Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: I Became a Clothing Designer in Another World
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"So, what is it you want to discuss?"
"We were talking about materials when we hit a disagreement with Lord Herbert. I wanted to know what kind of yarn you, Sir William, would use for clothing."
"What are your two opinions?"
"I prioritized stretch a bit more. I think durability can be handled by blending with other yarns."
"I believe balancing durability and stretch is more important. No matter how much you mix in other yarns, a specific one could still wear out, right?"
"Oh... wow..."
I personally leaned toward Lady Panni's view, which favored stretch more, but I couldn't side with either of them outright.
Because both were right.
Neither was wrong, nor was one definitively correct—it was just a difference in taste.
In cases like this, unless there was some other disqualifying factor, the best approach was to weave the fabric and then judge based on the feel and appearance.
No matter how much you like something mentally, if the sensation against your skin or the design feels off, you won't wear it. That's clothing for you.
Take me, for example. I love the feel of silk when it brushes my hand, but I hate it against my chest or sides.
I don't even know why.
It just feels unpleasant when I wear it.
So, for clothes that touch my skin directly, I only wear cotton or linen.
I might be a bit extreme, but the point is that texture impacts wearability just as much as durability or stretch.
"You're both right, so in this case, it might be best to make it ourselves and see."
"Pardon...?"
The two, who had been exchanging subtle glances in a quiet battle of nerves, turned to me simultaneously with expressions like I'd said something out of left field.
Wait, is Lord Herbert actually looking at me?
"Cotton and silk are similar in strength and stretch, but they differ completely in wrinkle resistance or fabric feel, right? So, sure, prioritize durability, but you also have to consider how the fabric looks visually, how easily it deforms, what the texture is like, and so on."
""Ah.""
Upon hearing my explanation, both parted their lips slightly and let out sighs in unison.
"We overlooked something important."
"We're not making tents—we got too obsessed with toughness..."
"As long as you realize it now, that's what matters."
Realization is the key, no matter what.
And since they'd sewn plenty but were still learning cutting and design, I hadn't expected much anyway.
"But we still have the issue of which yarn to use for the fabric."
"There are too many types to test them all one by one, aren't there?"
"Then we start with the yarns that show promise."
Making even skeins evenly for both of them would take ages, so I pulled the basket closer and peered inside.
I didn't know everything, but I remembered the feels of common synthetic fibers.
"That's a lot..."
A quick scan showed about twenty types.
A bit much.
But no problem.
Synthetics from my past life were numerous too, but the ones we needed to remember boiled down to three: nylon, polyester, polyurethane.
The reason? Everything else was for special uses like fireproof suits, bulletproof vests, or wetsuits, or had poor textures for everyday wear.
It'd be ideal if all three were among these twenty skeins, but right now, even just nylon or polyurethane would do.
With one of those, we could substitute for the others to some extent.
The issue was how to identify them.
A science and magic illiterate like me didn't have many options.
Just like picking clothes by feel in a store, I had to find the yarn with the texture and stretch I wanted by hand.
So, I used these criteria:
Stretches like a rubber band? Polyurethane.
Tough, shiny, snaps back easily? Polyester.
Stretches okay and feels sturdy? Nylon.
Scientists would grab their necks at this "analysis," but 2,000 years ago, that's how they explored the world—totally scientific.
Just a bit outdated.
I didn't want to do this either, but if they were mad about it, they should've given me science knowledge in my reincarnation—or made me a wizard.
Rule of thumb, but I brainwashed myself it was scientific as I felt each skein in the basket one by one.
"This one's no good."
"Hmm... Is it okay to check like that?"
"No matter how I think about it, that seems too subjective..."
Watching me fiddle with a few by hand to judge good from bad, they frowned with visible concern.
"It looks weird, sure, but it's hard to describe in words what makes one good or bad."
Ignoring their worries, I focused my fingers and scientifically analyzed all twenty types.
The result?
"These are the best ones I found."
I picked out three that fit my criteria decently.
Wished all three types were there, but sadly, one nylon-like, and two that felt like polyurethane or rubber.
Would've liked polyester—no ironing needed, minimal wrinkles—but oh well.
Can't force what isn't there, so live with the disappointment.
"Hmm..."
"Urgh..."
As I smiled and held up my selections, they stared at me with expressions screaming they had a lot to say.
I got their concerns, but even with my crude method, I wasn't about to use these blindly.
This was just narrowing down the promising ones; we'd need more checks to confirm usability.
What if something stretchy and tough melted in water or soap, or turned gummy at body temp? Disaster if used carelessly.
Imagine a multimillion-won outfit vanishing or tearing after one wash.
A horrific future of dealing with enraged nobles awaited.
"I'll commission the Magic Tower to analyze the ones I picked, so don't worry too much."
"I see."
"That's a relief, then."
Their faces softened dramatically at my chuckling addition.
It was my own image, but treating me like a reckless madman scratched a bit.
Even I wasn't that bad...
"Tch..."
I smacked my lips, made a brief pout, then set the three skeins aside and looked at them.
"By the way, are these produced in large quantities? Enough for making clothes?"
"Yes, we gathered ones we could secure in decent amounts."
"Okay, great."
These go straight to the Magic Tower when I get home, and the rejects can go to storage for potential future use.
"We can pick up the fabric discussion after the Magic Tower's results, right?"
"That's fine."
"Fine by me too."
"Then, we'll review the designs again next Wednesday, and call it here for today."
""Yes.""
I gathered the yarns and stood.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day after checking Lady Panni and Lord Herbert's work—Thursday—things went unusually smoothly.
The yarn analysis commission to the Magic Tower via Miss Heini got a reply: a free wizard popped up, results next week.
Adelaide, realizing even all the cutters couldn't keep her pace, finally started pacing herself.
The dwindling fabric stock arrived just in the nick of time with extras.
It meshed so perfectly, like gears clicking—almost euphoric.
If this flow held, we'd finish the knights' order, then roll out prototype underwear to the public seamlessly.
"Sir William."
Excitedly checking the new fabric inventory, Lady Elizabeth approached with light, quiet steps.
"What's up?"
"I think it's time we talked about the next schedule."
"Yeah, you're right."
I nodded and set down the ledger.
No need to hide from the middle manager.
"What's your plan?"
"After delivering to the knights, prototypes first—like the clothes Panni and Herbert are designing, or prettier bras."
"Got it. Everyone else will be idle for a while, then."
"We worked them like commoners for weeks; they deserve a break."
"Fair point."
Who works nobles five days a week, nine-to-six?
Even imperial or official nobles do desk jobs, not this labor.
They went along without complaint because they're unusual; others would've protested just the schedule.
"And after that?"
"Hmm..."
I had vague ideas sketched in my head.
Newspaper ads via Caterina, street promotions.
But spoiling it now would kill the fun.
"Not sure yet."
"Hmm~"
Lady Elizabeth's eyes narrowed, her lips curving up more.
"I'm looking forward to what you'll show."
"...?"
I blinked, frowning at her unexpected reaction.
Where did that expectation come from?
I thought I was starting to understand her, but this showed I had a long way to go.