An Inside Shot

I saw these dresses hanging and the inside view of the finished armholes made me happy.

See I know a lot of sewists finish off their armhole seams the RTW way by machine stitching them closed. Me, I'm over that. I want to go to the next level with my sewing. To me that means good hand stitching techniques, adding something extra to my garments that RTW omits so that the manufacturer can keep the price point down. I'm adding more details to my garments because I don't have a price point...I have a point of view.

To me these finishing details separate the novice and the hobby sewer from the sewist who views this as a craft and an artform. Because do you sew or want to sew like a person on the manufacturing line or do you sew or want to sew like the women in the couture houses in Paris?

It's like the conversation presently making the rounds about what color serger thread do you use on the inside of your garments. I've asked the question here on my blog and it's now being discussed on several others. Honestly though I'm always amazed when people say they only use four colors (black, white, some form of tan/brown and GRAY). And before anyone loses their minds and says that I'm criticizing them, I'm NOT because you are free to sew whatever way you want. I AM, however, presenting another point of view...and that is...

"Don't you want the inside of your garment to be as beautiful as the outside?" Don't you want to learn and use the techniques that will allow you to wear your garment inside out? Or are RTW standards good enough?

You, alone can answer these questions and believe me, I'm not judging your choices. However, I want to encourage you to reach beyond what you're presently doing sewing-wise and learn new skills. Step outside of your comfort zone and try something different. Grow in our craft - be more - be better!

Now I know some will say that all of these extra steps are expensive and you're right they are. You can cut some costs by buying items in bulk and on sale. You can cut some costs by producing less but of a higher quality. Or you can continue on as you're presently doing. Again your choice because that is really want sewing is - a series of choices you make to end up with a wearable, well fitted garment.

So those are my questions of the day. Hard ones they are, hopefully thoughtful ones too...please feel free to tell me what you think...that I'm crazy...that I don't understand *LOL*...but know that your opinion will be honored because hey we all have a point of view...all I ask is that we play nice and respect each other's opinion.

So talk back to me...

...as always more later!