I originally published this in July, 2013. I then took this post down as a courtesy to Julie Ford (DragonLady on SG), but I see no reason not to re-publish it at this point. I have not been reading SG or having anything to do with it since this time, and since Julie has never seen fit to acknowledge either my (or Kathryn's) genesis of the whole thing, or my acquiescence to her request to remove this post, it's going back up. Obviously it doesn't matter to her, so why should it matter to me?
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, or who
remember me from Sewing World, may remember that the very first
Announcement of the new sewing board, Stitcher's Guild (originally and very temporarily, Sewing World Refuge) was made here on Sew Intriguing, on March 20, 2006! By
March 29th,
we had been temporarily shut down by our host because we exceeded 100
(!!) members. It's hard to believe it's been over 7 years since Kathryn
(Fzxdoc) and I put our heads together to figure out a way to keep in
touch with all of our wonderful sewing friends when Sewing World finally
ground to its inevitable decline. As we said then, we had no real
desire to 'usurp' SW's place, but it was slowly dying from neglect, and
there was nothing to be done other than make a place where we could all
begin again, and carry on.
Much time, thought and
effort was put into making the transition as friendly as possible, and
to that end, since Kathryn and I are experts at sewing, not with
computers, we thought we would ask DragonLady (Julie) to help us create
the sewing board of our imaginations. She did this very ably, though of
course everything was done with a consensus of the three of us, then
Lisa came on board to help us, and it became four of us. Eventually Ann
was added to our leadership group, and we have worked long and hard
over the years, much of it behind the scenes, to make it all run
smoothly. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of the many little
contretemps and disagreements over various topics and posts which became
controversial for one reason or another. We think we have the greatest
group of posters and members anywhere, but a little diplomacy was
called for now and then, you'll agree!
As our project
grew, we each gave many hours and put a lot of effort into it. The
Moderators read all of the posts, heading off trouble where it looked
likely, moving posts to make our search function more user-friendly, and
more successful, something we all agree is vital to the serious sewer
looking for answers, and generally welcoming new members and making
wonderful friendships ourselves. We help fix/edit member's posts and
photos where and when necessary, which takes time and knowledge on our
part and is no small assist to the look and feel of the board. Julie
was vital to it all, and she has gotten the credit she deserves.
Perhaps the rest of us have not.
Now it
seems that a major change is coming to Stitcher's Guild. Julie first
approached the Mods in April of this year about an offer she had had to
buy the forum. She was considering it, and we had lots of questions,
which she said she would answer, but we're still waiting for those
answers and the promised discussion. After Stitcher's Guild had
problems in the last week, and was down for a few days, major changes
were publicly announced by Julie. We are very aware that she puts a lot
of work into Stitcher's Guild, as do we all. We have also become very
aware at this point that the entire board has been registered in her
name, and she has claimed ownership of it. In looking at the stats from
Stitcher's Guild, it becomes obvious that in time spent on the board
and number of posts, Lisa and Kathryn are clearly in the lead, by
thousands of posts, and thousands of hours. We each have our strengths,
and I think that when it perhaps happens that the Mods are no longer
cleaning up the board, moving things, editing, fixing, creating new
threads, etc., it will no longer be quite the place it was. That will
be sad, but free labor only lasts so long, especially when it becomes
clear that it's only going to be some of us who will be working for
free, and not only free, but with no consideration of any kind, and for
the financial benefit of others. We have been working for the benefit
of others (all of the members and ourselves) all along, but it's a
little different to work without remuneration, for the financial gain of
others.
When we began this board, it was on the
Ladies Club format, where everyone was a volunteer working to provide
enjoyment to all. When something was required, we asked for volunteers
and/or donations, and those were forthcoming. Now that it seems likely
that Julie is planning to run it as as business, the club model is no
longer applicable. It has its limitations of course, but it also has a
lot going for it. It will be interesting to see just what finally
occurs.
As most of you also know, I have been almost
totally absent from the board since the death of my DH, Pearle. My life
changed so much I just couldn't manage to keep up with it, I couldn't
even sew, which was soul-killing in its own way. Any of you who have
been through a similar event will understand when I say it was all I
could do to just keep my head above water and let the future take care
of itself. It was a very dark time, and I was so glad that Kathryn,
Lisa, Ann and Julie all were very gracious and let me just slip away.
I
am finally (I think, and hope) back to normal, or whatever normal is
going to be now, and I thought a little reminiscing was in order. It's
been wonderful. I feel that I have friends all over the world through
it, and I wouldn't trade the experience of starting and caring for
Stitcher's Guild. I don't want to fight, but I don't feel like I should
just walk away without a discussion either. It's worth more than that
to me. If Stitcher's Guild's time to change into something different
has come, it has come. I think we need a discussion at least rather
than just announcements.
Links in this post:
Original Stitcher's Guild Announcement
March 29th, 2006
