Why All Information Should NOT Be Free Online: Foundations Revealed Behind The Scenes
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Sewists - foundationsrevealed.com/join
Business owners - abundantartisan.com
** Chapters **
00:00 Setup
00:33 Intro
0
2:05 What (and who) is FR, and who is it for?
06:44 Samantha's story: "I'm getting a lot more sewing done"
08:07 It's not all about Cathy: the FR Team
09:49 Diversity and Inclusion
11:22 But shouldn’t information be free on the Internet?
14:29 What we do and how we do it
17:24 Celinda's story: three skirts
18:58 What we're working on for the future
21:07 Clare's story: "I feel so fashion"
22:24 Accessibility
23:07 Membership types
24:19 Our sales and marketing
30:45 Nancy's story: sewing with chronic illness
32:22 What's available if you join now
34:58 A smol rant about selling
37:44 Mariya's story: a welcoming community
39:24 Invitation to join us
For years, Foundations Revealed has been a journey - not just for me, but for many of you right here in this community. It's been a place where we've shared wins, challenges, and our strange and beautiful love for historical dress, costume and corsetry.
However, as with any journey taken in public, there have been spectators with a lot to say. There have been rough times and important lessons learned, of course, but sometimes the comment from the bleachers has been… not constructive… and sometimes not even accurate.
And after a lot of deep consideration, I’ve decided that it's time for me to share some truths about what it is that my team and I are really up to here.
It covers who we are, who we’re here for, what we do and how, and how we’re uplevelling as the Internet evolves. It also covers diversity and inclusion, accessibility, our content, and our much-discussed marketing methods.
But it’s not the standard dramafest...
I humbly invite you to join me in this moment of reflection and honesty, told through the medium of two goofy sisters having a great time - and thank you, once again, for being a part of this journey.
Your support and passion are at the heart of what we do, and it is with a grateful heart that I share this declaration (in all its rawness) with you.
Love,
Cathy
My sister Rose:
YT @artymous6140 IG @artymous76
** Footnotes **
1 - @tedthetailornyc Theodore Allegrini, Dark Lady Alice, FR Competition 2021
2 - Suit, 1892, American, Metropolitan Museum NY, Accession Number: C.I.53.72.9a-c www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
3 - The Delineator, "Varied Effects in a Tailor Made Shirt Waist", May 1901, Metropolitan Museum Fashion Plate collection
libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/dig...
4 - Dress Bodice drafting diagram from the Superlative System of Cutting Ladies' Garments by Charles John Stone, 1897 archive.org/details/superlati...
5 - The Delineator, "Morning Toilette", August 1898, Metropolitan Museum Fashion Plate collection libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/dig...
6 - Photographic Postcard Of Harriet Tubman's Great Nieces, Eva and Alida Stewart, National Museum of African American History and Culture www.si.edu/object/photographi...
8 - @izabelapriorattire Izabela Pitcher, "12th Century Dress - The Bliaut", FR 2013
9 - @sophia__khan Sophia Khan, "Making an Early 1900s Wool Bathing Costume", FR 2021
10 - @clockwork_faerie Michelle Fitzgerald, "Symington Corsetmaking Technique" series, FR 2017
11 - Mark Garbarczyk [not on social media afaik], "How To Make A Bra" series, FR 2011
16 - Kelly's finished walking skirt, 2023
17 - Celinda's finished walking skirt, 2023
18 - Melody's finished walking skirt, 2023
19 - Ven's finished walking skirt, 2023
20 - Kara's finished walking skirt, 2023
21 - @charlie.asteralia Charlie, Dreaming of Spring, FR Competition 2023
22 - @cationdesigns Cation Designs, Ye Xian, FR Competition 2023
** Music **
‘A Ten Course Banquet’ - David Celeste
‘Inspiration’ - Megan Wofford
‘Diametrical’ - Aerian
‘Course’ - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
‘A World Behind’ - Hanna Lindgren
‘Introspectif’ - Magnus Ludvigsson
‘Daydreaming’ - Hanna Lindgren
‘The Time’ - Martin Gauffin
‘Never Let Go’ - Jakob Ahlbom
‘Too Much Talking’ - Magnus Ludvigsson
‘Heavy Words We’re Holding’ - Trevor Kowalski
‘Prosper’ - Megan Wofford
‘Aero’ by Trevor Kowalski
‘It Starts With Us’ - Airae
(All from Epidemic Sound)
Edited by Sophie Black at @triskellepictures
/ @triskellepicturesuk
You can also follow me and see my own sewing on Instagram:
/ cathy.hay
I'm currently between mailing addresses, thank you for your patience. 
Хобби
Questions about FR or the Abundant Artisan? Feel free to comment below, or do so privately by emailing hello@foundationsrevealed.com - Cathy
PS - Q: What's up with her voice? A: Muscle tension dysphonia. Thank you for your concern!
Oh my goddness! You used my videos in this and it made my day better .love you guys so much and thank you again for foundation. It’s helping me a lot.
@@samanthasolveson625 Hi Samantha, thank you so much for your kind comments! I appreciate you so much. Members like you make our jobs easy.
It foundations that keeps me sewing which in turns makes me feel happier and healthier. And I can’t wait for the shirt course . I’m excited.
