I don't usually take the time to reply to negative comments that are left on this blog — why encourage people who are spoiling for a fight? I'm not bothered by their criticism, for the most part (and if it's justified I do try to take it to heart, however unpleasant it may be to do so!). But most of the time replying to negative comments falls under the heading "Never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty and only the pig enjoys it."
However, there have been a few comments on a recent post which I feel I need to respond to, if only for clarification. A commenter, mainly anonymous, but also signing one comment "7/10 split", suggested that I am a "professional what? writer/ advertisers? whose goal is to sell things", and also a "shill."
For the record: I am not a "professional advertiser". I am a writer, but of a very particular kind.
The same commenter (who may be this blogger) also suggested that I don't sew the dresses that I post here. If you would like to see pictures of ME in the dresses I have sewn (and I admit, I don't often post pictures of myself here because, all things considered, I had a better time in labor — and I didn't have an epidural! — than I do having my picture taken) you can see them in five out of the first six pictures here.
(The dresses shown in that link include a Duro, the pink jellybean dress, the blogiversary dress, the stunt Valentine's Dress, and the yellow-bird dress.)
Whether you enjoy my posts or not, I would like to state unequivocally that I do NOT accept money to post about any particular dress, fabric, pattern, pair of shoes, etc. There is NO payola or kickback scheme in effect on this blog.
For book reviews, I am, as is common practice in publishing, often provided with free copies of the book in question, to review or to give away.
The advertisers on the right-hand side are just that: advertisers. They have no influence on content, and I do *not* ask them for free stuff.
I accept pictorial ads ONLY from people who sell patterns, fabric, or vintage clothes, or are otherwise related to sewing. I must approve the ad before it will run. My ad rates are very low; $25/month (with a minimum three-month commitment, because I'm lazy and don't want to be bothered putting up and taking down ads all the time). I also participate in Google's AdSense program, which are the boxed text ads you see on the page, and in the Amazon Associates program, which gives me a commission on books purchased by Amazon customers who clicked on links to books from this blog. (To give you an idea of the revenue from those two sources; my last "payment" from Amazon was a $35 gift certificate which I used … to buy more sewing books. Google pays every two months or so; I think my last check from them was in the $125 range.)
I have set up "Dress a Day Inc" as a LLC company, so that, if I say something libelous and am sued, the company will be the target of any lawsuit (and not my family). This means I file taxes on all the income from this blog — if there is any, after paying hosting fees to my internet service provider.
As for the comments about the sweater in question, I am doing a little research on the subject; the commenter suggested that the sweater probably cost less than $1 to make, and that all the labor involved was sweatshop labor in Asia. I don't think that's right, given that the cost of a pound of even low-grade cotton is about .71 — that's a pound of unspun cotton. From what I can tell, the spinning of one pound of raw cotton fiber produces 840 yards of yarn. That seems to be on the low end of the number of yards you'd need for a sweater — any knitters want to jump in here? — and the sweater I posted about was 14 gauge, which is a fairly fine knit). So, at least .71 in raw materials, plus the spinning cost, plus the fashioning cost, plus the cost of the buttons — I think it would be hard to get the raw goods cost of this garment under $1. Even leaving aside that the garment is made in China (I called and asked) — there's the cost of the coming up with the design, a job almost certainly done by an American at American wages. (J.Crew employs about 7600 people.) The same commenter said that the sweater I linked to could be found in discount stores for under $20; if, in fact, that is the case — why haven't I found it there? It's not like I haven't been looking! Do you factor the salary of the designer into the cost of the sweater? If not, why not? Do you factor in the jobs of the catalog writers (Americans), shop employees (American and for the stores in Japan, Japanese)? The distribution center employees (in Virginia and North Carolina)? The UPS guy who will bring it to me? (Hi Luis!) The short answer, it seems to me, is that a narrow focus on manufacturing jobs is not helpful; if the company can't manufacture goods at a reasonable price, then all those other jobs I mentioned above — they go away, too. Despite conjecture about how much of the price of the sweater is pure profit, large retail chains have VERY small profit margins — one source puts it at 2%. Another source (from 1998!) puts the apparel profit margin at 5.4% … and given the rising costs of commodities since 1998, I can't imagine that margin has gone up.
I apologize for such a long and tedious post, without even any pretty pictures to enliven it; I promise not to make a habit of this kind of thing. However, I do treasure the trust you place in me by visiting this blog, leaving comments, and contributing to a little oasis of dress-loving camaraderie online, and I didn't want to give credence to accusations of shilling, payola, and "blogging under false pretenses" by letting them go by in silence.
