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Interesting interview (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 2/15/10 10:14 AM ET
Here is a fascinating, if somewhat depressing, article about the state of fashion design and patternmaking in the US.
Runway Blog
ETA: I thought the most interesting comment was that consumers no longer understand or even care about fit!
-- Edited on 2/15/10 10:16 AM --
Runway Blog
ETA: I thought the most interesting comment was that consumers no longer understand or even care about fit!
-- Edited on 2/15/10 10:16 AM --
Posted on: 2/15/10 11:42 AM ET
This is just sad. The article applies to many different areas of used-to-be American made goods, not just garments. We have sold our selves overseas, and have become a nation of primarily sellers and warehousers, as stated in the article.
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Brother CE-500PRW, Singer 347,Singer 413, Singer 66, Singer 404, Singer 4622, Electrogrand,
Kenmore 158.17570, Kenmore 158.10400,
Viking Huskylock 901.... and several others
A seam a day
Keeps the blues away
Kenmore 158.17570, Kenmore 158.10400,
Viking Huskylock 901.... and several others
A seam a day
Keeps the blues away
Posted on: 2/15/10 11:44 AM ET
In reply to sewme47
Maybe that's why its hard to find clothing that fits in rtw today. Maybe when I was trying to get pants to fit me, I looked at a lot of rear ends and rarely found pants that fit that rear end. Thank goodness I can sew!
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Board Moderator
PR Weekend 2019 Organizer
Member since 3/1/06
Posts: 1530
Member since 3/1/06
Posts: 1530
Washington USA
Skill: Intermediate
Skill: Intermediate
Posted on: 2/15/10 1:57 PM ET
In reply to Nancy K
Quote: Nancy K
Maybe that's why its hard to find clothing that fits in rtw today. Maybe when I was trying to get pants to fit me, I looked at a lot of rear ends and rarely found pants that fit that rear end.
Maybe that's why its hard to find clothing that fits in rtw today. Maybe when I was trying to get pants to fit me, I looked at a lot of rear ends and rarely found pants that fit that rear end.
Maybe that's why the youth generation has taken to wearing pants below their rears.
Posted on: 2/15/10 3:45 PM ET
In reply to sewme47
Thanks for posting the link to this thought provoking article.
There are certainly many aspects to the problems cited in the article. But one that comes to the front of the line for me is the quantity versus quality mentality that seems to have taken over American culture (I can't speak about other societies). It's not restricted to the apparel and sewing markets. I'd point to housing, health care, autos, and food to name a few areas where quantity or size seems to take great precedence over quality and design. I look at China rising and wonder how long before we Americans will all be wearing the proverbial "Mao" jacket, Americanized as a super-sized "scrubs" motif with a built-in bib for fast food troughs, stamped in sparkling red glitter with "You Bettcha" over a 6X expanse of stretch poly-lycra twill.
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There are certainly many aspects to the problems cited in the article. But one that comes to the front of the line for me is the quantity versus quality mentality that seems to have taken over American culture (I can't speak about other societies). It's not restricted to the apparel and sewing markets. I'd point to housing, health care, autos, and food to name a few areas where quantity or size seems to take great precedence over quality and design. I look at China rising and wonder how long before we Americans will all be wearing the proverbial "Mao" jacket, Americanized as a super-sized "scrubs" motif with a built-in bib for fast food troughs, stamped in sparkling red glitter with "You Bettcha" over a 6X expanse of stretch poly-lycra twill.
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Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took…. (Shakespeare)
Posted on: 2/15/10 4:12 PM ET
I read that article (saw a link posted by one of our members on Facebook) and I found it interesting and thought-provoking. We are in a sense an "least common denominator" society and it's sad in some ways, but the rise of China is a good thing for the world economy. Sure, there are trade offs, but on the other hand, hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty due to our quest for more (in 2010, China now exports more every day than it did in all of 1979).
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Erin in Dallas
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
http://amateursewist.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 2/17/10 8:37 AM ET
Wow! That article made me sad for the fashion industry. Really, I think many people simply don't know what a good fit is, and that's probably why they don't care. If they can get the garment on, that's good enough for them.
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Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
Certified Palmer/Pletsch Pants Fitting Instructor
Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
Certified Palmer/Pletsch Pants Fitting Instructor
Blog: 21stcenturydiy.blogspot.com
Posted on: 2/17/10 10:35 AM ET
This article has helped me clarify my sewing goals. If RTW is about constructing something that looks good flat, and then throwing a little sparkle on it…yuck.
I realize more than ever that duplicating RTW is not something I aspire to. How much nicer and more flattering to wear clothing that is made to be worn on a body, not packed in a box or hung on a hanger. While I’ve never felt myself equal to couture construction, I will be looking to learn more traditional dressmaking and tailoring techniques, and putting them to use.
This is sad for people in fashion who have to find ways to sell stuff they think is substandard. Since we sew, we can opt out of the whole thing, but that's actually a little sad, too.
-- Edited on 2/17/10 10:36 AM --
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I realize more than ever that duplicating RTW is not something I aspire to. How much nicer and more flattering to wear clothing that is made to be worn on a body, not packed in a box or hung on a hanger. While I’ve never felt myself equal to couture construction, I will be looking to learn more traditional dressmaking and tailoring techniques, and putting them to use.
This is sad for people in fashion who have to find ways to sell stuff they think is substandard. Since we sew, we can opt out of the whole thing, but that's actually a little sad, too.
-- Edited on 2/17/10 10:36 AM --
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sewing blog: https://unzippedsewing.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 2/17/10 1:10 PM ET
I've been wondering....maybe it's just me, because I'm just getting re-started sewing my own after a long absence, but I keep running into people, or overhearing conversations by others, who are either just starting or getting back into sewing. Is this a trend?
I quit sewing because of life & time getting in the way, & the ability to find decent clothes much cheaper than I could make. Things have changed a bit, & now I have a bit more time, and it costs a small fortune (& a LOT of shopping time!) to find something I like that fits. Perhaps others are getting sick of finding ill-fitting carp as well, and finding that the DIY experience is well worth it? Not to mention the economy....if you want cheap, sure, buy the cheap RTW stuff. But if you do want to dress well & look good, you can certainly save $ by DIYing. (if you don't pay yourself much for your time, that is!) ;D
Probably just wishful thinking on my part, but I would love to find that DIY'ing is a trend....
-- Edited on 2/17/10 1:13 PM --
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I quit sewing because of life & time getting in the way, & the ability to find decent clothes much cheaper than I could make. Things have changed a bit, & now I have a bit more time, and it costs a small fortune (& a LOT of shopping time!) to find something I like that fits. Perhaps others are getting sick of finding ill-fitting carp as well, and finding that the DIY experience is well worth it? Not to mention the economy....if you want cheap, sure, buy the cheap RTW stuff. But if you do want to dress well & look good, you can certainly save $ by DIYing. (if you don't pay yourself much for your time, that is!) ;D
Probably just wishful thinking on my part, but I would love to find that DIY'ing is a trend....
-- Edited on 2/17/10 1:13 PM --
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http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
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