I love all of the incredible resources you have for members and I had a quick question for people like me who are working on growing their confidence in sewing but only have a few days a month to dedicate to it (if that): I'm really interested in the walking skirt and shirtwaist courses since I need that extra guidance but am short on time. If I get time later on in the year (probably after the courses are released), would I still be able to become a member or is there a window for membership?
@@SewlockHolmes Hi there, we're open all the year round. The offer is just a discount. 🙂
"Why is your work so expensive?" My response: "I pay myself a living wage, why would you have a problem with that?"
"Why are you charging your boss so much for the work you do?" is a question no one has ever asked lol (and rightfully so, of course - what an egregious inquiry). So why would it be any different with artisans.
Bravo! Well said.
I'm one of those casual fans, and I have zero problem with full lessons and mentorships being behind a pay wall. I appreciate the RUclips videos, and I definitely don't feel entitled to them. I wish you luck with diversifying.
I am always angry that artists are expected to donate their skills, art, creations for free. Everyone should be paid for their creations. Thank you so much for what you do.
Just watched your latest and totally agree with what you have said. 72 yo retired, I made wedding dresses and did alterations for years and had many complain about how much I charged. In my late 30's got tired of the BS and changed careers and became a nurse. Those who knew that I had skill as a seamstress and suddenly feel they were a close enough friend they started asking for wedding dresses made by me for free as I was no longer " working" for themselves or daughters. I said NO. You are correct creatives can be our own worst enemy. We don't owe things to others for free. Keep educating creatives to value their self worth. I learned from my experience as a charge nurse to set limits easily. If I was still sewing more and into historic costuming I would happily take your courses but sew only for myself now days. I still enjoy watching others and seeing their creations. I like rooting others on. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you for sharing Linda, and for your support! You know!
This summs up everything I wanted to say.
@CathyHay I don't care enough for historical dress to join your classes but I love what you're doing and how you're doing it in every way. It is so mindful on so many levels and I really hope that more people can value what you are teaching and all of you wonderful people at Foundations Revealed get the appreciation you all deserve for your absolute expertise. All the best wishes!
People don't sew , create artwork, or other art like woodworking. Think that the artist should be happy that you the artist, artwork is liked be them. It's like a hair cut. People are paying for the skills you have gained in your life. That being said. You can go to a solon or super cuts. You get what you pay for.💇♀️ 🎨
I can never understand when people think that training and patterns should be free but would never dream of walking into a shop and demand that the fabric should be free. There is no difference except in the mind of these people who don’t understand that knowledge is also a product. If you don’t believe knowledge should have a cost please send me a check to pay off my student loans.
HA! Great analogy!
This video is a college course. Not in ventriloquism, but in life, business, vulnerability, and reality. Brava, Cathy & Rose.
Hey you. Thank you for always being there with words of encouragement and support.
Agree. Thanks for you courageous share. I love the lip-synch!
What a beautiful sister, Foundation Revealed is a business. Some folks just want everything for nothing. May the Great Spirit grant everyone peace.
The work you and your incredible team do is second to none! I find it insane that people would suggest the entirety of Foundations Revealed should be free. I cannot personally afford a subscription, but would never suggest the creatives who pour so much into sharing their work and expertise shouldn't be compensated for it. The phenomenon of avoiding paying artists is such an odd way of appreciating the art itself. Thanks for your transparency and acknowledging your team!
A teacher taught me that when you want to buy a service, a course or an item, RARELY something is "too expensive", it's just out of your budget at the moment. You can save for a set period of time to change that, change your budget to make it possible or wait until you find yourself in a place where you can buy what you're looking for. Also working to achieve a goal like purchasing something can be a very good source of motivation, specially on the days where you feel low.
Second thing that this time was told by my grandma : Cost and value aren't the same thing.
the value of something is subjective because it depends on the needs and preferences of each individual. You migh value more something for yourself than me. While Cost is objective because it is set based on measurable and concrete factors.
Lovely video. One of the hardest things I had to do was cancel my membership due to financial issues. I have been sewing for many years, and still learn things every time I accessed the FR website. Thank you and your whole team for all that you do.
Yaay for you!
People need to stop trying to bully creators into paying less than their worth. It’s an extension of the mindset that creates fast fashion sweatshops and horrific labor practices.
love that your sister helped with all this... creative.
Brava!!! We must pay for content we value, whether that is in the form of advertising or membership or something else. As an educator, I am constantly asked by my students how to remove the watermarks from images they find on the internet so they can use it on their homework, and frustratingly they rarely leave my classes continuing to apply my lesson of “Keep the watermark, *add credit*, and prepare to pay appropriately once it is not for fair educational use.” Now with AI, I am struggling to help them make the connection between the images that Dall-E or ChatGPT can provide and the work previous artists spend slow time creating. I am glad you are giving us this message as a creator and as the central face of FR, which has the potential to support diverse creators; I will amplify your message, in turn!
I wonder if a business that was not seen as "women's work" would get the same criticism. Professionals deserve to be paid. Martha Stewart does not create everything in her shoes, magazine, etc. Why would your work be any different?
Kudos to Rose! First time on a teleprompter?!? Wow, that’s impressive! You are a natural!
And, Cathy, I love and deeply appreciate your philosophy, as one who is more on the teaching side of things (though I never stop learning, and would not want to!).