(Comments of the kind "all her taste is in her mouth," "this is soooooo ugly lol", and "i cant believe u wear this!" will still be ignored. De gustibus, etc.)
If you ever have any questions about me or this blog, well, my email address is on the right-hand side, towards the bottom. I do try to answer all the email I receive.
A Dress A Day 
I enjoy pumpkin pie. I consider it the Cadillac of pie.Do not feed the trolls.
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If you’re a shill, please tell me where I can buy the Days of Miracles and Wonders dress, and the price. Thanks.
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I only *wish* Erin were one of my sockpuppets. Instead I have to settle for merely being acquainted with her, and she is thoroughly and completely awesome, not only brilliant and funny and talented but friendly and warm.I don’t stop by here often enough because I don’t have the patience to sew; I raid thrift shops for awesome dresses other people made. 🙂 But I happened to catch today’s post and I am astonished. Maybe not everyone wants to be a member of Erin’s fan club — because there is just no accounting for taste — but those comments are really uncalled-for.(Right, Erin, did I mention you were thoroughly and completely awesome? Just making sure…)
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On the subject of dealing with trolls: Teresa, the Gentle Moderator over at “Making Light,” has been known to disemvowel trollish commenters, a suprisingly effective and semantically interesting tactic. Anyway, long may Erin wave, with her not-always-perfect examples of what she’s sewn, and her ads, and her lexicography, and her lovely mini-fiction about dresses. Don’t sweat it, girl; some people just live to rain on everyone else’s parade.
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Wow – Erin, your in-box must be overloaded! And, as an “average person” who sews, buys clothes at thrift stores, and is perfectly willing to pay $150 for a pair of really comfy, well-made shoes, I just had to add my support to your sane and lovely reply. I love your blog, love the pictures and the stories, frequently follow the links, and think you do a really good job of balancing the way you a) put lots of time and love into sharing your passion with us and b) tastefully doing a few things to generate some income to cover your time and expense with the blog. Keep up the good work!(oh, and 7/10 – the reason all these folks cross-link is because IT’S A COMMUNITY – which is what happens when people are nice to each other and help each other out – and what you’re seein’ here is a community coming together to protect one of their own!)
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7/10, if only you weren’t anonymous, we could go to your blog and learn so much from you!Also, which pictures are ‘shopped and which are men in drag. Because I love a good drag queen (doesn’t everyone?)
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Hi Erin,I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment before, but I’ve been reading for several months now. I love your site, I love your posts, I love the ads and probably most of all I love “Secret Lives.” I look forward with much anticipation to the next installment. My Granma was a seamstress extraordinaire and as a single mother of three, supported her family by sewing for them and others. I have inherited much of her sewing room: boxes and boxes of vintage patterns, fabric and notions. I’ve done a little with these treasures, but since discovering your blog, I have been inspired to dig in and really sew. Thank you!I also want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know a little more about you through the links you provided. How *cool* that you are in Wikipedia! And I agree that it is so nice to see you wearing the beautiful creations featured in your posts.
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Wow, thanks 7/10! I’ve finally realized it’s all a big evil conspiracy – to encourage people to sew. Huh.Have yous guys seen the Simplicity pattern contest? I haven’t sewn with a store bought pattern for years, as I like to make my own – but there’s a trip to Paris as the grand prize, just for making a garment/outfit from a Simplicity pattern.I am thinking of using some very Duro-like pattern mixing for mine.
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I am choosing to remain anonymous due to the fact that people are a little worked up over all this. Although I disagree with 7/10 split, she or he, has just as much of a right to voice her opinion as the next person. The thing to keep in mind, is when you do a comparison of products, you need to be well researched before “publishing”. My husband worked for a product development company for years here in California– They would take your idea and follow through with it from conception to distribution, including manufacturing out of the country to reduce costs.. This cost MILLIONS of dollars. The outcome: a tool sold for $12 at home depot and the return, although good, is still going to take a few years to come full circle. Keep all this in mind when you voice your opinion on something, that in retrospect, you didn’t really know what you were talking about. I’m sorry that each of you had to deal negative feedback from all around, it doesn’t do ANY of us good!
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Well I am a real person that does not have a blog, a vintage store or a pattern site. I am a simple person, working a simple government job for simple government wages. If any troll would like to post their email here…I will gladly send a non-photoshopped picture of me in one of our activities wearing a dress I made for it after being inspired by this blog.
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oh, and yes can we please get pack to dresses, fabric and patterns? Can we have a linktastic friday? Please!!!!!!!!
