for instance, I have done digitizing for embroidery..
on the internet I found drawings by someone and I loved them..
I sent the person an email saying how much I liked their work and could I have permission to digitize some of the drawings FOR MYSELF...
I was granted the permission (which I still have on my old computer because - sigh - I still haven't gotten around to doing anything with the drawings)...
in this case, I have permission for MYSELF, I do not have permission to sell or give away the FILES. I do NOT have permission to make lots of whatever and then sell them, I do have permission to make one and give it away, or make say for instance a shirt with one of the designs and wear it....
he did say that if I wanted to SELL somethings with his designs we could possibly work something out.
there are a blue gazillion patterns in the public domain, fabric manufacturers give away awesome patterns on their websites (free for the download)..