tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post959977316228119939..comments2023-09-16T16:47:46.971+01:00Comments on SewRuth: What do YOU think?Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-31013373724346772842013-02-03T11:11:31.458+00:002013-02-03T11:11:31.458+00:00I know I am waaaaay late for this discussion, but ...I know I am waaaaay late for this discussion, but you made me think, so now I have to write it down. I too fall for the fantasy sell every time and while my life away daydreaming over the latest photo of Marion Cotillard in Dior. But over the past year I've fallen so behind in my blog reading that it became very obvious which ones I wasn't following anymore. I now notice that the blogs I've kept are of two types: a handful of celebrity stylist-type feeding my need for fantasy, and then blogs by women with whom I share something in common: taste, size or body shape. And yes, my absolute favorites are indeed those with whom I share all 3!Luciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135632068660255341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-53679737419470361162012-10-23T17:48:50.468+01:002012-10-23T17:48:50.468+01:00I would be interested to know the publication stat...I would be interested to know the publication statistics of any other magazine during the same period. Newsweek just announced that it is going digital only and all the crochet magazines have digitial editions. The internet has had a profound effect on magazine publishing. <br /><br />Personally, I find it frustrating trying to extrapolate how a garment would look on me as a plus size when it is modeled by someone significantly smaller than me. Who wants to waste valuable time and resources making a garment for themselves only to discover that the style doesn't suit them?BeeHookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06125135512004606543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-49777580117075552582012-10-23T02:17:33.419+01:002012-10-23T02:17:33.419+01:00Great post and such interesting thoughts. I'v...Great post and such interesting thoughts. I've noticed the same PR trend and have tried to only comment when something really impresses me. But the almost universal appeal of younger, thinner isn't much of a surprise since it's just marketers taking advantage of our innate desire to procreate the species. No, I don't mean with size 0 super models but all cultures are drawn to more symmetrical figures and features and the closer an indivdual is to the ideal, the more likely they are to be considered beautiful. Now, should the media or advertisers try to change that? I think the magazine experiment is interesting. I'm curious about the results of Dove soap's "real women" campaign which has been playing for some years. Is there a difference in showing "real women" in a magzine where we want our wishes for a better life to be revealed or in a commercial where the marketer wants more and more "every day people" to buy a product? Nice discussion, everyone.Jane Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10236298438179825569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-76146578586468495632012-10-20T08:27:53.687+01:002012-10-20T08:27:53.687+01:00I like PR - there's a few times when I didn...I like PR - there's a few times when I didn't buy a pattern because of the reviews. I haven't heard of Kollabora and you are certainly not too old or large - you have enviable sewing ability and that's what I like.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-15902868899246000232012-10-20T08:26:19.593+01:002012-10-20T08:26:19.593+01:00A little bit of reality is called for on some occa...A little bit of reality is called for on some occasions that's true. I've made some clothes that just aren't my style or suitable for my shape because I fell for the 'image' on the pattern envelope. I too like to see the full size versions.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-41893110153357889742012-10-20T08:23:38.939+01:002012-10-20T08:23:38.939+01:00Ah, maturity and experience - these are the things...Ah, maturity and experience - these are the things one just has to wait for in life. I too love to see fun dresses but know they're not for me.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-81462894936844271592012-10-20T08:21:49.451+01:002012-10-20T08:21:49.451+01:00I suppose self drafted patterns are not replicable...I suppose self drafted patterns are not replicable by the viewers but that doesn't take away from the creativity and skills involved. Interesting point about size vs personality - in a photo there's not much scope for personality.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-90095492893722921302012-10-20T08:19:50.379+01:002012-10-20T08:19:50.379+01:00Yes, but we all like a wiggle dress and I'm pa...Yes, but we all like a wiggle dress and I'm passed the baby clothes stage though I really admire the skill in making small things and some of them are beautiful.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-42261086987923327062012-10-20T08:14:43.238+01:002012-10-20T08:14:43.238+01:00I do like to see a pattern made up and worn by a r...I do like to see a pattern made up and worn by a real person too - it gives a better idea of what the actual garment will look like but I suppose if Vogue did this in the beginning then not too many patterns would be sold. They do have their Facebook page where they published sewers pics - so they're not that removed from reality.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-19271927082141146362012-10-20T08:11:53.587+01:002012-10-20T08:11:53.587+01:00I've fallen for this delusion more times than ...I've fallen for this delusion more times than I care to think about.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-29827416942199859582012-10-20T08:11:11.729+01:002012-10-20T08:11:11.729+01:00I'm with you on this on - I'll look just l...I'm with you on this on - I'll look just like that too! Been there, done that and I'm still doing it...Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-2866417547606820772012-10-20T08:10:26.861+01:002012-10-20T08:10:26.861+01:00I've thought that the overall economic situati...I've thought that the overall economic situation may have effected sales, it could be quite complex to analyse. