and we will see if we can arrange Express Shipping.  If you have already ordered, email us at info@reconstructinghistory.com and we'll try to help.  We regret that we can make no guarantees or even any estimates about when your order will arrive.

Can I use your patterns for my company?

Our patterns are not approved for commercial use.  They are for home sewing only.  If you have a commercial project and would like to use our patterns, please contact us at  info@reconstructinghistory.com and we'll work something out with you.

I never got a tracking number

“I never got any emails from you!” You should have received a email receipt as soon as you ordered and an email with tracking information when your order shipped.  The tracking email often takes a few days since we don't print and ship every day. These emails are automatically sent to the email address in your account. (Sometimes our website doesn't like to send to hotmail addresses, unfortunately.) You can also log in to your account and see if your order has shipped and the tracking number if it has.  If you have checked your spam folder and cannot find any emails from us, please email us at info@reconstructinghistory.com and we'll try to help.

Where's my download?

“I ordered a download but never got any emails from you!” You should have received a link to your downloads immediately after you ordered. Please email us at info@reconstructinghistory.com and we'll try to help.

My tracking number doesn't work.  Help!

“When I click the tracking number in my order, it gives me a "not found" error.” It takes 24-48 hours for tracking to become live on the shipping website.  At certain times of the year and during high volume, it may take longer. We can't see any different info than you can. You can also try the same tracking number in your local postal service tracking website (USPS.com, RoyalMail, etc.).  It will be tracking once the package arrives in your country. If you are still having difficulty tracking your package, feel free to email us at info@reconstructinghistory.com.  We are happy to look up your package for you.

I ordered a download from you a while ago and now my download link doesn't work anymore.  You said it would never expire!  Help!

We recently moved our website and the new software doesn't quite work the same as the old software did.  So the link you had from your order a year ago will not work on the new website. But there is a solution.
There are two steps to the solution.  First, email us about the problem:  info@reconstructinghistory.com.  We will respond by sending you an account activation email.  When you receive this email, push the blue button and activate your account.  Then email us when this is completed.  We will then be able to add your download files into your newly-activated account
We are sorry for the inconvenience.  But you definitely will not have to purchase the pattern a second time.  Even when things don't work as planned, we keep our promises.  You will always be able to get your downloadable files from us.  

Your website says you don't ship to my country.  Is that true?

No, it is NOT true.  We ship everywhere.  But sometimes large orders confuse our shipping software. If you are placing a large order (over 8 patterns), they likely weigh too much for our shipping software to handle. If you break your order into two parts, everything will work perfectly. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Seam Allowances

“What are your seam allowances?” Each of our patterns differ so you should check the pattern instructions for the seam allowance for your particular pattern.  Our typical seam allowance is the pattern industry standard of 5/8" (1.6cm). The seam allowance specific to each pattern is listed in the Instructions, usually at the top of page 2 with the yardage requirements and cutting instructions. “But are they included?” Of course they are, or else we couldn't tell you their size.

What size are your downloads

"I want to order a downloadable pattern.  What do the sizes mean?"  We sell our downloadable patterns in three different formats:  US letter, A4, and wide-format print shop files.  US letter and A4 formats are tiled to print at those sizes on a desktop printer.  You print all the pages and then tape them together using the marks and numbers on the corners to guide you.  Wide-format print shop files are full sized and meant to be printed on wide-format printers (at least 36" wide).  The covers, historical notes, and instructions pages print in letter/A4 size.  But the pattern pages print in wide format.  These are A0-width or 33" wide

My download doesn't print right! Help!

"I ordered a tiled download and the lines don't line up. I don't see any marks to help me line things up. What am I doing wrong?"  You're probably being too much a perfectionist. Different printers print with different amounts of white space on the edges of the pages. No desktop printer prints to the edge of the page. So there is always white space around the edges of download pages. Ignore this. Don't worry. Your pattern will work even if it's not lined up millimetrically perfectly. Make sure you're printing at 100% and consult the sample page (after the instructions pages end) to see how the pages need to be arranged.  Following the big numbers in the background of each page will help.

