I've borrowed a bit from Shakespeare's Hamlet for the title from the famous soliloquy “to be or not to be“. But that is indeed the question I've received from many, many readers regarding the new Craftsy Unlimited subscription product.
Craftsy is by far the favorite video tutorial site for the majority of our readers. In past articles, we've compared Craftsy to other providers like Creativebug and the consensus amongst our readers was always a strong preference for Craftsy. The videos are extremely high quality and readers really liked the buy-it-once, own-it-forever model that Craftsy has stuck with longer than most of its competitors.
A few weeks ago, however, Craftsy launched a new, all-you-can-eat or I guess better said, all-you-can-view, subscription package where for one monthly price, you can get unlimited access to their entire video tutorial catalog. This includes not only sewing and quilting but also all the other topics like knitting, crochet, painting, cooking, baking, etc.
Love them or hate them, subscriptions are here to stay. Whether it's traditional products like mobile phones and cable TV or recently revived services like diaper delivery. Subscriptions are only going to become more and more common.
Still, I struggled to provide readers with a specific and definitive recommendation on this important question. There are arguments for both why you may want to subscribe as well as why you may not want to subscribe. Here's my thinking:
Why Not To Subscribe To Craftsy Unlimited
You may have already purchased the key classes you’re interested in and according to Craftsy's policy, you’ll be able to keep and use them forever. You can still purchase new, individual classes specifically on the topics you like.
And perhaps you’re not interested in learning other creative skills and only have time for what you've bought already. Afterall, you don’t have all the time in the world to spend on hobbies.
If you do actually subscribe, you won’t really own any of the individual videos that you don't own already, so when you stop subscribing, you’ll lose access to everything. You can of course still buy those later to keep access to your favorites forever. Some subscriptions like Creativebug mentioned above let you keep one class forever for each month you maintain your subscription, but not Craftsy Unlimited, unfortunately.
Why Subscribe To Craftsy Unlimited
Subscribing to Craftsy Unlimited will give you 24/7 unlimited access to thousands of hours of high-quality video tutorials in crafting categories including sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, baking, cooking and more. The Craftsy Unlimited library includes over 1,300 video tutorials, which is quite a lot.
You'll have the chance to explore all kinds of new crafting subjects like jewelry making or photography in addition to all those listed above. You may find that some of these creative topics really click with you and you'll discover something new about your creative side. Without a subscription, you're unlikely to pay the $20-60+ to explore these new topics, are you?
Craftsy charges $14.99/month or only $120/year for this subscription. If you bought only two or three of the more expensive classes per year, like Startup Library: Sewing which retails for $69.99 or Full Bust Adjustment for any Pattern which sells for $40.00, you’d easily pay for the annual subscription. And you have access to hundreds of more videos to boot.
Conclusion, at Least Try the FREE Trial
On balance, I think it’s definitely worth considering Craftsy Unlimited, especially because you can start with a 7 Day FREE trial. You can cancel anytime before the trial ends and you can even cancel within 24 hours of the first time they charge you and they’ll give you a free refund.
If you go with the month-to-month subscription option, you can cancel at any time in the future and pay only the current month. At $14.99, if you only view one class per month, it is still cheaper than buying any one class outright.
If you want to give it a try, please follow the link below to start your FREE trial.
So what do you think? Is it worth giving Craftsy Unlimited a try? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I love the new craftsy unlimited! I have access to all the lessons, I can pick and choose which lessons I want to buy. Which I have gotten a few by watching a good portion to see if I like it or not. Some teachers on there are excellent while others are so so. With the new unlimited I can always look at classes I wouldn’t have looked at before, cause paying 20.00 plus for something you may or may not like.
I can’t depend on internet working all the time. Having just recently been laid off, I am counting pennies. No, I wouldn’t not subscribe, though I am interested in all that’s offered. I just can’t consider it at this time and don’t know if I would in the future.
