A woman was telling me last week that she repairs the vintage clothing that she sells before she offers it. Her customers aren’t interested in it unless it has already been restored. This got me to thinking. I don’t know how many times I have bought something with some flaws and just told myself that it isn’t a big deal. Whatever the issue is I see it as minor. But this woman was saying that her customers think the opposite.
The more I thought about it the more convinced I became that the reason I think the way I do is because I can fix the problems most of the time. So on the business side of things I thought perhaps I should go back and take care of some of the things that I have just passed over as no big deal. Others may not think these things are so minor.
The Vogart pillow cover seam above is just one example. The inked transfer edge was not caught into the binding when it was originally sewn. With some trepidation I removed the binding along that edge. When you work with fabrics that are at lest 50 years old or more it is hard to be sure how the fabric will take it. Things, even unexpected things, have been known to fall apart in my hands. That didn’t happen. After a trim of the edge I reattached the binding and Voila!
It really didn’t take me that long to go through a pile of half a dozen vintage pieces that just needed a little love and attention. It was no big deal. But this isn’t just about business. My house is also teaming with things that need some attention. Sometimes I just need to dig in and get it done.
Preserve Cottage 