tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post9203864678642287439..comments2024-03-08T01:45:59.972-08:00Comments on simply vintageous...by Suzan: The Rag Trade..............Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-32531560663109348182013-08-29T14:20:19.279-07:002013-08-29T14:20:19.279-07:00Oh Marje - it's just so freaking sad - because...Oh Marje - it's just so freaking sad - because I don't believe there's anything anyone can do to stop this horrific wheel from turning - we're all frantically trying to stay on one section of it just to survive!!!<br />I feel so badly for this generation - jobs are scarce - life is difficult - just so sad.<br />XOXOAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-2980259973525412972013-08-29T14:05:45.423-07:002013-08-29T14:05:45.423-07:00Old Crow, you are not paranoid if they are, indeed...Old Crow, you are not paranoid if they are, indeed, after you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, which parallel my own.<br /><br />Suzan, thanks for writing about this issue. I agree with a previous poster that your essay should be reprinted for others to read. Maybe you could send it to a magazine or op ed page? <br /><br />Here in the NC mountain county where i live, there are empty textile and furniture factories all over. No longer do people manufacture dungarees, underwear, socks, sweaters, fabrics, or furniture. The two prisons at the county line are the job makers now. It's disgusting that we put up with imprisoning our fellow man as a jobs program for the sons and daughters of former factory workers. <br /><br /> 20 years ago we could buy sheets at a discount price here. Some had small defects, but all were USA made. And cotton. But no more. The synthetic sheets now made in foreign countries can cost enough for dinner for eight, but are dreadful to sleep on. And the people who sold the real thing to us are working at low paying jobs or staying home.<br /><br />W-M built a temple on a hill that once was a cattle pasture. (The preachers complained that if they wanted to see their congregations on Sunday, they would have to go to W-M). That store meant we lost, among other businesses, two clothing stores and at least three fabric stores. It's all W-M all the time now. <br /><br />But I'm happy to report that we have a lot more second hand clothing stores and lots of us brag on the bargains we pick up there, meaning we can often avoid shopping at W-M. Even though many of the clothes are made overseas, at least we are not paying the high prices for the name brands we do buy and W-M doesn't add that much of our cash to their money vault. <br /><br />The big hardware store still thrives, and since this is a craft center, there are plenty of people making pottery, glass, weavings, etc., and they do fairly well. Strangely enough the quilt shops seem to do well, even though the foreign fabrics sell at extreme prices that give me a headache. Those that have good jobs are buying the fabric to create their own handmade quilts. Handmade is what so many want now. Quilting might be one of the businesses that offer a decent income for those who love textiles. <br /><br />btw, I wish I could still fit in the wool ILGWU jacket I bought in a thrift store when I was younger. It fit way better than any other jacket I ever tried on. Unfortunately, my shoulders aged out larger then they were, so I keep looking for a young woman who would appreciate the workmanship and vintage style as much as I do. I do wear my felt hat made during the war in...of all places....PARIS. Oh-la-la.....it even has a feather.....LOL.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-2734646206559021542013-05-07T16:45:54.278-07:002013-05-07T16:45:54.278-07:00I know I barely hit the edge - it's only becau...I know I barely hit the edge - it's only because I know about this industry - but basically it's every industry that once thrived in North America....................<br />We did most definitely once have a bustling Middle Class sector - however it's fast becoming a society of Have's and Have Nots - heartbreaking................<br />I don't know the show Person of Interest - but I'm paranoid enough about the government as it is - don't think I want to go there!<br />XOXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-72532308863801600652013-05-07T14:23:36.527-07:002013-05-07T14:23:36.527-07:00You barely hit the edge of what's really happe...You barely hit the edge of what's really happening. The rich will always get richer and the poor become more poor by the day. A stand must be made and I applaud your effort. If only more of us would stand together then we might be able to move that huge mountain one spoon full at a time. I'm in, but I fear it will take another revolution to change what all has been done. <br /><br />Sure hope Big Brother doesn't put me on their "watch list," it is however what I believe in my heart. I'm past (well almost) menopause but I definitely am paranoid as we all should be. Any of you out there watch the show "Person of Interest?" Think back on the pictures obtained so quickly from the Boston bombing and ask yourself just how farfetched that show really might be...... <br /><br />Just stating the obvious but most people want to go through their daily lives totally oblivious thinking "oh, that could never happen to me." Statistics state that we are all only about 3 months from not getting a paycheck to poverty. It can and does happen - it happened to me and it can happen to anyone.