all handmade?

[Encore Hermes]

From the my opinion of Hermes is changing thread a video showing use of a machine 32 sec. mark



Jmo
I think every crafts person is taught to make every part of a bag stitching by hand. The skill. I there is less stitching by hand now. Think about how many bags are sold a day all over the world compared to number of craftspeople making them.

 

[Encore Hermes]

It won't let me edit my post

Screenshot from first video

 

[shazzy99]

I went to an event last year, and majority of the bag was being made by hand, but artisans were finishing some parts using machines.

I really enjoyed going to that event, as it made me appreciate each piece and what goes into it even more, knowing and seeing how things are made. Some things really blew my mind.

 

[Blueboxes]

I have been told by one of the Hermès craftsmen that the seams that show are still all stitched by hand using saddle stitch. It's their trademark stitch I was told and what you pay for. All bags are made this way apparently. Other "minor" stitching maybe done by machine, but it takes great skill to operate such a twin needle machine, as it's all hand guided. One person makes the bag from selecting the leather to cutting, to sewing etc. I was told this at their St Germain des Près store, by one of their own makers. I don't think Hermès would lie about how it makes their bags, why would they ? Even if the whole bag was stitched on a saddle makers machine, it would still be considered handmade ( it is not ), as that machine is purely a tool in the craftsman's hand. Just what I was told in Paris and again confirmed in the Sydney store.

 

[ms piggy]

I have trouble reconciling this with the observations made at Metiers. Why would H spend the time and money to send craftsmen and women around the world demonstrating the making of bags - by hand - if in fact only the handles are done by hand?

Not sure what you mean by "everyone understands" as the information is inconsistent with what so many other H employees have said.

^^This.

Exactly.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Exactly.

Thank you!

 

[cityboy340]

I have been told by one of the Hermès craftsmen that the seams that show are still all stitched by hand using saddle stitch. It's their trademark stitch I was told and what you pay for. All bags are made this way apparently. Other "minor" stitching maybe done by machine, but it takes great skill to operate such a twin needle machine, as it's all hand guided. One person makes the bag from selecting the leather to cutting, to sewing etc. I was told this at their St Germain des Près store, by one of their own makers. I don't think Hermès would lie about how it makes their bags, why would they ? Even if the whole bag was stitched on a saddle makers machine, it would still be considered handmade ( it is not ), as that machine is purely a tool in the craftsman's hand. Just what I was told in Paris and again confirmed in the Sydney store.

This is completely right. From what I know, the critical seams (flap seam, handle attachment points, strap attachment points etc) are certainly hand stitched so they're as strong as possible. Some other seams are machine done, but as mentioned here, it's not a simple sewing machine that you'd see being used on say, an MK bag. These machines are very difficult to operate, and take a great amount of skill and patience to get just right. The easiest bag imo to see is on the Jypsière. You can see that on the top of the flap, the stitching faces \\\\ meaning it's hand stitched. On the rest of the body it's facing //// so that is machine done. Hope this helps!

 

[periogirl28]

This is completely right. From what I know, the critical seams (flap seam, handle attachment points, strap attachment points etc) are certainly hand stitched so they're as strong as possible. Some other seams are machine done, but as mentioned here, it's not a simple sewing machine that you'd see being used on say, an MK bag. These machines are very difficult to operate, and take a great amount of skill and patience to get just right. The easiest bag imo to see is on the Jypsière. You can see that on the top of the flap, the stitching faces \\\\ meaning it's hand stitched. On the rest of the body it's facing //// so that is machine done. Hope this helps!

Just confirmed this with the leather artisan at my local store. I think almost all the bags have some machine and some hand switched areas. The load bearing areas for sure. Kelly Sellier she mentioned almost all of it is hand done, as with the Constance. Birkin flaps for sure, and the handle attachments. She even showed me which areas are hand done on the Berline, which some people think is all machine made.

 

[thyme]

Just confirmed this with the leather artisan at my local store. I think almost all the bags have some machine and some hand switched areas. The load bearing areas for sure. Kelly Sellier she mentioned almost all of it is hand done, as with the Constance. Birkin flaps for sure, and the handle attachments. She even showed me which areas are hand done on the Berline, which some people think is all machine made.

periogirl28, can you please share which parts of the berline are handstitched? thanks

 

[periogirl28]

periogirl28, can you please share which parts of the berline are handstitched? thanks

I know for sure she pointed at the slots where the straps run, the inside attachment of the straps, the back where the D rings attach. These areas need to be very strong. The ends of the leather/ canvas strap too I believe. I am sure she would be able to answer these question in even more detail as I only enquired in passing. HTH!

 

[HoneyLocks]

Just two pictures for those of you who still think the silk printing is done by hand as shown at the festival des metiers.
These machines can even be seen in action at the official Hermes editeur videos on youtube.

 

[bakeacookie]

Even with machines used, it is amazing to see the attention to detail and the cleanliness of the manufacturing areas!

 

[jellyv]

Just two pictures for those of you who still think the silk printing is done by hand as shown at the festival des metiers.
These machines can even be seen in action at the official Hermes editeur videos on youtube.

Screen printing has always involved technology. What's amazing with Hermes, though, is the degree of individual artist and artisan effort in all the stages involved.

 

[MSO13]

Just two pictures for those of you who still think the silk printing is done by hand as shown at the festival des metiers.
These machines can even be seen in action at the official Hermes editeur videos on youtube.

The 90cm and some 70cm are printed this way. Smaller format silks are likely laser printed now like Maxi Twilly and Twilly.

There are also videos online of the hand pulling of silk screens (no machines) for 140cm size. Not because they're so adamant about not using machines but probably because there is not a silk screen machine large enough for the size.

Computers and machines to make the silk screens are part of every step of the scarf creation process, I still love mine. I don't care how the color gets on the silk-I care that the designs are stellar, vibrant and that the piece of silk will last. With the new changes, there's less issue of colors running, bleeding or fading. I think it's good progress.

 

[HoneyLocks]

Even with machines used, it is amazing to see the attention to detail and the cleanliness of the manufacturing areas!

Screen printing has always involved technology. What's amazing with Hermes, though, is the degree of individual artist and artisan effort in all the stages involved.

The 90cm and some 70cm are printed this way. Smaller format silks are likely laser printed now like Maxi Twilly and Twilly.

There are also videos online of the hand pulling of silk screens (no machines) for 140cm size. Not because they're so adamant about not using machines but probably because there is not a silk screen machine large enough for the size.

Computers and machines to make the silk screens are part of every step of the scarf creation process, I still love mine. I don't care how the color gets on the silk-I care that the designs are stellar, vibrant and that the piece of silk will last. With the new changes, there's less issue of colors running, bleeding or fading. I think it's good progress.

I completely agree. I just thought that these pics were interesting. There are articles on Hermes scarves (in German) that state the price comes from how every single one is hand printed.
Mrs Owen, thanks for the insights. Last night I washed three of my scarves, no color run or bleeding thanks to modern technology