Sew Much To Learn! 


 

Bloomeneutics – Networking and Groups

Did you know, according the Oprah Winfrey "when you know better you do better." [i] 

People seek sewing for a sense of achievement and for interaction outside the home.  Study after study demonstrates the benefits of leading a well-balanced lifestyle, with time to pursue personally satisfying hobbies like sewing, quilt making and other needle arts.[ii] 

Many people get involved with sewing just to have a social outlet.  Social networking is very effective and a great way of meeting new people; you can find new sewing tips, tricks, tutorials and ideas.   Online activities could not replace face to face interactions but it is a very good second.   This technology has enabled many people to connect further and deeper on similar interests than ever before.    You can influence others in sewing opinion, thoughts, creativity and help improve others skills by presenting your interest in a friendly non threatening manner. This allows seamstresses to have an activity interest outside the home, thereby avoiding becoming a hermit. I sew while my husband is busy working, studying or teaching. 

Interactions in sewing community’s blogs, groups and sites can be a very spontaneous from one person to another.     I found that many desire sewing sites that are easy to follow, non-confrontational, supportive, and friendly; with hopes that any contribution given by them will be respected and returned in kind.  As with dealing with someone or something unknown, use wisdom and caution; there are a very small percentage of those who do not have your best interest in mind.   

Web 2.0 (online networking) sites allows its users to interact with other users or to change website content, in contrast to non-interactive websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of information that is provided to them.

According to Mary Zajicek “Web 2.0: hype or happiness?” Web 2.0 has initiated a new age of Web interaction. Countless everyday activities such as seeking information, shopping, filling in forms and making appointments can be done effectively and often more cheaply on the Web. Mary says many of the new community sites, and other Web 2.0 sites, do not promote accessibility in terms of inclusivity [people being left out]. They are built for, and are of most benefit to, young socially integrated people who own their own laptop and live in a world of readily available internet said Mary. However, I have seen a new trend; at least in my family the older generation is embracing this technology. She goes on to say many older or disabled people are living on low budgets and do not have access to such things. I have found that internet is affordable for those with low-income and fixed disabled veterans have some source of internet.

 Also Zajicek states an accessible Web means that the Web can be used by all, but it must also mean that it is easy to use by all and should not be labor intensive or arduous [hard]. It can also mean desirable because if a user gauges that a device or feature will take a lot of energy and effort to get working then it becomes undesirable and hence inaccessible. In other words if it’s to hard there not going to use it. Accessibility should not mean that the user will be able to use some software if they spend two days wrestling with it and learning how to make it work.[iii]  

 My list of Social Media and Services I recommend 

§  Wikipedia - collaborative encyclopedia

§  About – Sewing on about has really been a valuable resource.

§  American Sewing Guild (ASG) – this is a face to face organization within your town

§  Sewing Support – blog and group is coming.  Many valuable resources is listed on site.

§  Yahoo Groups:

§   SamSews (this is my group which I am using it to store most of my finding for the last 2 years to incorporate into www.SewMuchToLearn.net)

§  How To Make Sewing Patterns by Don McCunn ((My Must Group, which I am most active) - Don is an awesome teacher and I love the members. They are very supportive, knowledgeable and friendly. We discuss anything sewing, but not commercial patterns. He gives classes regularly. The group is always there to help. No waiting for weeks or months to get help. You can make the best fitting pant ever with Don and his class. I will post his schedule as soon as I received it. Group is open 24/7/365 and it's FREE. There is no little I's or big I's, just people who love to sew.)

§  sewingroom

§  Fitsnobs - they discuss ANYTHING that will improve your sewing skills.)

§  Janome_9000_help – one of my machines is a Janome and I like to know about any problems pretending to that machine.

§  Custom-Bras

§  Sewing_Lingerie

§  Fit Snobs - they discuss ANYTHING that will improve your sewing skills.)

§  SewWhat - A yahoo.com sewing group. I like the owner and how active they are (mostly swaps and craft).