I paid but my order is still "Pending"

“I placed my order and paid through PayPal, but my order is still marked "Pending" instead of "Processing" or "Completed".  What is wrong?” From time to time PayPal reviews some orders for undisclosed reasons and puts a hold on them without informing you or us as to why.  They say they do this for security reasons.  In reality, they do it with every Persian pattern sale.  I have contacted them about this, informing them that our Persian patterns have nothing to do with the Government of Iran, but they do not respond.  The word "Persian" is clearly part of some algorithm and we cannot change the name of the pattern without confusing our customers.  It is frustrating and we are annoyed as well. The good news is that "Pending" only lasts for 24-48 hours at the most.  You will be able to download your pattern (or we will ship) as soon as it is lifted.  I'm sorry that we cannot do anything to make this go away.

Size Chart

“What sizes do your patterns come in?” Each of our patterns come in different sizes that can be seen on the back of each pattern. The back cover for each pattern is in the gallery on the product page. Click on it to expand it. Generally our patterns fit men's chests 34" through 54" and waists 28" through 50".  Our "P" range patterns fit chest 42" through 60" and waists 44" through 62".  Our women's patterns fit busts 30½" waists 23" hips 32½" through busts 48" waists 41" and hips 50".  Our "Q" range patterns fit busts 48" waists 41" and hips 50" through busts 60" waists 52" and hips 62". All our patterns include all the sizes listed on the back cover (about 11 sizes per pattern). We do not have any patterns sized for children or dolls.

Your Account

“I can't log in to my account.  Help!” If you can't remember you password, please click the lost password link and follow the instructions.  If you have trouble with that, please email us through the Contact page. If you haven't visited your account since before August 2016, your account was probably lost in our database crash.  You will need to create a new account.  If you purchased downloads from us before August 2016 and still have the email receipt, we will be happy to add them to your new account so you can download them at any time.

Shipping

“When should I expect my product?” We print all our orders in house when we receive them.  Our order processing time is usually about 48 hrs, but if you just happen to order after we've shut off the printers for the night, you might wait an extra day. We ask that you allow us 2-3 business days to prepare your order to ship. After that, times are in the hands of DHL. Speaking of which... “What shipping methods do you use?” We ship internationally via DHLGlobal and locally through PostNL.  Delivery of DHL Globalmail is made by your national postal service, not DHL Globalmail.  So in the US, DHL Globalmail is delivered by USPS, in Ireland by An Post, in England by Royal Mail, et cetera. "Will I get a tracking number?" Yes.  You will receive an email containing your tracking information directly from DHL. Please do not use a fake email address for your order or you won't get tracking info.  The tracking info also appears as a link in your account as soon as it is shipped.  "How long will shipping take?" We can only give you an estimate for DHL Globalmail ("Flat rate").  Average transit time from Europe to the US with DHL Globalmail is 6 to 10 days, plus additional processing and transit time within your country. This varies greatly country to country.  Please check your local DHL times. “How much is shipping?” The cost depends on the weight of your order plus where you are located in the world.  If you want to determine shipping fees before you buy, go through checkout and stop before the payment screen. “Do you ship to insert-name-of-entity-here?” Yes! We ship anywhere the DHL can reach, which is pretty much the entire planet. "Why is it so expensive to ship to my country?" Our patterns are printed on heavy bond paper and come loaded with historical information and extensive instructions.  These aren't the cheap tissue you get from other pattern companies.  They're big.  And they have a substantial weight. International shipping is calculated by weight.  We use the least-expensive options available to us, but international shipping is expensive. You can save by ordering more patterns at the same time.  Or you can check out Where To Buy to see if we have a wholesale partner in your country. “Can I get expedited shipping?” If you need something urgently, please email us before you order and we will see if we can arrange something especially for you.

Returns

“Do you take returns?” Yes. If for any reason you are unhappy with our products, returns are accepted under the following guidelines:

  • Request for returns must be made by phone or e-mail and must be authorized by Reconstructing History; unauthorized returns will NOT be accepted.
  • The original item and packaging must be intact.
  • The item must be unused, undamaged and in resalable condition as determined by RH.
  • The request for return must be made within five (5) business days of receipt.
  • Product must be returned within fourteen (14) business days after authorization for return is issued.
If these criteria are met, a full refund will be made minus shipping costs. Shipping charges are never refundable. Under certain circumstances, exchanges or store credit may be extended in lieu of refund. Downloads are not returnable or refundable.

Methods of Payment

“What credit cards do you accept?” We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and of course PayPal. “Do you accept direct bank transfers from European banks?” We use a number of different payment methods that include direct bank transfers.  You will see these at checkout. “Do you accept checks or money orders?” We do not.

Ordering

“Is your website secure?” Yes! Your private information is held in the highest security. We do not store your credit card information.  We do not sell your information to other parties, either.  Ever.