Ask the Readers: How do you respond to compliments on things you’ve made?

I just say thank you… I won’t mention it being handmade unless someone asks, which happens more and more these days (or since I started blogging, people seem to have noticed that I sew!)

If you want to feel really good about yourself, wear something you’ve made while teaching a kid’s class. (ages 7-12) They usually fall over themselves with being so impressed, and shower you with oohhhs and ahhhs. It’s a real ego boost!

Like others have said, I am still working on being able to take a compliment gracefully. Instinct makes you want to point out all the faults (why is that?!?), and to do so is pretty rude to the complimenter. “Thank you! I made it!” Is a pretty good response, I’ve found. It leaves the door open for elaboration, but doesn’t overwhelm the complimenter with more info that they bargained for.

I’m usually so excited someone likes what I made that I blurt out, “Thank you! I made it!” If I’m close the person, and they sew too, I tell them anything that was a challenge in hopes they have suggestions for the next time. I primarily sew clothes for my daughter, so it’s easy to take a compliment when she has it on because they are often saying how cute she looks.

I recently made a sundress from some soft navy cotton with bright splashy pink flowers. When I wear it, people always compliment it and ask if I made it. I’ve been wondering if the “Did you make that?” means that it looks “homemade” in a bad sense. OK, I’m hopeless, cause I guess I have trouble accepting a compliment.

Having sewn for many years, I can spot a hand sewn garment almost all the time, can’t you folks? Really? And I mean that in the best sense possible. Hand made things are special in so many ways.

Last fall I made matching ruffled dresses for my granddaughters, and people would say “those look like store-bought.” They were trying to say the dresses looked professionally made.

So yes, I’m hopeless. Maybe it speaks to self-confidence more than anything. I agree, the simple “Thanks” is all you need. I believe people are always interested in what you have made by hand with love and care. Frankly, isn’t everyone envious of sewists? Why, of course they are. :)

I usually respond gleefully and do admit to having made it. I don’t always trust my own taste very much so compliments on something I made really make my day. But I don’t ever accept requests to sew for anyone else – I’m a selfish crafter.

I’m with those that proudly say “thanks, I made it!” One lady I work with recently complimented my outfit (a skirt and a button up shirt) and when I told her I made it she started inspecting it and oohing and aahing. If it had been a stranger it probably would’ve been weird but we know each other and I actually got a kick out of it! She really liked the flat felled seams on my shirt. I used to point out the flaws but then I realize that most people really don’t see the flaws and it does come of as a little rude or awkward at least.

Just happened to me yesterday. I said, “Thank you, I made it.” I then went on to say I combined two patterns. Depending on who they are and what we go on to say I might tell them I use a dress form now (worth it) or encourage them to sew if they express an interest. And surely if they need to learn lots, pass on a recommendation to get on this site!

Awkwardly!

Most people I know don’t sew, so they are ALWAYS way more impressed than I think they should be when I tell them that, yes, I did make this one. But it feels REALLY good to have people compliment me on this too. The ladies I work with get at least one toddler sized fashion show a year when I bring in the new outfits that I made for my neices. This year, they got to pick the fabric and the patterns for their dresses. This was on a Saturday. I live an hour away from my parents place, where they are staying. Sunday morning, they were slightly upset that the new dresses weren’t waiting for them when they got up. I thought I was joking when I called my sewing room “Auntie Jen’s Sweatshop”

I learned while I was at college in Fashion Production to call a sewing error or messup a “design feature”. It certainly makes it easier to put down my point out the flaws cap and just accept the compliment with some grace. I have a serious problem of being too attracted to quilting cotton prints for outfits, and sometimes I think I get the Becky-Homecky thing going on, but no one has ever said that my stuff looks homemade, just that they recognize that I made it because they would never see that in a store.

