Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

One of a kind....
sarah in nyc Advanced NY USA Member since 1/8/05 Posts: 1594	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 11:36 AM how would you define "one of a kind".... I have been bumping up against vendors who do work in the same category that i work describing work as one of a kind..when they are I thikmore appropriaely called "customized" Do you think the terms are the same? or do they differ? what would you call a piece that one comes up withbeginnign to end with a client? when the client comes in...i start with a blank piece of paper. We tehn meet and come up with the complete concept for that piece...so what would you call that??? ------ sarah in nyc www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3604	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 11:44 AM Custom design by sarah in nyc ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
MegquiltsinVT Intermediate VT USA Member since 6/3/09 Posts: 86	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 11:49 AM It sounds as though those vendors are trying to portray their work as 'more special' than anyone else's work. Every day is 'one of a kind', each time I make spaghetti sauce it's 'one of a kind'. Even mass-produced items from my sewing room qualify as 'one of a kind' because I'm human and am simply unable to do things the same way twice. My two cents! ------ Pfaff QE4.0, 1222E, 796 Janome 1000cpx, 1110 dcx Singer Featherweight, grandmother's treadle New Home treadle
GoSewGirl   Advanced NY USA Member since 4/14/04 Posts: 397	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 11:49 AM I would call it custom design. I suppose you could say one of a kind also, in that I assume you are making only ONE of each custom design. To me if something is one-of-a-kind, it doesn't necessarily mean it's custom made, it just means *not mass-produced*. Everything I make is one of a kind, lol. HTH ------ Liz
poorpigling Advanced TX USA Member since 12/28/07 Posts: 10230	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 1:03 PM Custom most generally means you have made it according to a customers or personal wishes/specs.. For instance in a certain color just for that person.. One of a kind means you just made it .. but only one of it.. but not to any certain requirements. Now one can argue that every hand made item.. is a one of a kind in definition.. even factory goods will be one of a kind. I don't care for that term. However if one paints one floorcloth and only one not to any certain specs.. than I would accept that term for that item..
sarah in nyc Advanced NY USA Member since 1/8/05 Posts: 1594	Login to reply to this post In reply to MegquiltsinVT Like this post Date: 12/15/11 2:41 PM Even mass-produced items from my sewing room qualify as 'one of a kind' because I'm human and am simply unable to do things the same way twice. My two cents! perhaps the vendors are seeing things your way.. that a small batch mass produced item is one of a kind... I have trouble understanding this if i can see the same item line for line in stores all over the country , maybe a thread color differs but it's the same item in the same color scheme. so if that's one of a kind.....( the same thing but with barely visible to the eye differences) how do I describe work where each piece is a one off, vusually ( and in terms of technique) radically different from every other piece I produce and from what anyone else produces. I have some pieces that are variations on a theme...I think of those pieces as part of an extended family but not necessariy one of a kind, even if they are made with varying colors and fabrics. because by your reading, even factory made goods are " one of a kind" ------ sarah in nyc www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com
Michelle T Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 4191	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 3:39 PM I generally do not think of sewn goods when I think of one of a kind. I think more of things like a sculpture where one is cast, then the mold is broken, never to be used again. Or a wood carving or painting where only one is made. Custom, is making an item, say a dress or wallet, addressing the specific requests or needs of a client or customer. Unique is another word that can be used to describe an item that varies from other ones you have made. ------ Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student
Maggiedoll Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 1/8/10 Posts: 1425	Login to reply to this post In reply to sarah in nyc Like this post Date: 12/15/11 4:36 PM Quote: sarah in nyc what would you call a piece that one comes up withbeginnign to end with a client? when the client comes in...i start with a blank piece of paper. We tehn meet and come up with the complete concept for that piece...so what would you call that??? I'd call it "bespoke." I think that originally applied only to clothing but is usually used now to describe anything that's made exclusively for one person. Sidney Eileen has a good blurb about it in her faq. It's towards the bottom. ------ My (overly complicated) blog: http://maggiedoll.com/
Mel.J Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 7/30/02 Posts: 2624	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/15/11 4:36 PM I think of art too, what you're describing is a major work commissioned by a customer, designed for their preference. Custom design is a good word. The series pieces are individual, but not commissioned, not custom designed for a customer. IMO the consultation process is a really important differentiator for your business with the high-end pieces. This would need some tidying up - but if you have the space in a brochure or whatever I'd describe that you can produce "commissioned pieces, custom designed for you based on consultation". You could also mention you offer for sale individual works in artist's series. Of course this could also be used as part of your conversations/explanations about what you do. ------ Mel (Melbourne, Australia)
kkkkaty   Intermediate UT USA Member since 12/7/05 Posts: 2256	Login to reply to this post In reply to sarah in nyc Like this post Date: 12/15/11 4:52 PM I think "one of a kind" means "unique", so if I make a button-down shirt for myself, it's not really unique, since there are many shirts like it or similar to it, even if I didn't make them. ------ Viking Lily 545 Viking Ruby Bernina Activa 210 Brother 1034d

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.