Any naysayers could compare your charges to the cost of college tuition. But, seriously, do you even have access to college-level courses in this field? I know that the university where I did my graduate work in Clothing and Textiles has discontinued the major and most of the courses, and I think that’s probably the trend throughout the US.
but also on this, one of the teachers IS a college level professor, so you're getting college level knowledge!
Cathy and the foundations Revealed staff have been so wonderful about sharing information and skill techniques to those who ask "How do I do that?" I highly recommend Foundations Revealed for those that want to improve their sewing skills and knowledge.
Thank you J, you're very kind!
I loved being a member and wish I could still afford it, I was very sad and upset when I left because even at the lowest tier - I really liked the library and found it helpful , but when I can - I will be back it is worth saving up money to do !! Because it was very nice to have a community of people to learn from .I still love to sew and Cathy's Business helped me learn the basics s moving forward , I can still make things as I was given the foundations. Thank you Cathy and Constance who taught me so many of my basic skills. I am super happy to hear that one can enroll at any time ! That is fabulous. !
You're all worth every cent I have or ever will invest . xxx
People who bicker seem to miss the fact that an awful lot of that information _is_ free. What FR is providing is curated, filtered, assembled neatly, catalogued and explained by experts - and that's what takes the time and resources to do. Nobody is stopping the "iformation should be free" people from going to museums and libraries, scour digital data and the vast amount on information that's out there for free...
Thank you for bringing up the deadlines thing. I, for one, didn't enjoy the once a year model, especially after taking the launch masterclass free workshop, and I appreciate FR is open for enrolment all year round. The soft deadlines of having promotions and dates make more sense when you explain them like that and with this model I feel it's a gentle push not a high-voltage cattle prod :D
Thank you for sharing all your wisdom and stories, they're much appreciated
Also kudos for Rose and her teleprompter work! Great job!
Dear Cathy, Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your passion and skill, both as a costumer and as an educator/mentor. Although I am not currently able to support/contribute to your work financially, I want you to know that I 100% acknowledge and believe that the services you provide are valuable, and that you, and your team, SHOULD be able to receive a living wage for what you do!! 🙂 Oh, and as for the Trolls/Keyboard Warriors and their "Snarky" comments - PUT THEM IN THE BIN!! LOL Please keep doing what you do - we appreciate you. PS: You and your sister are a HOOT!!
Thank you for your support Tina, always good to see you here!
Your sister did a beautiful job with the telepromter. I could imagine what your voice is like through her. Well done sis on helping Miss Cathy.
The voice assist was really effective. It looked comfortable and was easy to follow.
Thank you! I'm surprised how well it worked.
My pet peeve too: Filmimg teachers so that future (next year) students can still "learn" from them.
Then, "academia" (administration) doesn't "need" the teachers anymore. And can charge students whatever THEY want for their (corporation's) own pockets.
😢
Some of my teacher friends say, "No, they wouldn't do that to ME." "It is for the future, after I'm long gone."
Even Dharma teachers are being recorded (for posterity).
😢
as a student I've benefitted from recorded videos because so much of the valuable information is lost on the irl interaction for me. Also things like statistics are hard as they are, so having that lesson recorded for our course helped a ton. it is not black and white either way, and one solution doesn't work for all courses across all fields of study.
It's never going to be the same. They may indeed do this and think they can get rid of teachers, but the value of in-real-time instruction is being able to ask questions. There will always be demand for this
@motozulli Yep. "They" really DO need to think ahead to just what they are creating.
A better, more well educated student, . . .
OR
money in their own pocket.
😢
I really believe that the basics of just WHAT school is about & who it is for MUST be the underlying reason for ALL decisions.
Having just finished my first ever corset (was wearable, but I’m so happy nobody looked too closely) I am itching to make my next one and way better this time. Saw the current discount on memberships and figured I’d finally check out the library of resources of foundations revealed.
I remembered that a few days ago I was looking into maybe finishing the corset off with bias binding. I had used it on occasion, but I knew I wasn’t using the correct technique and I knew I lacked some kind of information. Everything I found in the 30 minutes I had time to search was just not detailed enough for my liking. I opted for a different finish and the bias binding I had purchased remains unused. Within 2 minutes of casually browsing the fr library I stumbled into the best tutorial on using bias binding I’ve ever seen. Sadly I have a busy day ahead but I’m itching to browse more.
Yay!! That's what we're here for! Thank you for sharing!
I agree with you. You guys deserve to be paid for all your hard work. Right now with two small kids I can’t afford a subscription to foundations revealed but when I can I’m looking forward to it.
I think you will enjoy it, for anyone interested in historic fashion a membership provides food for the "I wanna know" even in areas that one doesn't have the "Iwanna do."
I'm so happy to see you standing up for your team and for yourself.
I wonder how much content would exist on FR if everyone was doing it as a "side hustle."
I wonder how useful the website would be if it was someone's "side hustle."
I wonder how much live collaboration could exist if everyone was having to work around time zones AND families AND the "full-time job hustle."
And there is plenty of free content on the webs. But when I need to get something done, need to learn something fast, I find a teacher and pay for the experience, knowledge, and guidance.
