Replies

1. 
   decoratrice | Sep 01, 2009 04:52am | #1

   Be sure to notice how Susan Khalje put a little sassy wiggle up the center back seam (#145, p35), with artful pattern placement.  Now THAT'S attention to detail!

1. 
   Tatsy | Sep 01, 2009 06:12am | #2

   That article is impressive too, but since it's not something I could envision wearing, the mind slipped past it. My husband loved the article on adding chains to embellish a garment on p.23, and I was also impressed with the article by Susan Crane about using bias strips to create tiny finishings on sleeveless blouses. We get less rain than Pheonix and it's nearly as hot so sleeveless blouses are a must-have.

1. 
   decoratrice | Sep 01, 2009 04:56pm | #3

   The bias binding is even finer than the one I have been using.  I have the Vionnet book and want to give her jacket another go--that will be a perfect edge treatment.  The chains didn't like very much; I thought the neckline was a bit overdone.  So your husband likes chains.............Just kidding.

    

1. 
   Tatsy | Sep 01, 2009 06:48pm | #4

   That's cute. He's so strait-laced I would never have thought of that one in a million years. 'Nuf said.

2. 
   rekha | Sep 02, 2009 01:31pm | #5

   This is the second issue in a row in many moons that has interesting and creative ideas, possibly because of the neew lateral thinking team. So I have just paid for the annual subscription and hope I get my money's worth!

1. 
   Tatsy | Sep 02, 2009 06:42pm | #6

   Lateral thinking . . . that's true, and it's definitely what made the issue so breathtaking. I've subscribed since '97 or '98 when I was blown away by some of the artistic/engineered constructions they were featuring and didn't want to take a chance on missing anything. There's usually been something worthwhile in each magazine, but not on the scale of the last two. I would like to see an article that gets into the nitty-gritty of grainline in pants. All the articles so far have been one-spot fixes or make your pants pattern from a skirt pattern, but those don't deal with how one fix affects the others; or if they do, it's just in passing and only the opposite or corollary area of the one you're working on. If I could just get into my head how shifting one area affects all the others, my pants fitting problem would most likely be solved.The third weekend in September I'm taking a Suzy Furrer weekend pattern drafting class in Fresno. Maybe I'll learn what I need to there.

1. 
   kelker | Sep 02, 2009 11:56pm | #7

   Have you had a chance to check the classes being offered at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo?  I, too, want to know the details and pitfalls of construction especially with trousers.  A great fitting pair of trousers looks good on any body type!  Many of the pants classes are hands on.

1. 
   Tatsy | Sep 03, 2009 02:50am | #8

   Where is that being held? Fresno is a 90-minute drive. I wasn't thinking about going any further afield.

1. 
   kelker | Sep 03, 2009 07:51pm | #9

   Here's a link --- looks like they are east of the Rockies.  I would imagine there is something very similar, if not identical, on the west coast also.

   http://www.sewingexpo.com/supply/supplylist.htm

    

2. 
   Tatsy | Sep 03, 2009 08:19pm | #10

   Denver has a good sewing show but that's still more than a day's drive or paying for a flight. There are also some shows down in Orange County but getting there is still nightmare. The Fresno Fiber Arts Guild is relatively close and convenient. Traffic is bearable.

2. 
   gailete | Sep 19, 2009 04:53pm | #16

   I know this doesn't help with pants, but somewhere I read a great article on grainline in skirts and the lightbulb went off for me. Since I'm tall and dumpy (protruding abdomen) I needed to be sure that I didn't have all the gathers/material in the center front. Once I cut my favorite skirt pattern with a different grainline, I couldn't believe the difference, it took off 10# at least! Hope you can find the same thing with pants. Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you read, sometimes you just need to see something.

1. 
   moira | Sep 19, 2009 07:07pm | #17

   I've been wondering for some weeks now where my latest edition of Threads is. As I read these posts I'm beginning to think this one has got lost somewhere. Anyone else in the UK got/not got theirs?

2. 
   Tatsy | Sep 20, 2009 03:16am | #18

   I just happen to be in the hotel after the first day of the pattern drafting class. We learned lots today and tomorrow we get to do more hands on stuff. Mostly theory today and the general guidelines for fitting. I'm looking forward to being at home on Monday, getting started on a moulage, and doing the exercises in Suzy's book. Best of all, we're going to be measured by a sewing partner or the teacher herself, which means no guessing whether I've measured myself right or not. Woohoo!

2. 
   Deana | Sep 04, 2009 12:37am | #12

   Rekha,

   Glad to hear you liked the issue so much you subscribed! That is great news! Feel free to drop us a line as you go along to tell us what you like and what you don't. We'll be listening.

   Best,

1. 
   ljb2115 | Sep 05, 2009 02:47am | #13

   Thanks for the great article about the Make It Yourself With Wool contest.  This is near and dear to my heart, as I have been involved with the judging end of it for the Indiana contest.  Through the years I have seen garments go from the "stand in a corner"-type tailoring to innovative designs. 

   Please give an overview of this contest each year.

   Lydia Barnard

3. 
   Deana | Sep 04, 2009 12:34am | #11

   Thanks Tatsy! Glad to hear you are enjoying the issue.

4. 
   SewNancy | Sep 06, 2009 05:27am | #14

   I like many others had been quite disappointed with Threads for a number of years now. I am a long time subscriber, and it would have to be a totally different magazine for me to cancel, but I just wasn't all that excited by it. Not so this month! What a great issue; one of the best in recent memory. I am hoping that this is a sign of things to come.
   I especially like the gloves. But, like others I can't figure out how to get them back to the original size.

1. 
   stitchhappy | Sep 08, 2009 06:31pm | #15

   For those of you who are still having problems printing the glove pattern, please go back to the original post. There are several solutions there. Many people are not having problems. It seems there are two concerns: First, getting it to print--if you're having trouble you may need to try a different computer. You can print it from a public library computer or ask a friend. Second, once you have it printed you need to enlarge it to size. Measure the size of one of the scale squares in the lower right corner. Then go to: http://www.copyitmailit.com/p.htm punch in your measurements and ask to enlarge it to 1 inch. It will tell you the percentage to enlarge. Then go to a photocopy machine, punch in that percentage and print. Measure your print to make sure the squares are 1 inch.

   Enjoy!