What? What you say? See it's simple...I click over to one of my favorite bloggers from my own blog roll and I can end up down a rabbit hole...reading blogs that I've forgotten about (sorry bloggers) or didn't realize existed (yeah new sewists) or just haven't visited in awhile.
But I do this from my iPad or my computer where it's easy to follow the links. I have a smartphone (why can't they just be cellphones again like they use to?!) and I use it to look up things with my apps but I just can't get into reading blogs on it. I know this makes me old and fuddy duddy but I don't care! *LOL*
I love blogs and I love blog rolls. So here are my top three blog rolls in no particular order and yes, these pics were taken on my iPad cause I'm rolling like that today!
Shams - Communing with Fabric
From Shams blog roll I get a lot of the arty sewists...people who invest time in their garments and create art. Seriously, A-R-T! I love their creative point of view and what they have to say when they sew. When I'm needing some creative stimulation, I'm headed to Shams' blog!
Debbie - Stitches and Seams
We all know Debbie as the Coverstitch Queen. Some of the best tutorials out there...but have you taken a look at her blog roll? It's international and deep (why is there a rap song now playing over and over in my head)! There are sewists blogs on there from everywhere! Don't know what to sew? Need some inspiration? Head on over to Debbie's blog and check out her blog roll!
Nakisha - Sew Crafty Chemist
For a woman who only started sewing a couple of years ago, my girl jumped in with both feet and immersed herself in the sewing blogosphere. Her blog roll is deep and has some blogs that neither Debbie nor Shams has. However, with Kisha's blog roll, I really end up blog hopping - one blog takes me here - another blog takes me there until hours later I've been baptized in sewing makes and my creative mind is on fire!
Now I know that reading blogs on your smartphones also makes it harder to comment but this is my one woman sewing crusade - seriously you know you need to stop and take a moment and say something to someone! Not just be a thief in the night, sneaking in and out of blog windows with no trace that you were there but a blog stat. Sewing conversation is what this blogging community was built on and I'd like for it to come back - not be a by-product of the "like it" and move on society...chile this ain't facebook.
I'm thrilled, seriously this is how shallow I actually am, thrilled when someone I know reads my blog on their phone, stops and leaves a comment! I try and do the same for my fellow bloggers. I know the comments are down on everyone's blogs basically due to the smartphone phenomena but can we try to buck this trend...remember that sometimes our fellow sewists need a word of encouragement...a pat on the back...a thoughtful suggestion. Those comments make us all better!
Okay back to blog rolls...seriously if you have some time follow one of the sewists named above or your own favorite sewists blog roll...you'll be surprised at how wonderful it is and how inspired you'll be when you're done!
...as always more later!
Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said. I love blog rolls and can spend hours clicking from one to the next. One of my favorite bloggers omitted hers, and I still miss it to this day! And I am very guilty of reading and leaving, without commenting. I need to be better about that, thanks for the nudge. I love your blog, and your blog roll. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, thanks for the reminder to comment! I love, love your posts on sewing for your new you - body and job! I comment from my laptop or iPad mini, and enjoy at peeking T blog rolls also! I am just entering a new sewing phase, I've been off for more than 10 years, and your blog is one that is getting me to sew again!
ReplyDeleteBest, Cherie
*waves hi!*
ReplyDelete:-)
I most often read from my phone and then feel bad when I have missed commenting on so many posts!!! I am like you! Not a surprise!!!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to read from other blogs and can go deep, deep, deep! I just LOVE finding new sewing blogs to read!!!
I follow a lot of blogs, and I have found most of them through your blog and through Debbie's Stitches and Seams!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about blog rolls and most often go to yours first. I should use my own a bit more often.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty! Hardly ever comment but love your blog and blog roll. I met you at the sew expo in Marcy Tilton's booth and wish we were not on opposite sides of the country. I will try to comment more often and not just in my dreams LOL.
