In my re-enactor clothes, I usually cut the fabrics down to 22"
widths so I'm forced to piece them accurately. I also plan to do more
with my loom that weaves 22" for these purposes. One thing I find is
that seaming 22" wide fabrics sometimes lends more structural
strength or other serendipitous advantages, and invariably teaches me
something about why the garments were made the way they were, which
usually has something to do with using the grain or bias or selvage
of the fabric. The most fun was a short circle cloak, because the
narrow pieces (two quarter-circles for the front and a half-circle
for the back, 22" radius) meant putting seams down each side, which
helped it hang properly at the shoulders, and also gave me lovely
selvages for both sides of the front opening. When I am overweight
(as now) I cheat for shifts and cut a little wider width (about 24")
that will give me enough room round the middle while still cutting
front and back as one piece (gussets take care of the hips but I like
a little ease through the chest that the underarm gussets don't
always accommodate.) This on the theory that my fatness is itself a
modernism, and in period I would doubtless me at least four inches
less around!
Lauren
Lauren M. Walker
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On May 3, 2007, at 8:40 PM, Carmen Beaudry wrote:
Frankly, I thinking working with fabrics in authentic widths would
be a
blast. But then, I'm here more for the historical/reenactment end of
things. And if I ever win the lottery (not that I play, mind you,
but....),
then porsches be darned, I'm getting some of those exquisite silk
velvets
that cost, what was it, 1500? 1600? euro/meter?
--Sue
I'm with you there....and then I want to just roll around on it for
a while.
Melusine
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