Going Plain
"Friends, keep out of the vain fashions of the world; let not your eyes, minds, and spirits run after
every fashion (in attire) of the nations; for that will lead you from the solid life into unity with
that spirit that leads to follow the fashions of the nations, after every fashion of apparel that gets up:
but mind that which is sober and modest, and keep to your plain fashions,
that you may judge the World, . . ."
- George Fox, founder of the Quakers
formally known as the Religious Society of Friends
While the issue of plain dress today continues to be a matter of personal leading among Friends (known as Quakers), it is an issue
that must be individually worked out. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "
Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good." Understanding that each of us is led individually to serve God
as He wills, it becomes an issue of faith
to follow as Christ leads and be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit
to therefore
hold fast that which is good, even if one stands alone.
This discernment process transcends issues of worldly fashions, group dynamics or individual opinions because it is a calling of a very
personal and spiritual nature. When led by Christ we must obediently follow and not allow ourselves to be influenced by the world
or our peers. Though most Friends in this day and age do not feel called to plain dress, there are those who do - and that calling is very difficult
to deny and is even more difficult for some to make a "logical" argument or defense for.
It may help to know the minds of other Quakers who faced this concern in their lives. I found
reassurance in the writings of Friends of both old and new. It was comforting to know
that others were similarly challenged
and edifying to learn their
view points.
Elizabeth Gurney Fry, a Quaker humanitarian (1780-1845) wrote;
"I used to think and do now how little dress matters. But I find it almost impossible to
keep to the principles of Friends without altering my dress and speech. . . . They appear
to me a sort of protector to the principles of Christianity in the present state of the world."
Kenneth Morse (1898 - 1982), wrote about Quakers that:
"They endeavored to keep a single eye unto the Lord, desiring his
approval rather than the praise of men. They were therefore not conformed to
the world, and did not follow the changing fashion of the world."
Then, there are the testimonies of plain friends today that are a witness to the leading of the Holy
Spirit in their lives in matters of plain dress and conservative Christianity.
Crossroads Friends web site has a wealth
of just such information which is again, very encouraging.
If this is an issue you are facing in your life - take heart! There are a variety of options for the
person seeking plain clothing and the Internet offers a wealth of
information for researching resources. There are business resources listed here, below,
plus I'll share the advantages
and disadvantages
of some of my experiences.
Sewing Your Own Clothes
If you are good at sewing,
buying patterns (see resource below) to make your own plain clothes offers the distinct advantages of being able to
select the exact type of cloth that really suites you and then make size adjustments where necessary.
This is especially true for people like me. As a mature woman, I have a stubborn figure that just doesn't
fit "standard" size measurements.
My top and bottom obstinately refuse to coordinate, each insisting on their own individual size considerations.
If I could sew, it would not be an issue as I would handle my own alterations. This is where individuals
who are able to sew
for themselves have the biggest and most economical advantages of all the available options.
In my case, I can not sew beyond the simple basics. My 2 work skirts are
made using a very easy-sew pattern that includes
an elastic waist. Pockets were a huge challenge which were overcome only after much consternation for
my complete
lack of sewing talent! The results, though serviceable, would have made my dear Grandmother
cringe for the absymal lack of workmanship. Thus, I pursued a logical alternative, the services of a professional seamstress.
Contracting Local Seamstress Services
This proved a most satisfactory option for me. Hiring a local seamstress was beneficial in so many ways. First, it gave
me the opportunity to spend my consumer dollars in my local community and when I do that, it feels really right and good
to know that someone close to home is reaping the immediate benefits of those dollars.
Second, the quality of workmanship is superior because necessary time can be spent on needful alterations and
that
makes a real difference in the way a garment fits and thereafter wears.
Another advantage is the fostering of a dear personal relationship. Before needing to exchange my modern clothes for plain ones,
I never knew such a gem existed as the seamstress who so patiently works with me. She is a remarkable person who
I enjoy
spending time with and she has greatly enriched my life. How much I'd have missed if I had never
sought out her services. Every time I wear the clothes she so carefully makes,
the garments surround me with the comfort
of knowing someone cared. That's true quality!
Are custom clothes expensive? In my experience, they are much more economical than plain garments purchased pre-made.
For instance, I recently stumbled across very serviceable fabric on super-sale for only .50 cents a yard - 8 yards cost me $4.00.
Once made into a dress, it was a real bargain and not one had at the expense of disadvantaged, underpaid workers or child labor in third
world countries. Generally, fabric costs are a bit more but then there are benefits to watching for sales. Remember, the items in
a simple wardrobe do not amount to very much. No longer a slave to fashion, my closet is very neat and tidy for being less than one
fourth full of
the volume it used to contain!