§  Sewing Room - A yahoo.com sewing group

§  Creative Machine - A yahoo.com sewing group.

§  Blogger

§  CafeMom - Beginner sewing group. To keep your creativity do not get involve with anything else besides sewing.   They are very active in learning to sew crafting items or garment with a focus on commercial patterns.

§  WordPress

§  Facebook

§  NetworkedBlog

§  Flickr (for photo sharing)

§  Piscasa - (for photo sharing)

§  The Cutter and Tailor - Patternmaking and tailoring (over my head but I hang out anyway)

§  Powersewing.com - with Sandra Betzina. I love to see Sandra and Ron Collins together.  Sandra Betzina has many books in sewing.

§  Esewingworkshop.com - videos of sewing and drafting techniques. Videos are very clear and you can see the process.   I like it better when the male is speaking because it is clear.  Response time is too long if you have a sewing problem.  Many videos are free to watch.

§  Cutter and Tailor – discuss patternmaking and tailoring techniques (discussions are over my head, but I stay hoping to learn something).

§  Don McCunn Patternmaking teaching site

§  David Coffin - techniques and what's new

§  Paco Peralta Rovira - Awesome Couturier (must check out)

§   Kenneth D King, Designer (this is not a social network site but I want you to get use to this name)

§  Pam Erny Sewing and Interface

§  Fashion Incubator with Kathleen Fasanella

§  Home Sewing - Sewing.Org

§  How To Make Sewing Patterns by Don McCunn group

§  Joy Beeson - Rough Sewing (notes and valuable information)

§  Pattern Reviews and more – I always sign in for free

§  Threads

§  Vintage Fashion Library - Buy Vintage Patterns

§  Vintage Sewing - came in handy many times for me. Check it out

§  YouTube - upload video, comment, respond to videos with more videos

§  Twitter (I like to use tweet deck to watch and write to twitter and facebook accounts simultaneously) - you can find anything you like.  I strongly believe you should create separate accounts for sewing and other non sewing tweets (messages).  By creating an account for sewing only, you will be able to focus creatively on sewing without the noise of other things that may be potentially disturbing.

§  Friendfeed – allows you to follow your friends on multiple social networking sites

§  Ning - This offer you so much than other blog sites and help you to combine many social sites with forum, chats and the feel of a website.

§  Sewing Sites list – Misc list of sewing sites or a place to list your sewing site.

 In my sewing groups, I found several young ladies that could not thread a needle or mend simple clothing and relied on others to sew for them. They did not have the time or patience for sewing and quickly dropped out.   Sewers seek others that have the same desire as with anything else.  It was discouraging when many of the sewers discussed issues that did not pertain to sewing and it was difficult to stay on task. Not that sharing your feelings is a bad thing; it was just that I need more of the learning.  I found myself backing off this group and others I have joined during my journey, until I dropped out many groups. Another reason I was discouraged with sewing groups was because of the people expected perfection the very first time they tried to sew.   Some people equate their sewing machine like men with a car.  Some were not willing to help others and they were fixated on themselves.  I found that some are so politically charged and did not promote growth.  I also found groups that believe only they (the Big I) have the knowledge if you know what I mean.   

 I wanted a place to learn sewing with others.  In my groups, I realize many were just seeking friendship, while others were hungry to learn sewing.  Sewing allows me to have an interest of my own. Sewing brings balance to my life. Who knew that sewing can do so much for your health and relationship?   

I have so many links and so many resources to share, so stay tune for sew much more.    One of my goals is to combine all my resources to one location, while I fine tune/improve my sewing skill/knowledge.  There is so much out there on the web so jump right in, many are joining the social media every day.

In the selection of your social network make sure they provide support for you, it should allow you to grow with knowledge and skills, allow for creativity, and a healthy exchange of ideas and thoughts.

Until the next time, Happy Sewing!  Sparkles

 

 

Back to Knowledge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End Notes (will update references as needed):