Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Jun 04, 2007 09:54pm | #1

   Is the jacket already finished? Is it a Chanel-type or does it have a collar, overlap, buttons? On a Chanel-type, the braid usually goes all the way around the hem, though a neckline/sleeve hem option is flattering, too.

   Usually, braided trims end in a seam, so if it is already finished, you might want to open the seams a bit, tuck in the end of the braid, and secure it with handstitching.

   With commercial braids, a small slight zigzag in matching thread usually works. For a handmade trim, I'd probably hand sew it with a simple running stitch, being careful not to catch the lining if the jacket is already completed.

1. 
   user-206828 | Jun 08, 2007 02:28pm | #2

   Its a Chanel type jacket and the trim is handmade.   The jacket is in process.

   Thanks for your thoughts - sounds like if I tuck the ends in the side seam at the bottom edge and take it all around the bottom, front, and neckline edges that will be the best solutionj.

    

1. 
   WandaJ | Nov 16, 2007 05:41am | #3

   Please tell me (us) how you made your trim and what was your source for the trim (10 strands)?

   Thanks I look forward to your reply, as I am in the process now of trying to figure out if I did buy trim for a black boucle Chanel-like jacket, and if so what I did with it. If not, then I may have to make some as I do not like what I'm seeing on-line in the area of braid, trims...

   In that regard, does anyone have an on-line source(s) for wool braid, trim (flat or fold-over)? MJ Trims did not have what I'm looking for. And, I've spent hours on other sources to no avail.

1. 
   user-206828 | Nov 18, 2007 07:32am | #5

   I bought soutache trim 10 times the length I needed for the jacket and cut it into 10 equal strands, held one end with a clip and then started braiding it using a pattern I found in a book.   I got the trim at a local fabric store.

1. 
   WandaJ | Nov 18, 2007 10:51pm | #6

   Thank you for your response. All I need now is '...a pattern...' :->. I do have another questions, which is do you plan to place the soutache over another fabric like fringed wool, silk ribbon, etc. before applying it to your garment? I look forward to the response on how you can easily connect the pieces should they join at points other than seamlines. Perhaps you have already figured this out but what about piecing the braid at specific seam points? I made one jacket where the binding had to be joined at the shoulder. What really helped it to turn out OK was that I joined the binding at that point by machine so it is hardly noticeable, if at all. To avoid this joining point if your braid is not long enough perhaps you can go from bottom front center to shoulder seam, and then the other side the same. A lot of joining maybe but I am sure that you will end up with enough shorter pieces to fit the sleeves nicely if you plan to embellish there.

   I'm interested in learning how you came out with this aspect of the project.

   Edited 11/18/2007 3:00 pm ET by WandaJ

2. 
   MaryinColorado | Nov 19, 2007 07:28pm | #7

   For braid that is too thick to turn under, I wonder if one could make a "buttonhole" at each end of the garment, insert and stitch the braid on the inside?  (It would work the same way as if inserted in a seam.)  Just a thought, my imagination works overtime. 

3. 
   WandaJ | Nov 19, 2007 11:20pm | #8

   After having spent 'too much' time on the Internet looking for wool braid/trim for use on a black boucle jacket, I decided to use black stretch sequin with an overlay of narrower black rayon braid. This looks really dressy without being too flashy. To tame the stretch of the sequin trim I am handstitching the rayon braid with a backstitch using a single, waxed strand of thread. I find that it is relaxing to just lay the braid out, pin it in place and simply stitch! Back to the ole' time way helps sometimes huh :->

   Edited 11/19/2007 3:21 pm ET by WandaJ

2. 
   Tatsy | Nov 17, 2007 03:36am | #4

   Have you pretreated the trim? Every Christmas I kick myself for not pretreating the trim on my table runner as I'm pressing and stretching it to make it look like something other than a pile of rags.

   Soaking the trim in water and pressing it with a press cloth has worked well since then. Even if the jacket will be drycleaned, there may be some shrinkage that a little pretreating will prevent.