I'm glad to see you Cathy & stand behind what you do. Why people think they are entitled to receive a life long talent from talented teachers for free is beyond me. ALL education beyond public schools cost to go & learn. People have jobs & deserve proper pay. I got so much grief for my prices on my beaded jewelry, Native American style & pearls/crystals, etc. that I just quit selling it. I'd prefer to do just bridal beadwork anyway. Your sister is an excellent sport speaking for you! I can only imagine how long it took especially getting through giggle fits. People who don't know you & your voice issues that just don't go away know how hard you try anyway. I'm good with it & happy for your good days.
I gave up a cottage baking business because people did not want to pay 'street' prices for handmade sugar flowers on pur ingredient cakes and cupcakes. I get this. You go girl pay your team value their work and yours.
I used to be a clothing reseller, and I was really good at digging out very special items from thrift stores and garage sales and the bin stores that were the last stop before the landfill. I’m very passionate about rescuing clothing, modern or vintage, that is truly beautiful and special. All that some people saw was that I got secondhand clothing and resold it for a lot more money that I paid for it. That I did the work in finding it and rescuing it and finding the customer that wanted it, it seemed less important to them than the fact that I may have gotten it for .25 at the last day of the last chance store. I go to a lot of bin stores and a lot of thrift stores and and dig through a lot of crappy fast fashion to find all this amazing stuff. I had to wear gloves for safety. it is a literal hazard to go to the stores sometimes. I never got rich but I did find a way to make a living from it. I didn’t just sit around waiting for the big bucks to roll in while I did nothing I worked really hard to find those things and save those things and sell those things. I absolutely respect the time of the teacher and the artisan. I also respect the time of the waiter and the Uber driver, and whoever is helping me in a given project. We need to treat and respect each other the way that we want to be treated and respected.
I am more of a casual costumer, but I am also a person that has purchased patterns and courses at different times. Everyone of us who grew up without the Internet has a special appreciation for good instruction. I have been subscribed to a few peoples channels because they had something at the time that I wanted to learn. Definitely basic stuff but at the time it was what I needed. I am so grateful that these things are available and at a different place in my life I would have pursued this subject a lot harder than I am able to. I’m glad it’s there because I might be in a different place someday. You never know.
Eh the overground did cannibalize the underground. In every sense .
You're so patient to take the time to explain this. I'm just a casual observer, but I can see what you're doing has so much worth.
Thank you, that's very kind!
I've been so inspired by Foundations Revealed. I hope to find more within myself over time, as I fit me into the little spaces of my family life. Love this video!
To add: FR is a very reasonably priced learning opportunity. I suspect that we need to restore reading of the original version of the LITTLE RED HEN. Those who belittle artisans' work need to take themselves down to the nearest Walmart for clothing befitting their level of appreciation.
I so agree with you on all your points. Well said!
Yup!
Cathy and Rose, thank you for your shared video today. You two were a pleasure to watch (and so much fun, funny, at times); this video made my day. What you had to say was important, and I'm glad you did it. I'm am going to drop you a note, my pleasure, because this is just a tiny spot. 😉
I better get cracking on the walking skirt! Wonderful job ladies! Your dubbing skills are top notch, Sister Rose!
Great video, Cathy! I do hope your voice recovers soon! Your normal voice, during its stronger times, is so pleasant and calming to listen to. As far as the haters- Haters gonna hate, as they say. One day I hope to have the money, time, and space for doing more sewing, and FR membership, perhaps one day soon (living in small spaces sucks sometimes). You and the FR crew have nothing but respect, love, and admiration to me.
I just want to say a huge thank you to your sister!!!! She was absolutely lovely, and I loved her side comments that expressed her surprise and curiosity from time to time. ❤
I have always loved Cathy Hay and Foundations Revealed. I'm not very actively engaged in many of the community projects as yet, but I have learned sooooo much from the various forums and of course from the members as well. Sadly, i cannot currently afford one of the memberships, but I do still take advantage of what there is available. Love to all of you. ❤
Thank you for your kindness!
I got so much out of the time I spent as a member of FR, and would still be a member if historical clothing was a priority in my life right now. Between articles and live zoom calls with mentors and other stitchlings, I learned so much that I use in sewing even just my everyday clothes, and those clothes look so much better than what I was making before. Membership is so worth it, and if you find life going in a different direction and you aren't using it, I can say from experience that cancelling is easy and free of pressure.
And in case you've seen the trash talk and aren't sure what to believe and whether you want to join the community, here's my take: I have seen some snark videos referring to FR and Cathy, and I find it telling that the one that most frequently comes across my radar has comments turned off, making it impossible for anyone to point out the inaccuracies. It reminds me of a 7th grader spreading rumors but never sticking around for a fact check or a conversation. In the meantime, Cathy has continually taken constructive criticism and subsequent responsibility for addressing errors. Far more than I would have, and I'm a really kind person. She has bent over backwards, in my opinion, to be inclusive, thoughtful, culturally sensitive, and transparent in her business practices. If you consider yourself a member of an underrepresented or marginalized group, you will absolutely be valued there, and likely find yourself among those who walk similar paths.
If it sounds tempting, you've nothing to lose by trying it. The resources are truly mind-boggling, so be sure you have time for rabbit holes when you sign up! Happy (astonishingly improved) sewing!
Thank you so much, how very kind! I appreciate your thoughts very much, thank you for taking the time to share them.
This is why I wish I had a sister! 🤗Such beautiful support. Thank you for the information about more about Foundations too.
