tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post5087777690197170257..comments2024-03-27T22:07:57.614-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: My Mad Men MomentCarolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-66307424894048476342010-10-27T12:09:25.660-04:002010-10-27T12:09:25.660-04:00I haven't watched the shows either - but if yo...I haven't watched the shows either - but if you are interested in their style you need to check out the Mad Style posts on the Project Rungay blog. They have a wonderful analysis and close-up pictures of the clothing. Definitely a must see for all sewers! http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Style?max-results=18Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05772720743579193274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-17497712565792052902010-10-24T05:44:43.308-04:002010-10-24T05:44:43.308-04:00I love the show! Gave it up when I gave up cable, ...I love the show! Gave it up when I gave up cable, but I have all the seasons ready to go in Netflix. I especially love Christina Hendrix. Her clothes make no apologies for her curves!NuJoihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14082462241210413826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-36172798846017757342010-10-22T10:39:23.328-04:002010-10-22T10:39:23.328-04:00This show is amazing for those of us who live thro...This show is amazing for those of us who live through the time period, and worked in an office environment. The amazing thing about the show, besides the clothing, is how accurate it depicts the culture of the time. Like it or not, that's how it was. I like to remind people my age who have fallen into some sort of a nostalgia vortex, that those were NOT the good old days. Sexism, racism, alcoholism, and any other ism you can think of, was rampant.<br /><br />As far as the show goes, the thing that is amazing me right now is the subtle transformation of Peggy and Joan from compliant women of the early 60's to feminists. I'm still not sure Joan is going to make the transformation successfully, but Peggy is.<br /><br />This show is not glorifying that era, it's just reminding us of what it was like lest we forget.Janishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17266385762942150707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-52618101157217016512010-10-21T18:47:18.842-04:002010-10-21T18:47:18.842-04:00Thanks Carolyn, my coat is going to be beautiful, ...Thanks Carolyn, my coat is going to be beautiful, and I credit you for your part in it too. You were one of the ones I called on when I needed advice I could trust on the fit.Faye Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02781186043996633965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72096985292337652472010-10-21T17:59:02.843-04:002010-10-21T17:59:02.843-04:00I am a huge fan of this show because it is just so...I am a huge fan of this show because it is just so smart and good looking. I can certainly understand the pain that much of it would cause many people. But I think these painful reminders are important for all of us. I love the women -- with the exception of Betty. And as the show has progressed, their strength has come through loud and clear. <br /><br />And then there are the clothes! Oh my. How I love looking at them -- and wanting to recreate them.<br /><br />I'm bummed that the season is over -- seemed awfully short to me! But at least I still have The Big C.Cissiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08464868677429256017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28327583996021710432010-10-21T15:22:36.077-04:002010-10-21T15:22:36.077-04:00I originally had your reaction, but by the 4th epi...I originally had your reaction, but by the 4th episode of season 1 I realized that they were being subtly but heavily critical of the racism and chauvinism of the era. <br /><br />And yes, I totally want to incorporate some of Joan's elements into my wardrobe, and will once I don't have to worry about nursing access.Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741166832975924830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-86980867373530621042010-10-21T12:55:57.006-04:002010-10-21T12:55:57.006-04:00I have never watched it for the same reason you li...I have never watched it for the same reason you listed. I really want to see the clothes so I may attempt it.Gailavonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731639162393720866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-65221002531797809002010-10-21T11:31:42.621-04:002010-10-21T11:31:42.621-04:00I don't watch it, but it does seem to be a sou...I don't watch it, but it does seem to be a source of fashion inspiration for a whole bunch of folks. I will say, I really enjoyed reading everyone's perspectives about the show in the comments here - very interesting.amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12029076436322883513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-51960057774667741682010-10-21T08:43:34.760-04:002010-10-21T08:43:34.760-04:00I think your reaction is fairly representative of ...I think your reaction is fairly representative of a lot of people. We're so accustomed to PC perspective that we forget the reality of life. It's fairly tame because you and I know it go much farther. However, once you begin to watch, you begin to appreciate it's earnest approach and the writers attempt to address the larger social issues of the times. As for the wardrobe, it's in the hand of a group of perceptive, insightful and talented crew. There is a correlation between character, personality and position in life and the ensemble each wears. Project Rungay, a hilarious blog, does major justice in its interpretation.Deihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562697818407106209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-86127213271581903892010-10-20T20:49:14.527-04:002010-10-20T20:49:14.527-04:00I love Mad Men. I was shocked by the things you d...I love Mad Men. I was shocked by the things you didn't like about the show, but not shocked enough to stop watching. In my mind, someone was finally trying to accurately portray the attitudes of the time. In that way I think they were doing the opposite of glorifying the chauvinism and racism, because they were showing us how people were tricked into acting and thinking like it was normal and acceptable, and how a few radical people had to make that change instead of just going with the flow.