I got a really interesting comment from Xan this morning on the McCardell Update I posted a while back:
First, it has been with great difficulty that I have found time to finally comment on this post.
A real travesty indeed-silk charmeuse sprayed with sizing for this Claire McCardell dress? Not only does it give me the willies, I bet the fine designer of the pattern is rolling over in her grave.
I have had the gut-wrenching experience time and again seeing sewing projects online over the last couple of years borne from people sewing something just to sew something rather than do it in a respectable if not correct manner.
Yours here is obviously such a project. I understand wanting to sew from one’s stash of fabric, but first to mutilate charmeuse with spray sizing and then to do so in order to ‘shoehorn’ it into a Claire McCardell dress pattern for which limp, draping fabrics were never meant, what’s the point? What happened to taste? Do you go anyplace wearing this dress? Is it usable as a garment?
Never mind the fact that the print was not matched along the centerline of the front as San Antonio Sue pointed out on Nov.13-it is simply awful.
As always, I totally support anyone's right to be appalled by what I wear, and to be vocal in their disapproval. De gustibus, and all that, but I did want to respond to this comment, and not just in the comment thread.
(First, I wanted to clarify one thing — the silk was not sprayed with sizing, it was treated with Sullivan's Fabric Stabilizer Spray, which is washed out before wearing. The Sullivan's makes the fabric easier to cut and sew, but doesn't affect the fabric's "hand" after washing.)
This is the part I really wanted to respond to:
I have had the gut-wrenching experience time and again seeing sewing projects online over the last couple of years borne from people sewing something just to sew something rather than do it in a respectable if not correct manner.
It is the fear of encountering this snobby attitude that I think keeps so many people from sewing, and I think that's such a shame. Yeah, that dress was not the best I ever made, but — so what? I did wear the dress (to a wedding) and I got some nice compliments on it (from people who didn't know I made it, btw).
More importantly, I learned something from making that dress. It was an experiment. It was an exploration. You learn a lot more from trying something new than from doing everything in the "respectable if not correct" way.
I'm not saying "throw all the rules out the window!" (I wouldn't have made that dress out of plastic grocery bags or polyester double-knit) but I'd rather live my life trying new things (which are not always guaranteed to work) than making sure I only did exactly what's been done before, what's "respectable and correct," and nothing else. If you're only going to follow a recipe, why not invest in a few paint-by-number kits? (This is why I always ignore those "Copy Ready-To-Wear!" articles in sewing magazines. If I wanted "ready-to-wear", I'd BUY "ready-to-wear," people.)
It's the garments I make from weird fabrics, in fact, that have made me the happiest. Camouflage and stripey skirts, and curtain-fabric dresses, and on and on.
But, really — "gut-wrenching"? If seeing other people's not-quite-right (by your standards) efforts gives you actual intestinal pain, you might want to take some deep breaths and repeat "This isn't my problem" until it goes away.
The designer of the pattern, Claire McCardell, was herself an innovator. She pioneered ballet slippers as shoes, which would have been neither respectable nor correct in some people's eyes when she first did it — but she didn't let that stop her.
If you're just starting to learn to sew, and you're worried about attitudes like Xan's, think for a minute about what you want more: Making something that's "perfect" by someone else's standards? Or the experience and pleasure of planning, sewing, and ultimately wearing something that's a reflection of you, and not the equivalent of packaged cake mix? I know what my answer is.
A Dress A Day 
Thanks for posting your response to the comment where we couldn’t miss it. I learn so much from your blog and this response is full of the encouragement I need. Now, I think I need to go sew!VirginiaBy the way – I love the dress in question.
LikeLike
Didn’t we explore the learning process in your previous post on Nov. 16 titled “10,000 hours”? We’ll all get it right if we just get it wrong enough times.
LikeLike
Yeah, I color outside the lines, too, and never use boxed cake mix unless I’m about half dead and someone’s threatening to shoot me if dessert doesn’t appear. So, I guess that commenter has the right to her opinions, but, as my Granddad said, opinions are like (select a gross body part): everyone has one. I like that you try different things, too! It gives us all more courage.
