What I'm interested in knowing, is how Simplicity chooses
patterns--aside from market surveys, don't they do those?--and the
people who design them. Is it all freelance? I know someone via the
net--or used to, she's not posting any more--who had a small line of
reenactment patterns. She approached Simplicity with an idea for a
pattern she thought would work well in their historic line. Simplicity
told her to work it out and submit it to them on a freelance basis.
I don't know what happened with her idea. But is that how all
Simplicity's historic patterns are designed, by freelancers?
I hate to say this but, the market for general sewing still seems to be
much larger than the market for reenactment sewing. Yes, reenactors have
to make their own clothes far more than most people. Yes, most women
have jobs outside the home that limit their time for sewing. But there
are still a lot more mainstream sewers than reenactors. Notice
Simplicity hedged their bets on that bustle dress by marketing it as a
wedding dress--many people get married, some more than once.
Sewing is a hobby these days, not a need, for most people. Many people
who could buy an $8 blouse at Wal-Mart, just want something much better
quality and more stylish--and they enjoy sewing.
Fran
Lavolta Press Books of Historic Patterns
http://www.lavoltapress.com
Lalah wrote:
Just to add to your observations. It is cheaper to buy clothing at WalMart than it is to make it yourself. When you have to pay ten bucks for a pattern and you can buy a blouse for eight dollars guess which most people will do. At a place in time when so many people are so busy and "multi tasking" is the norm, too many people don't have the time (nor sadly, the ability) to sew.
People new to SCA or Ren Faires or re-enacting are the exception. They are not going to get their garb off the rack in a discount store and most of them are not accomplished at making up their own patterns. People like Martha are a godsend to them because they can purchase a pattern that will pass inspection (to all but the really critical) and that they can understand. It takes a bit of experience to deal with some of the period patterns or to work from a charted pattern on a book page.
To cut this rambling short, I just want to add my "Bravo Martha" and hope that Simplicity has sense enough to know what a gem they have!
Lalah, Never give up, Never surrender
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