tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post3094158319343899310..comments2024-02-28T01:27:13.996+00:00Comments on Just Call Me Ruby: The Real WorldJust call me Rubyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00900845943945737063noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-53750623395265536822010-12-27T19:46:55.163+00:002010-12-27T19:46:55.163+00:00I love to make my own clothes or recycle by buying...I love to make my own clothes or recycle by buying vintage. It's funny how some of the high street shops now have vintage inspired ranges, it's so much better to have a rummage and find the originals, not inferior remakes/copies. I love my handknits, friends like to receive my handknits as gifts. If anything I've inspired other knitters to come out of the woodwork.<br />Don't lose heart, your designs are inspirational, now I'm getting off my soap box and back to my knitting xxmandicraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-3029139903431933272010-12-18T16:00:41.188+00:002010-12-18T16:00:41.188+00:00I too spend little time in the high street shops a...I too spend little time in the high street shops and it is a shock when I do go into a shop selling cheap disposable fashion - it really is another world . The decision not to pursue H&M through the courts is a pragmatic decision and will hopefully save you even more anguish. However, to return your recent kindness to me, I will now write to H&M to express my concerns. Hopefully if few more people do the same, they will at least think about an apology?St Trinianshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04725847109831800899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-41763509776327786902010-12-14T10:21:12.235+00:002010-12-14T10:21:12.235+00:00I'm so sorry this has happened to you Susan. ...I'm so sorry this has happened to you Susan. I'm a big fan of your beautiful designs and as a small independant designer I know how hard it is to fight against the highstreet. Luckily there are still a few people out there who are willing to pay for quality and style over instant gratification.<br /><br />I hope this set back doesn't discourage you too much.Flossy and Dossyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715218381618799181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-25132652407336321612010-12-13T10:04:35.110+00:002010-12-13T10:04:35.110+00:00As you know, I had a great time at the Clothes Sho...As you know, I had a great time at the Clothes Show, enhanced by your being there. Our stand taught around 350 people to knit, and hopefully some of those will end up buying your books and yarn and getting really addicted to this fantastic hobby.<br /><br />I admire your decision not to put all your energy into chasing H&M, but instead to concentrate on your own path. A very brave decision which comes from someone who is very strong and well supported by family.Vanessa Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04493113107968408168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-81540729961237096872010-12-12T23:41:30.506+00:002010-12-12T23:41:30.506+00:00The essence of your work is quality. While it is l...The essence of your work is quality. While it is little consolation, H&M clearly haven't figured out how to "knock off" that. In moving forward, your health (mental and financial) is most important. Hugs x.x.Helen.x.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07769217260158213406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-5984079519167071902010-12-12T14:36:52.383+00:002010-12-12T14:36:52.383+00:00I thought this site might interest you - it's ...I thought this site might interest you - it's for designers who've had their work copied<br /><br />http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/Mimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578612522819952936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-67236950373114025742010-12-12T13:55:55.598+00:002010-12-12T13:55:55.598+00:00I suppose this is typical for the age we live in.....I suppose this is typical for the age we live in...<br />Nearly all products are available as fakes, not only designer goods, but also pharmaceuticals, which is not only anoying, but puts peoples' lives at risk.<br />Everything is done for profit, ethics do not count.<br />On the other hand, neary everybody can afford nowadays what used to be a privilege of the very rich: eat meat every day of the week and buy new clothes and shoes every season, even a special christmas-jumper to be worn only once or twice.<br />Even though I do not like this "cheap" society, I think there are many people who cannot afford anything else and do not want to save for ten years before they can afford a new winter coat.<br />As for knitting, it definitely does not pay...I would be lucky to get one euro per hour of knitting if I sold my socks. It is more about the process and having an unique piece of clothing. Therefore I am also waiting for your second volume of a stitch in time, which I will definitely buy, even though I cannot knit anything involving sleeves.<br />griseldisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-84251257206670475672010-12-11T17:22:02.634+00:002010-12-11T17:22:02.634+00:00Susan, I know what you are talking about...believe...Susan, I know what you are talking about...believe me, I've been there. At one vintage/new clothes show I was at a few years ago, on the last day a dealer was selling everything in the booth for $10 (the organizers announced it for her)the last 1 1/2hr ...$5...then the loud announcement was 'come and get it' all free. Needless to say there was a stampede, no other vendor could get a look in and it was the last time I did that show. Do you think the disposable clothes thing might come to a natural end in a few years?<br />I, for one, am looking forward to A Stitch in Time #2.fabriquefantastiquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12455177942688723902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-2588744958554205862010-12-11T16:35:41.663+00:002010-12-11T16:35:41.663+00:00The sort of people who would buy that H&M swea...The sort of people who would buy that H&M sweater, and the acrylic knitting machine monster are never going to get what you're about. It's like owning a Gainsborough as opposed to buying a nasty print from Wilkinsons. <br /><br />I'm glad you're saving your energy for your unique and beautiful creative work, and look forward to seeing more of it.Mrs. Exeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15228765866473642505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-31674880095002494632010-12-11T15:50:53.911+00:002010-12-11T15:50:53.911+00:00People at work are always saying to me "You c...People at work are always saying to me "You could get that from Primark" when they see me knitting.. Erm, I don't think so! I give them the argument you mention and love that I have the skills to make something so beautiful and of such quality you really wouldn't find on the High Street. Plus, it's not been made by exploitation.