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Conversational Threads

Collar and lapel trim–ideas please

alotofstitches | Posted in Fabric and Trim on

I’m making a wool suit with traditional style collar and lapels on the jacket.  My client wants a braided trim on both lapel and collar.  I’m hand sewing the trim to the upper collar and the lapel.  What I can not seem to decide on is HOW ON EARTH I end the trim on the lapel!  The trim ends on the collar and the “notch” end of the lapel will be in a seam and the trim simply follows the edge since it is too bulky to make any turns.  I know it will end on the inside  of the lapel that is then the front facing.  I need ideas to finish the end nicely.  For the most part the jacket will worn fastened at the front since she wants a frog closeure.  That’s another new trick I need to learn–I’ve got to try to unbraid some of the strands and reform it into  FROG.  I have my trusty THREADS info on making the Chinese ball button and info on making the frog from gimp.  Does anyone have more info I need?  Do you have info you learned the hard way?

Replies

  1. stillsuesew | | #1

    Could you possibly run the braid all the way down the front edge?

    1. alotofstitches | | #2

      It won't have the look we want.  The trim has to be on the collar and lapel only.  But thanks a nyway!

      1. starzoe | | #3

        I think I understand your quandry, if the embellishment goes up the front, it will be on the underside of the lapel and collar. And the reverse, if it goes on the top of the collar and lapel it will be on the wrong side of the centre front.In one of the recent Threads magazines there was a short article on beading edges. I believe the example was on the bottom of a sleeve. I worked the beading on the end of a scarf to try it out and it looks really good besides being reasonably easy to do. The effect is 'way beyond the attractiveness of mere braid.You must remember, when dealing with clients that occasionally you will have requests for the impossible, or effects that are beyond the resources available. My only other suggestion is that you haunt some high-end stores to see how rtw handles this problem.

        Edited 11/23/2009 11:47 am ET by starzoe

  2. KharminJ | | #4

    Do you have 'any' photos that you might attach or link to, showing the effect she is looking for? Often, the 'picture is worth a thousand words' cliche is very true!You might be able to run the ends of the trim into the seam at the edge of the lapel? Though I'm not sure of the mechanics of sewing this ...Kharmin

    1. alotofstitches | | #5

      It's all said and done now!  I unbraided the braid then I applied a soft non-fray product and let it dry.  I decided to end the trim on the facing at the same point that I added the frog closure on the front (to hide the bulk somewhat).  With the strands separate I folded each under and tacked invisibly and am happy with the results.  There is just no other way to do it that I have found.  I'm happy to say I was able to make a frog closure from the separated stands as well.  The only think I'd have liked better is to have been able to make the trim have the right angle at the lapel corner.  It just was not possible!

      Re: the photo--I'm good with a sewing machine not computers but I will try after I've finished.

      1. KharminJ | | #6

        Yay! I'm glad you found a solution that works for you AND the customer.So, what's your next project, after the turkey?? (grin)Happy Thanksgiving to all! Kharmin

        1. alotofstitches | | #7

          Unfortunately I'm like the plumber's wife as I rarely get something for myself.  After 3 yrs. I finally got my bedroom draperies all cut.  I do hope to get those sewn between T. Day and Christmas but I also have christmas sewing for the granddaughters to do, a wedding gown to alter and I'd like to get a jacket made as well as a wool "pea" coat!  And I also need to be working out to get off these 5 lbs. I've added and will be adding to over the holidays!  Probably the wedding gown takes precedent since she has a wedding date soon and then it's a toss up!  Aren't we all like this, those of us who sew?

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