Today is 5/8.
If you sew, you know the “5/8 rule.” For those unfamiliar with that term,
it means you aim to have your seams measure 5/8 of an inch. Using this amount of fabric at the seam provides support to the
finished garment.
Savvy shoppers look at the seams when they’re shopping for clothes. Lots of manufacturers started cutting back on the width of those seams years ago, down to 1/4 inch or less. Some say that’s why clothes don’t last the way they used to. Remember the expression, “falling apart at the seams”?
Clothing also used to have “finished” seams. This means that the fabric has stitches in two places, once to hold the fabric together (the inner seam) and again at the border of the fabric. This helps to protect the fabric from fraying. Designer Linda Lorraine’s gloves stand out not just for their jazzy houndstooth and leopard patterns, but because she finishes her seams. She does the job right.
Sometimes, when I admire a necklace, the person mentions the name of the store where it was purchased. Have I seen their jewelry?
“Yes, I think so,” I tell the wearer.
That store, like many these days, has great designs for very low prices. I restored one of their necklaces for a customer.
“The design is great, but the construction—not so much,” I told her.
When my customers bring in jewelry for repair, I can usually tell right away why the necklace or bracelet broke. Often it has been strung on filament or wire too light to support the weight of the jewelry. The manufacturers cut costs, using flimsy material (including cotton thread) to string with and cheap fastenings. This brings down the price, but doesn’t help you once you start wearing the jewelry. And the funny thing is, using good quality materials doesn’t cost manufacturers that much more since they buy in such quantity. But they figure they can get away with skipping that step.
I was picking up supplies at one of my vendors when a woman asked, “How long do you think this necklace (which she was stringing on filament) will last?”
“Probably as long as the trend,” came the answer.
Savvy shoppers look at the seams when they’re shopping for clothes. Lots of manufacturers started cutting back on the width of those seams years ago, down to 1/4 inch or less. Some say that’s why clothes don’t last the way they used to. Remember the expression, “falling apart at the seams”?
Clothing also used to have “finished” seams. This means that the fabric has stitches in two places, once to hold the fabric together (the inner seam) and again at the border of the fabric. This helps to protect the fabric from fraying. Designer Linda Lorraine’s gloves stand out not just for their jazzy houndstooth and leopard patterns, but because she finishes her seams. She does the job right.
Sometimes, when I admire a necklace, the person mentions the name of the store where it was purchased. Have I seen their jewelry?
“Yes, I think so,” I tell the wearer.
That store, like many these days, has great designs for very low prices. I restored one of their necklaces for a customer.
“The design is great, but the construction—not so much,” I told her.
When my customers bring in jewelry for repair, I can usually tell right away why the necklace or bracelet broke. Often it has been strung on filament or wire too light to support the weight of the jewelry. The manufacturers cut costs, using flimsy material (including cotton thread) to string with and cheap fastenings. This brings down the price, but doesn’t help you once you start wearing the jewelry. And the funny thing is, using good quality materials doesn’t cost manufacturers that much more since they buy in such quantity. But they figure they can get away with skipping that step.
I was picking up supplies at one of my vendors when a woman asked, “How long do you think this necklace (which she was stringing on filament) will last?”
“Probably as long as the trend,” came the answer.
The good news is you
don’t have to settle for that. All our
work—whether it’s jewelry we design, jewelry from our sources, or jewelry we
repair for you—is built to last. Guaranteed. Period.
Oh, and those teeny
clasps they’re putting on gold chains now, also to bring down prices? We can replace those with something designed
for someone over the age of seven.
You are so welcome. And honey, we love you, too.
©2013, 2014, 2015 Laynie Tzena.
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