LikeLike
One of the things I have learned from reading sewing blogs such as yours is to try something new, something scary. I have accomplished much more this year in sewing because I have dared to try. Your attitude has kept me from being terribly discouraged as in the old days. If something does not turn out right for me I donate it so someone can enjoy it, and then I sew something else.
LikeLike
Erin, I totally agree with you. The reason I sew is because I want to be unique and not a copy cat of whats on the runways. If there are any really true rules of sewing, I have probably broken every one of them at some time or another. It was years before I learned about grainlines and bias. I just would lay out a pattern based on instinct and what my gut told me was right. In my tailoring class back in 1976 (yeah, Im old) I learned about grainlines, drape of fabric, bias, padstitching, etc. Until then, I was clueless even though I took home ec in jr sr high school. I could out sew the teacher so she just let me do my own thing. We didnt have text books filled with rules. Sewing is supposed to be fun and rewarding. When you take away the fun of exploration, it becomes a boring chore. So, go have fun today and sew something special for yourself!
LikeLike
Your post has made me go back to my pile of things I’m not happy with to see what I can do to fix them (or if my opinion has changed). Sewing isn’t brain surgery-if something doesn’t work out, oh well. Thanks for posting this.
LikeLike
How dull life would be if all we worried about was doing things the “respectable and correct” way! Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but this post made me extremely thankful that I was born with a mind that appreciates creativity both in myself and in those around me.
LikeLike
I think that dress looks great! And silk can be annoying to sew with, it can be so slippery! The stabilizer sounds like a great idea. I don’t love hand sewing (and I don’t like basting at all) so it sounded like a great technique to try to me. Trying new things is great – not all of the things I make turn out, but I made them and learned from them…It seems like this person has nothing positive to say although at least they are coherent. I’m just not sure what positiveness we can get out of this type of comment (besides discussion)! It is really quite cutting. Sigh. I like the dress and I don’t think you should be at all ashamed about wearing it!
LikeLike
Wow, I am flabbergasted. My mom would say to Xan, “who made you Queen of the World?” I wonder what this self-crowned arbiter of all that is correct in sewing would say about the tablecloth jacket that I made in high school (it was awesome), or the top I made out of Christmas ornament fabric (also fun). There are no rules in sewing and just as there is more than one way to cook a recipe, or paint a portrait, there are many ways to sew something, and since the sewist is the artist, ALL of the choices are correct.
LikeLike
Well,this blogger certainly doesn’t know much about design history…if Chanel hadn’t thought outside the box we’d all still be wearing corsets. Now, I have worn corsets, by choice, and enjoyed the experience, but a daily diet of such would not be a pleasant experience. Bravo to any of us sewers who takes the chance of using alternate choices in fabrics, trim, etc…individuality is a virtue, in my very humble opinion.
LikeLike
Erin, one of the things I love about your blog is that you are not a professional, you’re an individual following her own tastes and interests (obviously legion). But this is someone who finds sewing that doesn’t please her, ‘gut-wrenching’. Obviously not a standard perspective. Oh noes, indeed.My mother curates a significant costume collection and despite being able to handle real Schiaparellis and use them as teaching models, keeps encouraging me to take sewing shortcuts (more than I like to) because ‘no-one will ever notice’… it’s a big world, we all have our priorities.
LikeLike
Sew on, sister!It would be such a shame to refrain from sewing–or any crafting–simply because the outcome might not conform to some snob’s definition of respectable and correct. Like you and other commenters have said, How can you get anywhere if you aren’t always trying, experimenting, and doing?What a joy to wear an appropriate and lovely handmade dress to a wedding, and to receive compliments on the dress.
LikeLike
I just got “things i wish my mother had told me” in the mail and am reminded of a quote that you actually put on your blog when you recommended the book:only small people get offended. don’t be afraid to wear/sew/make something because you think someone else won’t like it. If it’s fun for you, and makes you happy, then do it! The snobbery of strangers should not affect what you do with your day. Or your fabric.
