On the topic of "French hand sewing" the answer is yes, it is still done
today. The amount of hand stitching used on couturier garments would
amaze many people, actually. Hand sewing is used for certain tailoring
and finishing details, but also for assembly when the garment would have
to be taken apart in order to be cleaned or the fabric could not take
the stress of machinery. Hand sewing of this kind causes less strain on
the fabric at the join, and can be ripped out and replaced a multitude
of times without the kind of damage that a mechanical sewing machine
would make. This, by the way, was how clothing was often cleaned in
earlier times - - disassembled and then reassembled. Wool felting - the
process - has made a comeback for sewing as well. Two books on the
contemporary arts of sewing that contain details on both these are by
Claire Shaeffer - one called "Couture Sewing" the other is a fabric
guide.
I knew my hobby would come in handy someday. Regards, Terry
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