Burda Style For people who sew

Hey members! This was posted by: seemslikeagoodidea in another section but I thought I would repost here for her, so that it might get more notice.

“Being fairly new on this site, I have seen some fantastic and frankly some terrible pictures of people’s projects / efforts..

Being a straightforward person, I would like to think that someone would give me their opinion if what i had posted was awful.. giving me the chance to discuss their views if I so felt the need..

Is this the same of others? Do you other sewers want to know if people think your work odd / bad?
Or do you only want praise – and if someone doesn’t like what you have done.. then you don’t want to know ? kind of the phrase – if you have nothing to say then say nothing at all ??

I just wondered if I should be honest or not ??

(I’m of course not talking about – i dont like the colour or an item would look better longer etc..)
but when someone gets something so terribly wrong that you know if they e.g. wore an item in public – they would be laughed at…)"

Dec 11, 2009, 05.26 AM by sew4my3

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20 Posts

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  Dec 11, 2009, 05.32 AMby sew4my3

  Honesty is the best policy for me! I would want to know if something is not quite right before I wear it out somewhere and make a fool of myself. Keep sewing with a smile!
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  Dec 11, 2009, 07.47 AMby judeb

  I have to agree, honesty is the best policy-as long as comments are polite and constructive- I don’t even see a problem commenting on fabric or dress length, many people commented on the fact that the Burda paola plaus dress Alden modeled was not in a fabric that they liked.
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  Dec 11, 2009, 01.21 PMby anajan

  As long as an opinion is fair, polite and most of all constructive, I think it’s good to hear/read it. I like to hear advices from other fellow-sewists. I.e. I don’t find it offending when one member suggests to other member to press the seams of the garment more. On the other hand, we have to be aware that we do not share the same aesthetics, and that we do not have to like the same styles, colors and garment types.
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  Dec 12, 2009, 08.03 PMby gedwoods

  I think if you post on the site, you should expect and accept negative comments, although always with the utmost respect towards you as a person. If I don’t want negative comments on a project, I simply won’t post it. That said, most people are very polite on this site and you rarely receive critical comments, unless you ask specifically for them.

  For Techniques, How-Tos and Instructions, however, I think we should be more critical than we are. I am always paying attention to critical comments for mine. The whole purpose of a Technique or How-To is to help the community, and if the instructions are muddled or difficult to follow, this is a problem.
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  Dec 12, 2009, 11.46 PMby geechiecat

  There was an outfit here that won a contest, that I simply loved. I voted for it. I did n ot like the color at all, and it seemed wrinkled but I believe it was made from linen, and that is common for linen. But given that the designer liked the color, and liked linen, I would not have said anything about these two points. Whether I like wrinkly linen or that color is so very much beside the point! It was a truly gorgeous outfit.

  I think what I’m trying to say is that it would have been very disrespectful to bring up these points, and that others might not like my fabric I would still want to know if they liked my design and my techniques.

  Oh, I hope this makes some sense!!
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  Dec 13, 2009, 04.50 PMby ncn6

  I don’t think I would comment on something if it’s just not my style, or if I couldn’t offer some sort of feedback about how to make it better. I actually would appreciate comments about whether a longer/shorter length would work, etc, and certainly comments about technical tips and tricks and fit issues, which I think are sometimes hard to see on yourself. I wouldn’t appreciate a comment along the lines of “you’ll be laughed at if you wear this,” because I don’t think this is helpful at all to someone who just took the time to make and post a new project
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  Dec 14, 2009, 12.45 AMby kaitui-kiwi

  I really only comment on projects that interest me or projects by sewers I am following because I love their work. Also if I see a new member posting for the first time I always try and give them some encouragement. Perhaps they have mentioned something that didn’t go quite right so I’ll tell them how I think they could improve it but in a positive way I think you have to be careful especially with new sewers not to completely discourage them.
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  Jan 1, 2010, 07.55 AMby minkeymonkey

  Oh, gee, I’m too afraid to hurt someone’s feelings so I don’t comment if I have a negative comment on a project I see. That said, I’ve not seen any projects that I have any REAL negative comments for! My main things are:1. Fabric was clearly not washed and ironed and looks bunchy and 2. Fabric print is crooked. The sad thing is, I know this would be helpful info but I just can’t get myself to post that. It sounds like people DO want to know those things so I’ll give it some thought.