ReplyDeleteI don't tend to follow blog rolls as I have so many already on my feed. I rarely use my mobile phone (what we still call them here) for reading blogs. I don't have a commute time so I am either on work computer (like now) at lunch time or on my laptop at home.
ReplyDeleteVicki - you are such a good commenter - not just on my blog but on others too!
DeleteI too love blog rolls. And I'll click through from comments too met plenty of new blogs that way. I'm trying to comment more. But why can't Wordpress just remember my darn password?? g
ReplyDeleteMan, I've turned into one of those lurky readers who never comments. You'd think I dropped every blog in my feed bc no one ever hears a peep out of me. But I'm here and now you've shamed my laziness :) (reading - and writing! from my smartphone right now!). I am going to be a better commentor, bc I know the same thrill of receiving one. Miss you, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteI use the same three that you have and I also use your blog list! Many a day your list has been updated/refreshed first. I can pass a lot of time reading blogs.
ReplyDeleteTook your advice to check out the blog rolls & just lost at least an hour... To the fun of browsing sewing blogs! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGood points there! I mostly use bloglovin these days, but from time to time I find that I want a bit more or something new - and then I turn to the blog rolls. I'm sure I must have ended up here by virtue of one of those links (years ago)! I like to read at pure leisure, so no phone reading for me either.
ReplyDeleteI love to sift through blog rolls too. Such a fun way to spend the afternoon when you have time!
ReplyDeleteI go to your blog roll, Peter MPB's roll is a go-to, and then I'm just swimming down the blog river of Mrs Mole's Fit for a Queen and Dragon Poodle Studio (love me some vintage Singers) I confess I probably comment more than I blog this summer (can grab a minute at work if it's pertinent). I need to figure out the blogspot blog roll picture widget.
ReplyDeleteSJ - you are an excellent blog commenter! I see your awesome comments on a lot of blogs that I read. Yes, I do read the comment sections too! LOL!
DeleteGreat post. And agree with your points. Comments are interesting, appreciated and make such nice connections, whether we are new or seasoned Sewists. I read mostly on laptop or iPad so it is easy to comment but thanks for the reminder of the community aspect of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI love these blog rolls, too. And, thanks for reminding me to make sure to comment! These days I just feel lucky to read a post or two, and mostly on my phone when I sneak in a minute here and a minute there running after a toddler, but I should try to make it a point to then at least also comment on those two posts! Ha!
ReplyDeleteLove a good blog roll! And I find I don't tend to comment when reading on the phone - I can read ok, but once I start having to type, I need to find my glasses, which are never where I think I put them. Yep, excuses, I'm full of them.
ReplyDeleteQuilty as charged ;). I'm trying to be better as I (and probably all bloggers) love comments too. Smartphones are great, but in this respect make it all more anonymous. Thanks for this post to make us all more aware of this issue.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Carolyn! I'll try and do a better job with comments too, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI need to work on commenting more and lurking less!
ReplyDeleteI also love blog rolls, I have found so many interesting people that I probably wouldn' t have come across otherwise. I have just signed up to Bloglovin, but so far I am not enjoying it much. I am grateful to you and all the other dedicated sewing bloggers for keeping me inspired (I only recently came across Sew Crafty Chemist and think she is amazing).
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely one of the smartphone feel lurkers. It's just so much more convenient & do it anywhere experience!
ReplyDeleteI do try to engage sometimes. But I find that Blogger/Blogspot blogs are especially difficult to respond to. Sometimes I don't have anything particular to say but want to show support. But there's no Like button for this. Other times I do want to say something but the credential option is too limited - eg no option to just use name & email or website address. I've lost comments I wrote in the process of entering credentials. And given how difficult it is to type on phones I give up at that point.