LikeLike
I find the only travesty here is that Xan’s opinions were shared in a rude way.It doesn’t matter if I like the dress, and it doesn’t matter if I would wear it. Erin obviously does, and SHE is the one that should be happy with it.Xan reminds me of the old women in the sewing shops that have to brag their machines cost more then my car and are utterly appalled when I reply that I sew on my 1927 Singer 66 treadle. I like my machine, and if I wanted a newer one I’d get one.I was taught the “correct” way to sew was to make sure it didn’t fall off of you when you wore it and “respectable” meant nothing was showing that shouldn’t be, or wearing night clothes or undergarments as outerwear (my mom’s old fashioned, what can I say?). The rest is technique and even there, so much depends on which source you read. What happened to “if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all”?Xan will not be getting my patronage. It is not that I am siding with Erin, or that I don’t believe Xan should not have an opinion, but the fact is it could have been said with less superiority and been nice about it
LikeLike
Erin-Words fail me….You are sublime.
LikeLike
One of the reasons I am drawn to sewing and drawn to writing are the similarities found in these two creative processes. Just as there is no one writing process, no one way of approaching a writing process, there is no one way to approach a sewing project. I am lucky that I get to switch in and out of socially constructed rules in both writing and sewing through understanding in both processes of purpose and audience. I write for fun and I write for money. I sew for fun and for clothing myself. I can stretch my mind and my work.Hurray for finding your way! How wonderful is it that the author has the confidence to share the right way and the wrong way of reaching creative satisfaction. Too bad these processes don’t apply to all of us – then, we could all be happily boorish.Seems to me, there are far more important things to criticize on the web than a supportive sharing group of creative sewers who like to sew out of their decade and out of their comfort zones.www.deniablydomestic.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Huh, all that snottiness after you sent your readers to here place of business. Astonishing.
LikeLike
Amen, sister! The dresses I make and wear are probably pretty appalling to a lot of people, and sometimes I stop and worry about that. But then I remember how much fun I have making and wearing these things, and how they’re a reflection of me and not a cookie-cutter piece out of a factory, and I remember your blog, and that worry disintegrates.
LikeLike
I’m a perfectionist, I like rules, I like following instructions. Main reason… I’m afraid of ‘ruining’ things and if I follow someone else’s instructions and do exactly what they tell me and it is still a disaster I can pass the buck!I admire your courage, spirit and joy in things Erin, that’s why I come here. Sometimes you rant against something and I nod in agreement, sometimes I don’t, but your opinions are always so beautifully expressed and respectful of the existence of other viewpoints that I ALWAYS find them worth reading.There is a ‘right’ way of sewing, but that isn’t the end, it’s the jumping off point for creativity. Long live stunt dresses from curtain fabric!!I do disagree about the copy-RTW articles though – they are aimed at people who want RTW but don’t fit into the manufacturers’ standard body shape and are therefore quite useful to them.There are a great many ugly things in the world. Gut-wrenching being a good word for them, but really, spending one’s precious time classifying others’ sewing projects as such? My reaction on seeing (on a blog) someone’s homemade cover for an IKEA chair was ‘Man, that’s ugly!’ but it never even occurred to me to look for the comment button and say so! The content of her post was how happy it made her to see this chair in it’s cover. Why knock happiness?Cheers,AJPS whenever commenting here, I always worry about my apostrophies, but I guess you’d rather hear my thoughts than have me keep quiet for fear of making a mistake!?
LikeLike
Thanks so much for this post Erin. I am probably the worst sewist in the world – self taught, impatient, frequently clueless about basic construction. I live in fear of “real” fabric artists seeing the horrible job I’ve done on most of my projects…but I love my projects anwyay. Its all a wonderful learning experience. The time spent planning, cutting, stitching, and even ripping apart and starting over is the best time of my life. It important to be reminded every now and then that its perfectly alright to enjoy the act of creating even if the result is not “correct” in some people’s eyes.
LikeLike
HA HA HA!! You poor thing…. How insane is it to stalk someone’s blog and have so little time on your hands to leave a comment such as Xan’s… Seriously… I’ve been sewing for over 20 years (and I’m 31.. btw) and have started my 6 year old sewing… the point of trying new ideas is let imperfections help you learn and grow… if you criticize someone on those, they will either give up or get mad… I’m usually the latter.. HA! Keep your chin up, girlie. I love reading your blog and I wish I were as brave as you to “put yourself out there”… in fact, I just used you as an example to my husband last weekend… that I wished I was brave enough to sew my own clothing and take chance with bold, fun prints and styles. More power to you!!! You are truly my hero. Even if your roses aren’t matched perfectly. HA HA!! (btw.. I had to go back and check out the dress, because I didn’t remember that at all… ) OH… and I so rarely look at the back to see the “recommended fabrics”… I was raised to think outside the box… and the envelope backing. HA! HUGS!!!
