Progress report: 18th century men's shirt
Feb. 24th, 2022 09:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
luzulaMy 18th century men’s shirt is now finished except that I still need to add some manly lace ruffles at the cuffs and the front! I've done what was left of the sewing by hand, mostly during zoom meetings which I didn't have to lead. Most of the sewing that was left was the gathering at the top of the sleeves and round the collar, and the buttonholes.
The first photo shows the collar along with the opening at the front, and the top of the sleeve. This second one shows one of my button holes, which I guess is not perfect, but this is my first time sewing buttonholes by hand... I'm not showing my first (terrible) attempt, ha ha.
Things I am happy with: Well, I learned how to backstitch and to sew buttonholes by hand? Also all the gathering, I think it's lovely! \o/
Things I am less happy with: the buttons at the collar ended up asymmetrically to one side, which looks fine in the photo, but not as good when I'm actually wearing the shirt. But I guess the collar would be covered by a stock or a neck cloth anyway. I don't have proper button links for the cuffs, so had to connect two metal buttons with some thread. Also I was lazy with the seam at the top of the sleeves, because I just did a simple overcast stitch on the fabric ends on the inside, attaching it at the same time to the fabric of the shoulders. That would not hold up very well to heavy use; properly I should have enclosed that seam within a piece of fabric sewn on on the inside (a sleeve binder).
Also I have no idea if/when I am ever going to actually wear this shirt?? To have a full costume, I would also need to sew breeches, a waistcoat, and one of those lovely full-skirted coats, which is a huge project. Check out this guy, who has COMMITTED. I guess if I make a nice waistcoat, I could plausibly wear just that over the shirt along with ordinary trousers (or a skirt) to a fancy occasion?
The first photo shows the collar along with the opening at the front, and the top of the sleeve. This second one shows one of my button holes, which I guess is not perfect, but this is my first time sewing buttonholes by hand... I'm not showing my first (terrible) attempt, ha ha.
Things I am happy with: Well, I learned how to backstitch and to sew buttonholes by hand? Also all the gathering, I think it's lovely! \o/
Things I am less happy with: the buttons at the collar ended up asymmetrically to one side, which looks fine in the photo, but not as good when I'm actually wearing the shirt. But I guess the collar would be covered by a stock or a neck cloth anyway. I don't have proper button links for the cuffs, so had to connect two metal buttons with some thread. Also I was lazy with the seam at the top of the sleeves, because I just did a simple overcast stitch on the fabric ends on the inside, attaching it at the same time to the fabric of the shoulders. That would not hold up very well to heavy use; properly I should have enclosed that seam within a piece of fabric sewn on on the inside (a sleeve binder).
Also I have no idea if/when I am ever going to actually wear this shirt?? To have a full costume, I would also need to sew breeches, a waistcoat, and one of those lovely full-skirted coats, which is a huge project. Check out this guy, who has COMMITTED. I guess if I make a nice waistcoat, I could plausibly wear just that over the shirt along with ordinary trousers (or a skirt) to a fancy occasion?
(no subject)
Date: 2022-02-24 11:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2022-02-25 05:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2022-02-26 10:38 pm (UTC)It is not easy to space buttonholes exactly the same distance apart, and it is very difficult to cut them precisely the right size. The tiniest slip of the scissors will make the hole too large, and even one thread uncut will leave it too small.
When she had cut the buttonholes, Laura whipped the cut edges swiftly, and swiftly covered them with the small, knotted stitches, all precisely the same length and closely set together. She so hated making buttonholes that she had learned to do them quickly, and get it over with. Mrs. White noticed her work, and said, “You can beat me making buttonholes.”
Mrs. White being her boss.