tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post8774601418741647840..comments2024-03-28T07:31:16.882-04:00Comments on Stitches and Seams: Sour Grapes?Debbie Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03601675304884019607noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-48000876484309701622013-12-26T09:40:13.330-05:002013-12-26T09:40:13.330-05:00**applauds******applauds****Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09373196314064246658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-8054729840661462562013-12-06T14:29:20.029-05:002013-12-06T14:29:20.029-05:00Going on a tangent here but ... to the people who ...Going on a tangent here but ... to the people who are posting "too much negativity! Only say nice stuff! Be kind!", I say women's voices -- speaking out, speaking up, and speaking for -- are generally a good thing. Our opinions and viewpoints matter. <br /><br />I'm broadening the scope here, perhaps ridiculously so, but I think women are expected to always be "nice." When we're also told "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all," then we're basically supposed to "shut up and take it."<br /><br />Maybe that's okay (even appropriate) in some cases. But in many, many other cases -- bullying, harassment, rape, domestic violence, etc -- it is NOT. <br /><br />This soapbox stand isn't directed to anyone in particular, and yea, it's kinda out of left field. I just felt it was important to validate speaking about our thoughts, feelings, and experiences, even if they're not "nice" and might upset someone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-53737680241718724592013-12-03T20:05:09.740-05:002013-12-03T20:05:09.740-05:00hahahahaha hilarious. And sad. But I'm an opti...hahahahaha hilarious. And sad. But I'm an optimist so I'll focus on the first option. <br /><br>I have had three different run ins with this pattern maker (none of which involved my interacting directly with her, all of which involved my interactions with <em>other</em> users (on twitter and in the comments sections of other people's blogs) which she took offense at and retaliated to. While I found it quite humorous (and indicative of her mental state/attitude at the time) I don't actually buy her stuff or know anyone that does so it doesn't really make it difference to me.<br><br />It did, however, make a difference to many of her customers/future customers though, as after one such incident I got 17 different emails for various people online that essentially went along the lines of 'What at b*tch, she's not getting my money'. Some were more polite than others, but it speaks volumes about how bad boundaries (or no boundaries at all) and a lack of respect for other people's right to express their opinion is detrimental not only to mental health, but customer response as well. The day she lost it on twitter, three different people I know in real life muted her instantly. I have had people come to meetups in Melbourne (at times that she's been there) email me to make sure she isn't attending the meetup/the meetup itinerary doesn't involve interactions with her. <br /><br> So yea, laugh it off (as best you can) and be happy she ain't your mum. Can you imagine living with that day in and day out? Jeez the husband must be a genuinely nice fella (or just completely broken-something I discussed with a psychologist friend of mine-apparently this is textbook controlling behaviour). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-53854475293521601792013-12-01T02:41:22.361-05:002013-12-01T02:41:22.361-05:00Wow. Hey, if you don't like a blog because the...Wow. Hey, if you don't like a blog because the blogger expresses her opinion-- Ta Ta. If you can't handle anything but a glowing review of your product, work harder. If you are going to post comments to a blogger and her commentariat that is condescending, arrogant and full of excuses, remember, this is the internet--it will live here forever whether Debbie takes it off her blog or not (which is up to her). I truly believe Debbie was as fair and balanced with her review and her approach was no different with Cake Patterns than any other pattern company. She is experienced enough to troubleshoot the problems and fix them, which she did-- she did not need to ask Stephanie's help. It is not her job to contact Cake Patterns to tell them errors she found-- instead she can be like the rest of us who just won't buy anymore. I think it is dirty pool to bring in her non-sewing related professional ups and downs in her face. Rowsellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02744798941132024212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-52688337083734671372013-11-25T11:34:06.346-05:002013-11-25T11:34:06.346-05:00Pattern Junkie and Mrs. Mole. I second that! May I...Pattern Junkie and Mrs. Mole. I second that! May I add that I am eternally grateful my silly exploits were never made available on-line, as I am too old for that. <br />Count to ten everyone.... <br />A friend and I often tell each other our troubles. Then we'll joke about what we'd like to say to that person/those people. Laugh some more. Then calm down, and most importantly we tone it down until we come up with some helpful ideas. <br />I don't do facebook, I don't do twitter, I barely use chat features... my reason is that I don't want to say something in the heat of the moment, and then have to apologize/explain to many people. (Or have it go viral, horrors!) Sometimes I'll even write an email in the evening, and not send it till I've reread in the morning.