<br /><br />CarolynOld Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812738559447167912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-90788551297149148872013-05-07T14:10:42.445-07:002013-05-07T14:10:42.445-07:00I try to buy things made locally as much as I can,...I try to buy things made locally as much as I can, but as you wrote, if I don't want to go to work naked (which would be dangerous as I work with teenagers that have raging hormones), I have to buy clothes that are made abroad by people who have awful living conditions and I'm not proud of it.Magali@TheLittleWhiteHousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13787605249681670341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-74567857919637657192013-05-07T04:59:33.104-07:002013-05-07T04:59:33.104-07:00What a well, heart-felt written post! Yes, all in ...What a well, heart-felt written post! Yes, all in the name of progress... I grew up right across the street from several such manufactures in Montreal. In the summer, the windows would be open and you could hear the hum of the machines. The employees would be letting out at 5 o'clock, a lot of them neighbours who worked to support their families. Last time I visited my childhood neighbourhood, the manufactures were being turned into expensive condos... That's how solid these buildings were, not death traps for hundreds. This is so immoral.<br /><br />Nicole<br />xxThe White Pear Treehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401096218788949486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-46945173188625190512013-05-07T01:53:37.759-07:002013-05-07T01:53:37.759-07:00What a powerful post Suzan! Our entire family qui...What a powerful post Suzan! Our entire family quit using Sears 20 years ago. I gave up Wal-mart as my only New years resolution and was quite surprised to find that I don't miss either one of them. Sadly the real problem is just plain greed. The love of money is the root of evil. Even more sadly....I don't see it changing. I'm glad you wrote this post. Maybe more people will begin to care, but I worry that our kids don't really know what they are missing these days when everything in their world is made overseas. Danni@SiloHillFarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13220897952708626415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-90551580830417309492013-05-07T01:34:25.624-07:002013-05-07T01:34:25.624-07:00The thing is that many of these European makers ha...The thing is that many of these European makers have had no choice but to have their goods produced in China also..................it's either that or go out of business.<br />It's just awful really<br />XOXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-57067140507442182802013-05-07T01:31:13.209-07:002013-05-07T01:31:13.209-07:00I think ALL trades are dying in North America Amy ...I think ALL trades are dying in North America Amy - scary scary stuff!<br />XOXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-73771027089770200162013-05-07T01:15:41.795-07:002013-05-07T01:15:41.795-07:00But at this point it doesn't even matter what ...But at this point it doesn't even matter what we boycott - everything - almost everything anyway is made in China - or India - I know of some pretty big labels - HIGH fashion design - that have their goods made there also................<br />XOXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-23627430540259910862013-05-07T01:07:24.883-07:002013-05-07T01:07:24.883-07:00The Triangle Shirt Co. ( I think it was called ) y...The Triangle Shirt Co. ( I think it was called ) yes - I thought of it as soon as I heard about this disaster Patty!<br />XXXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-24384439863417470872013-05-07T01:04:23.547-07:002013-05-07T01:04:23.547-07:00We're not left with much of a choice anymore E...We're not left with much of a choice anymore Emilia!!!<br />XOXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04867123594514649770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-52023556863553740822013-05-07T00:27:26.190-07:002013-05-07T00:27:26.190-07:00I hate to say it Patty, but, we here in Vancouver ...I hate to say it Patty, but, we here in Vancouver (BC), are feeling it as well. My 2nd cousin in Los Angeles ask me if it was true that we are getting a lot of orientals here, because, he just watched a show called, "Hongcouver." I was shocked, but, now if you see our downtown core, it's beginning to look that way.PamLuvsPinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894521704333998169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-9492637898064985892013-05-07T00:23:09.109-07:002013-05-07T00:23:09.109-07:00Hi Suzan!!!!!
Very powerful post!!!
