Well, ok, by “made” I really mean “found one I liked a lot and hacked at it to get the details right then changed the graphics”. But, however you want to say it, Sempstress running under WordPress is starting to look a lot more like home…. :)
In other news, I’ve been thinking about the site and what I do and what I have to offer the giant human knowledge-base known as the internet, and I’ve come to some conclusions. (If I were a humble person, I’d be saying “Uh… I got nothin’.” I’m not. Humble, that is.) The thing is that I’m not the best researcher I know, nor am I the most inspired historical costume designer I know. I’m just me. If you’ve read this site for any length of time, you’ve probably figured out that I believe sewing machines are the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World, and I don’t freakin’ embroider. Not by hand, at any rate. For all that stuff about design and period finishing and period hand sewing stitches, well, it’s just not my yak.
I’m good with patterns, though, and I know a thing or two about hats and a touch of history. So I think I’m going to start focussing more on those areas, assuming no one minds. I mean, I could put up a poll or something, right, and let people weigh in on the incredibly important topic of What I Do in my Copious Free Time, but seriously, I’d be completely screwed if people voted the wrong way. (And I’ve lived my whole life in IL, so I’m not above rigging my own voting process.) So that’s basically that, then.
I’ve also been thinking about how I’ve been out of work since last July, and I’m becoming suspicious that my furlough is more of an “Oh, didn’t we tell you…?” situation. So I’m going to start trying to sell you all stuff, right, because that’s what blogs are for (I hear, and have read various titles on the topic – not the books, mind you, just the titles over at amazon). But things are rough all over, so I’ll be selling at amazingly reasonable rates. And I think that at least some statistically significant percentage of you will like what I’m planning to do, and find it useful, and cheerfully fork over a dollar or so for it. Keep an eye open…. ;)
Hi Sempstress,
I love your blog. Drop by from time to time to see what you are doing. If you love something and you can still enjoy it for a job. Go ahead and make it a small business. I hope you do well at it or find a position that suits you.
Cheers.
Thanks for the encouragement! :)
Ohhhh are you going to be selling hat patterns then?
Weeeeelllll…. Possibly. I’d like to, but that might be a step down the road. My plans right now involve things that print out simply and easily on single sheets of paper – cheat sheets to walk you through pattern drafts, useful charts where I’ve done all the math up for you, doll patterns (yes, I do still play with dolls), etc. I’m looking for things I can easily pack up as pdf files, and use a pay-to-download thingy. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’ve been a little hesitant to do it. The thing is, I don’t want to stop putting up info on this site. If anything, I’d like to do more of that. I want to offer up some stuff that supplements the site instead of replacing its content, and then hopefully everyone comes away from the transaction feeling really great about things. I’ll be putting up the first couple downloads for free while I test out the techno-hooha, so you can get a taste of what I’m cooking up.
As one of the many who have benefitted from your expertise – both online and in person – I can honestly say I would buy whatever you plan to sell. Patterns? Heck yeah. Instruction manuals? Absolutely. Stop giving me your hard earned knowledge for free! Make me pay! I totally will, and hello? I’m CHEAP (thus the name and all…).