One of my big pet peeves (a Midwestern thing especially; I’m from Wisconsin originally) is women who respond to compliments by demurring, criticizing whatever has been complimented. It’s a terrible cultural development, and one we should all fight. :). As such, I’ve trained myself to take compliments simply, “thank you!”. Depending on who’s complimenting, I’ll sometimes brag on myself a little by saying “I made it!” :)

I get so excited that someone gives me a compliment on what I’m wearing that I can’t help but gush “Thanks, I made it!” That’s usually followed by their “wow really, you made that?” and I just beam from ear to ear. It’s such a sense of accomplishment to have something you made with your own hands be recognized and appreciated, I just love it.

For me, it depends on who asks. Most of my close colleagues and friends know I sew and therefore usually ask if I have made it. I usually then (as do the ladies above), go on to point out the flaws! Today though, I didn’t, I just said “thanks and yes I made it” and then went on to tell them a bit about why I made it.

I’ve never had a stranger assume that something was handmade. If it’s a stranger, I probably wouldn’t tell them I had made it, I’d probably just say “thanks”. But then I can’t remember a time that a stranger paid me a compliment regardless of whether it was handmade orRTW.

I say thanks, “I made it!” People almost always respond with, “wow. I wish I could do that.”

A few years ago a girl probably 10-12ish years old came up to me and complimented me on my outfit. I think she fancied herself to be quite stylish and in-the-know as she waved an open-palmed hand in front of me saying, “I just love everything about this.” When I told her I made the top from a vintage pattern she got so excited. That type of enthusiasm is so encouraging!

“Why, thank you!” Sometimes, also, I like the Spanish form: “How nice of you!”
Pointing out the flaws in your project (unless you’re receiving a *critique* at something juried/judged) a. tells the complimentor that s/he doesn’t know what s/he is talking about, a b. (even worse, actually) is boring and can sound awfully self-absorbed for what may have been a passing space-filler at communal coffee pot!

I say “I made it” a lot. I just think it’s worth it to me to look a little foolish to show that anyone can make a wardrobe. Yeah, my coworkers are probably a little sick of me but they don’t let on….As the above, I always tell them I’m happy to show them how easy it is, though none have ever taken me up on it. To be fair, most of them have full time jobs and little ones at home. I’m an empty nester and basically do whatever I want!

I used to say “Thanks, I made it!” more often than I do now. Depending on my mood, I’ll just say “thanks” or also add on the “I made it.”

I go back and forth on what to say. Sometimes I’ll say, “thanks, I made it myself.” Or else I’ll just say, “thank you” with a smile. Sometimes I feel pretty shy about it because people frequently make a big fuss when you tell them you’ve made something.

But I occasionally post links to blog entries on my Facebook page, so lots of times people will ask if I made whatever I’m wearing. It feels so awkward when I have to confess that I’m wearing some old piece of RTW crap!

Because I’ve only recently been able to wear things I’m proud of if it’s someone I am close to I will say Thank You! I made it! But with strangers, I’ll usually just say “Thanks”. If they ask where I got it- I will say I made it. :-)

~M

Recently I was in a store and a really bubbly lady came up to me and commented on how much she loved my dress (Anna-Maria Horner Socialite Dress) and so I blurted out “Oh no, I made it, it was easy ” as if it was something to be embarrassed about (My mum used to make a lot of our clothes as kids and some were VERY ‘special’). She was so nice and we chatted a bit about sewing and swapped numbers so I could text her the name of the pattern and the fabric I used. A couple of weeks later she text me to say she had ordered the pattern and was very excited to get sewing! It was so nice to meet another sewing enthusiast and to be able to introduce her to something new I just wish I could take a compliment a bit better – it’s always been a problem!

I sew, knit and crochet. I have learned to say, “Thank you, I made it.” If the person wants more information, I will point out design features that I am rather proud of. I have learned that the self-deprecating “this old thing???” type of comment not only puts down the complimenter but it also is a self-putdown. I already have self-esteem issues, I don’t need to add to them. :-)

I usually just start with “thanks” (although I probably have a massive smile) and only elaborate if I’m asked more questions, like where I purchased it. However, my 6 yr old son is not modest on my behalf. When he’s around he is sure to point out to everyone what I have made, whether it is my own clothing or his or his brother’s. The best was when someone asked where I had bought my 4 yr old’s shorts telling me that they can’t find slim fits for their son that aren’t skin tight or too trendy. Immediately my 6 yr old said “That’s why my mom made them for him.” The best part is his delivery, with enthusiasm and innocence – not bragging but clearly filled with pride. He’s even expressed empathy for people who can’t make things for themselves and don’t have anyone else to make things for them. He thinks it’s “too bad.” And I guess I agree;-)

“Oh thanks, I made it” even though my skills are such that my garments still look hand sewn, I’m still super proud!