I totally ag...Hi Suzan!!!!!<br /><br />Very powerful post!!!<br /><br />I totally agree with you!! It's sad to see how the uppers treat their employees. Your right about they are easily replaced. Mankind has no feeling, no empathy towards others. If they can get someone to work for .14cents an hour, why in the world would they pay .50cents an hour to get the same job done. It's greed and power. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Pretty soon the bigwig will lower the wages to .12cents an hour and he will get away with it. How has Fair Trade been better for us? Big companies are now employing people outside North America, who can hardly speak English, to handle their customer care calls. I tried to get a hold of an HP rep to talk to them concerning my sons laptop. It took me 4 to 5 days and about 3 to 4 hours of explaining why I was calling. Finally I said I wanted a rep who was in Canada. Then I was able to sort this out with her.<br /><br />These foreigners who get these jobs think they've won the lottery, because over in their country, they weren't paid much at all, until these big companies went there to set up their calling systems.<br /><br />The company whose building collapsed will no doubt have another one up and running in a couple of days. It's so sad!!<br /><br />It's awful when you work for someone or are in the industry you love and because of decisions that were out of your hands, now, the job that you loved is being snuffed out and put you and your household under great strain. It always seems that those who make these decisions are never affected. They just keep going on with their lives. It's sickening!!!!! <br /><br />But, the worst of all is that you gave all your life building a career in this industry that is dying and you have to start over again. It's tough.<br /><br />I think of you a lot Suzan and only hope for the best, that somehow it will turn around.<br /><br />Take care my good friend!!!!<br /><br />Pam<br />xox<br />(I hope I made sense with my comments)<br />PamLuvsPinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894521704333998169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-60783823123292884922013-05-06T20:59:57.866-07:002013-05-06T20:59:57.866-07:00Well said, Suzan! When I was a little girl, my fa...Well said, Suzan! When I was a little girl, my father had to close his pottery because our government entered into a trade deal with Japan that allowed their finished pottery to come into Canada for less than my father could buy the clay. His largest customers were Sears, Eaton's and CN Railway. Sears and Eaton's began to refuse payment to their suppliers until 90 days as a way to offset the cost of buying Canadian. As a family, we suffered greatly because my dad kept paying his employees and not taking any salary himself. Many years later I had two home decor stores that I put my heart and soul into building up. I ordered my product 6 mths in advance and when knock off products began to flood the market I was stuck with goods that could not be sold even at cost. My stores closed and the small towns that they were situated in had their downtown cores collapse as the retailers left, one by one. I try to do my best to buy local, handmade or fair trade products. The best way to offset the higher cost is to simply buy less and take care of what you have. Someone sold us the notion that we need several coats instead of one good one. Someone convinced us to toss out a working coffee maker for one in a different colour or style. We can fight back by refusing to be part of the system of consumerism. You are already fighting back by taking that North American made furniture piece, painting it and turning into today's chic look! Maureen Wyatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03717877610585066150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-35470244939055854202013-05-06T18:25:39.456-07:002013-05-06T18:25:39.456-07:00My husband's father used to work in a textile ...My husband's father used to work in a textile mill in the southern US. So long ago. I had heard about the building that collapsed, but I had no idea there were so many killed. It's a huge tragedy. I hope somehow that something good will come of this. New laws that will take into account the workers, and not the owners. China owns the US and I'm worried that one day the US will be Little China. We're losing this great country.<br /><br />thanks Suzan.Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14980646848805011625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-23674970325768317242013-05-06T16:20:46.321-07:002013-05-06T16:20:46.321-07:00It is so true...and so sad. I am trying to buy loc...It is so true...and so sad. I am trying to buy local whenever I can, to support local businesses, but let me face it- I can't go far with that either- some things are just not affordable if I would want to buy them made locally.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982099755731391521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-18180796011317160402013-05-06T14:47:01.966-07:002013-05-06T14:47:01.966-07:00THe consumer was taught to buy knockoffs and cheap...THe consumer was taught to buy knockoffs and cheaply. Remember the 70's when wholesale warehouse sales were popping up. The reason that the NA working standards stepped up is because the public demanded it at the turn of the 1900's. Remember the fire in the clothing factory in NY? Cheap prices and labour sadly costs lives. And it is being repeated over and over on other continents now. It's like every country has had its heyday and kick at the can. It's certainly sad and the only answer is to buy with a conscience and be educated about where and how everything we use is being produced. That in itself will be a long never ending education. Thank goodness the small producers are starting to be noticed. They need to all be encouraged and supported by us in our purchasing power. I miss all the industry we had in Canada, from the mills, fish packing plants to pickle makers. All gone. Patty/BCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-12826176865512087592013-05-06T13:59:55.251-07:002013-05-06T13:59:55.251-07:00It's so sad. My Uncle and Aunt owned a success...It's so sad. My Uncle and Aunt owned a successful clothing company. They made everything here and sold to Sears, and other stores in that price bracket. They made a great living and employed a lot of people. Then China started undercutting them and they are out of business! <br /><br />It is very sad.Japolinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07298168458099473725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-34333385581624995012013-05-06T13:46:59.693-07:002013-05-06T13:46:59.693-07:00Amen! Our US family manufacturing company had to ...Amen! Our US family manufacturing company had to be sold as another US business chose to copy our design and have it made in China...no way we could compete! I don't shop at Walmart because it is document and proven that they use workers in these conditions and for such low wages. As a previous US manufacturer I also know first hand that it is their practice to continually ask all their suppliers to lower prices again, and again, and again, it is never low enough! Like you, I know I can't boycott all companies that practice utilizing workers in such awful situations, but when there is a company that is proven to do so and continues it...they won't get my business.