I’m not interested in the unlimited subscription offer. Whilst it would be nice, I don’t need nor do I have time for watching endless online tutorials. Especially as the only place I can access with a desktop computer and internet is at work – I’m not chewing up my very limited phone plan data trying to watch such things on a piddly little screen And there is something in the work firewall that wont allow me to watch anyway – I tried last time they had the 24/48hrs free thing and couldn’t get in – waste of time.. For me, youtube is better, I can watch one or two real quick when at nights or on weekends in between work stuff and I don’t have to burst my non existant craft budget to do it! And as for the internet – I can’t even get my business webpage to open here in Adelaide – in the middle of the city so if I went to my folks place in the country – no hope…
Thank you so much for taking the time to point out the pros and cons of the new Craftsy Unlimited subscription plan. I appreciate your non biased presentation.
Like so many others, I have purchased a good number of classes — all on sale, some free — and enjoy them often. Always enjoy learning! May at some point decide to try the subscription, but for now … Happy with the status quo.
Won’t even consider! I have so many projects in line now that I will never be able to do in my lifetime. Which hopefully another 30+ years!
I tried one week free trial and decided not to subscribe. The reason is that I cannot download videos. I like going back to the videos often and sometimes when I am in internet off environment, like everyday commuting. I’d rather buy classes and keep videos than subscribe. One thing I worry is that now that classes through subscriptions are in reducd prices Crafsty stops offering sales.
Craftsy Unlimited is a great deal. I figured I usually get classes for $20, so as long as I get more than 6 classes a year I come out ahead. I did get the annual as that comes out to $10/month. I wrote down every class I would watch if money wasn’t a limit and I had 4 pages. Some classes seem too similar to be worth $20 dollars each however with unlimited I can watch them all. For example I have watched 5 serger/coverstitch classes. Yes, the discussions are there so I would assume you can get responses to questions. For the heck of it I added classes that come with patterns, they charge $7 for the patterns, with annual subscription shipping is included -guessing you pay shipping with monthly subscription. There aren’t very good class descriptions on unlimited nor projects so I go to Craftsy for that.
I have had Craftsy Unlimited for a couple of weeks. Wow! I love it. I am retired and like to sew, machine embroider, knit, cook and try to crochet. I have many lined up to watch. I have also found a blender class and made something from that class. I have been sewing for over 50 years and I have learned much from the sewing tips classes. I have completed a small boxy bag on the serger and am excited again about those things I know how to to and those I am exploring. I turn on the videos while I am folding clothes, doing dishes, etc. and just listen. It is a wonderful opportunity to see what is new and review what I know already.
I have used Craftsy twice in 3 years. A membership would encourage me to look elsewhere.
I use subscription software professionally and it is the way to go for work, not my hobby / short term interests.
This is an add-on comment subsequent to my rants about how I don’t like the “exclusive” series with the Craftsy Unlimited subscription and more. The “exclusive” aspect strikes me as almost a caste-based ploy. As I had previously said, I don’t like automatic payments, either monthly or annual; I don’t like the idea of subscription prices increasing at Craftsy’s whim and I don’t like many other things about Craftsy and its marketing, and exclusivity with subscription was presented obtusely.
In retrospect, I wondered why all that annoyance with Craftsy streamed out of my fingertips so easily and freely onto my keyboard. Having now given it some thought, I know why. Craftsy looked untrustworthy to me from the start. And then it got worse.
Several years ago I was introduced to Craftsy through a Christmas promotion, and I bought two jewelry classes for $9.99 each even though my basic fetish is for sewing. My birthday is January 7, right after Christmas and right after a big Craftsy sale, and someone special to me said she wanted to buy me a birthday gift. I wanted to know more about Craftsy and maybe get more classes, but I didn’t want her to spend more than $20, so I thought I’d check and see if Beverly Johnson’s then-new bra-making class was on sale since many Craftsy classes had just been on sale for $19.99 each or less. Unfortunately the $19.99 sale had passed.