Internet Clothing Purchases
Now this is really a matter of individual experience and opinions vary widely. Some people have
great experiences
purchasing garments without trying them on, others do not. Therefore, customer satisfaction can range from
well satisfied to severely disappointed.
I've had both satisfactory and unsatisfactory experiences purchasing from Internet sites and
found that one of the biggest downfalls to purchasing pre-made articles of clothing is that
one can not be sure descriptions always exactly represent an item. For instance, what is advertised as
"muslin" may in fact turn out to be not all cotton, as might be assumed, but a cotton/polly blend.
Not seeing it in person,
you do not get the opportunity to feel it
or personally inspect the quality yourself.
Descriptions can be a bit off too and add to that the fact that viewing
photos on a computer screen can result in color being a bit compromised by
the resolution of your monitor as well as the quality of the original graphic.
Then, there is the obvious limitation of not being able to try a garment on to ensure a proper fit,
of particular concern in the case of
a dress or trousers. Measurements alone are not always enough and the same garment can fit 2 people of similar size
very differently.
Add to that, shipping charges for
exchanges or workmanship issues which in most cases are the responsibility of the buyer regardless of seller error. That can be expensive and
frustrating. One company offers for sale plain
clothes that in some cases are not actually made by the persons of that company (the jobs apparently sent
out to a seamstress that you have no contact with), and as it is a side business, the business owners are
very difficult
to get a hold of and have strict no-return policies and no customer service telephone number available.
This brings me to my biggest disappointment with Internet orders. In some cases, it is not possible to
actually discuss an order with someone by phone. Certain businesses require that
everything must be transacted via the Internet and e-mail correspondence only, which really takes the heart and personal touch out of the experience. While not
normally a chatty person given to unnecessarily taking up people's time, I do like the reassurance of personal,
voice communication - having a discussion with a real live person vs. awaiting an impersonal e-mail.
Add to that the fact that Internet access is very limited for me (and surely I'm not alone), what could
be resolved through a quick, friendly phone call
otherwise takes a frustrating number of days via e-mail. Technologically efficient, yes, humanly satisfying, no.
Here I surely show my age but, PR for me is something more than a keystroke can deliver and is often
the deciding factor for my consumer dollar.
My most unfortunate Internet experience followed a spendy purchase which had to be returned several times due
to several obvious workmanship
flaws
(i.e., raw edges, unsewn pleats) at my expense. Needing a size exchange as well for one of the items in
the order, I brought my concerns to their attention - politely and with all due respect and
Christian love - and was surprised at being briskly dealt with for the inconvenient exchange request while
the workmanship flaws were passed off as hardly a matter of concern. As an invoice had not been included
with my order, I had to request one and was again directed to check my e-mail as invoices are "always"
sent via e-mail. No allowances were made for the obvious computer error, the error implied to have been solely mine.
The issues took many, many weeks to resolve,
with no telephone conversation ever taking place and e-mails rarely rendered. Needless-to-say, the experience was
disheartening and I am unable to wear some of the garments after all. They now exist as a testimony to "buyer beware",
a lesson learned at great expense.
I realize that by now I've cast a rather dim view on Internet purchasing and I really don't mean to imply
all goes badly at every purchase - certainly not!
There are in fact some very personable companies out there who have made shopping with them a pleasant experience indeed. Companies
such as Gohn Brothers, Jas Townsend & Son, Inc., and Friends Patterns - to name a few.
I have listed them below, and hope you find them helpful.
The following are some professional companies that are reputable businesses with
persons easily available to talk to whom I recommend very highly.
General Supplies and Pre-made Plain Clothing
Gohn Brothers
PO Box 1110, 105 S. Main St.
Middlebury IN 46540
Phone: (574) 825-2400, 800-595-0031
Amish and Plain Clothing, fabrics and more. Celebrating 100 years in business,
they offer a simple print catalog without pictures. Very helpful customer service. Very reliable.
Jas Townsend & Son, Inc
133 North First Street
Pierceton, IN 46562
1-800-338-1665
Clothes, caps, capes and accessories, nice linen shawls. Excellent prices and service.
Kidron Town & Country Store
PO Box 26
Kidron, OH 44636
(330)857-2131
Friendly service, interesting variety of items - many hard to find.
Originals-by-Kay
Very easy to talk to about ordering concerns. Exceptional workmanship!
Plain Clothes Patterns
Friends Patterns
P.O. Box 326
Gettysburg OH 45328-0326
Sewing Patterns for Amish and Plain Clothes - a doll pattern too! Very good quality and dependable service.
Kannik's Korner
Patterns and wonderful information about bonnets !
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works"
- Titus 2:14