<br />I revel in the quiet satisfaction I get from each tiny stitch.<br /><br />georgieGeorgiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14703146054583225958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-74360872279459557692010-12-11T15:35:02.441+00:002010-12-11T15:35:02.441+00:00I'm so sorry that you have had this horrible t...I'm so sorry that you have had this horrible thing done to you at a time when you feel low and drained already. You have to do what is right for you and your business not what other people think you should do.I'm glad you have emailed H&M as they may not be aware that someone has copied your work. However you can rest assured in the knitting world everyone knows you were there first.Chrissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13254578516714017969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-71757071074504053162010-12-11T14:50:08.510+00:002010-12-11T14:50:08.510+00:00You know there is one difference in this your desi...You know there is one difference in this your design is so much more classier than that dish rag of a copy. I feel very sad for the knock off merchants, how boring their lives must be. Don't loose heart Susan just think of all those people you inspired that far outweighs the negative. Take care, Nicky xxVera Amoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02437687309506774526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-24282225378143158492010-12-11T14:40:00.170+00:002010-12-11T14:40:00.170+00:00:( This all sounds unspeakably awful for you. I wa...:( This all sounds unspeakably awful for you. I wasn't impressed with CSL either - can't say much for professional reasons, but I did feel overall it felt far too much about consuming, with no real love of textiles or appreciation of what goes into a really good garment.Mimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578612522819952936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-56506394825711619552010-12-11T14:09:04.707+00:002010-12-11T14:09:04.707+00:00My sister (who doesn't knit) has been dying fo...My sister (who doesn't knit) has been dying for the Christmas Jumper ever since I showed her the preview of it on your blog last year. She knows that a cheaper version is available at H&M is available but knowing it is such a blatant knock off, won't buy it. She's just going to continue to try to convince me to knit it for her. I just wanted you to know that even nonknitters will side with small designers when they see them being ripped off.Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730751493958885456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-72136567893586810932010-12-11T14:02:40.724+00:002010-12-11T14:02:40.724+00:00Hugs m'dear, I understand exactly how you feel...Hugs m'dear, I understand exactly how you feel, and how draining this could be in the long run, and I hope others understand this too. <br /><br />Something we could all do to help you is to encourage those handknitters who might have seen the H&M jumper and wish to make a version of their own, to visit you and buy your pattern.Woollyhttp://www.woollywormhead.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-42169360182138765192010-12-11T13:48:04.882+00:002010-12-11T13:48:04.882+00:00Dear Susan.
Having been a market trader at Spital...Dear Susan.<br /><br />Having been a market trader at Spitalfields Market I know exactly what you are talking about, and I do relate to how you feel. Having to "compete" with cheap mass produced acrylic knitwear from China, almost killed my spirit. Having endless conversations with people who's only concern is how cheap you can get something, not paying any consideration towards environmental or ethical issues, is extremely depressing. <br /><br />I'm so happy that I was able to open my shop, and that most people that visit me now have a completely different attitude towards what I'm trying to communicate through my business and my passion for knitting. <br /><br />I'm happy that you decided not to let this keep you down, and to move on with what is constructive and inspiring for you. And know that you truly are an inspiration to others, despite the impression you might got during the last week.<br /><br />XXX,<br />MayaBMayaBhttp://www.maya-b.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-71398731453541668592010-12-11T13:38:29.904+00:002010-12-11T13:38:29.904+00:00I totally understand how you feel.
However, I wou...I totally understand how you feel.<br /><br />However, I would take this post down for a couple of weeks until after you've sent your email and given them a chance to respond. Otherwise you've shown your hand and they'll know not to offer you anything by way of compensation.<br /><br />I understand what you mean about the Clothes Show - I was working for I Knit at the Ideal Home Show (16 days!! luckily I was in the shop some days and not at the show the whole time) and it was soul destroying. The organisers also didn't treat us that well - we understood we were getting a stand for free, which was great, but when we got there we had half the space we'd been promised and no lighting - apparently if we wanted light we had to pay for it! We were surrounded by cheap tat and 2 for 1 deals and no one really wanted to spend the time to sit and learn to knit.<br /><br />Let us know if you want us to make more fuss on Twitter. I understand if you don't - if it got to Hidden Eloise proportions you'd be spending a lot of time dealing with blog comments and media enquiries. We've all got a limited amount of energy and I understand how you want to use yours positively and creatively, and that in itself is inspiring - too many of us spend too much time on negativity.<br /><br />And with that, I need to go and channel some energies of my own!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35036043.post-60172229327475693482010-12-11T13:36:12.237+00:002010-12-11T13:36:12.237+00:00I understand completely why you've decided as ...I understand completely why you've decided as you have. It sucks mightily that small, independent designers can get screwed so mightily by the big corporates, yet not be in a position to do a thing about it. If I bought from H&M (which I don't) I'd stop. What I will do is make sure I buy the pattern for the real jumper, make my own and wear it with defiant pride.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com