I checked out other websites, probably by coincidence or maybe I just wanted to browse at the time. I was just looking and not really expecting a different or better price than the Craftsy website offered, and in a short time I found Beverly’s bra class at five different prices. Yes, FIVE different prices on FIVE different websites. That infuriated me, especially since the Craftsy-website price wasn’t offereing the best price. “What’s the deal?” I wondered. “Does Craftsy think it can take advantage of its regular customers by charging higher prices?” I knew I’d never fully trust Craftsy again.
Given the sovereign reign of digital communications today, this is not like finding a can of corn at five different prices in five different grocery stores; the control issue deviates dramatically. I suspect that similar experiences are unlikely to recur with me or others exactly in the same way since now a potential buyer gets redirected to the Craftsy website from other websites, but still different customers get different promotions and thus different treatment, so it’s not exactly equality in treatment for everyone. Being a native Californian and American, I do tend to have an obsession with things like equality, equal protection and unlawful discrimination, especially in certain contexts.
Sometimes different pricing or promotions actually make sense; it’s called “target marketing” in business. Nevertheless different pricing and promotions I’ve seen through Craftsy have a tendency to irritate the piss out of me. A photographer may not be interested in how to decorate cakes, and the photographer might be frustrated about getting promotional emails focused on topics of no interest like how to decorate cakes or cookies, so everyone should not be treated identically. Yet with the people I know who get different promotional emails than I receive, I don’t see a pattern such as a focus, hobby or interest. What I’m referring to is not like talking about not sending emails about cookie decorating to someone who’s previewed only photography classes; I’m talking about more radical differences. I have no idea how Craftsy chooses to offer one sale or special to one person, a different sale to another person, and either no sale or a dramatically different sale to me. The variations are enormous, and I question Craftsy management’s decision-making ability as well as the firm’s integrity.
Years ago after the five-prices fiasco, I ended up eventually getting Beverly Johnson’s class, but not without a lot of bellyaching by email. Many more distrusts arose quickly and remained. The early sewing classes I was excited about buying, such as ALL of Suzy Furrer’s sewing classes, were sometimes more than six hours and usually at least four hours. Now it can be challenging to find a new class that’s a whole two hours, and there seem to be far fewer new classes offered weekly. A sale price of $19.99 doesn’t appear to have the same value when I get so much less.
The “exclusive” series classes are not curling my toes; something seems too vague about them. I like knowing what I can reasonably expect prior to my purchase, and the previews I’ve seen for the exclusive series make me suspicious.
The Craftsy Unlimited subscription plan will be great for some people and not so good for others, but I will probably never be free from my negative feelings about not being able to trust Craftsy. I just don’t want to be at its mercy with what the subscription price will be over time, how many classes might be offered, how long the classes actually are or what the subjects and quality of classes turn out to be. Craftsy has some great classes that can pique interest , spur education and engender talent, and it also has a great Customer Service Department, but I will probably never trust management. Even with my other comments from earlier, I’ve only touched the surface of my distrust issues. In my experience with Craftsy, it has been notoriously negligent with not explaining details of sales, promotions or plans. The introduction of the Craftsy Unlimited subscription option is just one more example about how details weren’t explained adequately. I was not happy considering the subscription with a 14-day free trial without understanding what was included and then seeing it dissipate to a seven-day free trial without notice, so you can add that Craftsy blunder to my list of resentments.
Each person will have to determine what is likely to be best for him or her and then be perennially on guard. Good luck, and do what you love to do.
I do appreciate the honesty and full disclosure from the person writing the article on the pros and cons!
