#threads magazine

'two hundred years ago, on the northwest coast of north america, native weavers patterned exquisite robes in black-and-white geometric designs streaked with dashes of yellow. these old-style robes, of which only 11 have survived, predate the region’s better known chilkat dancing blanket. they were made when expert basketmakers first turned their talents to weaving with wool.'

Threads Magazine - July 2001 - pin cushion mannequin

Saved from an old copy of Threads Magazine.

Threads, Fall 2022

 This article has a good range of topics from making use of quilts to replicating a vintage collar to fitting and embellishments. The cover story by Judith Neukam on quilted jackets ponders re-using a vintage quilt as well as collaging with new fabric scraps. Related to this accidentally is the article by Lindsay Ostlie who offers a zero-waste blouse which you see here in brown with cut-on dolman sleeves and the fabric selvedges used as trim along the buttoned opening. Now, if all the dressmakers could get together with the quiltmakers, I think we could put to good use all those fabric scraps from more conventionally cut garments.  

Anna Mazur explains how to create a flower motif using self-fabric petals with sealant applied around the edges and paillettes, crystals and beads. You see here the pale green blouse that results. You can well imagine different designs to develop using this technique from the quieter self-trim like this  to more dramatic contrasting colors.

Kenneth King analyzes the circa 1940 dress in black, white and red on the back cover with an unusual collar created with a center ring through which the two scarf collar edges loop to button down high up on the bodice. He explains how it can be done and his version is quieter than the playful version on the back cover with two-tone covered buttons in order to avoid what he calls a “costumey” look. If on the other hand you are interesting in theater costuming, you will enjoy the articles on Bernadette Banner who recreates period clothing from the late 19th and early 20th Century and on Arnold S. Levine, author and millinery, who does Broadway and carnival millinery work of all kinds and who shares some of his favorite supplies.

There are also more technical articles on ways to make knit pants, on fitting garments through the shoulders, bust and torso, plus reviews of new patterns and fashion trends for fall.

Threads is my favorite airplane reading as you can enjoy the pictures when your brain is tired or dig into the details of a new technique and learn how to do it.

Threads Magazine, Winter 2022

This issue offers a lot of special items for fancy occasions, but it also offers coverage of more common sewing projects.

It begins with a seasonal dress-up fabric, velveteen, see the rich purple jacket on the cover. Sandra Betzina offers advice on using this fabric, and that jacket which is BurdaStyle 6661, offers a clever embellishment with golden beads and buttons shooting like comets. The Up Close feature on the back of this issue is a jacket with a doubled peplum which Kenneth D. King explains how to copy. In between we get an an article by Katherine Seeburger on her “opera dress,” which you see in the floral brocade, a special occasion dress which she planned and created with the help of King and Susan Khalje. And we get the winners of the Make It With Wool contest which includes this felted white wool coat, embroidered and embellished, by Kim Vogley which comes with a dress.

Duane MacLeod offers a technical article on sewing welt pockets which I am ready to try, and Linda Lee offers advice on creating a capsule wardrobe, an old idea of coordinating colors and shapes which is always worth reviving to my mind. There is also a gift section suggesting everything from a new machine to a trip to France. All this plus reviews of new patterns, and interviews including one with Natalie Chanin known for the Alabama Chanin company and its striking but simple embellishments.

Threads, Spring 2022

This cover of this issue offers a brilliant fuchsia wrap top (Vogue 1246) in silk organza which accompanies an article by Sandra Betzina on sewing organza and how to best take advantage of its thin stiffness. Other articles continue the theme of dressy clothing. The back cover shows off a pale pink dress from the 1930s with a large, bertha collar made out of lattice work created from the same fabric. Judith Neukam explains how to make this vintage feature from creating the tubes of fabric, laying them out into lattice and then attaching a scalloped edging. At a time when women’s wardrobes were much smaller, every dress had to offer details and features that might it right for the occasion. I imagine this dress at a tea party or worn with a hat at a garden party. For a more modern look, Anna Mazur explains how to alter a basic sleeveless sheath dress into a one-shouldered look. And Laura Nash shows how to take a gored a skirt pattern and redraft it with scallops.

All of these are for more formal occasions and wear, while other articles deal with more basic issues like fit, including one on fitting a man’s shirt, pressing, sewing details on thick denims, and more. And we have the usual columns with sewing tips and new products. There are reviews of the new patterns and a section on spring colors and patterns as well. As I am looking out at a snow-covered yard, the idea of spring is very appealing.