I subscribed to Threads magazine when it first came out and have saved every issue. Then my magazine piles grew and grew ... I couldn’t bear to throw out any of my beloved sewing and quilting magazines. So I stopped my magazine subscriptions to save space. Last week I was given a complimentary copy of Threads, and reading this magazine reminded me why I like it so much.


Who Reads Threads?

The magazine’s catch-phrase is: “For People Who Love to Sew”. How true. The highlights of this review are from the March 2004 issue of Threads magazine (issue # 111). Anyone who enjoys sewing beautiful garments will definitely find value in these pages. Each issue also encompasses other areas of sewing such as quilting and machine embroidery. Anyone wanting to better their sewing craft will benefit from reading Threads.

Note that this magazine is not aimed at beginning sewers, though some of the articles, the questions and answers as well as the tips section will be of interest to those new to sewing. This magazine is written for those with intermediate to advanced sewing skills.


Articles

I have learned a lot by reading the articles in Threads. Each article is well written and accompanied by beautiful color photographs or well-drawn illustrations. Just looking at these high-quality photos makes me feel as if I can actually feel the texture and shape of the fabric. If an article is a how-to demonstration, there are step-by-step instructions and illustrations or photos to accompany the text. When commercial patterns are used, the pattern company and pattern number are listed. Here is an example of some feature articles:

Everyone Can Have Jeans that Fit (by Sandra Betzina)
“Jeans will fit all types of bodies if you follow pattern alteration advice from Sandra Betzina.” The 5-page article shows how to measure and make pattern adjustments for well-fitting jeans. As a bonus, a magazine sidebar announces that an extra online tip on putting in a fly zipper can be found on their website. (Threads offers these bonus online tips for several of their articles.)

Measuring and Marking Tools (by Mary Roehr)
“ 22 tools that help you fit and finish garments.” Learn about the Flex-A-Shape Designing Curve, French Curve, Tailor’s Square, Chalk varieties, Magicuffer, Space-Tape for Buttonholes. Also provided are sources for purchasing the tools mentioned in this 6-page article.

How to Sew with Boutis Provencal (by Marie Yolande)
“Special construction and finishing techniques make it easy to work with this quiltlike fabric–they work on other double-faced fabrics as well.” This 5-page article is filled with how-to descriptions. The article also references a previous article in Threads for complete instructions on stitching boutis (the Threads issue number and page numbers are provided).

Fabric Floribundas (by Rachel Kurland)
“For the fanciest finery–or informal charm–these silk blossoms give Mother Nature a run.” Two pages loaded with how-to photos describe how to create fabric roses and the best fabrics to use.

In the March 2004 issue of Threads, there are nine feature articles. The other articles are: The Magic Yoke, Crushed Velvet: A Do-It-Yourself Guide, Line and Underline in One Step, 46 Tips for Sewing Special Occasion Garments, Skirt Godets Make Sleek Hemlines Swing.

Previous issue articles include: The Shawl Collar Revealed, Tuck Fabric on a Grid to Create Airy Texture, Pick Patterns that Fit Your Figure, Add Hand Embellishment to Digitized Designs, Slipcovers, Making Ottomans, Designing Hawaiian Applique, Successful Machine Embroidery on Any Fabric, Sewing For the Great Outdoors.


Up Front

Before the articles begin, the magazine offers several fun areas you won’t want to miss reading. The categories listed below are in each issue of Threads, expect the content is different.

Contributors
Photographs and brief bios of the feature article writers in each issue.

Letters
There is a letter from the Editor as well as letters from readers. One reader letter asks how to prevent rayon fabric seams from fraying (one suggestion is to serge or zigzag stitch the seam edges). Another reader asks for a definition of a multistep zig-zag (the sewing machine takes three stitches on each angle of the zig and zag). There are five letters from readers in this issue.

Tips
Readers share their sewing tips. An example of one tip is that a reader creates a fabric collection reference file by bringing a digital camera when fabric shopping. By taking a photo of the information on the end of the bolt (washing instructions, fabric content, etc.) and a photo of the fabric, the reader has a complete record of the material purchased. There are seven reader tips in this issue.

Questions
Threads magazine must receive many reader questions, because not only do the questions appear in their Letters section but also in this section dedicated to questions from readers. The first question in this section asks how to properly pack for travel so items are not wrinkled in transit. Another question asks for advice on working with metallic fabrics. Three questions from readers are thoroughly answered.

Basics
Each issue of Threads covers in detail one basic technique. This issue covers five ways to transfer motifs to fabric. I found this article of particular interest since I’ve been exploring fabric transfer methods. (Other issues have covered: Estimating Yardage, Garment Facing Made Easy, Setting in a Perfect Sleeve.)

Fitting
Another reader question is answered. This one involves pants riding up the inseam when the reader walks. Threads explains how to solve this dilemma on three pages, complete with diagrams. And this question leads into the first article appropriately titled, “Everyone Can Have Jeans that Fit”. (Other issues have covered: Multiple Alterations, Changing a Swimsuit’s Style, Adjusting Yoked Styles to Rounded Backs.)


In the Back

The back section of the magazine, after the articles, includes some shorter interesting articles as well as an advertiser index.

Delicious Details
Explores quilted accents to add texture, surface interest, stiffness and bulk to garments where needed. A timeline of quilted detail is provided through illustration. (Other issues have covered: Cowl Variations, Pleats, Lapel Variations.)

