LOOM AND THE SEWING-MACHINE 57 



a second one could possibly take. Immediately upon cutting 

 the material by the pattern, I stitched twice around the 

 cut edges on the sewing-machine. This prevented the ma- 

 terial from unraveling. I then proceeded much the same 

 as in making any other coat and dress. Finally, after much 

 pressing into shape, I have a suit which has repeatedly 

 been called very good-looking, and which I know gave 

 me more joy in the weaving and making than I ever had 

 in purchasing a similar product from any store. Outside 

 of fur, it is the warmest coat I have ever worn. 



It is difficult to compare the cost with a factory prod- 

 uct, because I could not afford to purchase this quality 

 and character of material made up. To get this quality 

 of material one would have to go to an expensive house 

 indeed, and to get this particular style of material at the 

 time I finished the suit, it would have been necessary to 

 go to a stylish and even exclusive house because it was 

 just coming in. Taking all these things into consideration, 

 a valuation of $50 would represent a most conservative 

 price. 



In judging the hours spent in weaving and sewing, 

 please remember that this was the first time I had done 

 either, and, even on a second garment of this type, the 

 time of weaving and the time spent in sewing could be 

 considerably reduced. Also, I could make an even better- 

 looking suit a second time. 



In charging fifty cents an hour for my time, I think I 

 have given the benefit of a relatively high rate to the 

 factory, for few factories pay this price for such opera- 

 tions as were performed. To be sure, the factory has its 

 designers who are well paid, but then I paid for my share 

 of such service in the Vogue pattern upon which I relied 