Cathy, You are such an inspiration. Your sister is too sweet. I adore you both!
HI Rose! Nice to meet you! and Thank You for helping out your sister! And POO on the Trolls!
Because of having a full time job, being a full time student and having chronic pain that I've yet to get a diagnosis for; I've not had time to do much research on my own that still gives me time to sew. I have been sewing modern garments (modern for us haha, I really mean 1940s to 1960s) for many many years. Because of this I have felt like I can't jump into historical garment making like how I'd wish to.
Last year I joined the sewing of a walking skirt class that had been available freely. Sadly exam week was book-ended by my departments freak out with the fiscal year end, which left me too swamped to even watch the videos, let alone sew.
All this to say, I adored the time I did get to spend in that class! Even though I only was able to draft the skirt I learned so much my "modern" pattern making was bettered tremendously.
I know a course like that may not be something i can pour so much time into right now, but it absolutely sold me on Foundations Revealed. I keep up with the emails and have a tag of "do it one day" so that once i graduate i remember to join.
I'm happy about the pushiness, I don't want to waist even a week that i could be sewing that walking skirt and shirt waist I've always wanted.
Sewing can be a lonely journey, its good to know there are people out there and help when you need it.
It always amaze's me how people are prepared to pay high prices for a garment "made in a factory" But balk at the idea of paying the same price, for a Handmade custom fitted dress.
Yes, people are ready to line up and spend night outside the showroom for brand name things but won't pay for custom made/handmade things that do not have a big brand name behind it even if the quality is superior.
True. The difference... is marketing. It's a skill, and I believe that if makers "got" it and knew more about it, we'd have more success.
Folks truly dont understand the amount of time and research that goes in to making good teaching materials, and the quality of your teams work is incredible. I make far simpler tutorials for youtube, and the amount of hours each one takes, and the months and years gaining the skills to do even those is all invisible. I hope one day to be able to afford to join Foundations Revealed and expand my historical sewing skills tremondously. It's an amazing resource. :)
This is not on line fast fashion, people. consider FR as attending University to learn certain skills. You must pay tuition to take classes. I see FR as being on that level.
Kathy, thank you for posting this comprehensive and most important video. I have followed you for about 4-years or so and regularly receive emails from you on Foundations Revealed and inspirational messages. I am not at all quite sure what happened where you are not on my Subscribers list, but I made sure of it now. Again, thank you for posting this video and I will be checking in from time to time. Take care and keep up with the great work!
P.S. Love your humor and your sister did an excellent job as your speaker.
Thank you Cathy and of course your lovely sister for your video. It is sad to think that there is an assumption that teaching/resources and on going support should be free. Having just retired from 48 years in the NHS nurse,midwife and a midwife teacher of 30+ years, I loved what I did, really loved teaching, did I get a pay packet? Hell yes. I have no problem paying for a course and did do many times in my career. You can get content from a book end of story but the application ,nuances and in depth techniques comes from supportive teaching never mind the tons of questions arising from the text. There is a misconception that it is sewing, a hobby, not academic. I was gifted from the University a long service award. I chose a large crewel work project. I am constantly asked is it finished yet. Only another sewist considers/understands the hours involved. I hope your business continues to go from strength to strength Cathy. If you want the best,you need to pay for it.
The expectation that things should be free is nuts. Why shouldn’t people make money off of their work and time? If you don’t want to pay for it, don’t and move on. You don’t walk into a store and try to walk out with things without paying unless you’re stealing.
Great point! Thank you!
These courses remind me of a Doctor Who quote by Clara… “The soufflé isn’t the soufflé, the soufflé is the ingredients.” You’re giving the ingredients!
I love this!
I have never minded paying for the information but have never been lucky enough to be able to get a membership before the enrollment periods ended. But I just signed up now that you can enroll year round. Thank you for opening it up!
I like how you all tell the "why" things were done this way, & why/how it was changed for better (& why); so that a person could choose to proceed with an older way, & be confident in that choice. 🧡
Spending less than a dollar a day to get access to highly specialized information and community is, frankly, dirt cheap compared to the price tag on my bachelor's degree from 20 years ago. I'm confident that your content is way more relevant to your members than my college degree has been for me, and it would take almost 350 years to reach the same cost.
It's me! I'm the "someday" person who keeps making up excuses for why I won't invest in this amazing material. I absolutely see the value and know that I'm definitely the intended market, and I NEED to be bludgeoned over the head that I'M worth it. Making time for my projects and hobbies is my own hang-up, but I still appreciate greatly all the effort you and your team put forth, Cathy. I look up to you and hope "one day", lol, that I'm able to see my way to pulling that trigger and just doing it!
I pay for other curated informational content online, like America's Test Kitchen. It's incredibly valuable to have a trusted resource for recipes so you know you aren't wasting your time or ingredients with trial-and-error. I see this in much the same light.
Rose lending her voice made me very emotional. Thank you, sister. Cathy, I appreciate your message. Good couses absolutely have worth and the people that construct and produce them should be paid for their work. I don't sew costumes in the era of Foundations, but I'm so glad that it's out there for those that do. You've created a lovely thing. Long may it prosper.
Hey Cathy I just wanted to tell you that i first came by your channel from when you started the peacock dress. I’m 54 and am finally teaching myself how to sew you were the inspiration for this.
