I bought myself a little treat: new labels! When I ran out of my Lindsay T labels from Namemaker I shopped around and then ordered these embroidered labels from Worldwidelabel on Etsy on June 5; they arrived this Monday from Hong Kong. My new Lindsay T labels are 1" x 2.5", cost only about $0.18 per label for 300 quantity, and I'm really happy with them. I created the design in Photoshop using my logotype, sent Worldwidelabel a jpeg and that was it.
You won't mistake these for a high-end designer label, mind you, but they're perfect for the mostly casual wear I sew for my daughter and me. I find the simple act of placing my label on the clothes I make forces me to hold myself to higher standards, so that's a big reason why I splurge on something no one ever sees. Question: Do you have your own labels? I'd like to know if there are other labelholics out there.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••Erica B started an interesting dialog this week about posting reviews on PatternReview. I told her I will continue to post reviews (as long as I'm making something that hasn't been done to death and I can provide new insight or advice) because I still use PR when I'm researching a new pattern. But what I feel conflicted about—when it comes to PR—is that I don't have the time to visit the Review Gallery and leave comments for members. And I feel bad about that, because the encouraging comments I first got there are what propelled me to resume sewing again after so many years away. Truthfully, though, I prefer to visit your blogs and comment there, because to me blogger-to-blogger conversations are more dynamic.
What about you, dear readers? Do you leave comments at PR's Review Gallery on a regular basis?
It's been a busy week here in Lake Wobegon…. The kids took their last finals, my son turned 14 (that's DS at left; he hasn't forbidden me from showing his face on my web site like his sister has), the office was hectic, though I did manage to work on my white faux-Chanel summer jacket. It's really going to be a cross between a shirt and a jacket, and after looking like a lab technician's coat for so long it's starting to show some promise. And big news: It's not supposed to rain this weekend here in the Northeast! I think there's a beach chair somewhere with my name on it. Have a great weekend everyone!
50 comments:
Great labels! I like to leave comments on both individual blogs and on PR. I always feel encouraged by comments and want to do the same for others.
Yes, I have my own labels........my husband thought I should so he went and ordered 300 - of course, when place the order, he did not realised that the company was in Korea, I like mine, service was grear
Anne
Toronto
p.s enjoy reading your blog!
I agree with Susan. I try to leave comment if I like a garment. If I don't like the garment I do nothing. Sometimes I look at a garment and read the reviews and wonder if the person was actually seeing the same garment that I did! If someone if a follower of my blog I make sure and click on to follow their blog as well. I figure it's the least I can do.
I love the idea of labels and have been dreaming about having them for a while now. I do think it makes your garment have that something extra. I read Erica's post and admit that I rarely get around to leaving comments of PR, I think I might make more of an effort. It is so encouraging to get comments, this is a very supportive community, comments are the heart of that.
I dont as a rule use Pattern Review, preferring to look at blogs. but occasionally, if I've seen a pattern that noone has worked on, I'll look it up to see what it looks like on a 'real woman'.
Nice labels. I need to get some new ones also. I'll check your source. I haven't left comments on PR, mainly because I have just recently joined. I do try to keep up with blogs. It's such a diverse community with so many skill levels and different aspects of sewing. When there's a problem posted, someone will have an answer.
Those labels are fabulous! I try to leave comments on the blogs of all my favorite sewers. I don't go through the PR Gallery everyday... probably 3 - 4 times a week. I comment on projects I would actually make. Or something so fabulous it just stands out to me.
Oh gosh- I immediately cut ALL labels out of anything I buy, so I can't imagine adding them into things I make! ;-) I have pretty crazy "labels itch" issues though.
I really like the adorable font in yours- it looks sooo professional!
Love the labels!! I have some and I'm about out of them, I will give this company a try!
I love posting reviews. I don't always do detailed reviews, but I will go into detail if I had any trouble with the pattern. I almost ALWAYS look up patterns before I sew them just to see how they look sewn up.
I don't comment on everything in the gallery. I will leave a comment if there is something really catches my eye or if it is something that I plan on making.
I love your label and DH only commented that other week that I need some, just need to work out what to say LOL.