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Just wanted to thank you, Erin. Your blog has inspired me to dress for fun even if I’m only out to do a quick shop. Perusing the local grocery is so much more fun when I feel like a million bucks, as opposed to the seventeen-fifty I used to leave the house in. I love it, my kids love it, my husband loves it. Taking pride in one’s appearance? Yes please?DellainaPS – Attention troll: You’re wasting your breath. Do you really think we keep reading your comment once we know it’s you? Doy.
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as Stephanie the Yarn Harlot says (and I’m paraphrasing), when you visit someone’s blog, you’re visiting his/her virtual living room. Would you walk in and make nasty comments about a person’s sofa? Well, not usually, although I’ve known people who would. Those would be ex-friends….Best thing for ALL of us to do with this twit is to ignore his/her comments. Completely and thoroughly.
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Wow Erin – I had no idea there was such a major debate going on! I didn’t read the comments on the sweater post the other day because, as a grad student, a $65 sweater is not in my reality at the moment, and I’m really supposed to be working on my dissertation (can’t you see me doing it, right now?). So I’m absolutely astonished at the tone and the persistence of your commenter. Who cares so much about a sweater? I’m definitely prepared to sign the membership log in the Erin fan club, or vote for you for Chancellor of Fashion, or whatever. And I’m definitely wearing a dress on Wear a Dress Day in September!7/10 Split, I’m very sorry that you feel so unwelcome here. This is a great community of people who enjoy vintage patterns, fabric, dresses, etc. We buy them not because we feel compelled to do so by the corporate world, but because we like to sew and wear the things we make. I sew. I don’t play soccer or tennis or video games. Sewing is my hobby. I think that most other people here would class themselves in the same group. If you like to sew, please stick around and join us in the joy of putting pockets in unlikely places! If you want to talk about how to change the world economic system, I’m sure you’ll find more receptive audiences in other places. This really isn’t the focus here. Some of us may be sympathetic to your general cause — and I am, indeed, one of those ‘sustainable’ people [fabric is just about the only thing I buy new right now, we’re trying the Compact for a few months]– but I for one come here to escape from the troubles of the world (and from my dissertation!) and to enjoy the pretty things for a few minutes each day. I hope you can find a group of like-minded people to share your ideas with, just like Erin has found here with us.And, just for the record, I’m a grad student in Classics at the University of Cincinnati. If you doubt my status as a real, individual human, you can find me via our departmental website: classics.uc.edu
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Well, that’s just sad! Let me add my voice too, Erin. I love your blog! It’s one of the first I ever came across and it’s been about my favorite thing to do, sewing. Your topics are wide ranging, thoughtful, often humorous, and easy to read because you avoid many of the errors that annoy me on other sites. You’ve introduced me to other sites that are fun to read also. I love the comments from most of your other posters and have learned a great deal in the reading of them. Some people need to get a life, like 7/10. I, personally, would vote for blocking since this person can’t quit picking at something they are obviously not interested in, except as a target of their petty attempts at superiority. You know the old saying, if you don’t like it go somewhere else! I wouldn’t buy a $65 dollar sweater unless the quality were exceptional and it was exactly what I wanted, but that’s just me. I prefer to see what I can find in thrift stores (the thrill of the hunt) because that’s closer to my budget. Unless it’s something I can’t justify buying when I can make it!
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Wow, if a $65 sweater caused this much controversy, imagine what a $300 one would do.Anyway, I loved this little tidbit from one of the linked articles about Erin: “…terms like kurdaitcha, an Australian word for a malignant supernatural being that can allegedly be warded off by wearing shoes made of emu feathers and human blood.”Although the human blood is a bit squicky, I love the thought that *fashion* can be used to ward off evil spirits. I wonder if vintage dresses work on internet trollies…
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P.S. If I were Erin, my photo onthe Wikipedia entry would be the ‘Valentine’s day stunt dress’ one. That’s probably my favorite Erin-dress ever.
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Well then. 7/11 makes a few hostile sounding comments about sewing, dresses, Dress A Day, blah, blah, blah. You really had me going there, 7/11! Write something about how much you hate puppies and world peace, stuff like that! HaHaHa! Good One! I mean, who in their right mind would REALLY attack a blog devoted to vintage dresses?! AND the people who support it and Erin? Let me know when you play in Vegas so I can come see your comedy routine!
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Mmmmmust buy what Erin tells me too…Liberty fabric only…Must buy more dictionaries…Sincerely,A zombified devotee
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Erin,I just love your yellow bird dress and I’m so excited to read these articles about you. Now I have to find your book. Thanks for all that you do.
