Favormakes

Favormakes is a term used in some online maker and craft communities to describe a practice in which projects are produced, curated, or promoted according to perceived favorites—designs, creators, or endorsements. The idea blends elements of curation and production, with participants highlighting a subset of work as particularly desirable or influential. The word is a portmanteau of “favorite” and “make” or “maker” and appears mainly in informal discussions rather than formal standards.

In usage, favormakes can refer to: (1) curated collections where a platform or community highlights projects deemed top or on trend; (2) design replication or adaptation that mirrors popular favorites; or (3) sponsored or affiliate-driven production where partners are favored. Examples include a maker forum noting a “Favormake Collection” of patterns by a handful of designers, or a workshop focusing on techniques currently popular in the community.

Criticism centers on potential biases: favormakes may skew visibility toward already popular creators, reduce diversity, or create pressure to chase trends rather than pursue originality. Proponents argue that curation helps newcomers discover high-quality work and assists organizers in managing resources.

See also: curation, favoritism, maker culture, open-source hardware, sponsorship, trends in crafts.