I meant Feedly not feel! That's the other problem with smartphone commenting - the silly autocorrect! 😉
DeleteIs this where I get to admit that I use your blog roll nearly every day? I love that yours changes with the newest blog posts on top and it makes it so easy to see if anyone I follow has something new to say. I have your blog bookmarked on my bookmark bar, and check it every morning, (ok, sometimes more than just in the morning, when it's been a few days since your last post) and then use your blog roll to check in with everyone else.
ReplyDeleteAs for *rabbit hole* blog roles, I like Mary's at Idle Fancy. I've found several new-to-me blogs through her blog roll.
I am a bad visitor, however, as I rarely comment on most blogs I read all the time. I promise to do better with that!
Dear Carolyn
ReplyDeleteI'm one of your avid readers. I enjoy reading about your sewing journey and your fabulous fabric stash.
You're right about leaving comments. But it tends to be difficult when you have over thirty blogs to read. LOL
But I'll try to leave comments a little more frequently. I do understand.
Thank you Cas but please comment on your other favorite bloggers post too - they will so appreciate you for it!
DeleteI too read blogs from others blog rolls - Sew Blooms is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteLike Beckie I use your blog roll nearly every day reading on my laptop. You and Shams are my favorite bloggers and I'm so thankful for your blogs. Karen
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post. I always follow your blog & others off the blog roll . I too don't always comment because sometimes I feel like everyone else has said what I would have said. But it's a lesson that a nice comment might always be appreciated .
ReplyDeleteThis is also a great time to say thanks to all the bloggers who take the time to give tips , techniques & ideas -thanks ,thanks,thanks !!
I always read blogs on the go and rarely ever click through from Feedly. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note and it's BIG and perfect for reading!
ReplyDeleteI love blog rolls too! And I'm just "difficult" enough to not follow anyone, I enjoy the pleasure of clicking on a link and finding a new post. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a small one on my blog, but nothing like the ones you linked. (PS I often drop by your blog for the blogroll, it's excellent).
When I FIRST started my blog I was adding blogs to the blogger reader but once I found Bloglovin' that was a wrap. lol
ReplyDeleteI usually don't leave comments on posts that have LOTS and LOTS of comments most times when I notice the blogger doesn't respond to them. I guess sometimes I feel like they won't read mine (or answer my question) so I just read and move on.
Tasha - if you ask a question that I haven't already answered in the post, I try very hard to answer it. Also if you write something I agree with or have something to add to, I will respond. Or if you answer a question I've asked, I respond. However, I have to admit that I dont respond to every like post and there are two reasons for that. One, when you do that it makes the comments look higher than they actually are and two even though I truly appreciate every last comment left complimentary, constructive, hater, I don't think it's necessary to respond to them all. Most of us don't respond to every comment uttered in a conversation and I look at it the same way. Now that was long! LOL,
DeleteI never thought about the comment count before. That's a good point and I guess, keeps the integrity of the post in a way.
Deleteand LOL @ "hater"
I'm resisting getting a smart phone (or rather, activating data on my current phone since there isn't really any other phone options anymore), and I'm bad enough commenting as it is! Well, other than my regulars (but I'm trying to branch out more). But I think you're onto something with the smartphone use/commenting observation.
ReplyDeleteI'm on feedly and bloglovin', but I don't actually like using them. I use my blogroll for the most part. But I never considered using OTHER people's blogrolls! Oh rabbit hole, here I come!
Carolyn! I was just checking the latest posts from my blog roll and was shocked to see myself on your blog post! LOL. Thanks for that shout out!
ReplyDeleteI so agree on leaving comments. You are EXCELLENT at that, by the way. Not just on mine, but all over the blogosphere. We toil over our posts and it's nice to get feedback. I try to leave comments, but am not as good about it as I used to be.
Like you, I much prefer blog rolls over Bloglovin or Feedly. I also use my own blog roll, Debbie's, and others, so I do try to keep mine up to date. It's a great way to see what's going on!
