I Guess If It Helps Sell Your Stuff...

[JLSleather]

TXAG how many of your clothes are handmade / hand sewn.....they used every piece of machine they could find to make them quicker to keep cost down so they could actually sell them ...

I make a lot of stuff and i call it handmade because everything about it is done by hand except for the sewing and i tell them i sew on a machine. Now if people want to pay three / four of five times the price i'd hand sew it but in my world it's not going to happen. Their not going to pay 250.00 for something they can buy for 50.00 .

Everybody saying the same thing, just different words. It MAKES ME MONEY. Machines are used for SPEED to be PRICE COMPETITIVE. Always somebody with a 'spin'.

Tina's pic is what I was talking about.. NOT the same thing.

[Tex Shooter]

Wow, opinions are like noses! Everybody has one! I hand stitch because I have the time and it is very therapeutic. I have noticed that when I put a little video of me hand stitching with ads that my sales doubled! I need to make a better one now. -- Tex

[dirtclod]

I hear people talk about the stitching breaking just like in Tina's picture. My answer is the same one i have had several times on here and it's ( how many necked people did you see at work or around town ? ) because somebody you seen today had broke stitches in their clothes . The way yall act is if a stitch breaks and it was sewed with a machine it's going unravel. NEWS FLASH it doesn't just unravel ! If you want to hand sew knock your self out you will never be able to make a living hand sewing unless like i said you get 4 to 5 times what you have to charge machine sewing. This is what i do for a living and have for done the last 30 years.

[Northmount]

The picture comparing lock-stitch with saddle stitch omits some reality. It is rare that only one stitch is abraded or cut. Usually several stitches are abraded, so the integrity of both threads is lost. Anybody do repairs on old tack and harness? If not, take the time to look at what happens to the surface stitching on well used and worn equipment. I realize most tack is machine sewn, but my point is the abrasion the tack and harness is subjected to.

I do appreciate the skill and time that saddle stitching takes. I also love the same appearance on both sides of a well done quality job. I'll use a machine where I can, and hand stitch where the machine can't reach. Though in many of those cases I would lace the project.

It all comes done to personal opinion and experience. Many customers have little experience. They just want the cheapest handmade item, some regardless of appearance. To them, the ratty look is a mark of pride in owning something handmade. They support the underdog.

Tom

Edited October 18, 2013 by northmount

[sheathmaker]

The picture comparing lock-stitch with saddle stitch omits some reality. It is rare that only one stitch is abraded or cut. Usually several stitches are abraded, so the integrity of both threads is lost. Anybody do repairs on old tack and harness? If not, take the time to look at what happens to the surface stitching on well used and worn equipment. I realize most tack is machine sewn, but my point is the abrasion the tack and harness is subjected to.

I do appreciate the skill and time that saddle stitching takes. I also love the same appearance on both sides of a well done quality job. I'll use a machine where I can, and hand stitch where the machine can't reach. Though in many of those cases I would lace the project.

It all comes done to personal opinion and experience. Many customers have little experience. They just want the cheapest handmade item, some regardless of appearance. To them, the ratty look is a mark of pride in owning something handmade. They support the underdog.

Tom

This post pretty well sums up my opinion. The picture does not take in reality of the situation. In theory it's right, in actual day to day fact it is not. Take the time to pull a stitch line done on a machine. It does not just unravel.

Paul

[Macca]

Can machines replicate the slanted, hand stitched look ? I see a lot of machine stitched articles with large stitch holes and straight stitching, like the wallet in the OP

just wondering if its possible to get the same look with a machine ?

to be fair, just because its hand stitched doesn't mean it looks good, I think a lot of hand stitched goods could do with much smaller stitches and thread, maybe its just a Euro taste thing..

[dirtclod]

It's not just a Euro thing. I travel around quite a bit selling my things. One guys web site said that everthing was hand sewn for strength and looks. When i got the event i was looking at what other people had for sale and seen his stuff. It was hand sewn but the stitches were a 1/2 inch long and it looked pretty durn rough. In my travels i see things like his 1/2 inch stitches quite a bit.

[Go2Tex]

If there was a machine to stitch cantle and horn bindings I'd get one. Well, if it looked as good as hand stitched, I'd surely get one. But, there are things that just can't be machine stitched and that's why I keep the ol' stitching horse around, mostly taking up space, but on occasion, it really comes in handy. And, it's also a good conversation piece.... and foot rest.

[Cyberthrasher]

All the hype aside, I want to know who all these backers are that don't know how to do the most basic research, like look up what a finished wallet should actually look like.

[Macca]

All the hype aside, I want to know who all these backers are that don't know how to do the most basic research, like look up what a finished wallet should actually look like.

Social network marketing at its finest.