My Singer falls into the frenemie category. In the two years that I’ve been creating period clothing, I’ve machine sewn a few skirt panels. And I used it for the center back panel on my latest gown (for reasons discussed in this post), otherwise I hand sew everything. It’s my favorite part of the process.
I sit on the couch, pop in a period film and chill out. It’s relaxing and productive all at once.
But there’s more to it. I spend a lot of time researching correct fabrics, appropriate accessories, etc. to learn more about the 18th century and to create the right “look” from a certain era.
I’m less proud of the few garments where I cut corners and ran the skirt panels through the machine. And as my 18th century wardrobe grows, I find myself shying away from those items.
My goal in making period attire is to gain a better understanding of life in the 18th century. I’m not the kind of person that will shun all things modern when I dress in period clothing. (I wear contacts, take aspirin, use sunscreen, keep a cell phone in my colonial pocket, etc.) I feel that spending extra time to correctly construct my clothing deepens my appreciation for the process and creates a more valuable end result.
What are your thoughts on machine sewing pre mid 19th century garments? Is your sewing machine your friend, or your frenemie?
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I've never run anything through a machine, so it's my complete enemy!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the pretties myself, and so while the right kinds of layers and underpinnings and cut is essential, I'm only hand sewing where I would hand sew anyway. I love hand sewing, but not foe a whole dress :) But I think the important distinction is that I don't want to get into the 18th C experience, not at this stage in my life anyway. If I did, I'd be frenemying my sewing machine too :)
ReplyDeleteMy policy on pre-machine period sewing is to do it by hand, although I once made a française on the machine for a quick costume. That turned out ... all right, most of the issues were just to do with my lack of experience.
ReplyDeleteBut for modern sewing? A frenemy. Oh yes. Or just an enemy. Because it's so easy to speed up, I sew too fast and make terrible mistakes that could have been prevented if I was sewing by hand and able to adjust the fabric constantly.
A thoughtful well written post on a topic dear to my heart. I love the long seams by hand, it is so soothing and zenlike. Plus you build up speed and accuracy, the more you do. My vote is always for handsewing.
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