Handsewing vs. Machine

[princess]

So I'm staring at half a dress (the one I started diarizing) and realizing that I probably should have hand sewed it. I'm actually going to go back and undo some of the stitching and do the rest of it by hand. Which led me to thinking about a few things.

1) Handsewing feels tedious while I'm doing it, but in the long run it looks better. I think I feel better about that.

2) Maybe it's time to think about transitioning off my machine for most of my major pieces.

Has anyone else reached this point in their garbing?

Comments

[hugh_mannity]

Yep.

FWIW, there are aspects of period clothing construction that don't work well with a machine. It's actually easier to fit gores when you're doing it by hand, for example.

I just found a lovely grey wool Bocksten tunic I'd cut out for myself, but not started sewing. I'd forgotten I'd cut it out, but knew I had the wool somewhere. I'm going to sew that by hand because it's just too nice not to make a really good job of.

[princess]

I do love my machine, but I'm just noticing that I lose control of the fabric too easily when it's going through there, so I know what you mean about construction issues.

I can't wait to hear more about this tunic! Can I induce you to post a picture or two? :)

[hugh_mannity]

Sure. It wouldn't do me any harm to write it up. :D

[holyschist]

I can't wait to hear more about this tunic! Can I induce you to post a picture or two? :)

+1!

[holyschist]

That's where I'm at. And as long as I can chat or watch TV while I sew, I don't find it too tedious (and then there's no conflict between "watch TV" and "sew"! So I actually get more sewing done).

I was already doing stuff by hand if it was easier to do (like gores, gussets) or would look bad on a machine (collars and cuffs, hats). So it's been a gradual transition for me and I think I'm ready to take the plunge and do the rest by hand, too.