  I would welcome both positive and constructive criticism, I’m just not sure I’m confident enough to post my dresses yet!
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  Jan 2, 2010, 09.11 PMby mlssfshn

  I agree with the previous, negative comments should be constructive not aesthetic related. I belong to another community Gen Art Discover for fashion designers and despite their directions to be specific about your comments, I get a lot of criticism that is aesthetic related. Most of the negative feed back I get is after I’ve pointed out issues on another’s garments. I could let it pull me down, most the time I ignore it and some times I simply reply with the following: " All I have to go by for my review is what is shown in the pictures, your description, and your notes for reviewers, the same information that you have to review my work. I wrote what I saw and explained why I thought those errors in fit and construction are based on the images you supplied and the notes you had to go along with those images. None of the comments, I left for you, were derogatory and you can see everything I wrote by looking back at the images. Your comments about my garments,on the other hand, were reactionary and not specific at all. I spent some time looking at your images and going over ever detail of them from each angle and writing my review as I studied them. Please, be respectful and do the same for my work."
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  Jan 4, 2010, 12.52 AMby minkeymonkey

  I have to add more comment:

  “when someone gets something so terribly wrong that you know if they e.g. wore an item in public – they would be laughed at…)”"

  Actually, this is the kind of criticism I would not offer nor would I want it offered to me. Styles and tastes are so different, by age, country and just in general. None of us like the same things all of the time.

  If I wouldn’t want to wear something (a dress, for ex.) that someone else made for fear that I might be laughed at, I wouldn’t wear it but I would still comment if I thought the project was terrific. It could be laughable taste-wise to my tastes but it could still be an amazing effort, accomplishment or remarkable to the person’s shape or style.

  I wonder if that makes sense? I’m trying to say that I may not like it for myself but I can still like it for someone else.

  J.
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  Jan 4, 2010, 03.35 AMby scandium

  Just in relation to commenting on someone else’s project:

  For me, what is appropriate criticism depends on the content and delivery of criticism. I don’t really want to know your opinion of the aesthetics of what I’m wearing, but I’ll gladly take points on my construction if they are polite and, well, constructive. Your “honest opinion” on what I look like—e.g. “I think that is the ugliest thing I saw in my life and I would laugh if I saw someone walking down the street like that” have no place because the point of posting a project is so we can get constructive feedback on our sewing project, not our own sense of fashion and personal appearance (or lack thereof). If you think someone does look nice in a garment, it’s alright to say so, but negative comments on someone’s choice of clothing/what they wear in public are pretty darn rude if someone’s posting to get feedback on sewing. I wear gothic and sweet lolita clothing sometimes, which many people consider to look totally ridiculous and yes, some people would laugh at in public. But I don’t consider posting a sewing project to be the same as posting to a fashion and outfit-based community. So I would be very unhappy if someone posted on a hand made item of mine saying “wow…what were you thinking…I would NEVER wear that out ever” because that is not what I post my garments here for. What I want is someone to criticise (or praise) the construction in a way which actually helps me rather than makes me want to give up on my sewing. e.g. “I really like the way your darts look, but the pin-tucks look a little wobbly. If you wanted to make them straighter, I find this technique/lots of practice helps”. If you think the fit is off in a garment, that’s a fair call as it’s sewing related but I wouldn’t say something like “ur too fat for that, lose some weight” but word it a fair bit more politely and remember it may be due to poor photo angle etc.
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  Jan 4, 2010, 08.03 PMby ichigogirl

  I think you/we should be really careful about critizising other people’s work. If they have asked for help it’s another matter, but it’s hard to be specific enough to avoid hurting other people’s feelings in a brief negative comment on the internet. And we’re all on such different levels of skill, some post their very first creative project ever and others have been making things all their lives… the results will inevitably differ. I think all who want the other member’s totally honest opinions should write that in the description of the project, to be on the safe side. I’d just hate for people to loose their lust for crafts due to negative comments on things they’ve made with enthusiasm, no matter the outcome!
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  Jan 6, 2010, 03.36 PMby livstudios

  Being a new member to the site I would welcome all constructive criticism. However, it would be easy to devastate the confidence of a fellow member with comments which are not well thought out. I do have to say, feedback given in the spirit of helping improve a skill are one of the reasons I signed up as a member.
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  Jan 6, 2010, 05.23 PMby wzrdreams

  Sewing is a skill learned through experience and I am not going to degrade someone for amateur work… we are all amateurs when we start out and the best way to improve is to keep trying. I don’t post things on Burdastyle expecting praise or criticism. If I need help, I ask for it (I did solicit trim opinions recently and got plenty of suggestions).

