Research and learning are double-edged swords. Although they will make you more of an expert, they will also make you realize how much you didn't know. If you're lucky, you ignorance will fall within the realm of small unnoticed details. Occasionally, they will be systematic and huge. My realization falls within the substantially sized category.
I've learned a fair deal about sewing both modern and period techniques in the past year that I've been undertaking this adventure, but I am by no means an expert. I've helped others and am dangerous enough to start a blog, but now the real fun starts. It's amazing (and frustrating) to reread books that I looked at when I first got into this hobby with a new understanding and realize that a lot of what you've done is wrong. And so, in true 18th century fashion, I will be tearing apart a good deal of my clothing and redoing it.
Why on earth would I be doing something that stupid? Easy! Although my patterns are period correct, my construction methods are not. My next undertaking (in between other projects) will be to pull apart my exiting clothing and reconstruct using period methods. Through research, I realized that my construction methods have not been period correct and reflective of modern construction. One redeeming detail is that all the pieces are there and the right shape, they're just not put together as an 18th century tailor would have.
So where did I screw up? For one, all my pieces are bag lined and have 5/8" seam allowances. I probably won't be correcting this detail throughout all my existing garments simply because most of the details will not be seen, but I will be correcting the allowances on the the edges. That brings me to my next screw-up, attaching the lining to the garment edges was not done using the period-correct underhand stitch. This will be the fun detail to correct, but it will make my clothing visually correct if I'm wearing it.
We live, we learn, we invest in a good seam ripper.
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