Thank you for making this video. I truly hope it silences the detestable haters. Most of all, I pray it brings an influx of people to your business.
Clearly, those who criticise the skills and efforts enjoy fast fashion over quality clothing.
Sewing and dress making is an art form, and the fast fashion sweat shops that chug out thousands of poorly made clothes at the expense of others clearly have a lot to answer for in more ways than one.
Clearly, you are not "just" dressmaking and throwing together a garment.
You are teaching a skill set.
Historical dressmaking is so much more and is a distinctive craft.
I wish you every success and have done since I found your channel during the lockdown of 2020.
Thank you once again.
😊❤😊
Thank you, you're very kind, I appreciate it!
I have been following Cathy since before the pandemic, I was very active then and the whole world in front of me, then disaster struck and I ended up in hospital in the Critical Care Unit for a few weeks before being moved to the main ward, I was not allowed to walk anywhere for a month I was on high flow oxygen the whole time I was in hospital. The first patients with Covid started to appear the 4th week I was in hospital and because of the danger to my lungs they shipped me back out to the bush hospital I came from for safety. My whole body was riddled with blood clots ranging from 1mm in size to 1cm in size but the biggest clot was in both my lungs weighing down my heart it was that big and heavy the Drs to this day don’t understand how it was I survived it. It has left me weak and struggling on some days. The clots are all gone now it took 2 years for the one in my lungs to brake up and dissolve they could not use the known treatment which would have done it nearly over night because I have endometriosis and the treatment would have made me bleed out and die. The old “dammed if I do, dammed if I don’t” problem.
I thought I would be back to normal once it was over, but, the body is not bouncing back as fast as it use to, my mind is running 150mph but my body can only do 5mph it’s so frustrating, I cannot comment to anything long term because of my health and then to complicate it all the stress of my being in hospital but so much stress on my Dad that in the past 2half years he’s now had 8 mini micro strokes and heart attack that’s now made him unstable on his feet. So now we have the blind leading the blind as they say. One good thing is Dads pension qualified him for a home care package which means we have someone coming in doing the housework so maybe once we are in a stable routine I just might get that spare moment each month to focus on one aspect in my life and join. Right now I’m just trying to focus on finding 5 hours a week just for me and sewing I bought the wool fabric a few years ago to make a walking skirt I still need to dye the fabric to the shade that I want. I just have to keep reminding my self that Rome was not built in a day, and for now I’m happy to watch your videos when they come out, and working on small little manageable projects for now.
Yes I understand that frustrating problem of why I’m I charging so much issue, I use to make intricate beaded jewellery and people expect me to sell at cost if not below cost. I polity tell them that non of my work was made in China. Boy peoples attitude sucks big time when it comes to hand made quality work. They seem to think that I make things in an hour 😳some of my designs have taken weeks to make and if I was to charge them for the hours nobody except the super rich could afford my pieces.
Gosh, you've been through A Lot. Lots of love to you. Just keep doing whatever you can, as you say. You've got a great attitude, and with access to the creative outlet that brings a little bit of joy, you're going to be ok. You've got this. ❤️
Thank you for keeping it real and for inspiring people to rise above the negativity and the people who just denigrate your work all through cheapening it. You deserve to be paid WELL for what you do. I always hated the whole deadline thing but now I understand it I view it very differently. Thank you for keeping on and continuing to be inspirational and for including the banter and real stuff like voice failures and “can you do that?” In your videos sometimes being too perfect & “instagramworthy” is far less inspirational than watching real people who slip up occasionally actually reaching attainable goals but you balance that so well with still setting the bar high - a rare gift.
I have been interested in Foundations Revealed for a long time. I have always thought it is very expensive, but if you employ 13 people plus you have to charge a decent amount. I am a professional costume maker, and have been for 30 years, so I can't justify joining, but I am a great believer that there is always something new to be learned- so if my circumstances ever allow it I will join and tackle things I have found challenging in the past.
Thank you for explaining your journey-it cuts through the dross created by social media.
Thank you Laura!
I agree with you wholeheartedly and I am one of the people who does not sow but I like your Chanel and if I wanted to sow I would sign up for your course. There are lot of people who hide behind their computer and are not very nice to others, I usually ignore people like that❤😊
Dear Cathy,
I just love what you do and I am very sorry to hear that so many people criticise your wonderful business and how mindful you are in the way you are in conducting it. You all deserve to make a living from your absolute expertise - as I commented somewhere else in this chat.
I just enjoy your youtube channel and love to watch your journey and how your projects progress. If I wanted the knowledge you provide I would absolutely pay for it as I would for any other classes. You seem to have built a wonderful community there. It is just heartbreaking to read how many people would love to join you and just can't afford to do it.
I really love your videos because they are so beautifully made and you are a wonderful person from what I see. They are always a joy and provide a much needed rest in an otherwise stressful surrounding.
On a another level this video is so hillarious and so fun to watch. Love to see you and your delightful sister working together the way you did. Your bodylanguages align so perfectly. It is nice to learn more about the truly lovely people that surround you.
So thank you for your content, for sharing your world and may you and your business thrive in every possible way! Lots of love from Germany.
What a wonderful sister!! ❤
I'd wanted to join for so long, and finally got to be a member last year. I've been fairly quiet, but learned so much.
