more basic medieval sewing questions

[ursule]

I'm making a stack of lightweight linen undertunics for Pennsic, courtesy of the Elizabethan Smock Generator. The smock generator suggests that you use a facing for the neck hole, but I have a vague sense that this isn't a very medieval solution, due to the waste of fabric; I'm tempted to substitute a strip of linen. Will this be more trouble

Comments

[ex_hrj]

I'm less familiar with 16th c. techniques, but certainly examples of earlier edge-finishes seem to rely on a narrow strip, turned to the inside. (I.e., right sides together, sew along the edge, turn to the inside, turn and press the raw edge of the strip, sew down with your favorite method, optionally, top-stitch to flatten.)

The examples that I've been able to examine closely enough to determine involve a straight-grain strip, which therefore needs to be fairly narrow to turn corners well. I often cheat a bit by using bias.

[ursule]

Thanks for the confirmation & explanation!

I'm not particularly into sixteenth-century either, but the smock generator does automatic rectangle & triangle pattern construction, so I tend to rely on it for earlier eras.

[gwacie]

I've done a facing; and found that a strip of linen was easier! (and more conserving of fabric) for my keyhole necklines. Though admittedly; the amount of material needed for a facing is fairly small.

I'm totally in the linen strip camp now :) Doesn't even need to be bias cut!

[reasie]

Totally strip! Strip it, girl!! You'll never go back!

[ya_inga]

I just cut the neckhole a half inch smaller than I need and turn the edge twice - a TEENY turn - less than 1/4' - and stitch it down - I dislike facings they always come out wrong for me ; )