The comments left on my reviews also encourages me and I need to start making the effort to return them as I find the reviews a very valuable tool.
Your label looks very designer. I've been wanting to order some labels, but wasn't sure where to order them from. Thanks for the recommendation.
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
The labels look great! although one of the things I like about sewing my own clothes is the lack of labels--I have the same itch issue as Wendy. I try to post reviews on PR because I often look there before deciding if I should buy a pattern, and also for the comments and community. I do prefer reading blogs though. I like getting to see someone's work evolve over time. Love comments. They always make my day.
Its so funny 'cause one of the posts I wrote to put up on my blog next week was about my need for labels and how lately I haven't used them! After seeing yours though, I'm thinking that I need to rethink my labels and get me some new designery ones to!
Being in the biz (sewing/designing) it's hard enough for me to find time to blog and sew for myself, and even though like you I'm possesed almost obsessed to pass on what I know (which PR seems like a perfect source), I'm a little overcome by the amount of traffic there 35 feeds per day (ugh!) and I regrettfully don't get over there as much as I would like - mostly cause it would take so long to go through everything.
It's a great idea, and I love what they do and the encouragement that is there, but there's just so much traffic that it frankly puts me off.
So many subjects today.....I love your labels and have been looking for something a little more professional - love the idea of your new label.
I've been looking around for someone to make labels, so thanks for the link! I had some printed labels years ago when I made a lot of handknits but I haven't used them in my sewing and I really would like to. I agree with you about keeping your standards higher; like you, it helps me do a better job. I'm not sure why, but it does!
I love your labels! I have labels that I bought when I had my last company (Gorgeous Things). I use them on all my private garments.
Regards writing reviews on public forums in general (because there are several, and I don't want to single out any one of them) - it's tough. I want to, but I don't have the time to write duplicates, and like many, I don't want to just copy/paste. I also like the intimacy of blog posts. I find most of them to be more "conversational" and informative.
Very nice labels. I like to visit blogs the best, I feel as if I get to know the person better. I do comment on reviews at PR but I am selective - people I know or really great garments. I need to sew more and be on the computer less, so some things need to give. I am still trying to find that balance.
have made some very generic labels for my things. One says Julia's sew sweet and special occasion clothes for children. The other says Made by Granmomma with love in every stitch. I guess I should buy some "real" ones if I'm going to sew for others.
I leave comments on people's blogs all the time. I like getting comments, and I am so impressed with all the things people are doing out there that I think they deserve to know others think so.
Cool labels. I need to order some.
While I love your labels, I would never put them in anything I made. The first thing I do with RTW is rip out the label. I don't care whose name is on it, it still scratches my neck.
And, in case you've missed this, I leave comments everywhere. I do leave "negative" comments if I feel it's constructive. If I just don't like it, I keep it to myself. Everyone's entitled to their own taste, but if it's a fitting or fabric choice (how it works, not just color, etc.) that makes it not so great, I'll say so. Usually couched with a comment about how nice their work was or something. I'm such a wimp.
Top notch labels, especially the NEW YORK bit .... just a tad envious!
Lindsay thanks for your nice comment on my blog.
Your labels are smashing? I must have some to.
I think PR is great and I love to read reviews of a garment I want to make. But it is very heavy to manage, I've just commented on the Tracy Resse suit I've just finished and the review took me hours and it is full of mistakes (I had some issues with linking), but I must say it would be a shame if it did not existed and Deepika is doing a great job
You might have to wipe the mold off of that beach chair first! LOL!
You have seen my labels. They are a simple Bunny design. I picked up the entire roll, probably about a thousand bunnies, for a dollar at the Fix in Manchester, NH. I think they make cute labels.
As far as the PR thing, I wish I could comment on all the the reviews but time prohibits. I do find myself commenting on the ones that take the most effort, such as suits and formal wear, or something that is killer cute. T shirt after T shirt I just don't have time for, sorry.
At this point I enjoy wrtiting my reviews for PR. It is an incredible resource for all of us and Deepika is just brilliant. I do agree with someone on Erica's board. It is not an attractive or pretty site. I think it could be much easier to read with some different colors and layout. However, the content is wonderful. I love the boards and can always fill up a spare moment drifting thru them.