Machine Embroidery
Invent a design that suits both garment and wearer ... make complex, composite “kaleidoscopic” designs.

Exploring Design
Photographs and description of the winners from the Threads Fashion Challenge. Beautiful garments with interesting design details.

Tools of the Trade
Covers some of the new sewing, quilting and embellishing products available.

Advertiser Index
Most magazines carry advertisements ... and Threads magazine definitely has its share of advertisers. An interesting feature of the index is that website addresses are listed for all the advertisers that have websites. I like this added information.

Closures
An essay finishes the magazine. The one in this issue is humorous and I laughed out loud several times. Can you imagine two carpenters trying to help a woman mark even hems in her pants legs?

In previous issues, this back section has also included an area on books or a quick-to-make project. Some of the quick-to-make projects have included: a quilted gauze vest, scarf with loop end, stay-put pillow, pack flat straw hat.


My Impressions

This magazine is a keeper. Not only are the articles informative, the questions and answers helpful, but the photographs are of amazing quality. The sewing, quilting and embellishing advice in Threads will never go out of style. These are articles you can reference for step-by-step instruction of techniques you may not use all the time. I’ve gained insight from my copies of Threads magazine. My local library also subscribes to Threads magazine so that even though I no longer receive the magazine via subscription, I can take the magazine out of the library for doses of inspiration and learning.

Whether your sewing skills are intermediate, advanced or professional ... you will find something of interest in this magazine. I enjoy seeing new twists in fabric manipulation and design ideas. I have been sewing for over 30 years and quilting for over 20 years, and there is still so much to learn. Even though I don’t own an embroidery machine (yet!), I enjoy reading the articles about machine embroidery. I love to embroider using the built-in stitches on my Bernina and have been able to glean useful information to better my embroidery results.

Even though this magazine is packed with information, each page is pleasing to the eye. Never too crowded. Text is interspersed with photography or illustration. The publisher does an excellent job of balancing the white page space with what is in print.

This magazine is printed on shiny white paper. The paper is excellent quality, too. The cover is also shiny, of thicker paper, and is slightly slippery. The only downside to this is that when I lay the magazine down on a pile of papers, the magazine wants to slide away.


My Claim to Fame

Threads magazine published one of my quilting tips! In Issue # 59 (July 1995), on page 14, you will find my quilting tip on an alternative thimble for quilting. Threads magazine encourages readers to mail their tips, and the publisher pays for accepted material.


Storing the Magazines

This magazine is currently in a format that is 8 7/8" wide x 10 7/8" tall. It is not a standard magazine size. I recommend storing the magazines in either a vertical magazine holder that lends support to the paper (so the pages don’t bend), or store the magazines flat in a plastic container such as one that Sterilite or Rubbermaid manufacturers.

If you have a collection of Threads magazines, you can purchase slipcases for them. Taunton Press (publisher of Threads), sells these slipcases in two sizes ... one size for issues published between October 1985 to January 1990 ($13.95 each slipcase) ... one size for issues published between February 1990 to the present ($8.95 each slipcase). The slipcases are a dark green color with the gold word “Threads” printed on the spine. Each slipcase holds over a year of magazines. I do not own these slipcases but thought I would mention them in case they are of interest.


Subscription Pricing

Threads magazine is available in many sewing/quilting stores and large bookstores. This is a bimonthly magazine, so a one-year subscription consists of six issues. Here is the subscription information:

U.S. & Canada:
$32.95 for one year / $54.95 for two years / $78.95 for three years

Outside U.S. & Canada:
$38.95 for one year / $66.95 for two years / $96.95 for three years

Single Copy:
$6.99 in U.S. and $8.99 in Canada

The Taunton Guarantee: “If at any time you’re not completely satisfied with Threads, you can cancel your subscription and receive a full and immediate refund of the entire subscription price. No questions asked.”


Summary

I fell in love with Threads magazine long ago, and even though I currently do not subscribe to the magazine, I still love it. The articles are presented in an easy-to-understand style. There are articles geared toward the experienced sewer as well as those with some sewing or quilting experience. Now that machine embroidery has gained such popularity, there are informative articles about designing with embroidery machines. This is a terrific magazine.

The one thing that makes me hesitate to subscribe again to the magazine is the steep cost. Since my library carries the magazine, I think I will continue to borrow the issues from there. However, I recently attended the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo where I received a discount card for the magazine. So I’m tempted to order it.

Each issue offers something new and helps me think in different ways about how I sew. I recommend checking a copy of this magazine out of your library or purchase a copy in the store. Since the magazine is pricey, browse through it to see if it’s worth a subscription.

Now that I’ve read this issue of Threads cover to cover (all 98 pages), I’m ready to finish that quilted glitzy vest. I’m inspired!

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Additional Information

The Taunton Press
63 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 5506
Newtown, CT 06470-5506

www.threadsmagazine.com


Please read my other reviews:

Quilter’s Dream Sewing Table

Horn of America Deluxe Sewing Chair

Janome Jem Sewing Machine

Bernina Accessory Box

Grabobbin Magnetic Bobbin Holder

Fiskars Pinking Shears & Tutorial

Sterilite Ultra Storage Drawer

Quilt Pro Software

Keepsake Quilting Online Store

Joann .com Fabric & Craft Store

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo


Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart

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This review is part of The Challenge Yourself Write-Off hosted by captaind.
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Recommended: Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles