lab fairy

I think the "look commercial thing" depends for me. I want my garment sewing to look very high end (no unfinished seams, etc. that scream "home-made") and I use a serger, french seams, etc. to make sure that happens.

Quilts and wall hangings are a different kettle of fish for me. I think good stitching will always be a winner (no matter what the purpose). I have always required a high level of craftsmanship from myself.

There are a lot of people who think telling someone their sewing looks as good as "store bought" is a complement because they have only been expose to very mediocre seamstresses and were really repelled by the product. My Mom is one of these people. I just recognize the sentiment and understand what she's trying to tell me.

quiltilicious

I remember hearing a story from an exDH when his mother slaved over the stove one day making soup, and he complimented her by saying "This tastes just like Campbell's!" :lol:

I interpret these types of compliments as though they were saying "these are good enough to make a living at!" which is high praise indeed (and boy would I love to make a living creating art... sigh)

Ellen

Back during the '40's and 50's, you weren't looked down upon for wearing homemade because everyone was in the same boat. During the 60's and 70's, people just shook their heads in sadness if you wore homemade (keep in mind, some weren't homemade but perceived as such). In the 80's on, we had economic growth like we've never had and homemade went by the wayside....and quilting had it's re-birth. Some were good, some were bad and the imported quilts hadn't made it to our shores yet.
Imported quilts are made with slave labor, the advertised "handquilting" leaves a lot to be desired and the construction is shoddy at best. I would be very offended if my quilts were compared with those "storebought" quilts. A friend of mine in PA bought a "handmade" quilt that advertises Amish quilts....if they had one in that shop, I never saw it. I couldn't convince her to leave the store without it....My sister in PA says they're made by the same workers that make the $50 specials in Steinmart etc. I believe it.
I just tell people when they ask about my clothes that they are one of a kind. And I tell people who ask about my quilts that they are one of a kind. Call me a snob if you must but I will not be compared with what people perceive as storebought today. (^..^)

thismomquilts

There's a fine line - to me - between hand made and store bought - too good handmade could look like higher quality store bought. I am happy with my stuff either way...

zz-pd

I don't have to worry that anyone would mistake my work. God bless. Penny

omak

Pretty hard to not look commercial when you are absolutely doing the same thing to produce your quilt that is being done at a factory.
Or, put another way - - sewn products are actually sewn by real human beings, just like you and me ... there is no machine to take fabric, cut up pieces and get that blouse or pair of jeans out the other end ...
as one has already commented - - factory standards can be very poor, but not all factory work is sub-standard, any more than every quilter is an absolute professional.
I have a lot of older quilting magazines and books. It seems to me that with our quick sew, rotary cutting techniques, we are actually losing some of the skills our grandmothers utilized to accomplish the unique flavor of their quilts.
I know what you are meaning, Miss Kwhite - - but, don't worry about it! After all - - the factory standard should be excellent! and home or factory, all should try to produce the best ... the factory/commercial really is just a bigger version of what we accomplish daily in our individual sewing rooms <wave>