Monday, February 21, 2005

DYI shows I agree do not truely go into the reality of what it is like to sew a slipcover. But do you realize this is our opportunity to educate the general public about slipcovers.

When I teach at the sewing shows around the country folks then realize if they really don't know how to sew trying to tackle sewing their own slipcover is not something they want to do. So that is where we pros come into the picture.

Educating the public is on going.

Karen

Sunday, February 20, 2005

if it's any consolation ( and it shouldn't be, your critism is right on the money ( ha ha ).............

no labor is ever mentioned on that show, no labor is mentioned specifically on any of those shows ( not even addresses or states for the locations)

the difficulty is respresented as do it yourself level on other programs, which is even worse than not mentioning price.....

but what they try to do is get a dream under your craw that you just cannot ignore.

If price was stated, some people may dismiss it outright ( if they knew " sewing " costs as much as your accountant charges you, it's professional. ). They would not be our clients anyway.

The nugget of value is exposure, and it sure is skewed to gettin' up hopes it's cheap and simple, eh ?

Friday, February 18, 2005

Pointless vent to follow...

Just finished watching an episode of "Decorating Cents" on HGTV, in which a decorator does her mother's apartment living room ("for under $500").

(Imagine Mrs. Sofa Owner, who is watching this episode and thinking... "Hmm...")

Well, the decorator liked the style of her mom's couch, but not the color. Surprise! A custom slipcover (plus throw pillows) instantly appears in an interesting mix of color and texture (decorator points out the $50/yd fabric used sparingly here, less expensive fabric there, etc.) "for just $299". Yeah, $299. COM fabric only - $299. The fact that there even WAS a labor cost was not even mentioned. And if the decorator bought the fabric wholesale, even MORE unrealistic misinformation, since Mrs. Sofa Owner will be paying retail.

So, Mrs. Sofa Owner sees the episode and starts calling slipcover workrooms on Monday, looking for an "inexpensive way to freshen the look of her sofa." And is floored. "But... it's just a slipcover! It's not supposed to cost that much! "

[/vent]

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Debbie Philipps (of Fredericksburg, TX) and her home and workroom - Simple Slips - are the featured cover story of Country Living for March 2005! Check out her work with vintage and linen fabrics - just beautiful!

Note: Debbie's been busy - see also...

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_fabrics_slipcovers/article/0,1793,HGTV_3391_1394968,00.html

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:yKdQ0El6vfUJ:magazines.ivillage.com/victoria/print/0,,367606,00.html++%22simple+slips%22+slipcovers&hl=en&ie=UTF-8%20target=nw


(Sorry about the coding, still having trouble - you'll have to cut 'n paste the addresses)