<br /><br />Fresh start everyone? <br /><br />Mary in Thailand<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-69246682689704290392013-11-23T17:33:18.687-05:002013-11-23T17:33:18.687-05:00This is Debbie's blog and I really don't t...This is Debbie's blog and I really don't think any of us have the right to tell her what to do with her blog. If we like it we follow it, if not we don't. She can post what she likes and I others post rude och offensive comments on her blog it is only natural that she react!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-860232731133877912013-11-23T17:11:12.089-05:002013-11-23T17:11:12.089-05:00We get it - you hate Steph, you hate Connie Crawfo... We get it - you hate Steph, you hate Connie Crawford, your innocent and clueless about why you were fired from your previous job, you hate anyone who dares to say you shouldn't post too much about your jobs search online (not me, btw, although I could tell you why you were fired if you were the kind of person who could listen). Just go get drunk and forget it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-11410831521013204022013-11-22T20:12:31.980-05:002013-11-22T20:12:31.980-05:00I'm going to second the above poster's com...I'm going to second the above poster's comment. This has gotten out of hand. I think that it would be a kindness to delete this whole post and all the comments. Steph has surely learned a valuable lesson about customer relations. She's had an ugly online spat that has no doubt damaged her company and her reputation. Maybe now it would be a kindness to let her lick her wounds, step back, reassess how she engages with her customers, and start over, without this thread hanging over her?Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05331877502227636707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-20527398606062851982013-11-22T04:11:19.008-05:002013-11-22T04:11:19.008-05:00What a shame. Two bloggers who I have been readin...What a shame. Two bloggers who I have been reading avidly for the last 2-3 years and who I have gained a lot from, both extremely unimpressed with each other in a very public forum. <br /><br />It's impossible for me not to be disappointed with the process on this blog relating to Red Velvet and Cake Patterns and by 'process' I include all relevant posts and all of the comments on those posts. <br /><br />I have experienced excellent customer service from Cake Patterns. I am one of the beginner types who has benefited greatly from Steph's pattern sizing techniques. After trying out various knit sewing methods on my 30+ year old sewing machine, lightning stitch has been the only one which has worked. Though I agree, you have to be utterly certain that the basted version is the perfect version, as unpicking just isn't an option. <br /><br />I live in New Zealand, where all patterns are expensive. So because of that, I don't have a sense that Steph has to provide a premium experience, but of course I would if I was paying much more for her patterns than for big four patterns.<br /><br />The Tiramisu dress was when I finally hit the jackpot. I'd been making wadder dresses for the previous two years, trying to upskill as I went. I had to tweak the pattern to get the best fit, but no where near as much as for other patterns. So I became a pretty big fan. That's what it's like as a new sewist, and I expect we've all been there at some point in our sewing journeys.<br /><br />I've never known Steph outside of her blog and Cake Patterns company. I've paid full price for all of the patterns. I've never known Debbie Cook outside of her blog and Pattern Review. <br /><br />I'm not exonerating Steph's comments on this blog. They have been unwise, to use the gentlest adjective. But I never would have predicted this stoush from two fabulous sewists. I'm reminding myself that although the internet seems to bring some big crashes in terms of online nasty disputes which turn into mass fights, overwhelmingly the internet has made better sewists of thousands and thousands of people through the generosity of bloggers and the entrepreneurial spirit of patternmakers, including and even particularly Debbie and Steph.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to more pattern reviews on this blog, and to Steph finding a way to build her reputation again.Sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00679010667380926214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-61438331760353286942013-11-21T23:06:12.215-05:002013-11-21T23:06:12.215-05:00No, I don't think I'll be following or sup...No, I don't think I'll be following or supporting either of you any longer. This is ridiculous. Both of you behaved terribly. Either of you could have backed down or simply let it go a long time ago but you chose instead to feed off each other's negativity. And you both seem to have cheerleaders who are eager to cheer you on while piling on the "other guy."<br /><br />I'll be removing both of you from any feeds and other social media.The Hot Messhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-88800102700698798102013-11-21T17:44:37.568-05:002013-11-21T17:44:37.568-05:00