LikeLike
Rock on, Erin and all of the commenters not afraid to have fun with sewing!Playing and fighting with a project is often the best part. Changing things up and doing something different when you encounter a problem, or starting out with the intent to do something new, is what makes sewing (or any other project) fun, interesting, and challenging.Breaking the rules is what fashion is all about!
LikeLike
Having just made a blouse with silk and cursed my way through its slipperiness, I would have LOVED to have had it stabilized first. Thanks for your reply to the sewing police comment. I have sewed my own clothes for more than 24 years (and I’m in my thirties) I honestly believe that there is no wrong way to do things. The end result justifies the means and if the end result pleases, so be it.Keep on, Erin, you are an inspiration, to say the least.
LikeLike
I wasn’t really struck with the dress either, but I wouldn’t have been so rude as to say so in such emotive terms. And anyway, I figured it probably looked a lot nicer ‘on.’ Any chance of seeing what the dress looks like with you inside it, Erin?BTW, Ms. Xandra has a lengthy list of ‘Favorite Blogs’ on her own blog, and doesn’t even mention A Dress A Day. How can we give any credence at all to her opinions!?
LikeLike
Hi Erin…I’ve been writing a blog for 2 1/2 years, and every once and a while this type of comment comes up. While initially my Irish temper goes haywire, if I give it some breathing room for a few hours I find that this kind of smack-down commentary had nothing whatever to do with me. If the naysayers were as brave, creative, and experimental as those who were publishing their efforts, then I’d actually give them some consideration. Overall though, they’re just giving cheap shots. Keep experimenting, innovating, publishing, creating, and being brave! That’s what it’s all about!
LikeLike
I, like many of you, am a self-taught sewer. I love making garments and quilt-tops. I do try to follow instructions unless it sounds ludicrous, then I ask my mom or research a better and easier solution. Some of my things pass my mom’s scrutiny, some do not, mostly in the way of fit. Do I take it to heart? Not really. They are all learning experiences. If I like it and my kids wear what I make them, so be it. Sewing is a creative process, rules can be broken once you know the basics. I think Erin’s dress was pretty, I personally would have cut that bodice on the fold, though, because I hate center seams in the front. But I see many things on the internet that I am, wow, I would never wear that, or still needs something. It’s not my problem. I have many other things in my life to worry about. Too bad the tone from Xan was so haughty, after Erin was gracious enough to plug her new pattern.
LikeLike
Oh, for crying out loud, Xan, go wrench your delicate gut somewhere else. McCardell got a raft of grief when she first started using denim and ticking for – Oh, the Shame! The Horror! – EVENING WEAR. Yup, formal clothes in informal fabrics. I’ll bet a few delicate guts wrenched over that, too.If you’re that delicate, you’re too delicate to be roaming Teh Innernets unsupervised. Don’t like what you see? Click a switch. I’m with Erin regarding people who are afraid to try because they’re afraid they’ll fail. The guy who developed Federal Express is a many-times millionaire; he went bankrupt TWICE from his two previous failures.And for what it’s worth, I have ALWAYS recommended spray starch, liberally applied to slippery (but washable) fabrics before they’re stitched – sometimes before they’re cut. Makes working with many of them much, much easier. Go panic somewhere else, you poor delicate thing, you.
LikeLike
Aside from a “How to run a sewing machine” class when I was 11 I’ve been making things up as I go. I don’t want to get weighed down with strict rules and convention. Sewing wouldn’t be fun anymore! If I’m still enjoying it after having done it (minus lots of rules) for well over half my life than I think I’m doing something right. If we all followed the rules we’d get no where in the way of innovation. Where is the joy in that?
