What’s your problem?
What’s your problem?
Will you sew something for me?
No.
Please? I’ll pay you!
Okay, now we’re talking. My hypothetical going rate is $85/hour for labor. In addition, you will also be responsible for the cost of fabric, patterns, notions, and any snacks I may consume while making your garment. I reserve the right to refuse requests. In the event that I take on your project, I reserve the right to make design, fabric, and construction changes without your knowledge or consent. I offer no guarantee of satisfaction. Don’t forget to ask about my $2 discount for close friends and family. You still here?
Are you as selfish as you claim to be?
Yes.
Why are you so selfish? How did you get this way?
This conversation is boring me.
Why don’t you draft patterns in my size?
For now, the Coffee Date Dress is the only pattern I have drafted in a multi-size pattern. I’m not an expert at drafting, and I’m definitely not an expert at grading. Grading for me is a tedious and difficult process, and there’s no way for me to check whether I’ve graded accurately without making a bunch of samples in other sizes and fitting them on other people. I just don’t have time to make multiple versions of the same dress for a bunch of people. Sorry!
I love one of the 1950s vintage patterns in your collection! I’ve been looking for it everywhere and I desperately need it for my prom/wedding/Oscar ceremony. Can you make a copy for me?
Believe me, I sympathize with you, but unless you have Vogue S-4010 and want to make a trade for it, no. Despite lots of inquiring and searching, I have never been able to find definitive information that convinces me that copying and distributing vintage patterns from the 1950s is legal in all cases. In addition, copying patterns is time consuming and requires big paper and lots of space. If you can provide me with evidence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that a particular pattern is no longer under copyright (and by this I mean something along the lines of a record from the US Copyright Office indicating that the copyright on a specific pattern has expired, not a quote from an ill-informed rant about pattern copyright on someone’s blog), then we can talk. My hypothetical fee for legally copying patterns is the same as my hypothetical fee for sewing: $85/hour for labor plus all materials costs.
Can we talk privately?
selfishseamstress[at]gmail[dot]com
Selfish beeyatch.
You know it.
51 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 17, 2010 at 6:29 pm
The Selfish Seamstress FAQ « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] FAQ […]
August 27, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Cadienne
When I refused to sew for my 13 yr.-old fashion-conscious daughter, she asked me to teach her to sew so she wouldn’t need to ask me.
Selfishness has its rewards — although now we’ll have to schedule machine time. I come first.
HAHAHA.
April 6, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Tiffany
Hello oh wise Selfish Seamstress
I am absolutely in love with your rendition of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress. I would love to attempt to make one for myself, but unfortunately when I try to download the PDF file it won’t open. I was hoping, if possible, would you be able to please email me the PDF?
Thank you so much
Tiffany
April 24, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Britt
I am new to sewing and really wanted a sleeveless cowl neck. Google led me to your blog, and within a couple of hours, I had produced an actual shirt! Not perfect (I did rush because I was so excited to see how it would turn out), but a very satisfying attempt, and I’ll try it again with different fabric. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern!
May 23, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Margaret Meek
Hi I need a copy of the instruction (the first page ASAP) could you please send it to me and how much would it be, I have the pattern, but my puppy chewed up the first page of instuctions!
I hope there are only only 3 pages, it appears I have the first(cutting instructions) and the last( finishing details.)
and we are making these dresses for a Hawaiian wedding for the bridesmaids…URH, Please help! Thank you, Marge
May 17, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Anon
Why don’t you ever link to my blog?
May 17, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Rose in SV
Nice FAQ! My only wish is that you would load an image of your desired pattern Vogue S-4010, so that if someone finds it, they taunt trade with you.
Rose in SV
May 17, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Nikole
A+++++
May 17, 2010 at 6:56 pm
rach
best FAQ list ever
May 17, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Karen
After starting to sew again and getting sidetracked with other people’s projects so that I have not finished a single one for me, I can totally get the selfish part! Oh and $85/ hours sounds great!
May 17, 2010 at 7:29 pm
rita
The first one cracks me up.
May 17, 2010 at 8:14 pm
D
If I had a blog and had an FAQ on it, it would be something very much like yours. :)
May 17, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Tasia
Hahaha. Thanks for clearing up the unanswered questions!
