#MARCHMEETTHEMAKER DAY 5: UP CLOSE
Irene Lu
This may be my most favorite prompt *squeal*! In the world of lingerie, things are prettier up close, inside-out and personal.
For those who don’t sew- take extra notice of the hidden seams and practically zero amount of overlock finishes. What is overlock? Overlock is a method of preventing the edges of fabric from fraying by oversewing it, like wrapping thread around and over the edges. Thanks to advanced technology, theres a machine for it conveniently named as the overlock machine or serger. It’s extremely convenient and is widely utilized in mass-produced garments for it’s time saving and less labor (=cheaper costs) involved. Aesthetically, IMHO, overlock looks “meh” but before you mutter snob, please allow me to share an OMG moment.
I was at a high-fashion French luxury store once, which I will not name, and I was expecting the finest of French seaming everywhere. (For context: overlock seaming can take as little as 2 steps- sew and iron. French seams take minimum 5- sew, trim, iron, sew and iron. Plus, garments with french seams tend to last foreverrrrrr) When I upturned the dress inside-out and saw everything was overlocked, I was shocked then felt swindled because this should not happen with a 4-digit price tag. Ugh. The audacity.
To clarify, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with using and buying garments with overlock seams. If you buy fast fashion, again I won’t name names, you will definitely see said seams because it is reflective of the price tag. But there is absolutely everything wrong if the construction of a garment does not justify a higher price tag. In the case of my story, I would not have been getting what I paid for.
All right, fine. I’ll admit I’ve become a seam-snob for Pillowbook only because I don’t see any other option. I’m touting “luxury” so you bet, I will make Pillowbook silkies with every luxurious method known to women, regardless of the extra number of steps it entails. After all, true luxury starts from the construction.
The take away? It’s always a delight to inspect a garment up close and discover that love can be found in the details.
Love, Pillowbook