  When I do ask for opinions, or indicate in my own comments that I have issues with a project I don’t mind constructive feedback. However, unspecific fit criticism doesn’t do me any favors. Although I appreciate the intentions of a thoughtful analysis I don’t find it very useful given the limitations of the digital medium to comment on fit. I have never been completely satisfied with the picture quality of my posts and I know from professional experience that snap shots are not an accurate way to judge fit anyway.

  The types of feedback I would openly welcome would be related to sewing techniques. Pointers to other projects, techniques, blogs, etc are always appreciated. I’m here not to brag or be graded but to learn, share my experiences and to document for myself what I have been working on. It’s amazing to me to look back at my projects and see my own skills develop and my confidence grow in the last year.
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  Jan 7, 2010, 05.41 PMby chanelleaj

  I’m not sure if there is any point in making a comment on someone’s project because the hemming was wonky or the binding wasn’t perfect? I joint this site purely because it was inspirational to see what people have made and to see people develop from novice to advanced sewers.

  More often then not the person who has uploaded there pic know the garments flaws but is so excited to finish a project they want to post it. I don’t think negative comments are needed unless constructive feedback is requested. Maybe suggestions and advice on the description made by the project uploader is ok, but generally if I think something is horrible I don’t even look at it and move onto the next. Also if nobody is viewing your garment it would suggest without the negative feedback that maybe the sewing or picture wasn’t very good quality. Just my opinion.
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  Oct 23, 2010, 06.58 AMby Ralf Schmitz

  the best way for me, to see if my newest creation is good or bad is to see, how many comments i got. i love this site so much, because it gives you a feedback that allways cheers you up and never “knocks you off”. as i have never learned this work, it was soo important to me in the beginning to get nice, friendly and positive comments for my projects, eventhough they have been far away of beeing perfect. i would never give a bad critics for the question of taste (size, color, etc) of a project. and for all technical aspects, a bad critics would be only given, if i have the feeling that the poster has asked for our oppinion on a special point. (do you like the length of this dress?? do you like the shape of this collar etc……??)

  otherwise i give a good critics, if i really like something and nothing if i do not like the project or it does not mean anything to me. i hope this all makes sense!?
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  Oct 23, 2010, 08.13 AMby magdamagda

  We are discussing pictures here, first of all… some things may seem more awkward than they really are due to light, photo editing etc .. Or less awkward hmmm :)) …

  If someone asks for advice, yep, I like to do my best giving mine

  Honesty is something i definitely appreciate but so is diplomacy ( to quote a funny email I got today “A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.”)

  Also considering the number of projects out there, in general I leave comments for those I really like – and if they already got my attention it would be a lil mischevious to find things wrong with them – seeing them brightens my day!

  The good way for me to move forward in my work is to use other ppl’s experiences/ideas as stimulants – if you want to look at the mistakes, there are too many out there, it will take forever to count and criticise!
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  Oct 23, 2010, 10.21 AMby katexxxxxx

  I correspond on many different groups and forums. I always try to be encouraging, and keep the advice to the area asked about.
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  Oct 24, 2010, 11.09 AMby magdamagda

  one thing I’d like to add to what I wrote above:

  ppl post projects here normally looking for encouragements, doesn’t it make everyone feel good when they get encouraging comments? … doesn’t it make you more confident and determined to sew more? :)

  lots of ppl try beginner or intermediate projects and how other ppl appreciate them determines how much they will enjoy wearing them and creating more stuff.. i try to keep that in mind:)
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  Jul 30, 2011, 05.31 AMby nouvellegamine

  my mother in law sewed a dress for her then 4 year old daughter. her mother in law (an excellent seamstress) criticized her work. my mother in law never sewed again. she’s very sensitive. when i recently wore a skirt i sewed from my early days of sewing my grandmother in law (same excellent seamstress as above) complimented me on it & then asked to see the inside. i laughed and said, “oh, it’s a mess,” and flipped it over. “ooooo, ja, it is a mess.” (she from sweden.) my point is, with unsolicited critical comments given over the internet you simply don’t know the person on the other end. they could be sensitive beginners who get crushed or practical beginners who absorb & move on. eventually beginners will ask for advice & you can give it to them. but if they don’t ask, don’t criticize. you may think you’re being helpfully constructive, but the stranger on the other end may think you’re being mean.

  1 Reply

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    Jul 30, 2011, 08.28 AMby sew4my3

    Excellent points!