Good evening all and thanks for the input. One time Hancock fabrics
near my house was going out of business and everything was on
clearance. I was always hesitant to buy the tape only because it was so
expensive! They wanted like $15 per yd which to me, was really
overpriced. But of course there is always that project that is running
way behind and needs to be done like an hour earlier and I was
desperate so I sent my dad over to get me a yard and a half on
clearance, and it still added up, but boy what a difference!
The only problem I had, unless there are other kinds (and after this I
am going to search online and see what's out there) the hooks and eyes
seemed a little too big for most wearable projects, especially for
lightweight summer fabrics.
With my machine I can't drop the feed thingies but it has a little
cover you place over them. I did my row of about 50 eyes with the
machine and the zigzag stitch, It took a while but not nearly as long
as by hand. By hand definitely results in much stronger and evenly
placed closures it seems. However, while it is always a better idea for
me to do them each by hand, when there is a real time shortage it's not
always possible to do that type of careful work. The hooks are always
the biggest problem, mostly in lining them up evenly. This must be the
type of skill that is acquired cause mine usually come out so poorly
and when the outfit is on and they are closed you can always see the
opening spread, or part of the hook. Why can't they bring back bars
instead of just selling the round eyes?
I don't know if any of you have ever come across these, but on one of
my period gowns from the 1880's the bodice closes with little black
hooks and eyes that are quite unsual, and hard to explain, but the hook
slides over and the eyes or bars have like a flap so that when the hook
slides over it catches with ease and closes automatically and holds it
tight so it won't pop open again! They must have been a new patent at
the time and just did not survive. Really was a good idea no less.
Take care and have a lovely weekend, and happy Easter to those who
celebrate it :)
-Justine J.
-----Original Message-----
From: stils...@netspace.net.au
To: Historical Costume <>
Sent: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 7:42 pm
Subject: Re: [h-cost] Hook & Eye closures (was Club for enthusiasts
o...)
> Ps: does anyone know a really easy way to securely and
> evenly attach the corresponding hooks of hook and eye
Have you tried hook and eye tape? I've seen two kinds, one is rather
flimsy,
studs. I've heard it works well, but I've not bought any yet. I tend
to
Hook and eye tape is great, even used for corsetry during the Roman
empire,
according to "Gladiator".
It is easy to use for a good line-up of hooks and eyes. The colours of
the tape
are limited but you can usually dye the white stuff to suit. You can
also place
the stuff inside your garment with only the metal showing if you are
very
careful.
The only real problem comes with machine sewing, the studs can be lumpy
under
the machine foot or push you off course; try a one-sided foot,
-C.
------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent from Netspace Webmail: http://www.netspace.net.au
_______________________________________________
h-costume mailing list
h-costume@mail.indra.com
http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
_______________________________________________
h-costume mailing list
h-costume@mail.indra.com
http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