<br />US consumers must realize that to buy US goods and to support local businesses, the US consumer is going to have to pay a higher price for goods. I for one would rather pay a higher price so my neighbor has a job...than to buy more products at a cheap price for a China worker to work in such awful conditions for such awful pay.<br />So sad on so many levels!<br />Blessings,<br />CindyCindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02897883854642097143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-21213285610637060222013-05-06T12:22:02.353-07:002013-05-06T12:22:02.353-07:00Amen, years ago I made the decision to NOT shop at...Amen, years ago I made the decision to NOT shop at Wal-Mart, and have kept it and my children also. What have we lost as a society because we want to save a buck. We need to decide, do we want a cheap "whatever" or people to have a living wage. Before my Wal-Mart boycott, I tried to find a makeup and a house cleaning product company that did not use animal testing. It's hard to make a stand...and keep it. I agree, in the name of "progress" we have regressed. Mimawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00433504756711796608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-35430588599121492412013-05-06T12:21:34.954-07:002013-05-06T12:21:34.954-07:00Suzan--
This is the one time I'm glad you'...Suzan--<br />This is the one time I'm glad you're not being funny. My husband has been in the manufacturing industry for his entire career, and he prides himself in making a quality product. His mother worked in the garment industry (ILGWU), putting real hems in well-crafted dresses for a local Jewish-owned business who sewed for some high-end labels. The factory closed in the late-1980s, and she went to work as a cashier at the drugstore for half the amount she made sewing. When we were in NY in February, we stayed in the garment district, and I took a picture of the statue of the old Jewish man, bent over his sewing machine, and I almost cried.<br />Even our expensive clothing choices (Talbot's, Coldwater Creek, etc.) are made off-shore. Why? Certainly my mother-in-law would have made a blouse for $15 an hour, with $8 of fabric, that the company could then have turned around and sold for $50, that Talbots could have sold for $100. Everyone could have made a share. Instead, you have folks like the Walton family, where in 2011, six members of the Walton family have the same net worth as the bottom 30% of American families combined.<br />We should be ashamed of ourselves.<br />I buy made in the US products when I can, but they are harder and harder to find. I make sure when I buy furniture (whether for myself or for resale) that it is made in the US. So many of our local furniture factories have closed because folks want cheap rubberwood crap from Indonesia.<br />Thanks for this timely message. Let's start shopping local and buying North America made. It's time to start making stuff again.Kirby Carespodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01950841302720270756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-56975544306220337942013-05-06T11:51:36.060-07:002013-05-06T11:51:36.060-07:00Dear Suzan - again you have spoken for many of us ...Dear Suzan - again you have spoken for many of us very eloquently. I've also been in the clothing/sewing business on an individual level for decades. When my children were born (60s/70s) I started doing alterations and mending so I could be at home. I built this into a business over the years that included custom clothing for career women, bridals and home fashions with 6 full and part time employees. At the same time my husband started his remodeling/renovation business in 1968 and built that into a thriving business that grew to employ 8 of 'our' former scouts who were now supporting families of their own. This was in a small town in NH and if your craftsmanship and productivity isn't the very best you can't educate and marry off two kids giving them all the growing up experiences of music, sports, scouts, the rewards of volunteering, etc. Our word and a handshake were the backbone of our businesses. Just about the time we sold our businesses and moved to Florida the economic 'progress' you have blogged about took place. No one wants to pay for my quality work. They just want me to 'turn it up and stitch it'. My name has always been my rep and I don't do inferior work. Brad is the same way - if you want to skip the important underlying steps and products that make the job a joy to live with instead of a nightmare to regret, he will politely decline the job. Maybe it's a good thing we've both recently retired. To watch the world lose something that was so valuable as a person's word, their reputation and their salary is more than sad. While there are people who profit from selling something you and I wouldn't wear (even the quality fabrics are becoming scarce), people who have a tragic life and work for pittance lose their lives and that is more than heartbreaking. I just don't have the right word for it. Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09468248280025055203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-66104675482229085462013-05-06T11:50:51.500-07:002013-05-06T11:50:51.500-07:00You said it, Suzan! Well written post, and it affe...You said it, Suzan! Well written post, and it affects so many industries. I've lost count of the number of businesses that have moved to Mexico because they can pay the workers a fraction of what the standard is here. And that's just in the town near me! <br />It was so sad to hear about that building collapsing, so sad. Debbie @DewdropGableshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10747405747361970506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186929171672526984.post-20160999560969870012013-05-06T11:01:39.753-07:002013-05-06T11:01:39.753-07:00very sad to hear. Tragic to see that people work f...very sad to hear. Tragic to see that people work for that little, but even more disturbing is that people see nothing wrong in paying a human being 14c per hour.Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02785196779476490372noreply@blogger.com