Slow Progress

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Cynthia Griffith

I’ve been getting some practice lately hand sewing rolled hems. I’m more comfortable with them, and they’re getting smaller each time. I’m also feeling better about turning corners. I wish I had learned how to do it sooner.

A big thanks to Slightly Obsessed’s blog entry about sewing rolled hems!

Since I didn’t like the original cravat I made to go with my husband’s first 18th century shirt, I decided to make another one.

It’s a slightly different cotton fabric than the shirt — I’m looking forward to eventually making us new items with better fabrics, but these work for now.

The big change is that it’s wider and just long enough to tuck into the waistcoat. It’s about 8 inches by 65 inches. I think this will fill in the space between the chest ruffles better than it used to.

I still need to make his breeches and jacket, and order a few things.

Hopefully I can stop messing around with projects that were supposed to be finished, and focus on the things he still needs!

I’ve added the photo below to both the shirt and waistcoat pages. I also have added a few more detail photos of the waistcoat to that page — that was the day after my original post about it.

The updated cravat and ruffles on the shirt I made a while back. Hopefully I can stop making changes and finish other things Christopher doesn’t have yet!

About Cynthia Griffith

I have way too many interests and hobbies, and continually cycle through them -- paying attention to some, while others wait for when I can get around to them again. My main interests are sewing and costuming (I enjoy historical clothing, such as 18th and 19th century, as well as fantasy costumes like elves and hopefully someday even dwarves), as well as getting back to art by drawing fan art of Thorin Oakenshield and Company. My husband Christopher and I spend a lot of time together, enjoying the outdoors and shared hobbies such as juggling. This blog and website is my way to share what I'm up to with friends and family.
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4 Responses to Slow Progress

  1. Diane says:
    October 17, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Thanks for that link! I haven’t been brave enough to try rolled hems yet, maybe I need to make some cloth napkins or handkerchiefs to get the feel for it.

  2. Cynthia Griffith says:
    October 17, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    @Diane: I hope it helps! I love when bloggers share how-to information for those of us learning along the way. It’s been a HUGE help, and although I don’t go into that sort of detail on my blog most of the time, I love sharing the links that have helped me. 🙂

  3. PatW says:
    October 25, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Very nice work, Cynthia. I’m guessing that by “better fabric” you mean linen? Linen’s easier to put a teeny hem in– it lies down when you tell it to, and stays!

  4. Cynthia Griffith says:
    October 25, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    @PatW: Yes, definitely linen. 🙂 Every time I’ve come close to buying some though, it’s not quite been what I wanted. If I’m going to spend that much, I definitely want it to be exactly what I’m looking for. And yay about linen being even easier. With all the practice I’ve had using cotton, linen should be a real snap! 🙂

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