Comments on: Take A Class Okay?

By: Valerie

Valerie — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:30:39 +0000

I will be honest I have not read all the replies here, but did want to jump in and add my 2 cents. I do sew, I flunked that part of Home Ec, but when I got married my Mother in Law took me under her wing and showed me how to glance over the pictures in the pattern, and then toss it. She did guide me, but most of what I learned was by trial and error (thank goodness for clearance sales on material) and self researching. I am also a cake decorating instructor, and have discovered it is not just in one area that people want to be spoon fed, and have things done for them for free, it is in every thing we do today. Problem is no one is taught to think for themselves these days. If they are not allowed to sit on their blessed assurance and be handed everything, they just sit and whine. Thanks for being bold enough to share your 2 cents!!!

By: Echo

Echo — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:37:59 +0000

Oh yeah! I am a new’ish sewer and couldn’t agree more with you. I take lessons when I can and am so grateful to the wonderful folk out there with blogs like this, and the many more per the comments above, where you lovely much more skilled & experienced people provide information and tips etc. So, thank you for the post and to you all out there in the blogging world.

By: Pam ~OFF THE CUFF~

Pam ~OFF THE CUFF~ — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:33:45 +0000

First, thanks SEW ROGUE, for the PR “behind the scenes” info…interesting.

Secondly…I provide a lot of sewing instruction on my blog, based on the the amount of free time I have to do so. I also do reviews of patterns there. I rarely post a review on PR because like Sew Rogue (above) I avoid writing a review and posting it to a place where someone profits.

No one has to pay anything to read my opinions of a pattern, etc. And likewise I enjoy blogs like this one and the other many excellent blogs that experienced sewists take the time to author.

By: Sew Rogue

Sew Rogue — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:16:09 +0000

I am amazed that PR still exists. I remember when Deepika first developed the site and was using free opportunites on already developed sewing sites to freely market it, mostly on the defunct sewingworld.com. I sent her a private message that I objected to that behavior because I believed it would eventually be a for-profit enterprise. She responded that was not her intention. Then I discovered her husband posting on hi-tech sites about how to charge people to subscribe, when the subscribers will be providing the content. I posted the husband’s posts on PR. There was a huge reaction.

I would never spend one minute of time writing a review and posting it to a place that someone else will profit. I much prefer blogs like this one.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:16:54 +0000

AMEN. I didn’t follow that thread to its conclusion, and it sounds like that was a good thing. There is so much to like about the internet & sites like PR, but it’s becoming less rewarding all the time. I’m astounded at some people’s attitudes. Aside from the nastiness, I’m always dismayed at the “let’s bombard them with e-mails and make them do things our way” plots.

Mostly I view PR as a way to share what I’m making with my PR friends. I still review, and I look over the archived reviews before sewing something new – but I hardly ever post on the discussion boards anymore. Pity, because I used to enjoy it so much.

By: Elle

Elle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:14:08 +0000

Oh, I hope this doesn’t drive you and others away from PR! It is a tremendous resource, and the bigger it gets, the more unwieldy and subject to abuse. Drat.

I have never viewed it as a free resource. As soon as I read a few reviews, I paid for membership, and have been doing so ever since. I’ve taken every Shannon Gifford class, most of Sarah Veblen’s (taking 2 now), a couple with Kenneth King, and just finished the LBD class with Susan Khalje.

You’re right, incredible sewing education opportunities. These teachers are so generous with their time and knowledge, and the time is much better spent with them than floundering around on one’s own, even if you do (and I do) have and read all of Claire Shaeffer’s books. And a few by Adele Margolis.

I hope to take Susan Khalje’s French Jacket and Couture classes this year. I wouldn’t even know about these if not for PR.

People who are looking for free advice are missing the best part of PR.

And I love the reviews for all the reason “me” (not me-me, but “me” two reviews above) listed.

Regards,
Elle

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:44:06 +0000

Wow. I guess I don’t spend enough time on PR. This is shocking to me.

I just want to say that I appreciate all of the sewing blogs that I’ve found online, present company included of course! I have learned a lot from the freely given tips and found a lot of inspiration. Inspiration that led me to find resources to teach myself more. I can’t imagine why anyone would expect anything more than that from people who were spending their precious free time providing a free service.

Thank you all for what you do!

By: me

me — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:43:42 +0000

I am grateful for every review. I am self-thought and wouldn’t call myself experienced, but I think a pattern review doesn’t need to be sewing lesson. I like to look at the clothes on normal people with different figures to find out if it would work on me. I appreciate if somebody tipps me off if the pattern runs large or small and where there may be problems, or if something is unexpectedly difficult. I rather have a lot of short reviews as no review at at all, because it is too much work. And a big thank you to all of you who bother to make the reviews, its appreciated.

By: marianne isaacs

marianne isaacs — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:35:12 +0000

Hello , All I can say is that I have learned alot from blogs and have been inspired to do more sewing than before . Partly that has been because so many of you have been generous and really so giving in your time and energy in writing grreat blogs . I work in the health industry and also do work with foster children . I soon worked out that doing anything because you want people to be grateful and appreciative will end in dissapointment. When you come to this realization you can either stop and pull back and nurse your anger or you can keep doing it but also stand up for yourself , look after yourself and say “no ” when it all gets too much . The world needs more of the latter in my opinion.
I think that often people often lack the self confidence to do it on their own and so become dependent rather than standing on their own 2 feet.I know I have been guilty of that on the odd occasion.

By: Polly

Polly — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:42:49 +0000

Of course, but it’s the presence of good leaders who make or break a community.

Yes, I am largely self-taught, and I view PR as a free educational resource for improving my skills. No, I don’t believe that the more experienced sewers owe me or anyone else their guidance for any reason.

However, I have not been pleased with my experiences at the site when I have visited in the recent past. I have found most of the pattern reviews mediocre or uninformative. When I post questions that I can’t answer from my collection of sewing books, I have received answers from people who don’t know what they are talking about. This experience does not encourage me to come back or contribute my expertise to the site.

And so I spend my time contributing freely to another site where many people see their posts as an opportunity to teach others, and people are generous in sharing their knowledge. Because that’s what I want to get, and that’s what I want to give.