I am not a fan at all of ongoing subscriptions for anything, but for practical purposes, I am subscribed month-to-month for necessities like utilities and cell phone. Satellite TV (we are way out in the boonies and free antenna broadcast is not much of an option), internet service, and the “luxury” of Netflix are being paid monthly in my home, as well. I pay yearly for Amazon Prime because we save tons not using gas go to town, even buying toilet paper, cat litter, and a number groceries, especially natural foods, cheaper than store prices and they arrive in a timely manner. I balk at anyplace promoting yet another subscription to me. I refused to upgrade from my last Photoshop purchase at the software has gone subscription only, and has a “keep up subscription or loose your stuff” policy.
I already own a few Craftsy classes I have purchased and am happy that I at least get to keep those. Even though I’ve owned some of them for a while, I still haven’t made the time to watch a few, since it always seems I’m needed elsewhere. A subscription, for me at least, would have to be something I used at least a number of hours per week, and I don’t. It’s not any sort of a necessity.
Craftsy will shoot itself in the foot if they eventually take away the classes we’ve already paid for after the initial switch, like a year or so from now, as other types of subscriptions services tend to do. As far as I’m concerned, though, Craftsy just earned a black mark in my mental notebook That black mark will get far larger if they ever take away the option to buy individual classes or never run specials on them, or eventually take away the right to view oines we’ve bought without an ongoing subscription.
As it stands now, I may still purchase individual classes. I truly resent when a company or service tries to switch me to a monthly fee for the “priviledge” of using their services, but I full understand the need to make a profit. I’m sure they are counting on some people signing up and not using it as much as they might. Sorry, I am usually pretty downright cynical when it comes to anyone attempting to have me part with my hard-earned money. I already use Google to find any free tutorial I can instead of paying. A paid subscription just doesn’t make any sense for me.
Thanks for this post. I’ve been considering this new subscription anyway, but I do have one question. Are there classes that are exempt from the subscription or is it all encompassing? That will be the determining factor for me.
Yes. The Great Courses are not included and there may be others. I purchased several of TGC and found them excellent but would not have paid the full price – I got them on excellent sales prices. I have purchased most of what I want. Had they offered this three years ago, I may have used it instead.
I’m reluctant to try Craftsy Unlimited for numerous reasons, and the recent added feature of “exclusive” series on Craftsy Unlimited actually ticks me off. Who need subscription pressure?
I have many, many Craftsy classes, mostly purchased at sales prices. I may try the annual subscription in the next year or two if I can find the time to O.D. on videos just to preview different classes to see what I might like in the future, but the subscription sounds dismal to me — I don’t want to rely on a subscription “forever.” My guess is the subscription will increase to $19.99 a month in about two years and periodically increase to higher rates regularly. Then even annual Craftsy rates may not be a bargain.
Besides all that, I basically hate subscriptions or automatic renewals anyway because I don’t trust my bank account balance when I forget when an amount is expected to be withdrawn, so automated subscriptions are a mental impairment in general for me. Even with automatic annual renewals I usually cancel the renewal option as soon as I sign up so a fee doesn’t “surprise” me a year later. Just too damn many automatic renewals in the world. I don’t mind making electronic transfers or writing a check, so I don’t need the automation. Maybe I’m just anti-tech these days, but I don’t like brain-dead automation payments. Why sign up for a subscription to help my brain explore creativity when I’m not even conscious of what’s coming out of my bank account to foster my talents? Good luck, Craftsy. I suppose it’s smart to offer various options including a subscription option, but the way the subscription idea was presented in different ways over the last nine months in different media really sucked. Craftsy shot itself in the foot more than once and maybe didn’t totally alienate customers, but at minimum Craftsy offended a large chunk of their class-buying customers.
Mayra, I hope you’re not sorry you asked for opinions (or at least mine). Thanks very much for your thoughtful pros and cons evaluation.
I am not interested in the monthly subscription for several reasons. First of all I own over 100 classes so at this point I have most of what interests me. Second i can be a binge watcher also so would probably have many months where I never watched anything. Third I don’t live in the USA so the cost is higher for me. If I was new to Craftsy and didn’t own so many classes I would probably subscribe. Also wondering if you still receive the free patterns for the sewing classes that came with a pattern.
