This Privacy Policy explains how Piecework ("Piecework," "the App," "we," "us," or "our") handles information when you use the App.
1. Information You Create and Store
Piecework lets you create and save foundation paper piecing patterns. The App stores this content locally in its app container on your device.
| Content | Examples | How it is handled |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern data | Pattern names, dimensions, seam geometry, section boundaries, piece order, seam allowance, fabric colors, and editor settings | Saved locally as Piecework pattern files |
| Reference photos | An image you select to trace beneath a pattern | Downscaled, re-encoded, and stored inside the local pattern file |
| Tutorial and preferences | Tutorial progress, snapping choices, grid spacing, ruler visibility, and similar settings | Saved locally so the App can restore your workspace |
| Generated output | PDF previews and foundation files | Generated locally for preview, printing, saving, or sharing |
Piecework does not operate an account system or a backend service for this content. We do not receive or store your patterns, reference photos, fabric choices, or generated PDFs on Piecework servers.
2. Data We Do Not Collect
Piecework does not intentionally collect or transmit to us:
- Your pattern designs or pattern names
- Reference photos you select
- Fabric colors, section layouts, or sew order
- Generated or exported PDF files
- Contacts, location, browsing history, advertising identifiers
- Behavior profiles or any record linking usage to you as a person
Piecework contains no advertising SDK. It uses Google Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics for anonymous usage statistics and crash reports only, as described in Section 6, and you can disable both in Pattern settings. We do not sell personal information and do not use your work to train generative AI models.
3. Reference Photos
The Photo tool uses Apple's system photo picker. Piecework receives only the image you explicitly choose; it does not need to browse or copy your entire photo library. The selected image is downscaled and re-encoded for tracing, then embedded in the local pattern file.
You can replace or remove a reference photo at any time from the Photo tool. Removing it from Piecework does not delete the original image from your photo library.
4. Exporting, Sharing, Saving, and Printing
When you choose to share, save, print, message, email, upload, or otherwise export a PDF, the file leaves Piecework and is handled by the destination or system service you select. Those destinations may have their own privacy practices.
Piecework cannot recall, delete, or control a file after you export it outside the App. You are responsible for reviewing the destination and the contents of a file before sharing it.
5. Device Backups and System Services
Piecework does not provide its own cloud account or cloud-sync service. However, your operating system and device settings may include local App data in an iCloud Backup or another device backup. If you save an exported PDF to iCloud Drive or another storage provider, that provider handles the file under its own terms and privacy policy.
We do not control or have access to your Apple Account, iCloud storage, system backups, printer, or third-party destinations selected through the system share sheet.
6. Usage Statistics, Crash Reports, and Apple Diagnostics
Firebase diagnostics
Piecework uses Google Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics. These services run inside the App and send the following to Google servers on our behalf:
- Which App features are used, such as creating a pattern, opening the print preview, sharing a PDF, or completing the tutorial, together with rounded ranges rather than exact numbers (for example "10–19 pieces" or "1–5 minutes").
- Crash reports and handled-error reports containing the App's stack trace, App version, iPadOS version, device model, and free memory at the time of the crash.
What is never sent: your pattern designs, pattern names, fabric names, section layouts, sew order, reference photos, exported PDFs, file names, or any text you type. Advertising identifiers are not collected, and we have configured Firebase to deny all advertising-related data use.
We use this information to understand which features matter, to measure whether the App is stable across versions, and to fix crashes. We do not build individual profiles and cannot identify you from it.
You can turn usage statistics and crash reporting off in Pattern settings → Privacy → "Share anonymous usage statistics". Nothing is queued or sent while the switch is off. The installation identifier is reset if you delete and reinstall the App.
Google processes this data as our service provider under the Google Privacy Policy and the Firebase terms. Data may be processed on Google servers outside your country.
Apple diagnostics
Apple processes App Store downloads, purchases, updates, and related account information under Apple's own terms and privacy policy. Depending on your device and App Store privacy settings, Apple may provide developers with purchase status, aggregated App Store metrics, crash reports, or diagnostics.
These Apple-controlled reports do not give us access to the patterns or reference photos stored in Piecework. You can manage the sharing of device analytics in your Apple device settings.
7. Information You Choose to Send Us
Piecework does not currently include an in-app account or support submission system. If you contact us through email, the App Store, TestFlight, or another support channel, we may receive the contact information, message, screenshots, attachments, and diagnostic details you choose to provide.
We use that information only to respond, troubleshoot, protect the App, comply with law, or maintain support records. We retain it only as long as reasonably necessary for those purposes, then delete or anonymize it where appropriate. Do not send a pattern or reference photo unless it is necessary for your support request and you are comfortable sharing it.
8. Security
Piecework is designed to keep your creative work local to your device. You can use device protections such as a passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, and encrypted device backups where available.
No device, app, or storage method can guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for securing your device, reviewing backup settings, and deciding when and where to export your work.
9. Retention and Deletion
| Information | How to remove it |
|---|---|
| Saved pattern | Delete the pattern from the Patterns gallery |
| Reference photo copy | Remove it with the Photo tool or delete its pattern |
| Tutorial checkpoint | Finish or exit the guided tutorial |
| All local App data | Delete the App, subject to operating-system and backup behavior |
| Exported PDF | Delete it from the destination where you saved or shared it |
| Usage statistics and crash reports | Turn off the switch in Pattern settings → Privacy to stop future collection. Data already received is retained by Google Analytics for the period configured for our project (currently 2 months for user-level data) and by Crashlytics for 90 days, then deleted automatically. Deleting the App resets the installation identifier. |
We cannot delete a copy held in an iCloud or device backup, a third-party storage service, a printer queue, or a destination to which you exported it. Use the controls provided by that service. For support communications, you may ask us to delete information you sent, subject to legal or legitimate recordkeeping needs. If you want usage statistics tied to your installation identifier deleted sooner, contact us with the App version and approximate date of use; we will submit a deletion request to Google.
10. Children's Privacy
Piecework is not designed to collect personal information from children, and we do not knowingly collect such information through the App. If you believe a child has sent personal information to us through a support channel, contact us so we can review and delete it where appropriate.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when Piecework's features or data practices change. We will make the revised policy available through the App or App Store listing. If a change requires consent under applicable law, we will request it as required.
12. Contact
For privacy questions or deletion requests relating to information you sent us, use the support contact provided in Piecework or in its App Store listing.