LikeLike
Hi, Erin–I try (and often fail) to live by the maxim “always err on the side of magnanimity.” You are a great example of that here, when you reply to these kill-joys.I love dressaday and have learned so much from it; I appreciate so much what you share with us, especially your exuberance. I will leave “what is correct” to the kill-joys.
LikeLike
Wow… I can’t, and frankly don’t want to, imagine what it must be like to live with such a rigid and judgmental point of view. The funny thing is that she is so off base with her criticism! If she finds using a slightly lighter than suggested fabric and an often recommended home sewing technique (ie: using stabilizer) ‘gut wrenching,’ then I’m glad you didn’t do anything seriously ‘wrong’ or she may have had an actual aneurism! I absolutely agree that the reason I sew is to do it my way, and because I enjoy doing things myself. And that’s the real key… sewing, or whatever craft you choose to immerse yourself in, is about personal enjoyment and personal satisfaction, and not living up to anyone else’s expectations. I admit that there’s a lot of stuff out there that I find either unattractive or poorly done, but I always smile at the pride and joy that a person shows when exhibiting their creation, because that is a feeling that I know, cherish and strive for.
LikeLike
It’s this kind of attitude that makes people scared to cut into that beautiful fabric or sew that vintage pattern- “I couldn’t do it justice, I’ll ruin it”. I always try to remember that patterns and fabric are inanimate objects that don’t feel bad if I ruin them, and they don’t get very pretty left in the drawer either. I love seeing people’s “failures” and less than perfect work because it makes me feel better about that wadder I just made and maybe I can learn from their mistakes or experiments!
LikeLike
Hooray. I sew for my own pleasure; sometimes the things I create give pleasure to others, sometimes not. I am not submitting them as the true Platonic document; I’m just not that good. My wall quilt has crooked seams. Nearly every week somebody walks by my cubicle and tells me how beautiful it is. It’s purple and lavender and blue and it makes me (and a lot of other people) happy.
LikeLike
Let us all brace ourselves for the snotty reminder that “sizing” can refer to ANY chemical preparation, starch, wax, etc., added to a fabric to improve its hand – OR its ability to be handled. In theory and practice, this includes spray starch and spray-on stabilizers, AND anything the manufacturer does to the fabric before it hits the store that can be washed out. That said? I loves me sizing, I does. People who don’t like it are under no obligation to use it; it’s still a free world, and I’m glad of it.Let me give you ladies (and the occasional gentlemen) an illustration: for years and years and YEARS, I’ve hoarded fabrics. Time and other consideration kept much of the hoard from being used, but I always knew I’d use it someday. Well, someday came, and I took the fabric out of storage – and it was ruined. The landlord lied about the storage conditions, and thousands and THOUSANDS of dollars’ worth of utterly irreplaceable fabric was ruined, with not a pennysworth of compensation. What could ANY of you POSSIBLY do to your fabric that would be THAT BAD??? HAVE THE FUN OF RUINING IT!!! Yeesh, if you’re that scared, make a bunch of pillows out of it and at least have the pleasure of sitting on it! Once the cat sits on it or throws up on it, it won’t look so fearful. Line something with it, make a hat of it, make an apron, make lingerie if your bigger project was spoiled. Make a drawstring evening bag, make a picture frame, make a pincushion – you can always make SOMETHING ELSE out of it.Don’t let fear rule your lives.
LikeLike
What a timely blog post! I was just having a similar discussion last night with two of my friends — one a fashion designer, the other a graduate student in textiles. Both are dear friends, but I am SO TIRED of hearing “advice” from these experts. I’ve been sewing for less than a year, and yes, I’m aware that my skill is lacking, I know nothing, and I’m making mistakes constantly. For crying out loud, LET ME LEARN! I learn much more from my mistakes than from the so-called experts tut-tutting my work and slapping my hand. And WTF is wrong with sewing just to sew? Art is a pleasurable process, in and of itself. Besides…perfection is for boring people.
