Finishing tweed lapels

[Scot]

I see lapels on tweed coats finished variously; with no visible stitching, with fine stitching as one might see on a worsted, or with a continuous line of stitching approximately 5mm from the edge of the lapel - almost machined in appearance. As I am about to bespeak my first tweed I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me as to the reasons for this. Is one means of finishing better than another depending upon the cloth? Thanks in anticipation.

[alden]

Scot

Many inveterate tweed wearers will prefer their coats be sewn with a "quarter-stitch" as in the photo below.





You might do well without the stitching if you are using a very thin, worsted like tweed or maybe a Saxony if your aim is a less rustic look.

Cheers

M Alden

[Scot]

Michael, thank you. Is this done by hand? It would seem rather tough on the fingers on a heavy-weight tweed!

[alden]

Scot

This work is normally done by hand.

Michael