I have subscribed to Craftsy Unlimited and so far so good. I’m very lucky as my husband uses the Internet for business so we have a very fast connection. I’ve also purchased many classes, most on sale through Craftsy, so I have them to boot. I’m also subscribed to CreativeBug and didn’t realize I could have one per month to keep as long as I’ve been a member and will look into that option. I like the girls on CreativeBug a lot. As of right now I’m not sure of keeping Craftsy Unlimited as I don’t care about meals or baking anymore. There are a lot of things they have classes on that don’t even interest me anymore. When I was young I tried everything and loved it all but now I have limited time and have to be choosey. I do, however, love to hear your opinion Mayra on all things and find it interesting and uplifting.
There are a lot of classes I would like to ‘observe’ (if you will), but not necessarily pay for and actually learn how to do! So, $15/mo to be able to sit down, drink a cup of coffee/tea & watch a craft that I may never try is very affordable & interesting. For example: I’ll never try calligraphy! but would be spellbound watching someone accomplish what I can’t/won’t!
I think its worth a try, as the lady says “you can cancel at any time!”
I tried their one week free trial and haven’t looked back. I love it! I have investigated several other crafts that I wouldn’t have put out full or even discounted price for otherwise. As a retired teacher and now avid quilter I have found the classes I watched quite beneficial.
NOTE: At the time I signed on there was an option of paying for the whole year in advance and it saved A LOT of money vs. the month to month subscription price. If still available, then this is a great way to buy.
I’m still on the fence. I purchased a subscription to Creativebug because I received a $25 coupon from Joann for the entire year. They say they have hundreds of classes, but many of them are really portions of full length classes, and I have found that for quilting they have not added anything new since I signed up. I worry that Craftsy will do that and the offerings will become stale and less robust. Also, currently with Craftsy, the instructors respond to participant questions on purchased classes- I don’t believe they do on the free classes and they don’t in Creativebug. Has Craftsy stated a policy on that? I find I don’t view the Creativebug classes as much now, 5 months out from my subscription purchase. As other’s mentioned, at $10 a month (assuming annual sign-up) it is no more expensive than a book or magazine. I’m an audio learner, so more apt to buy a class then a book. The idea of a full preview to a class is also appealing. Eventually, I will probably sign up for the Craftsy subscription.
We live in a rural area so no cable= poor connection at times. For other reasons as some already posted…. it won’t work for me. Sometimes i can catch free video other places and its enough for me. I had my fill anyway so not “crafting as fervently as I used to.
I do not have the time or funds to spend monthly on something that I will not use daily. I like crafty but prefer to pick and choose, pay as I go .
Personally I’ll stick to the original Craftsy courses as they are. I like to refer to them often and I don’t want to pay a subscription every month – I’d rather pay for a course now and again.
I tried to download this pattern but it took me to the crafty site which said oops there is a problem. Craftsy also said I need to purchase the pattern from you which is okay by me but how do I do that? Thank you for your help because I think this is a delightful pattern
Hello Patsy, what pattern are you after?
It’s not worth it at this point for me. I barely watch the classes I own, some of which I was able to purchase for only $10. There would be advantages for me if I had the income to spare, but my finances are tight enough that it makes more sense to buy one class every 3 to 6 months at $20 or less and own it forever than to spend $15/month for classes that will disappear when I stop paying for the subscription. Maybe in a year or two, it will make more sense, but for now, it’s not worth it.
4 years on board – nearly 250 classes –
96 quilting, 13 categories overall. Thanks for the input. My reasons for giving subscribing a try. Project classes like tree skirt that I will view for a limited time. Looking forward to watching classes by favorite instructors like Amy Gibson whose new classes are too basic to own, but I would like to glean for tips. The same goes for too advanced classes. I use a simple point and shoot digital camera with possible adjustments, but no accessories, and have wondered how much I would get out of the photography classes. Can find out if a serger, cricut or quilt rulers are a good investment for me. Prefer the quality of Craftsy to youtube. And sew on.