May 17, 2010 at 10:15 pm
juebejue
would i qualify for the $2 discount? :)
May 18, 2010 at 12:33 am
Imaan
I think 85/hr is too cheap. You are worth more than that…
May 18, 2010 at 1:04 am
a peppermint penguin
*Only* $85/hr? Is the snarking free?
Have you considered drafting software – not for the make me your dress pattern in my size, (honest!) but would it make your drafting quicker and more accurate? I haven’t used any myself, so if I wanted to draft a pattern it would be big bit of paper, rulers, pencil and much use of the eraser. However I think it is possible to have your sloper in the software and use it to make style changes. Just a thought!
May 18, 2010 at 1:27 am
AnaJan
:)
May 18, 2010 at 5:02 am
carmen
Have you seen this?
http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Vogue_4010
excuse me for my english
I am spanish
May 18, 2010 at 5:09 am
Auntie Allyn
I agree . . . $85/hour is too low of a price. My time is worth $100 an hour, and yours should be, too!
May 18, 2010 at 6:04 am
woolcat
Are those really questions you get? Or have you been feeling a little too unselfish recently and you want to convince us of your beeyatchiness?
May 18, 2010 at 11:08 am
selfishseamstress
You need convincing?? :D
The questions I get a lot (in addition to “will you sew for me” and “how much would it cost?”) are “Can you make one of your patterns in my size” and “Can you send me a copy of one of your vintage patterns.” I’d say that I’m tired of answering them repeatedly, but the truth is that I usually just ignore them :)
Oh, and people have mentioned that they have a hard time finding my email address.
May 18, 2010 at 9:06 am
Cynthia
Now this is an FAQ. I too loved the first question. You ever thought about publishing. As a litigator in my previous life, I can totally understand your position about copying vintage patterns.
June 8, 2010 at 12:02 am
Anna
I think I love you.
June 28, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Dalia
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! (too many dresses in my head now)
July 2, 2010 at 9:37 am
Drsue
I love these faq’s. I have a question: do you get these questions from people in your real life or from people on the internet (or both.)
Frankly I think sewing for others isn’t worth it at all, no matter what they might pay you. Life is too short.
July 4, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Valerie Lebedevas
So funny. Yes. sewing for others can be a pain in the A$$
July 5, 2010 at 6:32 am
Lauren
Hi,
I’ve just discovered your wonderful blog..it’s great! I have committed to learn to sew…my mom bought me a brand new Bernina sewing machine and I can’t wait to learn how to use it.
Please tell…where did you learn to sew? What were your first projects? Any recommendations for me?
Would love to hear back!!
Lauren
Dorchester, Ontario
July 30, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Lauren
Hello,
2 questions I’m dying to know…..1) How did you learn to sew? and 2) Would you perhaps consider posting the cost of each sewn item…it what be interesting to know your cost in comparison to a similar retail item.
I’m really enjoying your blog…thanks!
January 4, 2011 at 7:59 am
Traveling Tailor
Hi Elaine,
Saw your article in Vogue Patterns Feb. / March 2011. Fantastic!
You have read many a mind of seamstresses. New Years Resolution: Design my own and sew for myself for a change.
On my way to New York on Thursday to purchase a Bernina 380 just for fun.
Saw your article in Vogue Patterns Feb. / March 2011.
Happy New Year Elaine
January 15, 2011 at 11:54 am
stacie
You are my idol. Because of you, I am now a selfish seamstress too.
January 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Alex
Hi there,
I love your patterns! I am wanting to complete the coffee date dress in the 34-42 but am having trouble with printing the pattern…
Do I need to print on A3 paper??? Or just A4 I want to make sure I get the scale right.
Thanks!
Alex
January 22, 2011 at 11:59 am
Sewbrmom
Love the hypothetical fee structure. After being HOUNDED by a “friend” about making her a duvet cover (I don’t even want to sew something that boring for myself) I finally responded to her final plea of “I’ll pay you” with “You can’t afford me.” “How much?” “$100 an hour.” “No one makes $100 an hour for sewing!” “Vera Wang and I do.” (And yes I realize Ms Wang makes way more than that…at least I hope she does.) No more requests from her for sewing.
