But first, the disclaimer: I realize, I may upset a few people by quoting a part of thecomment here, but I hope the majority of you will agree that it is actually a positive thing because it triggers interesting debates on relevant issues.
Anyway, here is the quote:
It only annoys me because of the many examples oftutorials that are really popular but frankly really ill-informed. And it guts methat people searching for a tutorial on how to do something may latch onto oneof these - and think it is a good way to do it when it is harder, lessaccurate, or otherwise flawed - simply because of who wrote it or how many hitsit had had.
So, on the one hand, I agree - there are a few not-so-greattutorials, on the other hand, I think, blog readers should be aware that blogtutorials are nothing else but the author’s way to do it – try it orleave it.
Here are some clues that help me use blog tutorials successfully:
1. Check out the final result
Honestly, I have never had a problem with online tutorials.For example, I saw several ones on hand-worked buttonholes – some had moreinformation, others were basic… But what really counted for me was the finalresult. Did I like the buttonhole? If yes – I triedto follow the writer’s instructions. It didn’t work out even after somepractice? I did more research.
2. Compare several tutorials, on blogs or in books
One thing I always do is look at several tutorials on thesame topic and compare. With my buttonholes, I achieved the best results combining three sources, Jeffery D.’s video tutorial, Cutter & Tailor forum info, and Paco Peralta’s tutorial on his blog (the links)
3. Look for personal experience
I also feel that even if the tutorial is less accurate, you will very likely find some invaluable personalexperience that makes blog tutorials so different from sewing booksinstructions.
4. Look for references.
References to additional resources are always a good sign - for me, it is an indication that the writer made a research and compared different ways to do something.
Finally, we are all learning by doing, right? I appreciate the time bloggersinvest into tutorial writing, whether good or bad. So, even if I didn't like something, I would always come back and check new tutorials by the same person.
Post factum edit :-) I also wanted to add that, sometimes, it is the blogger personality, his or her wit, or the garment they made, that inspire a reader to try out a technique - I think this makes blogs a very educative medium that helps spread the word about the craft we all love!
So, readers, what do you think about blog tutorials? Are they to be trusted? What makes a good tutorial for you? Which bloggers out there would you recommend for well-written andthoroughly researched tutorials?
Ok, having said all of that, there is a tutorial in making on Chanel faux bound buttonholes :-) It is actually more of a review of Claire Shaeffer's technique... I will try to post it tonight, kids permitting ;-)
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