Concerning this post, it seems like an advertisement for Craftsy instead of being an objective review of the new subscription service. Are there no bloggers left at all that do not have something they are “selling” for their own gain? Just an observation.
Hi Nona, I’m not sure what we’d be selling when I’ve told you there are plenty of good reasons not to buy the Craftsy Unlimited service. That was the whole point and why we put it first in the article. Unlimited will suit some people and not others.
Ouch…..
I am believe there opinion to be fair an honest.
I am another of those people with lots of purchase classes.and not sure to do the subscription or not.
I thank them for this article.
Might be good for people new to the quilting process. However, for me it wouldn’t enhance my experiences. I have purchased some classes by Christina Cammelleri on free motion quilting that are fabulous & that’s what interests me the most @ this point. I also bought her book.
I much prefer having a paper pattern. I am a tactile person ( hairstylist & ‘seamstress’) so having my hands on the physical makes everything click into place! I’m sure many that sew are as we have our hands on it & just never thought about it.
Finally, I am in retirement bracket and while the expense may be fine for some I can think of a lot of things to sew that my money could be spent on. If there ever is another class that interests me I would watch for a sale & buy the one class.
I binge watch videos, and own classes that I still haven’t watched. I tried creativebug and died not care for it at all. Craftsy has sales on classes pretty often. I think buying classes is the best option for me.
I agree about the Craftsy Unlimited not being a viable option for people with erratic or limited Internet speeds. I, too, live in a rural area of northwestern MT, and all videos for me buffer annoyingly. So, I will not subscribe.
Thank you for taking time to sort all this out for us. But I’m not buying. I’ve been sewing for over 50 years. Despite this, I certainly don’t know everything – there is always something new to learn and I love discovering new techniques and ideas. BUT, I’ve been using the internet for many years also and anything I wanted to know I’ve been able to find for free – not just sewing. I now can do simple plumbing, some light carpentry, and even replace a light switch without electrocuting mylelf! (this is great because I have a completely “I’m not handy” husband). Plus, as someone else pointed out, it’s easy to find discounted classes should I’d ever want one. I just can’t justify the expense, especially since I could use that money to buy FABRIC!!!!
Very well put Mrs. Suzy! I’m starting to agree with your point of view. Thanks!
Thanks you for your open discussion of the pros and cons of Craftsy Unlimited. I value your assessment of both options.
Like others, I also own quite a few Craftsy classes and tons of patterns and I’m inclined to stay with my ability to buy and own permanent access to the individual classes that interest me.
Am I the only one really irritated by the access to “exclusive” articles, tips etc that goes with the monthly subscription that isn’t available to those of us with scores of paid for classes? I no feel like a second class customer.
This topic is giving me food for thought. Before Craftsy I was an avid magazine junkie. Purchasing just one a month was unheard of. How many magazines did I keep? I have purchased 56 Craftsy classes on sale thus far. When I need to be entertained I like watching them. At age 70 how many do I want forever? I can’t pass any on. There are some classes I want to see and like a magazine it probably will be one time only. At least once I view a class and wish to buy I still have that option. I thank all of the above comments to help me make the final decision.
For me it is not worth the money. I have one hobby, which is quilting with a few bags thrown in for variety. I have the classes I want, and for that $120 a year I can easily add a class or two a year (during a sale) and still spend less. I’m 72, and I am quite sure I won’t be interested in developing any new hobbies. For younger folks who are still exploring, and may develop new interests, it it a good deal.
I will not be subscribing to unlimited access Craftsy. I’ve bought quite a few classes and enjoy them years after I first purchased or to go back to certain segments to refresh my memory or watch again how a certain procedure is done. I don’t like the like idea of not owning the class. I am curious if Craftsy will continue to sell classes and give ownership forever. I would be very disappointed if they discontinue that.