I totally click on the links in Sew Crafty Chemist's blogroll...I like how she has a diverse population there, in terms of bloggers with different body sizes and proportions. I don't like how the blogroll does not appear on the mobile (phone) version of websites/blogs.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the Blogroll. I am usually read over a hundred blogs a day. Addicted? Surely. When pressed for time, I read my favorites (you're one of them, so is Nakisha) and save the rest for the weekend. lol.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, your blog is on my favorite bookmarks right under facebook. I look at your blog every day, and if you haven't posted, I go to your blog roll to see what's new in the rest of the sewing world. I love your blog AND your blogroll. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, I love getting lost in people's blog rolls. I'm guilty and also receiver of the commenting decrease duo reading tho phones and iPads
ReplyDeleteGuilty of being a lurker. I will start commenting! I do use Bloglovin and follow links in posts to other blogs,( I now also follow the three you mentioned. Thanks for that!) I follow a lot of blogs, but am not really sure what a blog roll is. My twenty-something year old kids would be eye rolling at that, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged. I really appreciate reading your blog. Those are some great blog rolls on Mrs. Smith's, Debbie's, and Sham's sites.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered some great blogs weaving my way through the blog rolls.
ReplyDeleteMa'am, I don't leave comments because I'm a bit shy... online. I know, it's odd to be shy online when you're not in real life. I feel like a comment, even a positive one, is an intrusion whereas just 'window shopping' is not. But your thief metaphor convinced me. I hereby promise to leave more comments, especially when there's truly something I love.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do so love reading your blog!
I love traipsing through the blog rolls as well. One of my favorite's is Rhonda Buss's. She has a very diverse group.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments nudge. This is where you go for in depth, substantive sewing talk. You won't find that on any of the other more shallow interfaces out there. Thanks for the post, Carolyn, much needed.
I like this post. I have Bloglovin and Feedly on my 'puter, my iPhone, my iPad and find that I tend to do as you wrote, I click on a blog on my blog roll, then I am off to another blogger that I had not read or as you noted forgotten about. I hardly ever use Feedly and do go to Bloglovin at least once a week. That's how I blog roll.
ReplyDeleteHi! I just found your blog! I am always interested in what fellow curvy gals or plus size ladies are sewing and how they are going about sewing such beautiful fashions. I like the blog roll, but confess that I seldom visit them; however, every once in awhile... Thank you so much for continuing to post to your blog. The page of yours I landed on earlier said that you were closing the comments and I was like "say what"? I really like being able to at least add a comment. Thank you very much! Kathy G. from Arizona
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged!! Will definitely try to do a better job at commenting on the blogs I read! Thanks for the wake up call!
ReplyDeleteI have just begun a new blog (my previous attempts have been abandoned). It took me ages to work how to actually put my blog roll onto my page! I think I've worked it out now. I'm guilty for spending a lot of time reading blogs over and over and never writing - you have shamed me - and rightly so!
ReplyDeleteI finally came around and started using Bloglovin, but I also love my blog roll and don't want to give it up. I comment as much as possible. I enjoy the community it brings.
ReplyDeleteTrudy - I'm in awe of the balance you've created in your life so any time you have to read blogs and comment is just the right amount of time!
DeleteI read blogs on my computer as leaving comments by phone seems unreliable. Nothing is more annoying than writing a comment and then it disappears or won't comply. And different brands of blogs have different systems. I hope it will improve with time.
ReplyDeleteI like leaving comments, and I love receiving them!
You are so right. I used to hop the blog rolls until I started following Bloglovin and have realized that I am not hopping nor commenting much these days. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI still fall back on my blog rolls to stay in touch with them. But I'm getting lots of ideas and help from social media too.
ReplyDeleteI took your suggestion and add a blog roll to my blog. Hopefully more people will do it and I can find more cool people to follow :-)
ReplyDeleteI checked it out! I'm sure that it will inspire someone else when they are looking for new sewing blogs to read. Your dress is very pretty, too!
