Getting closer!
Well, I finally did all the bindings on my kirtle for the neck and armholes. I still have the bindings on the upper sleeves, and the hem velvet, which I will do in a few days after the gown has hung for a bit.
I have found it a bit time consuming and annoying having to check my threads from showing on the right side while I am whip stiching the bindings on the wrong side. A few stray black threads are poking out here and there on the white linen, but it isn't too noticeable. I do like the strong contrast of the black silk bindings on the white linen fabric.
In other sewing thoughts... I am debating the virtues of getting a serger/overlock machine . I've been doing fine without one for years, but I've realized when I was working on my last client's stuff that some of the seam finishing might go faster if done on a serger, instead of my regular sewing machine. I have asked around in a couple of places for people's insights into using, or not using one, and I am please with all of the great feedback, pro and con that I've read.
For my garb, I prefer to hide the seams behind a full lining (bag lining). Some garments, like linen, I've been using the process of French seams, or flat felled, or double folding each seam allowance then sewing and then using a decorative seam to sew the pieces together (which I did to fake a blackwork edge).
But I can see the virtues of flat lining a garment, using a serger to finish all of the seams, then using the regular machine to sew the various pieces together. I also am in need of using them for making my kids Halloween costumes quickly, or sewing my wash cloths that are getting hairy at the edges, or fixing ready to wear stuff that's a serged seam coming undone. The con is... I don't want it to end up as a brick doorstop, either, from lack of use or lack of understanding it.
But for client work, where the client isn't fussing about period sewing methods being used, but wants a good quality garment that looks proper at a decent price, I think that getting and using a serger might help shave some time off.
And then there is in the future making personal modern garments. Rashid on SCA-Garb once mentioned how he liked his serger because it made dealing with silks easier, and knowing I have a few blouse ideas to make up in silk, habotai silk, I am thinking that again, it would be easier to use a serger to make those blouses up.
Ok, so I've convinced myself... now to buy the one that's been on my 'want' list at amazon.com, a Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger . I figured I would start off with a decent one at the low end, and if I use it as often as I hope to, maybe someday upgrade to a fancier, more expensive version. ... and now it is purchased. :-)
I have found it a bit time consuming and annoying having to check my threads from showing on the right side while I am whip stiching the bindings on the wrong side. A few stray black threads are poking out here and there on the white linen, but it isn't too noticeable. I do like the strong contrast of the black silk bindings on the white linen fabric.
In other sewing thoughts... I am debating the virtues of getting a serger/overlock machine . I've been doing fine without one for years, but I've realized when I was working on my last client's stuff that some of the seam finishing might go faster if done on a serger, instead of my regular sewing machine. I have asked around in a couple of places for people's insights into using, or not using one, and I am please with all of the great feedback, pro and con that I've read.
For my garb, I prefer to hide the seams behind a full lining (bag lining). Some garments, like linen, I've been using the process of French seams, or flat felled, or double folding each seam allowance then sewing and then using a decorative seam to sew the pieces together (which I did to fake a blackwork edge).
But I can see the virtues of flat lining a garment, using a serger to finish all of the seams, then using the regular machine to sew the various pieces together. I also am in need of using them for making my kids Halloween costumes quickly, or sewing my wash cloths that are getting hairy at the edges, or fixing ready to wear stuff that's a serged seam coming undone. The con is... I don't want it to end up as a brick doorstop, either, from lack of use or lack of understanding it.
But for client work, where the client isn't fussing about period sewing methods being used, but wants a good quality garment that looks proper at a decent price, I think that getting and using a serger might help shave some time off.
And then there is in the future making personal modern garments. Rashid on SCA-Garb once mentioned how he liked his serger because it made dealing with silks easier, and knowing I have a few blouse ideas to make up in silk, habotai silk, I am thinking that again, it would be easier to use a serger to make those blouses up.
Ok, so I've convinced myself... now to buy the one that's been on my 'want' list at amazon.com, a Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger . I figured I would start off with a decent one at the low end, and if I use it as often as I hope to, maybe someday upgrade to a fancier, more expensive version. ... and now it is purchased. :-)