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932941271891297975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-21318211176829218952012-10-17T18:15:07.005+01:002012-10-17T18:15:07.005+01:00I think you're right. And on PR I love that I ...I think you're right. And on PR I love that I have an opportunity to meet sewists of all sizes! And to recognize work as I see it - if it's poor work I won't comment, ditto if it is an uninspiring repeat. I like good effort, new work, good reviews, etc. Aren't we lucky to have that forum? I was putting garments on Kollabora but now they have revamped their format/focus along lines you've mentioned - suddenly my things are never seen, hard to find! Oh, am I too old or large or fuddy duddy? I'm laughing as well, but I don't submit now and will delete my things one of these days. I was a bit insulted...Cocohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13784505178222083364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-78314512457358957622012-10-17T16:19:17.847+01:002012-10-17T16:19:17.847+01:00Its ironic, isnt it? Some of us sew because the in...Its ironic, isnt it? Some of us sew because the industry doesnt want to sell our size, but we gravitate toward the tiny, trendy without realizing how counterproductive it is. I do skim PR looking for the few popular real sized gals - i know what it looks like on micro, i want to see adults!prttynpnkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16513331416653286924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-46879714665829171882012-10-15T21:39:43.081+01:002012-10-15T21:39:43.081+01:00You are right. I think Katherina sums up the situ...You are right. I think Katherina sums up the situation pretty well. I don't tend to cruise the review gallery on PR, but instead look up specific patterns that I am considering. I find it really useful in that way. <br />I think blogs that feature young women in brightly coloured, retro dresses are fun to look at and have appeal beyond the sewing community. Now, because I really want to sew great garments, it's the careful detailed blogs of middle aged women that are pure gold for me. I learn so much. Get great tips, and often feel inspired. Bright, vintage dresses are fun for a quick glance, but I don't want to sashay down my local high street looking like mini-mouses long lost sister, lol!Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06551387452771116176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-38061381889167633152012-10-15T17:27:09.357+01:002012-10-15T17:27:09.357+01:00Ooh, can I be controversial and say I've come ...Ooh, can I be controversial and say I've come to totally different (not opposite) conclusions?<br /><br />I think in blogosphere any size of blogger draws a crowd so long as you market yourself or your blog attractively, e.g as a "personality".<br /><br />As for PR: I think people sew for different reasons: sometimes because they can't find a good fit or what they like in the shops and sometimes because it's a hobby they really enjoy. <br /><br />Or maybe it's their profession or because <i> not </i> doing something creative would drive them insane (I'd like to think of myself as a case of the latter who being jobless is trying to make a change for the former). <br /><br />I haven't noticed that slim people get more hits on PR, but I've come to suspect that Vogue patterns and the "latest releases" draw good crowds... <br /><br />It also strikes me as sad but true that self-drafted patterns don't draw many views, particularly when they're for kids. But I'm not bitter. After all, the website <i> is </i> called <i> Pattern </i> Review!<br /><br /> Mariannahttp://www.sew2pro.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-56086698275497859362012-10-15T15:08:45.354+01:002012-10-15T15:08:45.354+01:00Yes, I agree with you and with the respondents abo...Yes, I agree with you and with the respondents above. I also feel that PR has attracted a lot of new stitchers, and the gallery does show a lot of younger, slimmer "models". I have noticed that certain styles get more hits and comments, and I think that those styles might be assc with the younger, slimmer crowd. For example, baby clothes don't get a lot of hits but wiggle dresses do. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03517527498809073174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-86174551626805757432012-10-15T13:21:53.908+01:002012-10-15T13:21:53.908+01:00I think it's all about marketing and as others...I think it's all about marketing and as others have said, the dream that exists that you, too, will look awesome in the same outfit. As far as blogs, the ones I enjoy are the ones that show detailed photographs of the process of creating the garment, photos of the garment on themselves (not on a hanger)and whose style I also enjoy. I did follow one sewing blog for a bit but it became a "what I wore" blog and frankly I don't care what someone wears. :) She has excellent sewng skills (that's apparent) but her clothing always looks two sizes too small, even her shoes! <br /><br />Humans are fickle creatures. We love seeing the unrealistic and beautiful, wishing we ourselves appeared that way, yet at the same time wish media portrayed average and ordinary, the things we loathe in ourselves. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-88196420932447987342012-10-15T11:56:20.882+01:002012-10-15T11:56:20.882+01:00I think Katharina has summed it up well, Karl L, t...I think Katharina has summed it up well, Karl L, too. It's about fantasy. Wow, that woman on the pattern cover looks great, slim, sophisticated, ready for anything! That dress will surely do the same for me. Buy. Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-15626218336068506072012-10-15T06:36:10.733+01:002012-10-15T06:36:10.733+01:00It's what dreams are made of: if I buy or sew ...It's what dreams are made of: if I buy or sew something that I've seen on a slim, young, and beautiful woman, then I will look slim, young, and beautiful, too. People aren't rational beings, and that's okey.Katharinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-75135497991264912662012-10-15T05:39:38.147+01:002012-10-15T05:39:38.147+01:00I've read a couple of articles on the Brigiite...I've read a couple of articles on the Brigiite experiment and seen some of the issues. Personally I loved seeing real women instead of over-perfect models! ! I had heard they were going back to using models. One of the reasons was that it is much more time consuming to use non-professionals as they had to take the time to teach them so much. As to the drop in sales during the time they used "real women" I think most magazines have lost sales over the same period as readers are getting more and more input from free blogs and websites. So i wonder if the drop in readership can be blamed on the fact that they weren't using professional models anymore?WeLoveSewinghttp://welovesewing-manila.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136040603292106359.post-55012075877934360252012-10-14T21:51:10.143+01:002012-10-14T21:51:10.143+01:00you knocked the nail right on the head!!you knocked the nail right on the head!!pdiddlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12231666147175522583noreply@blogger.com