[Mid] Zigzag, Serge, and period construction techniques

From: <constancefairfax_at_itasca.net>
Date: Fri 10 Oct 2003 06:04:25 PM EDT
Message-ID: <1065823465.3f872ce950862@webmail.itasca.net>

Quoting jen funk segrest <jen@verybigdesign.com>:
> > For what weaves (e.g. velvet, brocade, etc.) do you think it's
> > acceptable to "cheat" and use easily available artificial fibers
> > instead of rare and expensive natural fibers?
> I think it's more important to sew it well. Just need a t-tunic? Fine,

> don't just flat seam it, learn to french seam or take the effort to
> serge or zag them.

Isn't modern fabric substitution comparable to modern production technique?
Isn't using a serger or zigzag "cheating"?

Serging isn't much like any period technique I've seen, with the exception of
the 14th-century card-woven-on-the-dress-trim, and even then, that's only there
to protect an edge, not to seam/protect a seam. I've seen a very few period
seams that were turned under, and those were silk. Additionally, machine-
frenching gives you a line down the edge...

Most wools will not ravel - and I have linen smocks that are raw-edged seams
(as an experiment) that haven't raveled.

seaming fabric cut on the bias doesn't require reinforcement either...

I'm bringing this up not to poke holes in your arguement, because I agree with
you 95% - but I've seen people criticize appropriately-sewn hand-sewn garments
because the seams weren't finished - and I think this is an important issue...

Constance

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Received on Fri Oct 10 18:02:39 2003

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