IHSW-34 -12oz Heavyweight Loopwheel Fleece Lined Sweater - Grey Marl or Mint Gre
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So to reignite the debate, these are loopwheel knit, then side seems cut and sewn into them?
I have loopwheel and non-loopwheel shirts and sweats. Full loopwheel are hands down my favoured option.
The very fact that a garment has additional seems and sewing means that there ar more potential faultlines. Loopwheel definitely hold their shape better over multiple washes.
As for larger sizes and loopwheel in Japan not able to knit larger sizes, I own loopwheel sweaters by freewheelers and buzz ricksons, and they are larger sizes, without side seems, made in Japan.
If a brand was not concerned with both quality AND aesthetic, then why have selvedge seems and packets on garments that are deliberately visible in the construction?
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If a brand was not concerned with both quality AND aesthetic, then why have selvedge seems and packets on garments that are deliberately visible in the construction?
When we first made t-shirts, I asked H whether they were loopwheel. His answer "I have no idea, is it important?"
H-san hasn’t been overly concerned with selvedge earlier. The important thing was the quality and function of them material. I believe he has said that if he could get the same weaves from a wide loom then he’d be fine with that. I think he realises that his international market might not be, the 301 saga being a case in point.
He clearly isn’t fussed by side seams either. There is no doubt about his commitment to quality and aesthetics. He obviously doesn’t consider having side seams to be compromising either. It’s good enough for me.
I’ll add that I have had the grey IHSW-34 and own a RMC sweatshirt too. The RMC has no side seams. The ‘34 probably has. I still don’t care one way or another.
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Tube construction is overrated. I've never had a shirt rip apart at a side seam and I've never noticed any difference in durability or comfort. If the fabric and construction are good, then whether a shirt has side seams seems irrelevant for any purpose other than affectation. Much like chainstitch runoff.
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Some aspects regarding loopwheel manufacturing https://merzbschwanen.com/manufacturing-good-originals
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Personally, I've never really had a problem with side seams and don't understand the hatred they seem to engender.
Me neither. I have several Reigning Champ sweatshirts and they all have ribbed side seams. Never had any issues. As it may have already been pointed out, it’s probably more to do with aesthetics, much like the chain stitch runoff you mentioned or selvedge line
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Chainstich run off is completely an asthetical preference. Chainstitching in itself is not.
I no longer buy tshirts that have side seems. Even when I buy band tshirts, unless they are tube construction I do not buy them (yes, I do understand that is not the same as loopwheel construction. The process and tensions are completely different).
Side seems, even on more expensive brands, lose shape more quickly In my experience. This is the sort of debate I have with fast fashion victims, not with people who buy $300 shirts.
Personally, I am just a customer of Iron Heart, and never feel the need to be a sycophant. I am very much a fan of the brand. Its quality and service are second to none, but if there are elements that I don't understand, or disagree with, I'm comfortable doing that.
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Personally, I am just a customer of Iron Heart, and never feel the need to be a sycophant.
I do hope I’m reading this wrong and you’re not implying that anyone here is a sycophant just because they don’t hold the lack of side seams in the same regard as you do. I would consider that exceptionally short sighted, not to mention rude.
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I am not implying that people with differing opinions in this thread are sycophants. I should wait for a counterbalance of views.
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I personally prefer loopwheeled stuff without any side seams as it adds to the aesthetics of any item and also to the comfort. Not many do loopwheeled stuff but everyone does side seams, so I'm also not a fan of loopwheeled items that do have side seams like everything else despite being made in the difficult manufacturing process. The fabric might be nice but deprived of one of its biggest benefits: the tubular construction.
I also tried this jumper in grey and although the fit was pretty decent and the fabric nice I wasn't feeling it overall (especially the seams - not only on the sides). It was an XXL and at that time I had another heavy loopwheeled sweater from SDA in XL to compare against. The XL had bigger measurements (chest, length etc.), a softer yet heavier feel and no side seams. EDIT: There was the IHSW-06 once which was made of the heavy Wakayama loopwheeled fleece and it went up to XL with no side seams.
Another point is that there have been already quite heavy 5,5 oz Triple Works T-Shirts that went up to XXL and had no side seams in all sizes (e.g. TWT-1401, TWT-1402 & TWT-1403). Would've loved to have the IHT-1610 without any side seams in every size (although I'm wearing an L that has no side seams in them). -
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I can see that. It would provide the ability to have a slight taper through the body, which is desirable to some for sure. Being a bit more chunky but funky, I can appreciate a full loopwheel sweat, as long as the hem has a bit of elasticity.
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