Fun Details.

One of the things that I love so much about doing reconstructions is how many of the little details become clear when you are working on it. I have made the first of the holes for the laces to tie the hose closed... and while doing it realised that this thing, which holds the brunt of the force on the whole garment, sits in a very good place.

When you look at the images of the original, there's the waistband that is narrow on the front and wider on the back. The hole is just underneath the band in the front - so logically, it also pierces the band in the back (thus also transferring the force to the band cut on the grain; all other pieces on the upper end are on the bias). In addition, the front slits are neatened and strengthened by using a piece of fabric sewn onto the back. The logical way of doing this (and the typical one) is to place them right side on right side, then run a seam through both pieces close to the edge, then fold the extra bit to the inside and hem down the other edge (folded under) to keep it in place. Because that never gives a neat edge, I've added a line of small stitches fixing the foldline.

This means the hole is pierced through one layer of the waistband, one layer of the strengthening fabric inside (that I've also cut on the grain) and the main fabric of the hose. Three layers of thick, sturdy fabric, two of which are on the grain.

It took a bit of force and some re-opening of the hole while doing the first round of stitches (and I have made nicer holes, too) but it is there, it's open, wide enough to easily take a lace, and I am very, very much looking forward on how it will work once the whole thing is done.