I hate sleeves, they hate me..

[robinsnest]

It's a mutual loathing...I'm working away at setting sleeves the 18th century way which involves sewing the bottom half of the armscye then fitting the top over the shoulder...or in my case on the dress form, take the dress off try it on, take it off move pins, try on again, lather, rinse, repeat. I've gotten them to the point where it looks perfect on the dress form, and it fits wonderfully if I stand with my arms slightly out in that  quintessential 18th century pose..but if my arms are straight down I have wrinkles!! And I'm starting to think that's just the nature of it. Looking at extant dresses the sleeves DO seem to stick out a bit and not hang straight down. 

At THIS angle they're perfect 

Same as this:



So I'm starting to think that's just the nature of the beast? Silk taffeta isn't stretchy enough to be perfectly smooth in every angle, so you have to pick one and this is their favorite? If I made it perfectly fitted with my arms down I wouldn't be able to life them at all, and while you'd never wear this dress for manual labor you still have to lift your arms to get a fork to your mouth! 

I hate sleeve. 

Comments

[the-aristocat.livejournal.com]

Sleeves like these can be wrinkle free only in one position. Move your arm half an inch upwards, downwards, forwards, and wrinkles are bound to appear. So don't worry. They sound just perfect if you are able to move your arms and they loom good in the position you mentioned.

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

yup. What she said.





p.s. sleeves ARE evil.

[sstormwatch.livejournal.com]

Modern suit jackets are designed to look good in one position, with arms at your side. They have taller sleeve heads for this reason, and suit jackets are usually removed if you want to move in them - like at a desk. If you want to be able to move in your outfit, keep the wrinkles, or you won't be able to move your arms. That's just the way sleeves are, whatever period.