LikeLike
I’m not put off by Xan’s comment. I’m more concerned about my Home Ec teacher coming back to berate me after breaking my promise to never touch a sewing machine again in return for her passing me in that portion of the class.I’ve been reading this blog for a number of years and I’ve finally decided that I’m going to invest in a sewing machine. And plastic goggles. And chainmail gloves. I live a few blocks away from a hospital and always keep a good supply of gauze stocked. I don’t want to make it *too* easy for fate. She’s a stealthy and patient witch.As I said, Xan and the attitude of all-knowing-of-everything-sewing doesn’t horrify me. Or put me off. I just won’t make Xan a dress. I can only assume I will do it wrong anyway 😉
LikeLike
I have had the gut-wrenching experience time and again seeing sewing projects online over the last couple of years borne from people sewing something just to sew something rather than do it in a respectable if not correct manner.I dont get it–whats wrong with sewing just to sew something? Sometimes we run because we enjoy it, not because we want to get fit. Sometimes we read for entertainment, not becuase we want to learn. Sometimes we bake to see how it turns out, not becuase we are hungry. I dont see how sewing is any different.
LikeLike
I recently got back into sewing this year and sometimes you just want to sew something to see how it works. To try something new! Those comments would’ve upset me too but it’s not about doing it to someone’s specifications. To me sewing is about being creative, expressing myself and doing something I love!
LikeLike
To sum up: Being a snarky bitch won’t get you anywhere.
LikeLike
I can’t imagine what was so incredibly difficult to overcome in order to leave that comment. I always think it is bizarre when people cast themselves as a martyr over something as simple as an elective response. To a blog. By a person they do not know.That aside, I don’t think I commented on the dress, myself. Frankly, I didn’t care for your fabric choice and I didn’t understand why you wouldn’t have chosen something that would have shown the design to good effect, rather than obscured it. If you wanted to sew so badly with that piece of fabric, a better pattern could have been selected.There are rules and one should learn them before breaking them. It is the best way to build your skill and knowledge. I loved the post about 10,000 hours. But, it is entirely possible to sew for years and never learn much of anything, if you do not apply yourself. I didn’t much care for Xan’s delivery, but my opinion lies somewhere between the two of you. Xan could stand to loosen up and you could slow down and do a better job. That’s my two cents. I don’t think I’ll be seeking out Xan anytime soon, but I will be continuing to read this blog. Your “mistakes” aren’t even close to what it is really about. I can’t imagine Xan being all that much fun, but I’d hang with you in a heartbeat; imperfect clothes and all.
LikeLike
Gosh – is this a member of THE FASHION POLICE here? She has every right to her opinion, but it is just plain boring to comment in this way on someone’s dresses, or anything else. Whom was it (my Mom?) who taught me “the less said the better?” A rule which Xan should have applied here, and spared herself all these comments. 😉 Goodness, sew whatever you like and keep ’em coming! Sewing isn’t a religion! 🙂
LikeLike
I kind of like it when people are rude or honest in comments because it is nice when people really express what they feel. This was on the mean side however, especially the “simply awful comment.” What I don’t get is why a small business owner would risk alienating so many people by being nasty. I’m not gonna buy from her now; nothing I make could ever possibly live up to her standards. It makes me sad because she has cool stuff, but I’m sure I’m not the kind of customer she wants.
LikeLike
Oh, I found a fabulous piece of advice in Miss Leslie’s book, which could SO EASILY apply to Visiting Blogs That Offend One:Excuse yourself from accepting invitations from persons whom you do not like, and whose dispositions, habits, feelings, and opinions are in most things the reverse of your own. There can be no pleasure in daily and familiar intercourse where there is no congeniality. Such visits never end well; and they sometimes produce irreconcilable quarrels, or at least a lasting and ill-concealed coolness. Though for years you may have always met on decent terms, you may become positive enemies from living a short time under the same roof; and there is something dishonourable in laying yourself under obligations and receiving civilities from persons whom you secretly dislike, and in whose society you can have little or no enjoyment.I think Miss Leslie has covered it, don’t you? If you’re cast into agonies by Erin’s sewing choices, tastes, abilities, posts, whatever, there ARE other options.Angel, I think the goggles at least are an EXCELLENT idea – and so is hydrogen peroxide to blot those bloodstains. Ahem. I don’t necessarily advocate the gloves, because I find, at least, that I require a tremendous degree of hand flexibility when I work, and gloves would make it difficult. But I’ve had broken machine needles fly into my face, so the eye protection is a Really Good Idea, IMO. You seem otherwise prepared!For what it’s worth, Erin’s sewing choices aren’t always mine, either – nor would I expect mine to be hers. That’s because Erin is Erin, and I am not; I am myself. There’s room in the world for vanilla AND for butterscotch pizza ripple – sometimes on the same cone. You don’t hear the flavours at Baskin Robbins castigate each other for being different, do you?