I'm so delighted to hear that, thank you, you're so welcome!
You two are adorable together! Such a fun and informative video. I make quilts, not historical clothing and costumes, but I am always fascinated by true craftspersons.
Thank you Mary Ellen! Quilting is next level. But mmm, Math... :D
OMG, I love the way the two of you presented this! So amusing and creative! As for the subject matter, work is work and deserves compensation for it no matter who you are. Why anyone would find fault with that is beyond me. Much information IS out there and free if one has the time and talent at research required to find it but most people don’t have those things and, so, paying someone else to do it for them is the common alternative. You and your team do great work and you need to stop apologizing for it, Cathy😊
Love this! It needs to be said, Thank you!
Money isn't evil! Selling a product that you know sucks is, but that's just not the case here.
Love what you do!
I have a subscription, but have beem otherwise occupied lately. I hope to get back to it when I am not currently doing 3 jobs, trying to make some simple adjustable clothing, and managing mental and physical health issues! I agree that not everything should be free, expert advice should always come with a cost. You value what you pay for, and the experts have put in the hard work and money to become experts.
I had a friend who would take classes on how to crochet a bag didn't understand that once you learned something you could use that same pattern to make something else
This model would work for homeschool families! Please market to that community if you can. I’ve long believed a first class education should not be limited to where you live and the schools you can attend! No parent teacher is truly skilled across all the subjects but most parents would be able to use a service like this and help guide.
You & Bernadette are the main reason that I started my journey into trying to sew historical dress!! Thank you for all your hard work! & although I've changed jobs & do not have much time anymore to devote to sewing, I still enjoy watching the videos of those people who love what they do.
I have to say that I was disappointed about the decision on the peacock dress, as I felt that you were finally bringing recognition to the craftspeople in India who made it (& giving employment to those who were going to help you), but I understand. Good health & blessings to you.
I started a community on facebook about 9 years ago. It is mainly about medievial sewing. I since have seen a lot of people that I have mentored, go forward and creating their own buisnesses. I love to spread knowledge, but I know my own shortcomings, and one of them is the reasearch-bit.
I can draft a pattern in my sleep. And I know how to break it down and show the same thing in multiple ways.
But, I have imposter syndrome.
I know that I can do this, but I have a problem valuing my work and as for payment.
Therefore I often only accept commissions from friends, and mainly for work-exchange.
I make something for you and you make something for me...
Thank you for making this video. It inspire me to charge for knowledge...
Lovely presentation. Concise, what was needed, information; . . .
delivered in a light-hearted sisterly way, with inclusion of team & stitchlings' antidotes; . . .
ALL within an 80+ minutes format, set at 2-times speed (2 speakes at same time); resultimg in 40 min. real time. 😁
❤️
Bravo, Bravo. A fantastic double act, and I hope your voice gets much better. I agree with what you said.
Sadly I had to cancel my subscription. There were no problems with doing this and I was informed what to do when or if I wanted to return.
I enjoyed the content available to me and I miss it. I just wish I had been brave enough, and had the time, to join into various classes and other content.
Yes, the things I craft cost money, and people do not want to even cover the cost of the fabric, never mind the time to make the item.
So I hear you and I understand. Thank you for the support via your emails. 😊
Thank You for keeping this open as long as you have.
I was a member of FR last year but in a penny pinching situation, I cancelled my membership. But, I've missed it, and really it's not all that much money for the amount of knowledge each month. I just annoyed myself by overspending ($12.00!) for a horrible designer coffee and muffin at a local shop. What a waste! I'll penny pinch elsewhere. So, I just signed up again for FR.
Thank you Debi! Welcome back!
I just want to say how much I love your RUclips videos!! I am a full-time welder and in my spare time I do beading and make jewelry. I don't sell on line because I don't currently have the ability and I don't have much in stock. My thought was always one day when I retire I might be able to still do jewelry and beading and get a small income from that. But with all of the scams and unknown stuff the Internet brings I am happy to get out once in a while and do craft shows and festivals. I do not have a large inventory and I just like to relax and do this in my spare time so selling my things here and there really just pays for my "down time". But I just wanted to say how much I love your videos and I get so excited watching your process from beginning to end. I know that the sewing world loves you and appreciates you!!! Thank you so much for posting all of your videos that you are willing to share free 😊.
36:20 What you say here about adulting is so profound. I never would have expected to cry in an informative video like this. Doing what I know is right and is best for me, while leaving behind those whom I care about, is so hard.
Right, and love to you - that will have hit home for good reason. I see you in that place, and I support you. It's so hard.
While I do believe that knowledge should be freely available, people should be paid fairly for their work! Foundations Revealed is a school, and teachers have salaries! Sure you can read the books yourself, watch youtube tutorials and read blog posts etc, but FR teaches you the skills instead of you figuring it out on your own. I'd gladly pay for that if I could afford to. Unfortunately I'm on a disability pension budget, and getting sewing lessons isn't an expense I can justify.
I so glad you finally addressed this.
the only thing I have ever done with a thread and needle was a bloody finger. the stuff you do is amazing, and i am so grateful i get to see as much as I can for free
I agree up to a point about information being free. Yes, of course, people should be paid for their hard work and the vast information available about costuming in western countries like France and the UK means that people dedicate long years to studying it.
