What's wrong with PixieFaire? I've been getting back into AG after about a decade-long break, and I vaguely remember Liberty Jane being a thing back then, but nowadays it seems like they've got some kind of near-monopoly on doll patterns, and a lot of sellers who used to offer their patterns through their own shops don't anymore? If there's something shitty about them, I'd like to know.
My main issue with PixieFaire is their Christian ministry and "voluntourism" mission trips led by the owner, with their "ministry" in Zambia. I'm not sure if their Liberty Jane saga is still something they're actively promoting, but they wrote short ebook stories to accompany the outfits. These books (I read one the Australia ones) are horrendously racist. The book I read was full of racist stereotypes about Aboriginal Australian people, with the (white) main character portrayed in a white savior role. This is unacceptable. They also regularly publish pots from guest editor forofsuch (instagram) who is a known Tr*mp supporter, who has posted many racist and homophobic things on their account. You're also quite right, they do hold a monopoly over the doll pattern industry, and more and more designers aren't selling their own patterns. Some still do! Check their website, on etsy, or email your favorite designer to ask if they'd be willing to privately sell you a copy of their pattern. I'm very into community resources, does your friend have a copy they'd be willing to send you? Could you make a shared pattern archive? While I encourage you to do your own research and decide for yourself who you want to support with your money, I don't support PixieFaire. I download their free patterns and occasionally check out their tutorials. I recommend supporting pattern designers directly as much as you can! Hope this helps.