LikeLike
Oh good heavens. “Gut-wrenching?” Really? Somebody needs to take a long look at the state of humanity (and inhumanity) in the world around him/her. Puh-leeze.Thanks to a crazy schedule and a nightmare pit of a sewing room, I haven’t sewn anything in months. Sewing something just to sew something sounds like heaven.
LikeLike
Oh, HELLS. XAN IS EVADRESS????I. AM. SO. BUMMED.And I’m SO disappointed.
LikeLike
Hi Erin, I love looking at your dresses. i have been sewing since I was 8 and that means nearly 50 years. I make mistakes and the seam ripper is my best friend. I enjoy trying new things. I think that sewing gives me the opportunity to be creative-I don’t listen to rules much, anyway. I often sew for theaters and have a great time making historic costumes for them. I make them on the machine, even though, to be “correct” I should sew them by hand. I am sure that Xan would really dislike me, and the crazy things I make and proudly wear. Oh well, so sad and way too bad. May Santa bring her a lump of coal for her behavior and snarky attitude. (I wonder how many freinds she really has!)
LikeLike
I am at a loss for words. We sewists share with each other, I thought, to build us up. Not tear down thoughtlessly. I can only hope that Xan meant her comments to be helpful and now may realize and learn how not to critique.
LikeLike
Well.That makes it a lot easier to resist buying from EvaDress ever again.
LikeLike
I am SO disturbed, and SO DISTRESSED. I have dealt with Xan at Evadress, and have found her unfailingly helpful and COURTEOUS, going out of her way to assist me and provide help that I needed, at no additional cost to me nor profit to her. She was professional! She was kind! I recommended her to EVERYONE I COULD THINK OF – Erin included! – because I was so happy and so impressed! I’m beside myself, honestly. This isn’t like being thrown out of my dojo for standing up for a friend (which, yes, happened); do I not patronize someone who gave me superlative service, because she said something (free speech!) with which I disagreed, specifically in the manner in which it was said? How is it that a businesswoman writes such a thing? Do I assume that Xan, like Kathleen (love you, Kathleen! Going to buy the new book and CD!) Fasanella, has some form of Asperger’s? Kathleen has also a posted a few pithy things with which I disagreed, but I didn’t say “and I’ll never buy from you again!!” No, I still tell people to go read fasion-incubator.com.I’m at a loss for words. A very lengthy loss for words, apparently. God help me, I’ve certainly written and/or said stupid things in my life; do I file this under Stupid, and let it go?
LikeLike
To paraphrase Dorothy Cannell, Xan sounds like a woman who has douched once too often with vinegar.I mean, really….I’m a perfectionist. At the same time, I see nothing wrong with experimentation. Yes, not everything works, but you learn as much from your mistakes as from your successes. And you might discover something wonderful in the process.
LikeLike
I sewed just to sew for years – it’s only in the past few years that I’ve sewn to actually WEAR the stuff. The process and figuring out the puzzles was enough for me, I just finally got tired of making all those clothes and not having anything to wear. But I got just as much pleasure out of sewing “just to sew something” as making some meaningful, perfect project that wouldn’t wrench someone’s gut.I support anyone’s right to make anything they want out of any fabric they want, using any technique they want. I don’t have to like it; I don’t have to wear it; I don’t have to use their techniques, fabrics or sewing machines. I also might like it, and learn something from what they’ve done.All that being said, I liked your dress. I didn’t love it as much as some (I have a big weakness for Liberty, so you know what ones I fall for), but even if I hadn’t liked it I would have kept my mouth politely shut – didn’t Xan’s mother ever tell her “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?” – and waited for your next fabulous dress.Fear of judgments and comments like that would definitely affect a beginner (or less secure) sewer. Bravo for being able to take the hit and show everyone that you’re better. Keep sewing.
LikeLike