Friday, September 4, 2009

Friday Confession



This one is a bit embarrassing... I never put hooks & eyes into any of my garments. In part it's because I don't enjoy the tiny little hand stitching required (and am not good at it - but that's just due to lack of practice). But, in part, it's because I don't actually like them in my RTW clothes - they just annoy me.


But I know I should use them - they are one of those finishing touches that moves a garment from slapdash to professional quality, right?


So, how about you? Do you faithfully put them in your garments? If so, is it more of a chore for you, or do you enjoy the process of adding those final touches?


14 comments:

Lee said...

Oh, I'm glad I'm not the only one! I rarely put them in, I hate hand sewing and I feel like I end up getting the zipper into the wrong place for hooks & eyes to be particularly useful.

CarlaF-in Atlanta said...

I use hooks and eyes. The hand stitching doesn't bother me at all. It's kind of a mindless activity that I do while listening to music or watching a DVD.

goodworks1 said...

I suspect hooks and eyes are used to fix stuff that should have been designed out of a garment. In other words, it's lazier to USE them than to make the garment so it doesn't NEED them.

Of course there's always an exception to this, but overall I think you can pat yourself on the back for not needing them!

;)

Cole's Corner said...

I never use them either... and I hate hand sewing, too.

mamafitz said...

i always put them in and do all the finishing touches. first, i like the handwork (i find it very 'zen' to do), and second, i won't wear the garment if it's missing the little things. it'll just hang in my closet! i don't use the eyes, though, just the hooks. i make thread eyes instead, i think they work better.

Summerset said...

Yes, the garment gets whatever it needs for the little finishing touches. Hooks and eyes, snaps, thread chains to link linings to fashion fabrics, lingerie guards, whatever. I actually like all the little fiddly hand work, and it really doesn't take long to put them in.

Zep said...

When I first read this I knew Summerset would say yes - She's so perfect in her sewing and takes the time for everything. I thought of her right off when reading *smile*

Me, I don't like them. I tell my students it's their choice if they use them or not. I feel the only time it's really necessary is in a strapless dress. If your zipper happens to come down or break at least you have something holding up the strapless dress/blouse. I like much better to install the zipper all the way to the top not leaving any room for the hook and eye.

gwensews said...

Yes, I use those and all the other little "fiddly' things as well. I really don't mind doing them, although sometimes garments hang in wait for their finishing touches!

Claire S. said...

Out of 6 skirts I made, I put hooks & eyes in 2 of them. Hand sewing is not my strong suit (at least not yet)- on one, the eye fell off after a few washes. The other one digs into my back everytime I wear it. Now I'm working on zipper placement, so they're high enough to not need the hook/eye at all.

joannely said...

I buy white ones so I can replace the ugly metal one they put in wedding dresses. If you tried zipping up strapless dresses that weigh 25 pounds to start with never mind that the girl bought the dress 2 sizes too small...you would be glad they are there to hook first and then struggle to get the zipper up. Some hooks are stitched so beautifully with applique stitches which cover the metal and I strive to make mine almost invisible with thread covering most of the edges. It is mindless work to do when watching shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" or Project Runway.

Webfrau said...

I don't enjoy sewing them in either but I will use them IF and only IF they're actually necessary. I find in purchased garments that they're often an irritaion, digging in at the top of the zip.
I do love to see them covered in beautiful thread as my grandmother used to but it would have to be a VERY special garment to make me do that. :)

Faye Lewis said...

NOT! I hate sewing them on - always tend to over stitch them. I don't like little tiny, tedious things!

Anonymous said...

I fall in the middle. I'll use them, and it's not an issue, but sometimes I'll insert a zipper to the top/buttons instead. It depends on the garment what I do.

I also don't use eyes: I never have one stay on longer then a few washings, so I make the thread eye, a la vintage sewing.

As to the process, I don't really like sewing in general. It gets really complicated, but I do what it takes to make the garment look perfect.

Sarah said...

I guess I am more in the middle too. I will use them lots in larger sizes on skirts and stuff, and at the tops of dresses... And sometimes multiples as a stand-alone closure. I like them, it feels more old-fashioned than a zipper. I feel like the hand-stitching is relaxing and maintains a connection with an older generation- something to be proud of in the tradition passed on to me.