DeleteI visit Shams all the time - I love her energy and projects! I also visit yours for the projects and your introspective thoughts on sewing and finding the time and space to do so. Its kinda amazing, what people give to the blogosphere straight from their own hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo agree with you. I used Stitches and Seams blog roll a couple of days ago to visit old friends and find new ones.
ReplyDeleteI am a fuddy duddy too, I only read on my phone if I'm in a waiting room or the pedicure chair. I read Shams and Debbie too, but hadn't seen the third one so heading there later today. I rarely update my own blog, but keep it because I like to keep track of other blogs that way. I have a cooking one, too, but it's private and I just do it for my own fun.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm also a bad visitor, as I sometimes think I'll comment and there are already so many I don't want to clog it up! You are right, I should be more sociable. :) K
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I like blogrolls too. Five years ago I knew about just two sewing blogs and now there are hundreds. I can't keep up but it's still fun to discover new ones.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn I love to read other sewing blogs and often use their blog rolls to find new ones. Some blogs are easy to leave a comment on but others are more difficult as I get a bit confused with the options they offer to access the comments.
ReplyDeleteI usually read on my phone while commuting to work and then post comments on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am with Tomasa; during the week life is too hectic and the phone is always available during breaks, so I use it the most for blog reading. On weekends, if I find the time, I read more thoroughly and comment. I really miss the times when blogging was more interactive.
ReplyDeletei used to LOVE having my blogroll on the sidebar, i used it as my reader... then malware and such started hitting sites, and if you linked to a hacked site, your site threw up a warning flag to visitors. has blogger found a way around that? i do miss it!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn I start at your blog! And as Dr Seuss says "You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” Some wonderful creative people out there who are so giving, sharing themselves with us all. Long may it continue. Jacqui aka Dementedkiwi
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and start here most often! I apologize for not commenting . You are absolutely amazing, creative and beautiful. Thank you for such heartfelt posts and awesome creations!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, thanks for the reminder to remember our blogging community. I get so frustrated with my "smart" stuff killing my comments. I always want to say something...I enjoy the conversation, which is probably why I live on Instagram. I really don't like Bloglovin as much as I though I would. It is too limiting for me, because I can't see the blogrolls unless I go to the "original post" link. I enjoy reading your blog, it is always thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, comments are so few and far between now that the smartphone is so popular. I am guilty as anyone and I am trying to do much better.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. I don't care much for Bloglovin. I prefer blog rolling because there's so many great bloggers out there with a wealth of information. I love reading about and viewing all the sewing projects. I've found that I miss out on a lot going on. Now, there's quite a few sewing pages on Facebook. I think that may have something to do with my lack of reading blogs lately. I tend to scroll thru those posts as they show up in my newsfeed and only click to read further if it's something more I want to know. You know how I came across this post, on someone's blog roll. Thanks Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - I love looking at blog rolls and the ones you picked are my faves, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite way to read blogs. I don't read as often as I used to, but I agree that we ought to make an effort to read and comment so we don't lose it. I still love blogging.
And now that you are working so close to the Garment District, I hope to see you again when I come up to shop!
Carolyn, it appears you're not alone!!! I agree, the blog roll is so much better and easier to find what you're looking for right away. When I'm ready to read blogs (which I'm currently behind on, LOL!) I usually get me a cup of coffee or glass of wine (depending on the time of day) along with my IPad and relax!
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to know we are having some type of interaction with readers, otherwise it is just a diary that could be kept on our personal computers. I love your blog like the others that have commented. I can't imagine that you haven't been blogging forever, since you are a staple in so many of our blog-reading lists/blog rolls. The blog roll really is an easier way to find other readers.
ReplyDeleteI really like blogrolls, too. There are a few blogs I visit because they're fantastic blogs, and they have great blogrolls. That's the one disappointment with Wordpress: they don't allow real-time blog rolls for 'security' reasons.
ReplyDelete