I have "CourdeMODE" labels that I bought a few years ago but I paid a LOT more for them! They're small too and meant to go into a seam and I have also wanted a bigger size for coats and jackets that I can tack in by hand. Thanks for the heads up on Etsy!
As for PR - I still post reviews, and cross link from my blog to PR and vice versa. But my PR reviews have really been scaled back to just being a pattern review. The PR template is fairly rigid so I flesh out details on my blog. I also never read really long reviews, I just skim them, because the PR template seems to work best for reviews under 1,000 words, anything oever that is just TMI for the template and too hard for me to read.
Plus, like I said on Erica's blog, my projects these days tend to be complex and they run over several blog posts. The PR template is not really conducive to long term projects and I find the "Work In Progress" template kind of kluge, so the "meat" goes on my blog.
Now you've done it! My DH was just saying that I needed labels after I made a batch of shirts for him. I'll check out Etsy. I love yours - very simple and chic!
Love the labels. New York is very chic on it! I don't have labels but it has always been on the to do list.
The labels look great. Maybe it's time for me to rethink my labels.
Re: PR
I post and read reviews, but I don't comment on other people's reviews as often as I'd like. It's easier to just rate the reviews. I usually only read reviews on patterns I might actually use and reviews by sewers whose skills I admire (or envy!). I learn more that way. Like you, I prefer the communication that takes place on blogs. Reviews on blogs seem more personal to me.
Those labels look very professional, love them! I keep thinking I need to order some too, but am stumped on what to say. I get a PR digest every day in my email with the new reviews, and try to read it every morning with my coffee, tho I'm a little behind. I comment on the ones that catch my eye, and always check out the reviews for a new pattern. In fact, I hardly ever sit with the pattern catalog at the store now, because I have a running list next to my computer of patterns I've seen reviewed on PR. But due to lack of time, I rarely visit the forums, which is a shame since there is so much info there too. And I am a very random reviewer myself, tho I am working on that :-)
I just ran out of my rather plain labels . . . like you, I find that putting labels in my garments inspires me to produce a more professional product! Thanks so much for the info on where you purchased yours . . . I'll definitely place my own order very soon! As for PR reviews and comments, I have just started posting reviews. The comments I have received have been very helpful and heartwarming, so I feel like I should "pay back" by commenting on other reviews. It is a bit time consuming, but I am making the effort to do so. The online sewing community has been a tremendous inspiration to me, especially blogs like yours!
Your labels are so cute. I don't use them. I'm one of those people that pick or cut out all labels because they bother me.
Love your labels and it reminds me that I want some too!
I tend to post a comment on a blog instead of the PR review. I also don't read them every day the way I used to, only reading from someone whose skills I admire or about a pattern I am interested in sewing or something that looks outstanding. Claire is right, there is just so much more traffic these days.
Love your labels! They are truly good looking. I need to order some. Like you,they will hold me accountable to do my best work!
Happy Bday to your son, and I purchase my labels from them as well. They are always fast and easy to deal with, they sell on ebay as well.
Great labels! I do label the things I make with labels from Namemaker (http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2008/07/im-official-im-official.html). As a new sewist, the labels definitely made me feel more official/legit - like the labels are the final seal of approval on a project.
As for PR - I generally don't comment, although I should, since I loved getting comments on the projects that I posted. I don't spend a lot of time on PR. As several of your other readers have said, I prefer blogs for their more personal voice. I go to PR when I am seeking info - whether to purchase a particular patter, etc.
I use labels, actually 3 different ones for knitting, crocheting & sewing. I used my last sewing label when I made a blouse and will order more, but once the knit & crochet labels are finished from that point on I will settle for one label for all my fiber related items.
In winter 2008, I made several hat & scarf sets and a request was made to place the label on the outside of the hat instead of inside. It was a hit and the recipients stated I should create a logo and get labels made...lol
Lots of comments on this one M! It's a pretty controversial topic- and one that I have thought about a lot as well. I still double post my reviews, mostly because if I am looking for how a particular pattern works out in "real life", I will check out PR first. Of course I do take some of them with a grain of salt- like many of us I have reviewers whose opinion I trust implicitly. While I don't always keep up with my blog postings, I tend to post about larger projects over a few posts, and usually add more personal comments only on the blog.