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There’s a a global sewing conspiracy? and I missed it? I have a website that sells patterns, both new and vintage as well as other sewing related items. Believe me when I say that not a lot of money is made in those pursuits. Luckily, I do it because I like what I do. Erin, I love your site, I love your advertisers and I love almost all of the commenters. Keep up the good work!
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My goodness. I’m almost sad that you posted this: the comments from the “anonymous”/”7/10 split” person (who read as the same person to me) sounded very much like a lonely person who feels that the only way she can get attention is to argue. So on some level I think that posts like this make her feel justified and all warm inside. Gah! It’s insane to me that anyone would read DaD and think that Erin is financially motivated or a shill for The Man, when she so CLEARLY advocates for a return to the the personal economy of home sewing, for spurning sheeplike following of the latest trends for your own unique style. I love your blog, Erin. It’s always entertaining, upbeat, and informative. And as a long-time (but not very good) home sewer, it’s wonderful that you’re willing to share your projects with us, occasional warts and all. xx0,Marie
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Ooh, looky there! You can buy 5 copies of Erin’s book on Amazon (see ‘writer’ link) for the price of one sleeveless orange sweater – what a bargain! Get over there and lay them in for Christmas. Your family will love you. A point about your photo-shyness, Erin. Why? You have a really great look – those red glasses work so well for you. If I could wear glasses that well I wouldn’t be fiddling with my contact lenses every morning. A smile is all you need to add.
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Not sure about all of the comments made to the person who thought price was too high for a cotton sweater. Many of the comments seem a little over the top– way too much Erin lauding– seems a little unreal to me–most people wouldn’t bother with all of this– you people seem to undercut your credibility with all of the effusiveness and not one supporting comment for anonymous or 7/10 split—Kind of weird– All of the Erin support just smacks of ballot stuffing– by the way–most of you losers really need to get a life– you actually look forward to reading the blog here??? This makes your day??/ wow.
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Kathleen–Ev, Terry– all of you seem pretty sad– so sheeplike–but that’s to be expected–
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Phrases like’ “You go girl'” and “troll'” odd that they keep appearing– do we sense sheep flocking?
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Question: What do we do if someone raises an issue we take exception to? Answer: We ridicule and berate them without actually responding to any of the issues they raise
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Does it count as feeding the troll if I just jump in here and declare how tickled I am to read that someone out there believes that there is a Vast Sewing Conspiracy?
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I am a bit confused…someone must have whined about the sweater? Whatever. In life and in craft you can seek only to please yourself and follow your muse…I’m a knitter and knitting simply takes a LONG time. No knitting up a cute cardi in an evening! Love the idea of coming home and making a dress in a few evenings (or even one evening!)I have even begun to sew a bit myself–and I think I like it!Love your blog–its an inspiration. Keep it up. Love! Love!
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Erin, your detractors are dopes. And they probably can’t sew either. As we say in Australia ‘tell them to stuff it up their jumper (sweater)’. I love the way your writing and the images you show on your blog. Frock on!
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Make that a vast, **transgender** sewing conspiracy!
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Wow, we’re all networked. Amazing. That’s ’cause we’re women. How about you, 7-11, you wouldn’t happen to be a guy? It would explain why you don’t “get” this blog.Or maybe you’re the jerk who’s been stealing all of Erin’s content and “writing” her own blogs with it.
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You brighten up my day and have inspired me to take up sewing (I’ll send pics of my first effort). You also trust your readers to be able to tell the difference between a ‘sell’ and a general gushing about clothes.If your 7/10 doesn’t like it, she doesn’t have to read it does she? I however LOVE your work and won’t stop reading.x
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My Sewing Conspiracy® Drag Name would be Minnie Milano. (Drag name=a pet’s name and the name of a steet you live/lived on)
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Wow.Another real person, average reader, don’t sew (check my blog), just read Dress A Day regularly because it’s fun, been reading for years, and I’m quite sure Erin is a real person, and if she makes a profit off anything, that’s fine for the enjoyment I get from the site.The strong defense of Erin is just how the internet works—the same way people leap on a minor error as “stupidest thing ever!”, they leap to the defense of someone they perceive as a friend.
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So 7/11 thinks the JCrew sweater is too expensive. She can get what she likes. Whatever. Let’s move on people.
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Some people, like the negative 7/10 need to get a life… I, too, open this site almost immediately after mykids leave to see the post of the day. I may not be able to wear very vintage, not practical in this heat, but love to look at it, collect patterns and dream about them and their grace. I have learned more about fashion since I started sewing and how to make your own fashion statement. I looked at 7/10 site, how is it only 6 women corner the sewing blog market? Most of us that habit DAD site have our own blogs and have no real advertising. What a geek.
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Erin, love your blog and writing. It inspires me and makes me laugh! ABOUT TROLLS: There will always be a certain percent of any community/street/workplace that’s just unpleasant and a bit off. I just cross the room or the street and let both of us get on with our respective lives. As for a $65 sweater: that’s not an “obscene” price for a well made garment. Or even for a simply, decently made garment. And think of the time you save ordering it with the click of a button, rather than pawing through out-of-the-way bargain bins. Most closets hold garments from a variety of sources; some home made, some hand-me-downs or swapped items, some thrift store stuff, some cheapies, and some higher end retail. (Even, dare I say it, some custom made items.) The better made stuff lasts and the cheap stuff quickly gives out, but there’s room for both. To figure out something’s worth, you must apply amortization (price X number of times worn.) i.e., 35 years later I still wear my college clothes from Brooks Brothers, which makes all those items DIRT CHEAP.
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Oops…I meant 15 years later. (Was trying to calculate to AGE 35!)
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Life’s too short to be sweating the small stuff. No worries, Erin! That’s the fun of blogging~ we can say whatever we want and who’s it really affecting in the long run? One man’s blog is another man’s bathroom reading. Or whatever. Keep your head up, girl! And also, karma’s a bitch.
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Oh god…I also meant price DIVIDED BY times worn. Maybe you shouldn’t listen to me after all. But I think you got what I meant.
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I think it is interesing that 7/10 objects to the supportiveness of the other posts. For me, the general supportiveness of the sewing community is one of my favorite things about sewing. I, probably like many of you, have a fairly stressful job whre people aren’t always that nice. I LOVE being connected people, through Pattern Review or blogs, who genuinely support each other. Oh, and I met Erin a bit over a year ago at the TED conference. She is real. And then I started reading her blog, and then I got back into sewing. So I owe you big time, Erin. Thanks! -Emo
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7/10 split is doing it for the lulz, I bet you.Anyway, love the dresses you feature, whether they be sewn or linked from another site. It doesn’t matter to me.
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Erin-I’m a lurker. I don’t post much and I use anonymous because I can’t remember my blogger name and password(don’t use it enough).That said. I love your site. I love how articulate you are. I love the pictures you present. Great inspiration. And obviously I’m not a word smith so ——Keep up the posting. I LOVE THEM!!!!
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Erin- life is too precious and short to waste a moment with 7/10 whatever—your blog is an inspiration and a pleasure to visit everyday. it has opened up so many things for me–ideas, thoughts, and it so much more than fashion and being head over heels in the love with dresses. it is a bit of happiness in my hectic day that is my time to enjoy. So don’t go changing Erin! Scat 7 whoever…
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You go girl! Ignore the troll….
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I enjoy reading your blog every single day Erin. That people like myself want to advertise on your blog says a lot about the amount of people that are reading your blog and enjoying it. Perhaps 7/10 split is a wee bit green with envy. All I know is that I’ll continue to read your blog because it’s enjoyable and brings out the very best in your readers (7/10 split excluded of course).
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Arsonists light fires and then stick around to watch them get out of control…It gives them a feeling of power when they usually feel they have none. Even defending Erin is feeding the fire, unfortunately, as much as we all admire her. I vote that if this person comments again, we all ignore him/her and carry on as usual. Takes their power away and they’ll move on…hopefully! (Erin I realise your beautifully written post was to reassure us, your faithful readers, that what this person had said about you wasn’t true; I think we commenters should now just leave it there) Of course, feel free to disagree! 😉
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7/10:Further proof that some people’s cup is half full. Some people’s cup are half empty.Some people don’t have a cup.
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Oh, Erin. I’m so sorry you have to even read stuff like that comment. The writer is so off-base that I’m inclined to think they must have been off their meds when they wrote it. The comment clearly has no basis in reality and is SO incredibly far from what your readers think of you. We love you and I admire your (clearly unbiased, objective and fabulous) writing so much that it inspires me to write. I love the honest voice your writing has and it’s clear that it comes straight from the heart. Not to mention the content, which is of course wonderful in its own right. Maybe what I’m most impressed by, though, is that you didn’t have an epidural! Go on, girl! I don’t have any children of my own yet (at 26, I think I can stand to wait a few years yet), but I’m really interested in natural birth, midwifery and non-hospital labor. You’re an incredible woman and don’t let this nutjob throw you off for a second. The cool thing is, though, that I know you won’t. Thanks for your blog and for always being yourself.
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