Where I struggle is in finding information about historical costuming in my Eastern European heritage, namely embroidery techniques and historical significance for patterns (of embroidery) for specific areas. This information is not readily available and many enthuzistasts will put whatever information they can find, online for free. It's a desperate attempt at preserving it because much of it has gone extinct.
So western historical costuming businesses have a great privilege in this regard and yes you definitely should be paid, especially by casual costumers that want to make their own pieces but do not have the time to study it properly.
I wish the same was true for my area of interest, but alas it is not. Information is often contradictory and there are very few that have taken up the mantle of gathering as much as they can. The only thing I can do is donate to their respective NGOs and scour through that information myself while consulting various old paintings to cross refrence.
This was interesting to watch. I got involved in spinning through free online stuff, but joined a guild and that's been a useful socialization process for conceptualizing how artists go about charging for their work, and how learners can improve (in fact - there's a whole network of people who've made this their life's work and have professionally organized around it). I've met teachers who teach for a living, and while my go-to response for everything is not yet "find a teacher," I now realize it's an option in a way I didn't really understand before. Spinning (and farming, and milling, and dyeing) are pretty marginal economic endeavors, so I'm glad Spin Off magazine and other resources are available behind a paywall.
Just wanted to let you know that be cause of you and you chanel, I have learned, and used your information to better my sewing skills and also wear the clothing of the era I love so much and adapt them to my actual life. Thank you. It is worth it.😊❤
Thank you both! I appreciate the approach and enjoy my subscription and community of like minded geeks. I have yet to fully leverage all the information available, but it’s totally worth it! I’m slowly learning focus to finish things I start and make time for myself through the membership. Everyone is supportive and helpful.
Love you ❤ I’ve always been so happy to see a new video🖤 I learned from my aunt. I don’t sew that much alone. I like to see with her and no one else. It’s the nostalgia. I will never be a big sewer but I know what to do if I must. It’s enough for me 🤗🪻🖤 Best wishes from the microsewer🖤🪻
I signed up with the skirt course and got in before the price raised. I still haven't done it, but I will!
If something is behind a pay wall, often it's because it's supporting an artist. I am fine with that. I've been sewing for 35 years and doing historical costuming for at least 30 now. It's a huge amount of time and research that went into my education and I am happy to give advice, but that's not my living. If it's your living, of course you charge for it. Girls gotta pay the rent. :)
This helped me understand what FR is for, and while it's not for me, I have a much greater appreciation of it so your plugging won't annoy me anymore.
Your sister did a wonderful job on the teleprompter! I'm definitely just a spectator; frankly I have no interest in sewing anything myself whatsoever. But I *love* that FR exists. As my own finances allow I would like to follow your business stuff, so I signed up over there!
As a copywriter thank you for mentioning the role of traditional marketing tactics and why they work.
People think that free RUclips videos just show up on their algorithm by happenstance and that wasn't the result of a creator's keywords, marketing budget and reach.
Even the "free" videos are being marketed to you all the time. I also agree an in-depth course is not the same as a one-off tutorial and it's not a fair comparison.
I think the naysayers would have never invested heavily in your product anyway, so their shouting from the sidelines.
For those who find value in it, that's all the matters.
And congratulations to you for consistently carrying a team of 12+ people for 16 years. That's longer than most social media platforms. 🙌🏽
Interesting video. I would love to have the income to be able to join FR, but I am now retired, living on a very small pension and unless I win some money, I am quite unable to pay even the discounted rate. Yes, it frustrates me, because if I were still working, If I still had a salary that gave me enough for ‘wants’ and not looking to stretch a pittance into ‘needs’ (just watching every single penny), then this is something that I would love to join and pay to join in an instant. What a shame for me that FR came into my email box about 30 years too late! Best of luck for the future. 😊
I am so glad you made this video! I had no clue Foundations Revealed was a thing! How wonderful
I am a casual viewer and love watching your videos for the pleasure of seeing another artist work, often while I crochet. But I know a friend who is doing her masters in the subject that also watches you and I know we both appreciate the work you do and that you are willing to give us an insight into your world.
I wish I,could afford FR, its so worth the money but its not in my budget. I check out free stuff though and support your channel :) i also know that i can trust your book recommendations for my own projects
Thank you, that's very kind, and I love that you're savouring the free stuff!
Hello ROSE and thank you!
❤❤❤❤ the message is something we all need. I haven't joined because I'm a happy spectator of historical fashion making and a beginner. I am the only thing holding me back. 😢
When you invest you get more out of it becus you take it more seriously as well.. no one should work for free. ❤
Right!
Information is a creation. Especially that kind of information that is more akin to instructions. It's someone, somewhere (in summertime) that bad an idea and decided to put it into action, aka a creation. We know creative processes deserve to be compensated, that's basically the whole "artists should be paid" debate all over again. On top of that, there's all the work involved into putting the info/instructions into a well crafted explanation that anybody can follow, and that's creation too.
Well done and well said.
I really enjoy Foundation Revealed and I never grudge the few Euros. For me it is definitively a privilege to have access to so much detailed information about historical sewing because all the amazing tailors in my family are long since dead and their workshops and notes were destroyed in WWII. But thanks to Foundations Revealed I have found encouragement to finally step into their shoes even if I am still stumbling. So, thank you very much!
This was awesome Kathy and sister❤️🇨🇦🐕