Sewing Myths - Theatrical version

I believe there are really 3 styles of sewing ...
Industrial or factory style - no pinning, small seam allowances and generally faster
Couture style - lots of hand sewing, all stitching lines marked, seams basted ... slow but beautiful
Theatrical style - employs some couture techniques and some industrial, but mostly built for strength with beauty.

And then there is home sewing, which gets a bad name sometimes. When I was working in the professional costume shops one of the worst things someone could say about a costume was that is looked like "loving hands at home"!!

But, we can all learn from the pros by reading books and blogs AND if you are lucky working along side them.

In a professional shop, depending on where it is, the jobs can be rigidly defined. My very first job in a professional shop looked like this. I was a finishing lady and all I did was sit at a table with all the other finishing ladies and hand sew and pin pieces together for the sewing machine operators. Over time I got to use the sewing machines, cut out the fabric and help drape!!

A while ago I wrote a blog about sewing myths, mostly for couture and industrial style sewing aimed at the home sewer. Click here to read that blog.

Today I have a neat link to share. This is an article written by a theatrical costumer about what she thinks are misconceptions people have about sewing for the theater. She talks about the sewing and the life style. Click here fore that article.

I haven't worked in a professional shop for years, but every time I visit one I am amazed by the work they do. Just look at the inside of this ballet costume. It is built to last for hundreds of performances.