<br /><br />I grew up in a time where I was taught that racism is not OK and feminism had happened a long time ago. I'm lucky. The show made me think about who I would be if I'd come of age in a different time, I think people watching the show (if they're willing to look at themselves) will think about whether they would accept the status quo too if people as (outwardly) glamorous as someone like Betty Draper held that attitude...<br /><br />Ok I know I go waaay too deeply into it, it's a TV show, but I love the clothes and I love the show in sort of a voyeuristic way.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15555505767782930877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-78141337459434307502010-10-20T20:18:45.637-04:002010-10-20T20:18:45.637-04:00I love it. I watched the finale twice. I had res...I love it. I watched the finale twice. I had reservations about it in the beginning for the same reasons. Very simply put, who would I go as if one of my friends invited me to a madmen party? Then I decided I would go as Paul's girlfriend from one of the earlier seasons and I made my peace with it. The writing is really quite exceptional.sbsterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08384564826121786178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-50987755715301653682010-10-20T20:07:34.000-04:002010-10-20T20:07:34.000-04:00I have only just recently watched it and the cloth...I have only just recently watched it and the clothes were so mesmerizing that I watched all of the available episodes on Comcast. The influence will definitely show up in my sewing. For one thing, I have no interest in sewing knits right now. I want to do dressmaking and shirtmaking.a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-4727675031505207432010-10-20T19:48:36.415-04:002010-10-20T19:48:36.415-04:00I've not seen the show, but find many of the c...I've not seen the show, but find many of the comments here regarding sexism, etc interesting. I'm a little younger than the women in the show, but still had my fair share of harassment. The high school teacher who grabbed my ass; of course I told no one. The boss who would run into the room all excited when my coworker would have a banana in her lunch. (he liked to watch her eat it). The drinking on lunch hours; the smoking during meetings; the sexist comments I think it's good for those who aren't old enough to have gone through it to see what it was like and realize what life was like back then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-24920441815724986542010-10-20T19:13:08.924-04:002010-10-20T19:13:08.924-04:00I don't have cable so I have had to watch via ...I don't have cable so I have had to watch via dvds.<br />That being said-I know nothing of what has happened this season. I am in withdrawal.<br /><br />I LOVE it.<br />I grew up in the 60's, but the memories it evokes range from painful, happy and yet connected. Racism, sexism, divorce, strict Catholicism, it all resonates.<br /><br />But the best part?<br /><br />THE CLOTHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!JoanneMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218217151372072602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-61353942428747786242010-10-20T18:18:44.148-04:002010-10-20T18:18:44.148-04:00I only check out the clothes. I've never watch...I only check out the clothes. I've never watched an episode. It's also interesting to read the criticisms about what the women with shape wear. They look fabulous and shouldn't be criticised.velosewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18241344721302194932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-17049939102466262152010-10-20T16:33:26.572-04:002010-10-20T16:33:26.572-04:00I'm with you, Carolyn. I tried to watch the fi...I'm with you, Carolyn. I tried to watch the first season a few months ago, because I'd heard so many good things. I liked the clothes, but nothing else about the show made me watch to keep watching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-57692691925523956062010-10-20T16:23:07.091-04:002010-10-20T16:23:07.091-04:00I absolutely LOVE Mad Men, for many reasons. It wa...I absolutely LOVE Mad Men, for many reasons. It was the era I grew up in, and my father and mother were in a similar business environment, so it's a lot like seeing their lives from their point of view. My mother was a combination of Betty Draper and Peggy Olson. My dad was Don Draper, without the hidden personality. I like that the writers address the current affairs of the time from a voice that you wouldn't expect. It's not "oh, this has so been done before" type of show. I read a lot of blogs that analyze the show, and it's a great study in the times that were such a foundation of who I am today. <br /><br />Oh, and then there's the FASHION - to. die. for. Peggy Olsen's clothes are my favorite!Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707191774233379510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-42761384857644145962010-10-20T12:33:53.514-04:002010-10-20T12:33:53.514-04:00I hear you on why you avoided this show for so lon...I hear you on why you avoided this show for so long. I'll admit I've loved it from Season 1. It resonates, often painfully, with our generation, black or white, I think. <br /><br />My husband refused to watch it with me until this season, because it took him back to the time when he was eight and his 10-year-old brother died suddenly, leaving him to grow up in a home filled with grief. All those 60s period details triggered such strong memories that he couldn't even be in the room if Mad Men was on.<br /><br />Me, well, watching daughter Sally Draper is like looking at painful home movies. I grew up with a Don Draper-like father—handsome and smart, but an alcoholic womanizer who was distant with his kids. Thank God my mom was not like Betty Draper 'cause who knows how I would have turned out.<br /><br />Mad Men evokes different feelings in each of us, but we can unite over one thing: THE CLOTHES! Love them.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16245730088359572839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-32859587370459283122010-10-20T11:34:58.840-04:002010-10-20T11:34:58.840-04:00I started watching it this season. Now, I'm ho...I started watching it this season. Now, I'm hooked. I like watching the clothes. Most of the time, the styles would not work for me, but lots of the details are inspiring.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08501837896957263739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-12461211232406338392010-10-20T10:38:44.747-04:002010-10-20T10:38:44.747-04:00Sorry, I meant to say I've watched the last tw...Sorry, I meant to say I've watched the last two SEASONS.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18392284361816760045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-868441763245326222010-10-20T10:37:54.712-04:002010-10-20T10:37:54.712-04:00I've watched the last two episodes. I don'...I've watched the last two episodes. I don't think the intention was ever to glorify the American past. I've enjoyed the series, while finding it difficult to watch at times, in part because things haven't changed as much as some people seem to think.<br /><br />I hate the women's clothes. They're hideous and look uncomfortable.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18392284361816760045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-76863111539742375882010-10-20T09:04:21.366-04:002010-10-20T09:04:21.366-04:00I am addicted to it! I just started watching Seas...I am addicted to it! I just started watching Season 4 (I'm always late to the party) and am now catching up on DVD. Yes, it's chauvanistic and racist - but that's a true representation of life during the era. I adore the clothing but I'm so thankful that we, as women, have so many more choices today! I usually limit my vintage pattern buying to the 70s but now find myself buying a few from the 50s and 60s.Gigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960046004728670898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-57809989910733109112010-10-20T08:28:47.536-04:002010-10-20T08:28:47.536-04:00I have been a fan watching it all via Netflix - I ...I have been a fan watching it all via Netflix - I don't let the racism or sexism bother me - I too see it as trying to be authentic to the era. To portray it differently would not be period-right. Now do I believe all households were like that - no. As far as sewing - yes, it does make me look at the choices of fabrics, etc., a little closer. I do love the clothes :)Myrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16163175961766563965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-6373143863825173462010-10-20T08:27:47.082-04:002010-10-20T08:27:47.082-04:00I don't watch it but my parents do. I suppose ...I don't watch it but my parents do. I suppose because they were in high school/college at the time this series takes place, it's a bit of nostalgia for them. I'm just cheap and refuse to pay for cable. I wouldn't be able to afford my fabric habit if I had to pay for cable, too. That said, I've always been a retro fashionista although my time periods are a wee bit earlier. I'm in love with the late 30s/early 40s as far as fashion goes. I have "discovered" the late 60s/early 70s as a possible source of fashion inspiration lately. I don't have any memories at all of the really early seventies since I was in a crib and diapers then, but I DO remember the late 70s (grade school!). And what I remember? Not impressive. Although that may have been due to the fact that we had to wear uniforms to school...<br /><br />Back to the topic of Mad Men, though... According to my mom, that was REALLY the way things were. If you think that show is bad, just bear this in mind: she was sexually assaulted as a college co-ed and told that if she didn't put out with her prof (also her advisor), she'd fail his classes and never graduate. Yes, it was a terrible time in American history. But every era has it's problems. It's how we deal with those problems that define us as a society.Nina Suluhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08616884472638151080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-10373349889674585102010-10-20T08:04:14.762-04:002010-10-20T08:04:14.762-04:00I love the show. It IS disturbing to see the sexis...I love the show. It IS disturbing to see the sexism, racism, and other 'isms' displayed in a era that seems only slightly removed from our own. But it serves as a reminder that we have (and haven't) 'come a long way, baby.' Remember when THAT phrase seemed bold? The show reminds me of some of the astonishing sacrifices ordinary men and women made (and are still making) during that time to make social changes (I was a kid most of the sixties). <br /><br />But isn't it funny that a show like 'Happy Days' which swept all of that under the rug, is universally loved?<br /><br />And yes, the clothes are to die for.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01895625114035965626noreply@blogger.com