Recently I heard from a video of a Shanghai tailor that they would starch the canvas after its construction to stiffen it for extra structure and shape if wanted. He mentioned this method for making "Soviet style suits" that he learned in the 80s.
Has anyone heard or used this method here?
No, not I, but been wondering along those lines when I see modern political types as old as dirt with chest like Atlas.
There was a photo of a wooden buck pre-curved in the old forum, once. Its purpose was to help induce shape while pad stitching.
Glue, stitching, or starch would get the job done for sure, if all that's needed was posing for photo opp.