Shabby Chic - Foreign manufacturing is Shabby not Chic
I shop Target occasionally and last year I found 6 Name Brand, off white velvet slipcovers for dining room chairs that I had planned to use when I got the perfect chairs, well holidays are coming and although I don't have the perfect chairs, I have chairs that will do. So I whipped out my wonderful slipcovers to get my holiday decorating started only to be totally disappointed. When I took them out of the package I found that they weren't even all the same color, two had a yellow tint to them which I didn't notice until they were together, the sewing was puckered and uneven and two were actually shorter at the bottom hem than the rest. I tried steaming them and ironing them which did not help. This is not the first time I have been disappointed, I purchased a pair of curtains (same brand) with a rose print that were mismatched in length had a noticeable mistake in the print, I returned them 3 times only to find that was how they were made.
P.S. I have now been using them for 1 1/2 months and the seams are pulling apart and unraveling after being washed one time. Needless to say I will not be shopping the brand ever again.
Conclusion: Quality over cost. Big box may be cheaper but it works out when big box last months instead of years. I have heard from clients that the upscale name brand has not held up well either for the same reasons. Come from elsewhere just have a bigger price tag.
Posted by Modern Home at 11/10/2009 2:04 PM 
Categories: Decorating
Tags: decorating dining rooms shabby chic
Categories: Decorating
Tags: decorating dining rooms shabby chic
I am too disapointed in Target. The products are not to be trusted anymore. I guess we have to get our products from China because they practically own us and all jobs are going there.
I had to go into a store here last year and pull all of the little trick or treat buckets left over from Halloween because of lead and also the transformer toys, lead also. How about the lead in the glitter on the childrens shirts. I certainly do not like to buy items made in China.
Lots of us feel like you do, and if anyone has a problem , then I guess they must be from China. I would rather pay a little more and have quality and I am sure lots of people would.
Betsy
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I agree with you totally, it would be nice if the jobs would either stay here or come back. I worked at Kodak for 17 yrs., many of those jobs went overseas. something so pretty and exciting to open like the shabby line, then finding such bad workmanship, is just a shame. love your blog! maryanne
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I absolutely agree! All we have is Made in China crap.
-FringeGirl
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I totally agree. It's refreshing to hear others stand up and say how they really feel. We do still have that freedom don't we.
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Hi,
I am a shabby chic lover and I also have a problem with items not made in the USA.
A few years ago I started a website selling American made toys, puzzles and games. I still search for American made items to add to my site and they are difficult to find.
Most of my purchases this year for Christmas come from my website www.greatstuffforkids.com and my antique shop. My 10 year old niece wanted pretty vintage T cups. What a joy to shop for. My nephew is getting a wonderful wildlife puzzle from my site.
I like the USA items and things made years ago when quality was the norm.
Happy Holidays,
Donna
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I'm with you! This has bothered me for a long time.
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hallelujah sister. too bad what is happening here.
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