My Mom used to make all of the clothing my 5 siblings and I wore. I started sewing quite young, and by the time I was in High School, I made everything in my closet, even my bras and underwear. When anyone complimented me on something I wore, I just said “Thanks!”, without thinking of taking it any further because well, they were just my clothes! I had a serious health diagnosis about 15 years ago and have been mostly unable to do much requiring manual dexterity (and I was a musician!). I recently decided to try sewing again and was surprised when my stepson, after watching me sew up a couple pairs of shorts, said “Wow! You’re good at that!” For years I’ve been frustrated at all the things I’m not very good at anymore. So I replied “You’re right! I am!” So whenever I receive a comment now, I say “Thank you! I made it!” And it means a whole lot more to me than the complimenter could ever know!

I usually say “thank you” and smile. It warms my spirit:) Sometimes, I say “thank you – I actually made it” :)

Honestly, I own it. It took me a while to be comfortable with not just accepting a compliment but being confident in myself. Sewing allows me to wear my belief in myself literally on my sleeve. I thank them earnestly and proudly say that I made it.

I always say “Thank you, I made this !” I’m proud of the clothes I make and wear..or I wouldn’t be wearing them . If I make something that isn’t quite up to my standards, sometimes I’ll keep it anyway, and just wear it at home. But if I’m wearing a piece of handmade clothing out, it means I’m happy with how it turned out, and want people to know I made it myself !

I always thank a person for a compliment, but whether I own up to making it or not depends on the person. If I think the person would approve of sewing, or at least appreciate the effort involved, I might mention it. But some people I know think dressmaking is a bit of a sad way to spend one’s time (yeah, hard to believe!) , and I can’t be bothered justifying myself, so I just let it slide.

Ah yes, the old compliment conundrum… I love complimenting other people on things they’ve made because, apart from anything else, it is an achievement really to do ANYTHING yourself when there is so much stuff – art, clothing, food or even mechanical work – readily and easily available around us.

But boy, am I terrible at accepting complements. I’m another one for the “do your best to point out the embarrassingly located hole” club – I suppose it’s because I’d hate for them to notice it themselves but think that I hadn’t seen it. Well, that and the general British air of self-effacement!

Funnily enough, this weekend I managed to win a cake decorating competition (well, i was first out of two…) and I have been treating it as the MOST EXCITING moment of my life so far. A couple of members of my family complemented me on my homemade dress and I went predictably shy and giggly and flaw-pointy-outy, but when they were nice about my cake, I don’t know what came over me! They would say something like “ooh, it’s very clever” and I was just replying with stuff like “YES. YES I AM PROUD. CAKE.”

I think it was too much ice cream or something.

I have to admit that by now, unfortunately, it makes the red lights go on alert in my head, because around here 9 times out of 10 a compliment on things you made is just used as an instep to get something done, that means sewn, mended or even pulled out of a magic hat (“we still need coustumes for the big summer part show. Couldn’t you make something for us??? That will be no problem for you, you’ve got so much fabric and you’re so creative, right???? Uuuuuuuhm, yes, sure, fabric I paid for, the party is tomorrow and how many kids are we talking here????? Just our group (=25 kids). They have to dress up as butterflies…… At that point I was literally rolling on the floor. The only thing you can do in a situation like this is laugh.) And there were many more situations like this.
It always makes me sad, so by now I try not to let it be known I made something. When someone says he (or more often she) likes something I just say that, yes, I like it too. And when they want to know where I got it, I tell them from my kitchen (this is where my sewing corner is)

I give a cheesy grin, say “I made this!” and proceed to show them the serged seams…no modesty here!