How much do you love that title?? Power Sewing! Sweet! It really is an awesome book, full of wonderful techniques. Sandra Betzina is amazing, and while I don't really like her personal style of dressing, her methods are unbelievably good. She spends a lot of time talking about how to make your clothing look like RTW. Interesting? It got me thinking about how we (as a society) think of clothing that is home-sewn. I once fixed a horribly botched formal-to-semiformal conversion for a friend. The bad job had been done by a professional tailor, but her biggest concern about my fix (and a concern which I understand completely!) was that it not look "homemade". I've been thinking a lot about that word since then. We love homemade cookies, but a dress? No way! I think that the word homemade, in the context of textile arts, has come to mean sloppy and poorly finished. My work is neither of those things. But I also don't want my clothing to look like RTW; if I did I wouldn't sew! I think I prefer the term "handmade". When someone (who doesn't know I sew) sees something that I've made, I want them to ask, "Where did you get that?", but not be thinking JCPenny, Gymboree or Charlotte Russe. I want them to think high-end boutique or fabulous Etsy craftsperson. I make things that are handmade!Thursday, July 9, 2009
Homemade?
The Temple Public Library has a surprisingly decent sewing section, and last week when I went to reload Logan's bookshelf, I picked up a few. This is the one I am working on right now.
How much do you love that title?? Power Sewing! Sweet! It really is an awesome book, full of wonderful techniques. Sandra Betzina is amazing, and while I don't really like her personal style of dressing, her methods are unbelievably good. She spends a lot of time talking about how to make your clothing look like RTW. Interesting? It got me thinking about how we (as a society) think of clothing that is home-sewn. I once fixed a horribly botched formal-to-semiformal conversion for a friend. The bad job had been done by a professional tailor, but her biggest concern about my fix (and a concern which I understand completely!) was that it not look "homemade". I've been thinking a lot about that word since then. We love homemade cookies, but a dress? No way! I think that the word homemade, in the context of textile arts, has come to mean sloppy and poorly finished. My work is neither of those things. But I also don't want my clothing to look like RTW; if I did I wouldn't sew! I think I prefer the term "handmade". When someone (who doesn't know I sew) sees something that I've made, I want them to ask, "Where did you get that?", but not be thinking JCPenny, Gymboree or Charlotte Russe. I want them to think high-end boutique or fabulous Etsy craftsperson. I make things that are handmade!
How much do you love that title?? Power Sewing! Sweet! It really is an awesome book, full of wonderful techniques. Sandra Betzina is amazing, and while I don't really like her personal style of dressing, her methods are unbelievably good. She spends a lot of time talking about how to make your clothing look like RTW. Interesting? It got me thinking about how we (as a society) think of clothing that is home-sewn. I once fixed a horribly botched formal-to-semiformal conversion for a friend. The bad job had been done by a professional tailor, but her biggest concern about my fix (and a concern which I understand completely!) was that it not look "homemade". I've been thinking a lot about that word since then. We love homemade cookies, but a dress? No way! I think that the word homemade, in the context of textile arts, has come to mean sloppy and poorly finished. My work is neither of those things. But I also don't want my clothing to look like RTW; if I did I wouldn't sew! I think I prefer the term "handmade". When someone (who doesn't know I sew) sees something that I've made, I want them to ask, "Where did you get that?", but not be thinking JCPenny, Gymboree or Charlotte Russe. I want them to think high-end boutique or fabulous Etsy craftsperson. I make things that are handmade!
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5 comments:
Of course, handmade is a friendlier term. Now, is our work perfect? No, that's why it's handmade. There are variations, customizations, and even imperfections.
I really like what Myra said...
Your projects look amazing!!! And I would totally think "high end" boutique. But as for those shorts...from what I can see, they are going to be AMAZING!!!! I LOVE THE FABRIC! I might have to look into getting this magazine...
Well said, Myra, and thanks, Carrie! After this project, I am already thinking about subscribing. I am loving it!
Your work is good, you are brave to do men's pants. I am not brave enough for that. As for items I sell, I do the best I can, and I think it is pretty good, but handmade is never perfect, but then, neither is RTW.
I love handmade. I have noticed that people don't look at me anymore like "uh...homemade? ew." Now they have more looks like "wow" and ask a ton of questions on how I did this or that.
I love your stuff!!
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