Hand Rolled Edges - Do they really matter? - Page 2

Machine rolled is possible:



but you won't get the same result as hand rolled (as you can see in the picture).

A machined edge is still rolled up before machining, so is still called a rolled edge, even though it gets somewhat flattened in the process. It is the same process as a 'rolled hem' which is often used on shirts or other garments. I've never heard of any machine that's able to replicate the look of a hand-rolled edge.

Simple answer, hand-rolled edges are different but they only matter if you think they do. You certainly don't need to pay a premium for them - pockets squares are about the easiest thing to make for yourself. Square of decent fabric, needle and thread. In any case, most of the time, I use whatever kinds of fabric come to hand, many of which are entirely unhemmed - sometimes you don't want to look like you care too much, or just start to appear anally retentive. (IMHO of course!)

deepitm,

Very good questions - and you could ask the same about luxury ties and clothes in general.

First, pocket squares with hand rolled edges have two basic styles - the rustic look which is uneven and sewn at fast speeds and the luxury smoothly rolled edges with mitered edges (like a picture frame). The rustic look is made in Europe and China and the luxury rolled edge is occasional made in France and daily made in our workshop in Bangkok.

The rustic rolled edge requires more labor than a machine made edge. The machine edge seconds and the rustic edge perhaps 15 minutes or less...

A luxury pocket square with rolled edges takes about 2 hours to make.

Is the quality better - an easy yes, to answer.

Should you really care? A more difficult question to answer as it is a personal question and only you can answer that.

Is there an easy way to tell? Yes, but you may have to spend some time looking at examples.

In terms of the best luxury quality you should be looking for around 5 stitches to the inch and smooth regular stitches with mitered corners.

The pocket square should also be perfectly balanced with no loose threads.

If a contrast edge it should be on one piece of fabric not a second color sewn on.

The material should be a beautiful fabric. Most linens and cottons that are used for pocket squares are low end fabrics.

The size of the pocket square should be matched to the weight of the fabric.

I could go on and on - but I think you have the basic idea now - most of the above also applies to hand rolled edges on ties.

Some don't even notice if their pants are too long. This crap drive me crazy.