tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post9211555774026848106..comments2024-03-18T16:14:34.579-04:00Comments on Karen Heenan: Artist vs. SeamstressKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00449229622474314815noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-34329280337773197072012-10-31T18:21:53.993-04:002012-10-31T18:21:53.993-04:00Gabrielle makes the point that "less well mad...Gabrielle makes the point that "less well made" didn't affect sales. What else would we expect when the CRAP that is in stores today is often made of low quality fabric put together with microscopic seam allowances, gaps in stitching and lumpy zipper insertions?<br /><br />American consumers are used to "shoddy" and don't ask for anything better. In stores at least (big box and huge mall-based chain stores) Americans are unwilling to pay the true cost of something.<br /><br />Quality overall won't improve until shoppers demand it. Shoppers in 2012 America prefer "cheap" to "quality." We live in a disposable economy.TEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06472725206838046219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-53337122524465536922012-10-09T08:48:44.791-04:002012-10-09T08:48:44.791-04:00Interesting question. I have noticed that people w...Interesting question. I have noticed that people who don't sew just aren't as attuned to sewing and fit mistakes as I am. I have a dress that I made several years ago that fits poorly. The bodice is too big, the skirt hem is not straight, and the gathering is uneven. No one who doesn't sew or isn't in my family has *ever* noticed. Instead, everywhere I wear it, I get compliments. <br /><br />I think that if you're sewing for non-sewers, you can "get away with" a lot more, because they don't know any different. Someone used to buying RTW clothes wont care if the edges are serged inside--that's all they know.<br /><br />As long as you're not sacrificing actual quality/usability, making things easier on yourself doesn't seem wrong to me.Sophie Miriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984573258370585557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-59814655379226919652012-10-08T16:24:08.468-04:002012-10-08T16:24:08.468-04:00This is my first time commenting on you blog which...This is my first time commenting on you blog which I like by the way. I do a great job on whatever I am sewing because it is a "representation of me" I love things that are well made and if I am looking at something hand made or RTW, I look at the make of the garment, always have and always will. That is why I make it a point to do the very best job I can no matter what.SD Cunni Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13232903845707401186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-28304065443480056302012-10-05T10:20:59.675-04:002012-10-05T10:20:59.675-04:00I agree with the other commentor: that person flat...I agree with the other commentor: that person flatters herself with the self-entitled "artist" tag.<br />She sounds like a business person.<br /><br />Your talent is self-evident.<br />Earned over a long period of time.<br />Your art comes out in the risks that you've taken and shown here.<br /><br />Your artistry might not fit into a cosmetic bag.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03922547230766895676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-21597347595713391302012-10-05T06:37:37.619-04:002012-10-05T06:37:37.619-04:00What an amazingly snotty thing for the vendor to e...What an amazingly snotty thing for the vendor to even say - or perhaps the delivery somehow de-fanged it? Or I'm overly sensitive? <br /><br />CeciliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-75973144360621137792012-10-02T16:52:15.424-04:002012-10-02T16:52:15.424-04:00Very thought provoking. I made some beautiful cush...Very thought provoking. I made some beautiful cushions, aprons etc for a church craft event and they didn't sell very well at all. I had tried to pitch the style, price and finish, but people were more interested in the artisan foods than the crafts. I've not made anything for craft shows since as what's the point?SewRuthiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09277062926597842242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-78410049657689560292012-10-02T14:33:08.123-04:002012-10-02T14:33:08.123-04:00I will wear something that looks sad on the inside...I will wear something that looks sad on the inside, but I wouldn't sell it! But that's why I don't sew for others. I like the insides to be pretty. kms handmadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01177886332037861313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-57751345371741120532012-10-02T14:31:19.450-04:002012-10-02T14:31:19.450-04:00Have you seen the quality of stock on the high str...Have you seen the quality of stock on the high street that people will part with their hard earned cash for?<br />I know that i'm very aware of the quality of what I make and of the rubbish quality that people buy without a second glance. I really do think it's down to people just liking the product, rather than the finish. Having said that I would not dare sell anything unfinished. I just couldn't do it.Claire Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923437480914463238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-61170272267357428862012-10-02T11:26:49.920-04:002012-10-02T11:26:49.920-04:00She may not be an artist or a seamstress. She may...She may not be an artist or a seamstress. She may be a businessperson. She needs to provide a product that will sell at a price point that people can handle, and she has found a way to do that. If the construction were more time-consuming, the product might be too expensive for people, so she could not make a living selling it. ClaudineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-27534195807134794292012-10-02T10:17:45.971-04:002012-10-02T10:17:45.971-04:00This gives me a lot to think about! I sew both fo...This gives me a lot to think about! I sew both for myself and sometimes for others...and I often wonder if I am too obsessed about the little things that barely show rather than looking at the big picture. Who says that the inside has to be as beautiful as the outside?Lynnhttp://www.americanagefashion.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-15077127591207847472012-10-02T10:12:52.622-04:002012-10-02T10:12:52.622-04:00Sorry me again. Just to explain - where I was comi...Sorry me again. Just to explain - where I was coming from is that I feel terrible for people who sell at a loss at craft markets! Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00091315686616574564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-54150427883564887962012-10-02T10:10:45.741-04:002012-10-02T10:10:45.741-04:00Interesting! I've seen some very pretty clothe...Interesting! I've seen some very pretty clothes and bags in craft markets that were not well made, and I too noticed that it didn't affect sales. <br /><br />I think you have to work out the target market... I'm guessing people who value a beautiful finish and understand the work it takes would be prepared to pay more for it, whereas others wouldn't necessarily think it was worth a higher price tag... Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00091315686616574564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-35428592967902206032012-10-02T05:00:45.692-04:002012-10-02T05:00:45.692-04:00This is an interesting point. It's similar to ...This is an interesting point. It's similar to that old question of what defines quality. Were the items fit for purpose? Perhaps they were well enough sewn for the recipients? <br /><br />If it were me though, I'd want them to be made as well as I could make them, because, like Elizabeth D said, my reputation would be at stake. That might mean their production was unprofitable. <br /><br />Oh dear this is a long post and very focussed on utility and profitability. <br /><br />Stuff we make should be beautiful and well made. <br />Well then. <br />Both art and sewing are important!Sewingellehttp://beurreblanc.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-22404721066545105932012-10-01T23:33:04.081-04:002012-10-01T23:33:04.081-04:00Interesting what you encountered. I used to sell ...Interesting what you encountered. I used to sell men's neckties at craft shows and local stores and always made them to the best of my ability. After all, your reputation is at stake. Now I only make them for family and still put the same care into them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969960386809059711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1278085019370560632.post-40640446547107833942012-10-01T23:29:49.121-04:002012-10-01T23:29:49.121-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969960386809059711noreply@blogger.com