January 27, 2011 at 8:54 pm
anita
What does one say to thoughtless friends who say “you like to sew, I have a skirt for you to sew” as if I should be thrilled to do this for them. I am usually taken aback at these requests and hardly know how to answer, other than to just say no.
One girl expected me to alter a bridesmaids dress, which would have required a complete disassembly of the bodice, which was ten sizes too big for her. Another wanted me to hem a daughters dress (two layers) for the next days big event, as her sewing machine wasn’t working.
June 21, 2011 at 9:07 am
gernella
I really recongise a kindred spirit here. Me, me,me and me. Although I will repair hems on my husband’s trousers, because he does all my cooking.
September 1, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Kristina
Just discovered your blessed blog! You go girl!!! THANKS for expressing the voice of experience. Why do people assume that a seamstress will be thrilled to make their (pick one) ugly skirts, tailored jackets, fussy cocktail/bridesmaid dresses? I finally learned my lesson and added to my vocabulary, “No, sorry, my calendar is full,” with the synonymous phrase, “No, I can’t, but you can find someone to sew for you from your fabric store or dry cleaner.” Your snarkiness is so refreshing. I also thumb my nose at the sewing mannequins that define “standards” for women’s body shapes. Why can’t they have more than one? I nominate you president of the FWA Club.
October 4, 2011 at 11:29 am
Does anyone want my copy of McCall’s 4425? « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] FAQ […]
January 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Sara
You do know that you can buy the Vogue S-4010 on Etsy.com right? :)
February 25, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Lizzie Blatt
Just read your fabulous article in the latest issue of Vogue magazine. I would love to follow your blog. I thought I was the only person in the world who seethes with spite when asked if I can make stuff for other people. Are they kidding? Have they no idea how much sweat and blood (never mind the cursing) goes into making the stuff for myself; they want me to go through all that again – for them?
March 24, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Heather
I just found your blog and I LOVE your FAQ page!!! I sew for ME! This Often includes clothes for me, my daughter, and sometimes, my niece. But these are all projects I am inspired, motivated, and desire to make. Next time I am asked to make something for somebody I am going to add snacks to the list of fees and expenditures. HAHA!
May 30, 2012 at 4:45 am
Arya Morgain
Hi !
could you help me?
Where do you get your fabrics from?
Could you give me the Adress of an good online shop?
July 19, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Denise Marois-Wolf
Just wanted to say how much I love your blog. I’m petite, have way too much wool in my stash, and only sew for people who make me cookies or pump my gas. Or immediate family members.
September 8, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Isabella
Hi Selfish Seamstress!
Can you tell me what pattern you used for the Sugar Snow Dress?
I am in love with it =)
Your blog is great! I read it constantly.
Many thanks,
Isabella
February 9, 2013 at 5:37 pm
silky1way
This is simply great. Have to show this link all my friends in order to finally understand why I do not like to make anything for anbyody only for me!!!!Great blog btw.
Suzi
February 25, 2013 at 11:21 am
karenjan19
I look forward to each and every one of your blog posts!
August 1, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Sandra
I only want to make things for me too!!!! I am teaching my nieces to sew so they can make things for themselves, we made little bags this past weekend and it was fun but I was exhausted.
September 18, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Shannon
Love your site and your style. The most useful thing I learned as a professional singer was to tell people that only birds sing for free. Keep it up!
November 23, 2013 at 10:00 pm
vegangirl57
Hi! Can I use 100% cotton denim with the Jalie jeans 2908 pattern?
February 10, 2014 at 9:30 am
GG
LOL Love your FAQs. Maybe you should update it with “Selfish seamstress, Your Royalness, where have you been”?
February 24, 2014 at 3:40 am
stupendousC
I just want to say you are absolutely awesome!!! Your style (sartorial AND literary) is wonderfully refreshing and I salute you for your contribution to womankind!!!
April 22, 2014 at 8:11 am
ant
I quite understand your $85 plus expenditures an hour and, your logo picture is a beautiful form of someone in great shape whose expression says it all. None sewing folks try to worth my time sewing to be akin to a dollar store so, I suggest they read your blog when some hint message of dislike and unworthiness, then they call me cold. you deserve much more than your sarcasm of which I totally understand why.
July 11, 2014 at 11:08 am
Jen
Not only are you a talented artist, but you are hilariously witty! I stumbled onto your blog and enjoy it immensely! You rock!