MY “AH-HA!” MOMENT WITH THREADS
I’ve been sewing since I was a kid, but I wasn’t introduced to Threads until years later, long after I was married. I remember reading my first fitting article by Karen Howland. I can’t recall which issue the article was in, but I do vividly recall the “Ah-Ha!” moment I experienced. The article came to my attention just as my body began it’s shift from the perfect body of youth to the not-so-perfect body of adulthood. My fitting attempts up until that time were based on trial and error. When I read that article, I remember thinking, “Of course! This makes so much sense. It’s so logical and well thought out.” And then, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Fitting articles continue to amaze me. Once I take the time to stop and think about them, I continue to find that fitting techniques use nothing but common-sense logic, but sometimes I need someone to help me see the logic.
HAVE YOU HAD A THREADS “AH-HA!” MOMENT?
Threads is currently celebrating its 25th year in publication. We’ve printed thousands of articles filled with sewing inspiration and techniques during that time. We’ve changed a lot over the years, but I like to think we’ve also improved with every change. Is there an article that you’ve read in Threads over the last 25 years that made you say “Ah Ha!” to yourself. Was there an article that taught you something you had no idea about or something you had never tried until reading about it. Was there a particular tip that spoke to you and helped to make your sewing life easier. Is there something you treasure Threads for above other things?
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL MOMENT WITH US
Tell us about your special moment with Threads. If you recall the issue and article name, please include that as well.
Thanks for helping to make Threads the magazine sewers turn to most often when they want to improve their sewing skills. Your comments can only help us to make Threads even better, and if you want to enjoy 152 electronically searcheable issues of Threads in .pdf format, check out our 2010 DVD Archive.
Many, many moons ago (maybe 20 or more?) I received the Threads Magazine The Best of Threads Garmentmaking Tips booklet. In it was the technique of using a pencil eraser to ease in fullness in a sleeve. I have used this method over and over and over again not only on sleeve caps but on any seam where unexpected fullness pops its ugly head. This one tip made sewing much less frustrating and enjoyable.
The new American smocking is so different from what my mother use to do (English hand-smocking), I showed a print out of it to my mom and she liked it. I am going to make up at least a sample of it before I make something using it.
Sewing is in my DNA. My grandmother was a tailor. My mother was an apparel designer and made perfect alterations. I've been sewing one way or another for as long as I can remember. But the tutorial videos on Threadsmagazine.com are a refresher course in all the things I know or thought I knew. It's amazing what you can learn at one stage of your life and then forget an important step or technique only to be reminded by watching a very easy to understand video. Thanks to all who have put in the time and thoughtfulness into making these videos for both the beginners and experienced.
The biggest inspiration I have gained from Threads is DETAIL. I've learned that I don't have to have $100 a yard fabric or a grandiose design. A simple garment with well done details is a winner. And if I don't know how to make my details "well done" - I can look up that technique in Threads and learn to do it well! Thanks, Threads.
I love the inspiration and ideas I get from the Reader's Closet! There are so many creative ideas, pictures and discussions of what others learned in creating something that I learn something new every time I look at it.
I remember learning from, I'm pretty sure it was an article by Kenneth King, how to make the points of a shirt collar nice and sharp looking, something I had never been able to figure out how to do myself. I made a lot of shirts that looked quite nice except the points were never as pointed as I wanted them to be, never mind as sharp as ready made shirts are.
The technique was simple. You folded over the trimmed allowances over the stitching before turning the point, so there was no fabric bulk in the point itself. No point pusher needed ! The point is not as flat as ready to wear, but this trick preserves the sharp shape perfectly.
I was so pleased the first time I tried it, it worked so well ! I was making custom shirts for rodeo cowboys at the time and this step made my finished garments look that much more professional, which made the perfectionist side of me very happy, even if the customers may not have noticed it specifically. I doubt I'd ever have figured this trick out on my own. By no means the only thing I've learned from Threads, but the first 'ah hah' I can recall.
I have sewing in my DNA too, though personally I am new at it. My mother was a first class dressmaker - from bridal gowns to the most beautiful lingerie. She did couture work. Sadly none of her daughters followed in her footsteps; I'm giving it a go now. I have lots of catching up to do, but I think with all the tips and techniques in Threads magazine it'll be a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Making gloves. The article a year ago by John Koch really opened me up to making my own; i am having a BLAST doing so. There are LOTS of others, but THIS one stands out. I also like anything by Kenneth King and Anna Mazur. When i see one of THOSE articles, I know it's going to be GOOD.