tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post1705354923235725222..comments2023-10-14T10:52:35.183-04:00Comments on Clio & Phineas: Dear Self, Don't Tick Off the Indie-fanatics...Cliohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-66243253382347375922013-12-12T09:39:07.963-05:002013-12-12T09:39:07.963-05:00Oh, and I completely forgot to recommend The Sewin...Oh, and I completely forgot to recommend The Sewing Workshop! Again, aimed at an older audience, but the Plaza Pant and Jacket are wonderful for summer wear -- loose and floaty, and the pants have that half-elastic waist that lets you avoid inserting any closures while still maintaining a relatively narrow pant leg. I own almost all of their patterns, too.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-28379276971643797322013-12-10T12:28:19.509-05:002013-12-10T12:28:19.509-05:00You are perhaps too young for the target demograph...You are perhaps too young for the target demographic, but Park Bench Patterns have a special place in my heart. I own many of them -- they are quirky and weird and easy to sew -- because of the great ease built into them, instructions include ways to adjust personal wearing ease, rather than relying on tracing off multiple sizes (they come printed on a tough white paper). Every time I wear a particular jacket/blouse, strangers come up to me and tell me how much they like it. I finally gifted a pair of wide-legged trousers to the teacher who threatened to knock me down in the school hallway and take them off me, she liked them so much. <br /><br /><br />And let me sing high praise for the wonders of Folkwear patterns ... I started using them in the late 1970s, in a college theatrical costume workroom. Started buying them for myself, then they went out of business. When I saw that the company had started up again under the aegis of Taunton Press, I wept for joy. Of particular use through the years have been the Walking Skirt, the Japanese Field Clothing, the Armistice Blouse, Gibson Girl Blouse, Edwardian Underthings.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-2235119663888250362013-11-27T10:40:02.851-05:002013-11-27T10:40:02.851-05:00Ha! She would have to change her entire customer ...Ha! She would have to change her entire customer base if she started drafting to my taste. It wouldn't really be a wise business move for her!Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-24114912845417484412013-11-27T10:38:03.092-05:002013-11-27T10:38:03.092-05:00Actually, I didn't write this post as a reacti...Actually, I didn't write this post as a reaction to that, but it made it all the more timely. I had drafted it several weeks ago at a point when I had become aware that what I was seeing in reviews and hearing in person were very different stories. And I noticed in the comments of those who were a bit more forthcoming about issues that there was some pushback from readers (not the pattern companies). I totally understand wanting to support small businesses, but IMHO a little tough love can improve a business, especially in the start up phase. So, I wanted to encourage that and pledge to do it myself.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-71021035195860408192013-11-27T05:53:34.936-05:002013-11-27T05:53:34.936-05:00I first read this post when it was published and d...I first read this post when it was published and didn't understand it - of course one can write an honest opinion about an indie pattern as long as one isn't rude and makes personal attacks! Or so I thought... Oh dear, I sooo didn't understand the reference to the "discussion" that has been going on over at Debbie's blog (for some strange reason it wasn't in my reading list). Went through it this morning, and suddenly your post made a whole lot of sense =) Don't tick them off indeed! ;)<br />Seriously, regarding your qualms and ideas; of course no pattern is for everyone, style- and fit-preferations will always vary. I for one would love to see what you'd make with Named - nothing in their shop is a style I'd wear, but I can see you rocking the Shane pleated top! <br />If I had a pattern company (hey, a girl can dream! ;) ) I'd like to think I'd appreciate honest reviews that would make it easier for people to turn out wearable garments. As you said, knowing there's certain issues takes the edge off them and makes the process smoother. Any pattern can after all be a "sew right out of the envelope" for one person and a "had to totally re-draft it to make it work for me" for another.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-29836673773097140522013-11-26T20:47:02.440-05:002013-11-26T20:47:02.440-05:00You should email her and make some suggestions (ni...You should email her and make some suggestions (nicely of course)! I mean, it can't hurt, right?Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-39639795470412487072013-11-26T12:26:10.655-05:002013-11-26T12:26:10.655-05:00I think the client service at HP is good - but the...I think the client service at HP is good - but the patterns are designed for tall-ish people who are not small-boned (or overly slim). There's so much ease in those patterns I could go down 2 sizes and it still wouldn't fit. I guess that's why there are so many different pattern companies - they can't all work for everyone.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-45376372682231121452013-11-25T18:08:43.197-05:002013-11-25T18:08:43.197-05:00I love Style Arc. I think they have clearly define...I love Style Arc. I think they have clearly defined their target market, rather than trying to please everyone. I love their single size patterns because it keeps the pattern markings clear. I love the different seam allowances, depending on the seam type. Their styles suit my taste and lifestyle. Their instructions are good enough, and if sometimes my head hurts trying to figure out how the garment goes together that is part of the fun. I'm looking at you, Marni jacket! Not everyone is going to agree with me about all those things.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-27183763122186467892013-11-25T16:09:13.005-05:002013-11-25T16:09:13.005-05:00Totally agree - I find the cost of Burda very rea...Totally agree - I find the cost of Burda very reasonable, because I feel like I am getting a fashion magazine plus a bunch of patterns each month. There is usually at least one pattern I like each month, but it gets balanced by other months where I like a lot more patterns. And I can always use patterns to make things for my sister as well, so I find it a very affordable way to get a lot of on-trend patterns at reasonable price. And I often find I go back and use patterns I hadn't considered originally, so it is good to have the other patterns in my collection too. I had considered trying to get subscriptions to some of the other international magazines, but the costs of those (due to shipping and conversion of US$ to Euros) are a bit more prohibitive.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-40648413952617434942013-11-25T13:17:09.420-05:002013-11-25T13:17:09.420-05:00I've actually sewn a few patterns that I knew ...I've actually sewn a few patterns that I knew had an issue going in. But since someone else reviewed it and told me how to fix it, it wasn't a problem. So, I've definitely benefited, but so too has the pattern company, because they then had my successful review. I hope that the smart indies will take it on the chin and move on a little wiser.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-61809494941755623092013-11-25T13:03:31.099-05:002013-11-25T13:03:31.099-05:00LOL, yeah. My life doesn't really resemble Mad...LOL, yeah. My life doesn't really resemble Mad Men either. Have you considered Style Arc? They have loads of work appropriate patterns.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-88569149464099508872013-11-25T12:11:56.438-05:002013-11-25T12:11:56.438-05:00YES I tend to talk too much when I encounter probl...YES I tend to talk too much when I encounter problems, and if it's an indie company then I feel terribly guilty because the likelihood of them seeing it is very high... but it's still true and maybe someone else can benefit from it? And really there's nothing I hate more than seeing terrible patterns/instructions being glossed over by bloggers because they're supposed to like it for some silly reason.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-3450142479953299712013-11-25T12:06:49.512-05:002013-11-25T12:06:49.512-05:00I thought Debbie's review was fair and honest,...I thought Debbie's review was fair and honest, and, ironically, in the end she concluded that she really liked the dress. <br /><br />Elle - I'm betting she now feels like she wants to take a page from your playbook by 'setting fire to it in her driveway and then driving over it in her car and lawn mower and snow blower'. I keep picturing snowblowing scraps of dress and cracking up.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-11809746084530671112013-11-25T11:31:06.880-05:002013-11-25T11:31:06.880-05:00in all honesty, i think the entire point of the co...in all honesty, i think the entire point of the community we all love so much is to hear the range of opinions. be honest, and let everyone support the ones which work out for them - after all, we are well past the days where there were only one or two indies in the game. we are practically spoiled for choice by now! so of course people are going to have different reactions.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-22514976463724824332013-11-25T11:22:44.267-05:002013-11-25T11:22:44.267-05:00it's especially difficult because debbie's...it's especially difficult because debbie's feedback seemed, to me, to be honest, and as much about her own personal tastes as anything. isn't that what we are all here for, anyway?Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-49778074435103325222013-11-25T11:20:09.529-05:002013-11-25T11:20:09.529-05:00Exactly!Exactly!Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-47826829467073437962013-11-25T11:18:26.122-05:002013-11-25T11:18:26.122-05:00You are a pretty pretty princess of power!! ;-)You are a pretty pretty princess of power!! ;-)Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-50633651700695780872013-11-25T11:16:51.505-05:002013-11-25T11:16:51.505-05:00but i a AM A PRETTY PRETTY PRINCESS :-Dbut i a AM A PRETTY PRETTY PRINCESS :-DCliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-59689421982530339502013-11-24T23:58:04.087-05:002013-11-24T23:58:04.087-05:00Bigger isn't always better, but neither is sma...Bigger isn't always better, but neither is smaller always better. And I think (hope) there is room for both.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-43378042297518918322013-11-24T23:54:26.872-05:002013-11-24T23:54:26.872-05:00PS - Does it also surprise you that people complai...PS - Does it also surprise you that people complain about the cost of BurdaStyle? You get a huge number of patterns for $90/yr and when I work it out to how many patterns I like in a year it's a totally acceptable per-pattern-I-like cost.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-36744331694565197172013-11-24T23:38:52.338-05:002013-11-24T23:38:52.338-05:00Excellent point about Marfy - why do I always forg...Excellent point about Marfy - why do I always forget about them?? My understanding is that they are distributed by BMV, but that's it. <br /><br /><br /><br />You actually summed up a number of things that I've been thinking about - especially point 2 and point 7. I recently realized that for me V1247 (my silk snake print top) fills the place in my wardrobe/sewing that the Scout tee fills for others, and I wonder how much my willingness and ability to spend more time on each project plays into my decisions compared to those who may not have the time or inclination to spend so much time per garment or who prefer higher output than I manage. Or those who are beginners and may have a few frustrating experiences and then sew a basic indie tee and finally have success thanks to (perhaps) better/more accessible instructions, sew alongs and on line tutorials specific to that pattern. <br /><br /><br /><br />Point 6 - I look forward to your reviews because I think you always manage to highlight the good - even when it's not your style - and make light of the stinkers. And you do it in a "here's what I think, what do you think?" way that invites differences of opinion. It will be a sad day if you ever stop writing things like "ruffle frump" and my all-time favorite "My crotch is exploding!" shorts. ;-)Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-50479025372097527292013-11-24T22:40:03.109-05:002013-11-24T22:40:03.109-05:00I've felt the same way about the popular indie...I've felt the same way about the popular indies. But I also recently realized that not only does fashion go in cycles, but my tastes do, too. Or they change. I flipped through some of my older Burdas and found patterns that I really liked that I don't even remember seeing before. I'm sure I dismissed them because they were too challenging or didn't appeal at the time.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-57980774129190126542013-11-24T22:36:54.945-05:002013-11-24T22:36:54.945-05:00I think our better judgements are off somewhere ha...I think our better judgements are off somewhere having mojitos together. Honestly, I think you and I have a lot of overlap in our tastes in patterns. I love the Vogue designers and Burda too. <br /><br />I agree about there being a lot of different niches. One of the reasons I've mostly been an outside observer is that I haven't really found the one catering to me.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-57622843311571235322013-11-24T21:34:33.730-05:002013-11-24T21:34:33.730-05:00More and more I use patterns as a jumping off poin...More and more I use patterns as a jumping off point too. So, why start with something expensive. I had a somewhat similar experience with HP - they just didn't work for me.Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132533809320962451.post-79081607885858138472013-11-24T17:21:34.715-05:002013-11-24T17:21:34.715-05:00Indeed! I wish indie-pattern companies all the lu...Indeed! I wish indie-pattern companies all the luck in the world, but I honestly don't purchase many of them. I tend to use patterns as a jumping off point anyway- I rarely follow them exactly or make repeats, so I stash the cheapo big 4 when they are on sale. I bought a few of the Hot Patterns in the beginning (a line which Debbie Cook rocks) but they didn't seem to work on me- too many adjustments when I don't think of myself as hard to fit. (shrug) May all the Tramplers rest peacefully!Cliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05552253628640209694noreply@blogger.com