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Mov...<br /> The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,<br /> Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit<br /> Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,<br /> Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it<br />-- Omar KhayyamMaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402352199439757697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-77680667336842682812013-11-21T08:35:27.581-05:002013-11-21T08:35:27.581-05:00Debbie, I love reading your blog, and have done so...Debbie, I love reading your blog, and have done so for years. I think it's quite possible that this pattern line will self-destruct if no changes are made, but do you want to be on the firing line? May I suggest that the last 2 postings and comments be removed from your blog? Just leave your pattern reviews standing.<br /><br />Just a thought. I believe the only hope for humanity at this time in our history is to allow kindness and graciousness to permeate all our dealings with fellow human beings, in spite of situations that inspire other emotions.<br />MarianneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-25771076889346120132013-11-21T08:26:46.539-05:002013-11-21T08:26:46.539-05:00Kudos Debbie! I think those posts that Steph has ...Kudos Debbie! I think those posts that Steph has now deleted should be kept as part of what happened and to show her true character. Steph, who do you think you are?! First you bash her comments, hijack her blog and respond to commenters and then when you feel bad about it, you go and delete everything you posted. Your true colors have already been seen. Jennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-25438002372188738712013-11-21T00:44:51.816-05:002013-11-21T00:44:51.816-05:00Gosh, considering you supposedly didn't know h...Gosh, considering you supposedly didn't know how to check the scale before printing a pdf pattern, someone will surely be impressed you figured out how to put the deleted comments back.<br /><br />Keep up the fine work on your blog. "Keep Calm and Sew On" :)BaManoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-56128357313513913532013-11-20T22:32:51.213-05:002013-11-20T22:32:51.213-05:00I just had to giggle when I read those messages. W...I just had to giggle when I read those messages. Well, she sure told you, didn't she? She wins! She gets to keep all her "oh-so-perfect" patterns all to herself! I think someone needs a time out - and a nice dose of humility. <br /><br />I appreciate your blog. Keep up the good work and thanks for your honesty!Betsynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-68795771092011417032013-11-19T17:50:51.471-05:002013-11-19T17:50:51.471-05:00Wow. I'm am so not impressed with the lack of...Wow. I'm am so not impressed with the lack of professionalism. I've actually made 13 of the Cake Pattern 'Tiramisu' and while I love the dress, I actually had to make quite a few changes to make it work well enough for me. I certainly will not feel comfortable trying another pattern if this is the sort of response I can get to a review that is considered unfavorable.<br /><br />While I use a serger for almost all my knits, there are definitely times were I use a straight stitch on my regular sewing machine instead of a zigzag and this was true even 20+ years ago when I was working on the cheapest plastic machine on the market that I purchased when I wanted to learn to sew and only had babysitting funds.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452366492486662984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-40446152539722955592013-11-19T16:22:38.279-05:002013-11-19T16:22:38.279-05:00I used to have an opinion about Cake patterns and ...I used to have an opinion about Cake patterns and it's owner. It has now changed, thanks to the owner's comments to this post. <br /><br />I've read an article that parents should thinking about their mode of parenting right when they are pregnant. Likewise, it would do businesses great good if they think about their attitude towards customer service and continuous improvement, right during the conception of business at the business plan stage. Any business, even the super good ones, will get some sort of negative response. How they respond, shows character. <br />Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04990191457997877760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-69643730829919355062013-11-19T14:03:14.379-05:002013-11-19T14:03:14.379-05:00I've been sewing for 20+ (almost 30 years!) an...I've been sewing for 20+ (almost 30 years!) and sew a lot. I ALWAYS use a straight stitch and my knits turn out great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-20872153186304226302013-11-18T22:50:40.088-05:002013-11-18T22:50:40.088-05:00Arggg- Apologies for the typos in the last post. ...Arggg- Apologies for the typos in the last post. Little ones crawling on me. <br /><br />Debbie- Thank you for the honest review! I really hope this experience will not stop you from saying what you think about different sewing patterns. I know if I had a blog I would wonder if it was worth the trouble. So thank you! <br /><br />And yes......there's more than one way to skin a cat. I've used plenty of "wrong" stitches and methods and have gotten wonderful results. Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155500364598716746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-23743106366771373072013-11-18T22:44:59.370-05:002013-11-18T22:44:59.370-05:00StephC- I am only making this comment because you ...StephC- I am only making this comment because you seem to have some interest in understanding why so many of us are thinking your customer service skills are lacking.