Introducing: The Stateless Society --- Custom Top Quilts

[Ramblinrev]

Beyond that, I'd like to state that the quilt concept is in by no means original to any current (or otherwise) cottage manufacturer. I wouldn't think it fair to to imply that I'm trying to knock off anybody's kit.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that. As I read Dutch's comment I believe he is concerned for your success and reputation. Allow me to explain if I may. You are reasonably new to the community which means you don't have as much "presence" as some of the others. In offering a product which is _so close_ to a well established product already here it may work against your trying to establish your own unique niche. There is no question that serapes have been around for ages and quilts have probably been around just as long.

If I may offer what I would see as benefiting your "branding" perhaps you could draw on your experience in Latin America and present some uniquely Latin touches in your display models. That might prompt some further thought by someone looking to have a custom piece done. If they request a serape type quilt I would see no difficulty in providing it for them. But your display materials should set you apart. I think that's where Dutch was going.

FWIW I know Dutch personally and I really believe he was not intentionally suggesting you were ripping off something that "belonged" to someone else.

[jdempsey]

Thanks Rev, I already thanks Dutch directly for his honest criticism. I don't take it as a slight, it's fair. Just wanted to make sure and draw a distinction for those that aren't aware of the history of the quilts use, that might stumble across this thread.

I took Dutch's comments as constructive criticism, and sound advice.

To be honest, I don't use a serape style quilt, and would never leave my jacket at home in cold weather under any circumstances.

The only reason I made a serape style quilt in the first place, and mentioned offering it, is because I've had more than a few inquiries about them. Only one person was persistent enough to talk me into making one. I'm happy for that to be the last one, and I don't mean that with even the slightest sarcasm.



I'm thankful for everybody's input. I might have gotten a bit ahead of myself here in the "packaging and branding" aspect of this. All I'm trying to do is throw my name in the ring for custom work, and since I had alot of people asking me about same dimension stuff, I thought I'd put out some basic info and prices.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that. As I read Dutch's comment I believe he is concerned for your success and reputation. Allow me to explain if I may. You are reasonably new to the community which means you don't have as much "presence" as some of the others. In offering a product which is _so close_ to a well established product already here it may work against your trying to establish your own unique niche. There is no question that serapes have been around for ages and quilts have probably been around just as long.

If I may offer what I would see as benefiting your "branding" perhaps you could draw on your experience in Latin America and present some uniquely Latin touches in your display models. That might prompt some further thought by someone looking to have a custom piece done. If they request a serape type quilt I would see no difficulty in providing it for them. But your display materials should set you apart. I think that's where Dutch was going.

FWIW I know Dutch personally and I really believe he was not intentionally suggesting you were ripping off something that "belonged" to someone else.

[Dutch]

JD did PM me and I feel he took it the way as I intended it. It is good to see other options. We are a fast growing market and there is lots of inovations to be discovered. Only a few of us sew and the rest will have more chioces and when people have to compete it keeps the prices down and makes suppliers come up with interesting things. I have a lot of gear and I would say none of it is perfect yet....well except for the bridgeskin. However I am jealous of the dreds.

[oldgringo]

Props. To everyone.

[SuperTramp]

Props. To everyone.

i'll second that

[jdempsey]

I cant seem to re-edit the first two posts for some reason.. The pics are gone as I redid the album they were linked from..

Here's some instead:
























5 or 6 different quilts there, but except for one, all made in olive fabric only.

[Just Jeff]

JD - just so I understand your products, what's the difference between the NS and the last picture in your previous post?

[jdempsey]

Jeff, no clue really, I've never owned or even seen a NS(or any other quilt by the same company) in person, but none of the dimensions are the same as far as I can tell.

The one in the last picture is a quilt that's mostly sew thru but baffled in the footbox, it's also an extremely large quilt. 54" wide if I remember correctly. Pretty much a 35deg-ish quilt.

I used snaps on the slit as per requested by the customer, I assume the NS uses omnitape?

It's a straight taper(quadrangle) instead of a half taper(hex).

It's all green.



Really the only thing that's the same is the fact that it uses the same footbox fastening method (although I use a snap or button above the velcro to reinforce it), and a head slit to make it wearable(although nobody else that's actually placed an order has requested this or even asked about it).


All of my quilts are entirely custom made and sized to the user and their preferences. None of them have names or models currently.

JD - just so I understand your products, what's the difference between the NS and the last picture in your previous post?

[Just Jeff]

Ok - thanks. I guess I'd echo Dutch's concerns, then. This community tends to value integrity and fair business practices at least as much as price and value, and what you have is very similar to JRB's product line. Changing a few inches of length or width doesn't make a new design, but keeping the major features of JRB's line - the headhole on a hammock quilt, making a flat quilt into a footbox with either velcro or snaps (JRB does have grosgrain at the top of their quilts to secure the omni-tape), and the same footbox gathering method - looks like you're profiting from their R&D.

That's a common business strategy in the cutthroat world of business...it's why you see Burger Kings across from many McDonalds; BK lets McD's do the market research for where to place a new store, then the other fast food restaurants build next to them. But HF members tend to be a bit more finicky about who they deal with than fast food customers!

I'm not a lawyer, but I think that JRB would have a case against you if this were a patented item. There really isn't anything substantially different about that quilt. And while they may not take legal action, it's still questionable in my opinion. The fact that three members in 19 posts have brought it up should send you a signal.

Offered in the same spirit as Dutch...just trying to point out to a new member that HF, and the hammocking community in general, operates a bit differently than most other groups.

[G.L.P.]

Ok - thanks. I guess I'd echo Dutch's concerns, then. This community tends to value integrity and fair business practices at least as much as price and value, and what you have is very similar to JRB's product line. Changing a few inches of length or width doesn't make a new design, but keeping the major features of JRB's line - the headhole on a hammock quilt, making a flat quilt into a footbox with either velcro or snaps (JRB does have grosgrain at the top of their quilts to secure the omni-tape), and the same footbox gathering method - looks like you're profiting from their R&D.

That's a common business strategy in the cutthroat world of business...it's why you see Burger Kings across from many McDonalds; BK lets McD's do the market research for where to place a new store, then the other fast food restaurants build next to them. But HF members tend to be a bit more finicky about who they deal with than fast food customers!

I'm not a lawyer, but I think that JRB would have a case against you if this were a patented item. There really isn't anything substantially different about that quilt. And while they may not take legal action, it's still questionable in my opinion. The fact that three members in 19 posts have brought it up should send you a signal.

Offered in the same spirit as Dutch...just trying to point out to a new member that HF, and the hammocking community in general, operates a bit differently than most other groups.

i would like to 2nd that....

seems to me that more and more ppl are coming on HF to start some kind of business ....
maybe these ppl need to stick around for a year or 2 and see what hammockers are looking for in gear ...and come up with an original idea
start by becoming a donating member ...then sit back and take it all in
i for one would not buy gear from someone that was cloned ...

i hope we don't turn into a Online Infomercial ....