From: tigger@satyr.Sylvan.COM (Grace Sylvan)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Re: What makes a Bozo alarm go off
Date: 8 Nov 92 07:27:08 GMT
	<1992Nov6.203123.1997@cbfsb.cb.att.com>
Organization: Sylvan Associates

In article <1992Nov6.203123.1997@cbfsb.cb.att.com> motto@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mary.rita.otto) writes:

   Would sewing still be the same rewarding experience for you if you
   selected a "clip-art" picture of the garment, fed in your measurements,
   dropped the fabric and thread and notions into a hopper, pressed a button
   and in a while the program would laser cut all the pieces and then
   precision stitch them together into a completed garment?  For me, all
   enjoyment would be lost.  For me, the joy is in the designing and the
   creating.

   Mary Otto

Mary, when I said I used a computer as a graphics designer, I was
still the human doing the designing. The computer was my paper and
pen. The magic is that I could adjust, design, try this, try that, all
QUICKLY. And if the client asked for one change, a human wouldn't have
to redraw the whole damned thing, I could just edit the item and print
it again. It is a tool, it changed the amount of hours that someone
would have done doing tedious drawing and redrawing of a project.

There are two parts to the joy, as you stated - the designing and the
creating. For those who use the computer as a tool, they are still
enjoying the designing aspect. Michael wanted the team logo to look a
certain way that he had created (or could create) on his computer. He
decided he'd rather have machine embroidered shirts than silk screened
shirts. Is there really something wrong with him prefering machine
embroidery (for a team jersey!) to silk screening.

Now, to answer your question, about the magic machine, computer to
select things, put notions/fabric in 1 end and out the other comes a
garment - if I could actually *design* with such a magic machine, I
might enjoy using it for some projects.  (Like choose to colorblock or
design an applique or a coordinating outfit or whatever) I'd also be
choosing the fabrics from my stockpiled collection. It would
definitely be a *different* experience, but different doesn't
necessarily mean worse in my book.

I've designed some pretty cute kid's outfits before, it was fun. If I
could make all my kid's clothing that way, and stuff for myself (that
fit properly), I would. I would also want to handmake (use a sewing
machine) some garments start to finish. But right now my choice is to
go to the store and settle for what I can find cheap, spend a lot of
money getting an item I want, or spend time with my collected fabrics
to create what I want. Since I want 100% cotton, and my daughter is
somewhat fussy about certain styles, that limits my options quite a
bit. And since I've got two kids (one a baby) and my husband has a
very busy schedule, my time for such projects is rather limited.

Sure, using computers (like any other machines - there was a big
objection when sewing machines were created!) changes things. It
causes jobs to be created, and it causes some job markets to decrease.
Recycling is changing job markets, too, and there are people who would
fight to have it not be that way. Job markets change.

Btw, are you telling me that some years ago I would have found someone
in the yellow pages advertising to embroider wedding bed linens? I'm
married, and I don't even have any embroidered wedding linens...
perhaps it is also a decrease in the demand for such items that is the
culprit. I'm sure that not *everyone* in the good old days got
embroidered wedding linens, anyways.



-- 

Tigger (Grace Sylvan)                Mom of Katherine Yelena, 8/8/89,
tigger@satyr.sylvan.com              Corey 1/31/91; we loved him so,
                                     Robin Gregory born 2/28/92

 "It seems to me that our large goal is to find the ways to help our
 children become humane and strong."
 
              - Dr Haim Ginott quoted by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Newsgroups: alt.sewing