Trafalgar braces past their prime...

7941 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Eyegore, Jul 2, 2011

digger21209

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2011

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to acquire several pairs of Trafalgar Woven Limited Edition Silk Braces. The years have taken their toll, and the edges/borders on some of these are quite worn, enough that they really don't look their best any longer. Specifically, they are threadbare, uneven and frayed on the edges, and are actually wearing through from the backside where they had rested over my shoulders.

Nothing lasts forever, least of all artisan woven silk braces, but the question is if there is some better fate than good-willing them.

Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, or experience to share as to what they've done when their own have reached a similar, unwearable state?

Thanks.

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Epaminondas

· #2 · Jun 29, 2011

digger21209 said:
Nothing lasts forever, least of all artisan woven silk braces, .......

Wow, I would have assumed that they were woven on computer controlled mechnical looms - had no idea that actual artisans were involved.

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digger21209

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 29, 2011

Epaminondas said:
Wow, I would have assumed that they were woven on computer controlled mechnical looms.

Not sure if you're having a go at me or not....but your response made me double check my facts. :icon_study:

Yup. Skilled craftsman working on 200 year old looms.

The intricate designs ... are woven using only the finest denier silk yarns. Yarns that are so very delicate, they could not be used on today's high speed looms.
In the early 1970's, Marley Hodgson, the founder of Trafalgar, discovered eight disassembled 200 year-old wooden looms in an abandoned European carriage house. Originally built like fine pianos, Hodgson had each loom re-built and refurbished over a two- year period.
Today, one of Europe's finest weavers is producing these brace fabrics in limited editions, in part, because even the most skilled craftsmen can only weave five yards of narrow silk fabric a day.

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firedancer

· #4 · Jun 29, 2011

"Yup. Skilled craftsman working on 200 year old looms." Zing!

I dunno, maybe you could keep the hardware and make some madras or seersucker or some other GTH brace?

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Christophe

· #5 · Jun 30, 2011

firedancer said:
I dunno, maybe you could keep the hardware and make some madras or seersucker or some other GTH brace?

Firedancer, that sounds like a great idea for worn braces! I'd have never thought of something like that until I came by this thread. Digger, that does sound like a good idea for your Trafalgars. That's probably what I'd do, just keep the artisan woven silk. That's not something you'd want to throw out.

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C. Sharp

· #6 · Jun 30, 2011 (Edited)

Some edge wear can be repaired. (also there is the possibility of taking them a part and sewing the ribbons on a foundation of grosgrain so you have a backing to protect the silk. It also sounds like your not into the shabby chic so a rescue may not be the course for you. What I would suggest is to find a good sewing person our quilter. maybe they can assist you in recycling the silk that is still in good repair, you might be able to get a belt or a pillow top out of them.
Something like this. If you want the design vertical you would have to cut and piece it.

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digger21209

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 1, 2011

C. Sharp said:
Some edge wear can be repaired. (also there is the possibility of taking them a part and sewing the ribbons on a foundation of grosgrain so you have a backing to protect the silk. It also sounds like your not into the shabby chic so a rescue may not be the course for you. What I would suggest is to find a good sewing person our quilter. maybe they can assist you in recycling the silk that is still in good repair, you might be able to get a belt or a pillow top out of them.
Something like this. If you want the design vertical you would have to cut and piece it.

Wow!
What a great idea for a belt...is this your own, or something your googled down on the interwebs?

I'm afraid they are past the backing idea, as they are worn to the point of threadbareness....

But +1 for the belt idea!

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C. Sharp

· #8 · Jul 1, 2011

It is an original vintage Calvin Curtis belt. It is the first I have ever seen. You might be familiar with the pattern since it also appeared as braces. It was recently was up on Ebay and I am speculating that the low price it fetched was due to its diminutive waist size.

digger21209 said:
Wow!
What a great idea for a belt...is this your own, or something your googled down on the interwebs?

I'm afraid they are past the backing idea, as they are worn to the point of threadbareness....

But +1 for the belt idea!

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digger21209

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 1, 2011

I appreciate your sharing that....

Totally missed it on ebay, but what a neat find!

Here's (maybe) an even neater one....
I just came across this in a blog extolling the virtues of Trafalgar braces...

Over time the silk will fray a bit on the edges and will develop a broken in, softer feeling. Just trim the fraying strands with scissors and appreciate the patina of it all. However, should the tabs sag too much, the elastic lose its snap and the silk fray enough to push you to the limits of propriety, you can always send the braces back to Trafalgar's reconditioning department for a nugatory fee. The author has gone this route many times for a most satisfactory outcome.

Intriguing...but I'm dubious.
Does anyone have any personal experience with this?
Will report back if this proves to be reliable.

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Eyegore

· #10 · Jul 2, 2011

As a collector with somewhere along the lines of 50-60 pair of Trafalgar LE's, I've always found the best answer to fraying is a product called 'Fray Check' or something like that. You can find it at any of the fabric or Bed Bath Beyond type of stores.

By very carefully running the brace edges through the applicator tip, a small amount of some fluid simply removes all the loose silk edges, and you are left with a VERY presentable pair of vintage braces!

I agree about the patina - something about well cared for braces that are older than I am. They just look great.

But sadly, no: Nothing lasts forever!

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