<br /><br />First, even if your customer has a problem with your product that is caused by user error. It is extremely tactless for you to point it out so bluntly. No one likes to be made to feel stupid or incompetent even if the mistake is theirs. (I'm not convinced Debbie's was user error.) Find another way to help the customer solve their problem without blaming them. <br /><br />Second, never never NEVER pull rank on your customers. Never. Even if you are right- you will lose the customer. (And maybe more if others hear/see/learn about it.) <br /><br />Third, understand you have a business. That means people are going to use your products and talk about them. Debbie (or anyone else) does not owe you an email or a phone call before they discuss your product. She has every right to spend a week talking about the pattern. How many other bloggers have spent a week or longer talking about one of the Big 4? Do not expect to be treated differently. That's part of having a business.<br /><br />Remember it is how you make the customer feel. We all only have so much hard-earned cash to put towards are hobbies. Would you want to purchase a pattern from a company with a owner who has a reputation of telling her customers they don't have the skills or the brainpower to put the pattern together? Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155500364598716746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-85797681777259031922013-11-18T18:51:14.162-05:002013-11-18T18:51:14.162-05:00StephC, I just wanted to add a comment from the vi...StephC, I just wanted to add a comment from the view of a sewing machine dealer/fabric store employee - and someone who has previously worked in other professional service industries for over 25 years. Reputation can MAKE OR BREAK a business and sewers/sewists/quilters (whatever you want to use to describe the creation of an object with fabric and thread) talk ALOT. Not saying this is good or bad, just that it is a fact. Whether you agree with the word "corporate" or not, you ARE a business and therefore dependent on the opinion of your customers for survival. In the last 5 years, 5 machine dealers and 7 independent fabric or quilt stores have gone out of business in my area. A few of them were due to age, retirement, illness, etc. but the majority were due to business issues. Take one look at Yelp and you will see what one person's opinion is worth and what it leads to. I'm a a major metropolitan area so there is a plenty of competition in the sewing machine market place. The only way to keep your customers is to keep as many happy as possible. Will you please EVERYONE, no it's not possible. Sometimes the customer really is wrong, sometimes there are things beyond your control, but you do the best you can to support your customer base. Blogs by their nature are expressions of personal opinions and everyone has the right to express their opinion. You don't have to agree with it, believe me there are plenty of blogs out there that I don't agree with, but you do have to respect the right to HAVE the opinion. The same is true about products. One person can love it, another can hate it and their BOTH RIGHT. Any comment beyond something like "Sorry you had difficulty with this pattern" is neither appropriate nor necessary. I would recommend looking around for someone to mentor you, or a business to use as a guide or example. There are MANY indie pattern companies out there that are doing it right. Find one you like and model yourself after them.CJ in ILnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-26115664118731572932013-11-18T18:10:48.436-05:002013-11-18T18:10:48.436-05:00I've been sewing straight stitches on knits fo...I've been sewing straight stitches on knits for a while now, with no problem whatsoever. Straight stitches are also easier to unpick in knits, I find!Paolahttp://www.lasartora.blogspot.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-82932942981372101912013-11-18T16:38:38.434-05:002013-11-18T16:38:38.434-05:00I have purchased 3 different patterns from Cake in...I have purchased 3 different patterns from Cake in the past. I think many of her ideas are good. I however do not find the one piece sleeve works well for me and my 61 year old body, and did not purchase this particular dress pattern for that reason.<br /><br />Debby I love lurking on your blog and find many of your posts helpful or sometimes amusing. My heart hurt for you when you lost your job and I sung for joy when you got another one.<br /><br />This is YOUR blog and you reviewed a pattern that I was interested in reading about. You or anyone else do not need to be publicly chastised because you do not agree with the designer. <br /><br />Steph will just have to bow out ( maybe gracefully) and leave you or me or anyone else with our own, perhaps negative feelings about her brand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-30959480335828831202013-11-18T15:23:06.068-05:002013-11-18T15:23:06.068-05:00I've never had any feelings at all about Cake ...I've never had any feelings at all about Cake patterns but I sure do now - and none are positive. I can add my own pockets, thanks.Gigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960046004728670898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20350253.post-68200032276425383542013-11-18T14:12:10.448-05:002013-11-18T14:12:10.448-05:00OH...and all you people leaving negative comments ...OH...and all you people leaving negative comments about the lightning stitch? Never say never. I used it to narrow-hem a bias ruffle on something that was pretending to be handkerchief linen. It looked a bit like hemstitching. Cheap hemstitching, but still..... So glad to have found a use for it. Karlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515408381929664512noreply@blogger.com