I am now at the stage of the red tuxedo project where I regret ever taking it on and can be heard muttering to the dog, "Why oh why did I say I would be happy to do it?" And I haven't even started sewing yet.
If you have ever tailored a man's suit, you will know there are about a million pattern pieces and an array of interfacings and linings. A fine worsted wool or silk might make all the work feel like it is worth the effort, but a poly/cotton blend? Not only am I cursing John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson for inventing polyester, I despair for the future of the human race for allowing such a vile material to continue to be manufactured and sold. And while I'm at it, a pox on Fabricland for selling me their shi**y fusible weft interfacing that is shedding micro beads of glue all over my ironing board.
Please forgive me for my bad attitude. I actually have a question for you. A suit has a lot of markings that need to be transferred to the cloth. I would normally use tracing paper and a wheel, but the afore-mentioned shi**y interfacing will not hold a mark of any kind. And did I mention that the whole front of the suit, with three welt pockets, vertical darts, buttonholes and various matching dots is completely interfaced? Thread tracing and tailor tacks are my only option and there is a very stubborn, deep dark part of me that cannot abide the idea of taking the time to do thread tracing on polyester. (So here I am, procrastinating by venting my frustration in a blog posting.)
My question? Do you, my brilliant and beloved reader, have a solution for me? Preferably one that doesn't involve me ingesting large amounts of red wine or uttering the word "No!" Ideally, you have a few elves lounging idly around twiddling their small thumbs, and you can send them my way. I hear elves are very good at tailor's tacks.
Gee, I don't know, Heather. But the wine sounds good! I would use whatever combination of dressmakers' marking tools that will hold up. Testing on a scrap will tell you if any of them will work. Regular soft pencil can sometimes be the solution if you're careful to make marks where they won't show if they don't wash out. Good luck!
ReplyDelete--I see there are no comments, nobody has some helpful advice. Personally, I think the only thing you can do is to start praying!! Good luck. And maybe practice saying "NO" --for next time. You are a brave woman.
ReplyDeleteas limited as my tailoring skills are, I've always been terrified of marking devices and tacking with different colored threads, like Xs at the DOTS has been my preferred way to go. tedious is tailorings other name.
ReplyDeletedo you have a friend who is an expert sewer who could give you a hand? Don't forget to post a photo of the red suit. Sounds like something you will look back on and chuckle in the future. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteSounds hideous - sorry no suggestions but buckets of good luck. You are a better woman than I - it would probably be in the bin by now if I were doing it. I'm sure your persistence will win in the end, and the wearer more than satisfied. My question would be why does he need a red tux in the first place?!!
ReplyDeleteI ended up using chalk on the right side of the fabric. Horrors!! But nothing, not pencil, or any colour of chalk showed up on the grey interfacing. And the tailor tacks showed a black mark from the interfacing through to the right side when I removed them.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sue, yes indeed, why a red tuxedo? Well, the young man wants to stand out from the crowd, I suppose. He also grew up on an island where dressing up is an art form,(we have to entertain ourselves, not having television) so a red tux doesn't seem all that far from the norm.
Could make a tux from white material, or near white, and then dye it red? Then you wouldn't have to use the troublesome red material you have.
ReplyDeleteJean-Pierre