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Thick, yet flexible wire in RTW collar What type of wire could this be?
Prisca712 Beginner ON CANADA Member since 7/9/05 Posts: 64	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/28/12 5:56 PM A few days ago I stumbled across a RTW jacket that had a stiff, slightly ruffly/ripply collar. When I examined it, I noticed that the collar held its shape because of a strong, flexible, semi-thick wire that was sewn along its edge. I don't really know my gauges, but if I had to guess, I'd say it felt like maybe 16 or 18 gauge, and it could be easily manipulated without any sort of kinking. Does anyone have an idea of what kind of wire this could be (and where it could be purchased)? I could see something like this being very handy for costumes and the like Thanks in advance for any replies! ------ Born to sew!
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2474	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/28/12 6:08 PM At a guess, it's probably millinery wire, which is heavy enough to keep its shape in hats, but flexible and lightweight enough to be easily workable... and can be easily applied with a sewing machine or by hand. ------ ~Gem in the prairie
unfinishedprojects   Advanced AB CANADA Member since 8/26/07 Posts: 523	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/29/12 10:05 AM Collar Wire
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7402	Login to reply to this post In reply to unfinishedprojects 1 member likes this. Date: 2/29/12 12:10 PM How cool! I always wondered what made those fancy collars stand up so aggressively.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4402	Login to reply to this post In reply to Prisca712 Like this post Date: 2/29/12 1:43 PM Ladies, this information is too good to let slip away. I'd like to categorize this special type of edging and shaping notion for future searches. Any suggestions on the simplest descriptive term that might isolate out a group of notions like this? Maybe something that would group stays, collar wire and milliner's wire together since the question comes up often. I'd like to include the category in as a future search term in my little 'search library' project. ***************************************************** Adding future search term. notionsthread (starting this off in notions + thread which I hope to keep limited to notions beyond the basics) -- Edited on 3/12/12 0:15 AM -- ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
Prisca712 Beginner ON CANADA Member since 7/9/05 Posts: 64	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/3/12 5:04 PM Wow, great replies - as usual, it's PR to the rescue! stirwatersblue - Thanks for info - I'll look into millinery wire. unfinished projects - That is so cool! I've never heard of this stuff before (based on the link, it seems like it's something that's not as common as it used to be?), but now I'm really intrigued. Elona - You and me both! Until now I began to wonder if alchemy was involved a7yrstitch - Agreed - this is some juicy info and some terminology would be helpful. Hmm...maybe something like 'stays and wire supports'? ------ Born to sew!
sewinglizzie   Advanced ON CANADA Member since 9/24/04 Posts: 22	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/4/12 7:40 PM Marcy Tilton has something she calls memory wire for giving shape to collars: Memory wire I recommend her newsletter if you don't already subscribe. It's always interesting. Elizabeth ------ Sewinglizzie
Prisca712 Beginner ON CANADA Member since 7/9/05 Posts: 64	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewinglizzie Like this post Date: 3/5/12 11:02 PM sewinglizzie - Wow, based on the description, this actually sounds really close to what I saw! I wonder if it has another name (a Google search for 'memory wire' tends to turn up the hard, metal wire that retains its coil and is used for necklaces and bracelets). Thanks for sharing the link and the pointer on her newsletter! ------ Born to sew!
Sufiya Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 3/23/12 Posts: 10	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/25/12 3:10 PM I don't think you want "memory wire"; as you say, it's stiff and springlike and they call it "memory wire" for a reason: because it keeps its shape! Milliners' wire is just the thing; springy enough to hold its shape and flexible enough to be bent into that shape! You will want enough to 'practice' wire bending with (it's harder than it looks to get it "just right"), and if you can come up with a way to make it "removable" for when you want to clean the jacket, you will be that much further ahead. Maybe install it under some edging trim on the top, or cover it with a matching narrow grosgrain ribbon and put it on the underside, like they do with hats.

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