I agree with Mary from rural Pennsylvania. I live in rural Maine. While my Internet Service has no allotments or time restrictions, the best speed we can get is a little over 2mbs, and this is only during low traffic times. It is really frustrating trying to watch streaming that keeps freezing until it catches up. Well, it’s a priceto pay for choosing to live “out in the sticks” but I love it here too much to change.
Whenever I want to learn something new I look for instructional videos on YouTube, there is a lot of stuff out there, do you guys think these Craftsy classes are better than the videos available for free on YouTube?
For the most part I would say yes. I do love youtube videos and always will but I have found youtube videos to be hit or miss. Some youtube tutorials are great, others are not good. Also, a lot of time is spent searching for good tutorials through the search results which could better be spent on other pursuits. At least the Craftsy videos are streamlined, ordered and have good lighting. The person teaching is also an expert and should answer questions for you if necessary. That’s not always the case with youtube.
Why subscribe? It doesn’t make monetary sense. At $15 a month, you could own almost 9 videos a year with Craftsy’s sales ($19.99).and always have them to watch instead of constantly paying to view them. You may not get to all of them right away or may want to work on one specific project for a while, which may take weeks or months. Why pay for those months when you’re not using them? Let Craftsy hold the videos you really want and go back to them when you are ready. I have some videos I haven’t watched yet that I purchased over a year ago. Think of what that would have cost me to watch now? Either the $19.99 I originally paid for it or the $180 to view it after a year.
This idea is for Craftsy’s profit in making you believe it’s good for you. At least Creativebug let’s you keep one class you love once a month for your money and it’s yours even when you cancel your subscription.
I own a few Craftsy classes already and tried the free week Unlimited. I absolutely love it! I watch it before I get up in the morning on my phone and it sets me up for the day. I find I’m making more too, when I have the time – Patchwork is my thing – and I am becoming more accurate, making fewer mistakes as I am able to go back to the class to check what I’m doing. I can’t recommend it highly enough. For me, it’s good value. Thanks, Craftsy!
I have both a large supply of Craftsy classes, all purchased on sale, and a subscription to Creative Bug. I love my classes on Creative Bug but find I am saving the class I get to keep each month for a future time when it is convenient for me instead of actually using the streaming options available. With Craftsy costing so much more per month to stream and not giving you any classes to keep, I am not tempted at all to subscribe to this since I saw how little I use the CreativeBug feature even with it being very affordable and how great their instructors are. I feel too much pressure to justify my monthly expense by watching some of the classes when I really don’t have time for it, especially when I hear things out of the blue such as “Guess what? We are moving again!” and know it will be many months before I am able to sit down with an internet connection so I can take the classes. And any class I am using, such a knitting a sweater, I can download the class to my phone or iPad (I think I can download to my iPad, I haven’t tried yet) but on my iPhone I do. That way I don’t have to worry about a signal and can easily take the project with me. I don’t get a good internet reception in my sewing room so being able to download the classes is a good feature to cover that as well.
Obviously, from reading the above comments, this will be an awesome feature for some and others will find it doesn’t work for them. I am concerned too with the deregulation of internet access/speeds, which could really hamper this type of subscription service. At least I know I have my Craftsy classes I have purchased waiting for me whenever I am ready to start one of the projects and that is the method I prefer.
I have really enjoyed (and still do) enjoy the Craftsy classes I have purchased. A year or two ago I tried a free month with access to all the classes (not ownership of them). It was a good idea but I found out about the limitations of our internet service.
I won’t even consider subscribing because I live in a rural area of Pennsylvania where high speed internet service is not available. We can’t stream videos. We are penalized with a ‘slowdown’ if we exceed our monthly allotment Such a subscription would be useless to me. I have to budget my time spent online.
Until there is better access to services such as Craftsy, people in areas without the cable provided internet won’t be able to view these videos.