all handmade?

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#16
I was told that some of the canvas bags are machine stitched, not the leather items though.

Although my acapulco isn't all leather, even the canvas parts have the slightly uneven and slanted stitching, ////// rather than ------

One thing I'm not sure on is the silks? Does anyone know the methods used to finish the silks?
 
#17
I once asked a leather artisan at H how to tell a stitch that is done by hand vs. machine? I was told the stitch should be diagonal like \ \ \ \ \ where a stitch starts from upper left down to lower right. If you take a look at the flap of a Birkin or HAC you will notice this pattern of stitching in the front and backside of the bag. I think if one side has a stitch that goes \ \ \ \, then most probably it is hand-stitched. You will notice this pattern on the inner lining of watch straps on H watches which I believe are hand-stitched as well.
 
#19
jaegerhomme said:
I once asked a leather artisan at H how to tell a stitch that is done by hand vs. machine? I was told the stitch should be diagonal like \ \ \ \ \ where a stitch starts from upper left down to lower right. If you take a look at the flap of a Birkin or HAC you will notice this pattern of stitching in the front and backside of the bag. I think if one side has a stitch that goes \ \ \ \, then most probably it is hand-stitched. You will notice this pattern on the inner lining of watch straps on H watches which I believe are hand-stitched as well.
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this is true. Also, the holes wont be 100% even all around, esp in places like the corners. They make the items literally hole by hole by using some sort of perforator (??? Name??), then doing the stitching.

Many of the bags like garden parties and herbag are not hand stitched.
 
#20
If I remember correctly the punch is called an aul, or an awl (not sure on spelling but pronounced "orl")

Liberté;14895192 said:
They make the items literally hole by hole by using some sort of perforator (??? Name??), then doing the stitching.
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Is it true that ALL silks are hand-finished? I just took a look at the edges on my scarf tie and the stitching looks very uniform to me, as if done on a machine.

It doesn't bother me either way, it's just that reading this thread made me curious and I love learning about how things are done.

This is also one of the reasons that I :heart: H. It's not just a product, it's a set of principles and a way of life for the people who make them.
 
#22
JustinCredible said:
If I remember correctly the punch is called an aul, or an awl (not sure on spelling but pronounced "orl")



Is it true that ALL silks are hand-finished? I just took a look at the edges on my scarf tie and the stitching looks very uniform to me, as if done on a machine.

It doesn't bother me either way, it's just that reading this thread made me curious and I love learning about how things are done.

This is also one of the reasons that I :heart: H. It's not just a product, it's a set of principles and a way of life for the people who make them.
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You're right, it's a stitching awl or, for the H artisans I guess it would be the alêne. Keep away from the kids! :nuts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitching_awl
 
#23
castorny said:
My canvas garden party looks machine stitched to me. The stitches are perfectly horizontal, like with a sewing machine, not the ////// effect of the Birkin or HAC.
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if it is real it is all hand made...

i find it weird that people think that because something is made well it has to be made by machine. NOT TRUE....

there is a difference between handmade by a trained artisan and homemade by a hobbyist. things that are a homemade can be sloppy and uneven (indeed that is usually part of the charm) but handmade goods by someone skilled have an even ness and ALMOST perfectness that only years of training and skill can cultivate. machines seek to COPY the skill of a trained artist not the other way around.
 
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#24
The original Herbag canvas sacs were stitched by machine, or so I was told at the time.

I asked the manager of the store when I bought mine, and she replied something like "If the two canvas sacs were made by hand rather than by machine, the bag would be much more expensive."
 
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#25
wigglytuff said:
if it is real it is all hand made...

i find it weird that people think that because something is made well it has to be made by machine. NOT TRUE....

there is a difference between handmade by a trained artisan and homemade by a hobbyist. things that are a homemade can be sloppy and uneven (indeed that is usually part of the charm) but handmade goods by someone skilled have an even ness and ALMOST perfectness that only years of training and skill can cultivate. machines seek to COPY the skill of a trained artist not the other way around.
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Sorry - this is just not true. Parts of some bags ARE made by machine. That doesn't diminish their authenticity.
 
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#26
About scarves:

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#28
In the case of the Herbag, there would be nearly as much work involved as making a Kelly. If it were all hand-done then the cost of the bag would be thousands.

(....also I'm not trying to be right, I'm merely providing input and thoughts. Being right doesn't bother me in the slightest)
 
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#29
wigglytuff said:
my SAs told me otherwise... but if you need to be right, then you are right
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It isn't a "need to be right" and I find your comment rude. I have spoken to various SAs at length about it and parts of some bags are machine stitched. And that was pointed out to my on some of my bags. And again, it does not diminish their authenticity, which was your comment.
 
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#30
wigglytuff said:
my SAs told me otherwise... but if you need to be right, then you are right
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Wow. Really?

Mistikat IS right. And if you want to get technical, say they are hand-stitched. "Entirely hand-made" is in itself a mis-statement. There are various videos around somewhere (maybe it was H.com?) showing some parts being done by machine and the birkins and kellys being hand-stitched. Not all H bags are "hand-made." And not even all of them are hand-stitched.

Another thing, the more you are around and deal with various SAs, the more you will realize that not all SAs know their product. In fact a LOT of them don't know their product as well as some of the ladies in here.
 
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