In a nutshell- Blogging the review for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of the - say- 12 and a half people who read it, and PRing the review for more widespread archival purposes.
Labels- Still on my to-get-to list. I have been looking at a few etsy sites- and will check this one out now!
Love the labels! I don't use them since one of the things I like about sewing is there aren't any itchy labels in the clothes.
I am bad about keeping up with the PR gallery, but when I post a new review I will go back through and comment on the projects I like. If a project already has a million comments I generally move on to find things that people are clearly proud of but that have few comments and leave them a little encouragement.
Your labels are beautiful and your son is adorable! I like labels too. Mine are very small, woven with my first and last names. I want to order some with my first name only in script.
I have not commented at PR for years. In fact, I rarely visit there anymore. I much prefer reading someone's blog.
I honestly don´t like labels. I´d rather have people see "no label" than an "unknown label". If someone doesn´t know your name they´ll think "Oh she bought it in some boutique". If there is no label, people will actually get the idea that it´s made by YOU. But this is just my opinion.
Love those labels!
Like you I have more or less left PR behind (and SG too) - just not enough time and I enjoy the blogs much more. I think I would still do a review if I actually made something...sigh...
LOVE the labels lindsayt. But I am fascinated with them. LOL I just ordered more of mine from a company in Thailand.
I have gotten really bad about PR, I just don't have the time to keep up with the gallery anymore. It's all I can do to keep up with my favorite blogs!
Those labels are great! I have some leftover from a sewing business I used to have. But am running out of them so only the garments that are "label-worthy" get one! I haven't found an affordable resource to re-order. Will have to check out the Etsy site.
I'm like most of the others here; just don't have time to spend on PR anymore. I'll post a review if I think it might inspire others. Neither my blog or my reviews have many sewing details lately. I take the pictures and know what I want to say but there's JUST NO TIME! I've been thinking that it might be nice if the PR review gallery could be sorted into categories. Then I could just filter out the projects that just don't interest me (craft projects, costumes, home dec, etc.). Suppose I should post that idea on PR instead of on a blog (if it hasn't been suggested already)!
Those are nice labels!
Love the labels. Sigh. Yeah, I need to get some. They're on my list of "stuff I need to get".
I did PR for a while, but eventually it got to be too much. I think the overall concept is fabulous and I do research there if I need to. I just can't keep up with my own blogs, all the blogs I read, plus PR. I like blogs better too because of the personality each one has.
I love your labels. I also have some that I got from Namemaker and I love them. But I may try your route next time.
I don't post of PR- but I'm a huge fan of sewforum.
I just can't get used to the layout on pattern review... it doesn't seem very user friendly to me.
No, I don't have my own labels. Don't know why. I used to many years ago, but don't currently have any. And no plans to order them because, well, I'm just too busy working on bras, swimsuits and other things :) .
This is the busiest time of year for me so I haven't really checked out reviews. In fact, I rarely check out the review gallery and much rather just skim over the Daily Digest. Even then, I simply don't have time to read most reviews or leave comments. I'd rather post comments on the blogs anyway.
When do I really read reviews? Cold, winter nights with a glass of wine in hand. It gets dark early and that's conducive to sitting in front of a computer screen doing "sewing" work.
Lovely labels Lindsay. They're on my "to buy" list too, but don't know how I want them to be. Too many options I guess.
As to PR: I still post reviews of most of what I make, for the fact that it is a great central place to find opinions on a pattern, and I use it for that too. No one will remember a blog post of a specific pattern a few months from now.
There are so many reviews now that I can't read all, so I stick to favorite reviewers and BWOF reviews mostly (as I use BWOF a lot). But time issues prevent me for commenting on PR at the moment. Just can't do everything.
I still have plenty of labels from Labelmaker but I am very intrigued by this custom label manufacturer on Etsy. Thanks for the link!
I do have labels but they are not personalized like yours. I bought them from namemaker.com and they just have my name printed underneath a generic woven design.
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