When I was writing my blog post about my madras shirt I mulled over whether or not to post it to Pattern Review. And for the first time since 2002 I decided “why bother?”, and in fact, my interest in PR has reached the point we part ways in terms of further contributions.
This decision is somewhat motivated by the current rancid climate over there – that alone could be the subject of several blog posts. The powers that be at PR are certainly making plenty of people angry these days. My big issue is that every time I look at PR I see Web 2004. For some reason, PR is stuck in this web time warp that is pre-social networking, and pre-rich media. There are no videos. There is no robust search engine to locate site content. The interface design hasn’t been updated since a new logo was created years ago and the color palette has not changed since day one. The e-commerce function doesn’t utilize any of the current catalog technology that even the Big 4 have added to their websites. Burdastyle has it all over PR in terms of an attractive interface. And then there is the childish behavior on the message boards and a lack of transparency and less-than-professional behavior by the owners. I left middle school a long time ago and I don’t need to relive it on the Internet.
Still, PR is the 800 lb gorilla in its category and the membership is pretty high. But you know what? It reminds me of another membership driven web powerhouse that made people angry , missed many opportunities to innovate and is now a shadow of its former self. It was called America OnLine.
You are certainly right about the search engine employed on the site. Try finding a specific sewing machine; it can’t be done. I have given up searching for topics it’s so hard to find anything by searching the boards. I don’t know anything about computers, but obviously there are better ways to do things than what they are using. I try and avoid the non sewing topics, so I’ve missed the original issues, but the rancorous debate that followed, wow. I think that they are going to lose a lot if they don’t make some very real changes.
Thanks for this. PR is a hard-to-use website, there’s a wealth of information there but it’s so hard to access I don’t try anymore. The look is very dated and the owners are not interested in feedback or suggestions. I think I will cancel my subscription. I hope your prediction is right about another more flexible modern opportunity opening up because I love the promise of PR.
I gave up on posting reviews a long time ago after receiving some snarky comments from some of the other members. Life is too short and all that…
I too cannot access the site with any ease. I thought it was me because I am a non paying member. I have gained wonderful information, but continually I wonder how this product could well be served by a face lift.
I don’t use PR much anymore except to skim reviews when I’m debating over a pattern, so I’m not that aware about the lack of transparency by the owners that you mention. I have noticed, though, that the boards tend to flare up really quickly — and I agree that the design needs to be updated. I click over there and the design and colors give me a headache!
I sort of agree with you. I don’t pay a subscription because I’m uk based, and would get very little value.
It’s very useful for looking up other people’s experience of patterns, and that’s easy enough to search. Finding anything else is nearly impossible.
And yes it looks dreary, not unlike quite a lot of very sound, worthy, out of date and ever-so dull books on sewing. And that’s a shame because so many new sewists need resources and help. So if PR looked more like Ravelry or Burdastyle and was more upbeat that’d do a great deal of good.
I haven’t had any experience of snarkiness though.
Phyllis, I feel much the same.
Just going to PR hurts my eyes…not to mention the often contentious message boards, the way PR virtually “owns” everything anyone posts (photos, reviews, tips, etc). The fact that one cannot delete their own reviews amazes me…and the list goes on and on. Count me “out” of that site…unless some serious changes are made, but I’m not waiting to exhale
I’ll continue to post all my sewing tutorials, tips, and techniques on my own site…my humble little blog
I just cancelled my subscription this morning.
Now that you mention it I realize that I have only skimmed that site in the last year . You’re absolutely right about the outdated graphics and confusing layout of information. When I first joined I check it everyday,now I hardly ever use it. Maybe this will be a wakeup call and they will update their site.
AOL ROFLOL! You needed a spew alert on that one. And as you probably already know, I heartily agree with everything you’ve said.
I recently was reading sewing machine reviews on PR and some poor soul made the mistake of posting his/her review in an incomplete (to some readers) manner. He/she was pilloried by some of the readers- I was embarrassed just reading what was written. There was a hue and cry for the moderators to step in- not to stop the verbal abuse (as I saw it) of the poor reviewer, but for the moderator to delete the ‘incomplete’ post or to chasten the reviewer to give more details in his/her review. I was rather dismayed, to say the least. I ‘thought’ that people were more understanding. What if that person had a poor grasp of the English language or poor communication skills? If I don’t like, or agree with, what someone says in a public forum I can (and usually do) keep my opinions to myself- ESPECIALLY on a website dedicated to sewing! I lost a lot of respect for PR that day. I doubt I will waste my time posting reviews, tips, etc.- I don’t want someone jumping down MY throat for not giving enough info. That being said, I have found several blogs (including this one) that I enjoy reading and learning from. Phyllis, girl, you rock with needle and thread
June
Hello Phyllis , I am always so dissappointed by a lack in generosity of spirit. I think there are alot of angy people out there who take it out on easy targets at the end of a computer keyboard. There is nothing easier than venting without any immediate consequnces. A very large componant of human communication is visual and I guess that technology has taken that out of the equation and we are all paying for it .
I always thought my difficulties with PR was me being a clutz but maybe not.
I love you shirt and am inspied to make something similar although we are now heading into winter with our first cold night in months .
I agree completely. I’m replacing my reviews there (356 of them) with “review deleted by candyo”, repeated enough times to reach the 100 word requirement. I just don’t want to be part of a site that is so poorly run, and I don’t like how the owner conducts herself.
Phyllis – great post. As someone who is relatively new to sewing and the online sewing forum world, I am always curious to hear another person’s opinion on things – it is nice to have another voice to confirm my thoughts.
By the way – it appears you do not have a spam comment filter on here, as the comment above (from Tea Party Latest) is quite obviously spam. Or perhaps it is one of Ann’s former customers trying to infiltrate the blogging ranks.
Thanks Kerry I saw that! I do use the WordPress spam filter (had 71 impounded the last time I checked) but I don’t moderate comments so that kook got through. They’re gone as you can see.
Something I know for sure– if they’d been willing to act on feedback (general and technical) provided from well-meaning members over MANY years, they’d be in a much better place right now. Talk about missed opportunities.
I am so sorry that you’ve all decided PR is not working for you. That’s where I found all of you! That said, I only pop into PR occasionally now because I’m too busy reading sewing blogs.
Tory aka sew’n'go
I stopped venturing there some time back for these very reasons. I find better information by searching blogs for what I’m looking for. This is from someone who has been there from the beginning…
I just wish sewingworld was still around – there I’ve said it. If anyone doesn’t remember, PR started there, but we seemed so much more joined there than we are now. Artisan’s square is good, but I still miss the old community.
When I first discovered PR a few years ago, I was completely infatuated and spent hours reading the message boards. I seldom read the message boards any more. I evolved and PR did not. I’m only aware of the contentiousness because it’s been mentioned in a few blogs. I still believe PR has great potential and I haven’t given it up completely. An update of the interface would be a great start.
When Ravelry comes up with a sewing counterpart, PR will be toast.