Any book about sewing interests me. I don't know enough about tailoring and this would be a great addition to my shelf(shelves) of sewing books.

My greatest quilting experience was my sons deciding to raid my scrap box and simply sew four-inch squares together in strips and then put the strips together. The lines aren't straight, some pieces are seam-up instead of down but it doesn't matter, the boys were busy sewing and having fun. This happened 45 years ago, and yes, I still have the pieced top.

Would love to win this book. It would be a great addition to my collection of costume books.

For now, I think I will stick to purchasing the patterns. Downloading is fine for knitting and crochet and in some cases, quilting, but large-scale patterns are, at this time, not really an option.

I can't say I liked the era, but I was fascinated with the Leisure Suits. How they got men to buy and where those things just amazes me. Men are so traditional that their styles have a way of staying put for years on end.

It would be interesting to know who decided these colors. Personally, I will wear what looks good on me with my skin tone, not what someone else decides is this years "colors."

My daughter-in-law is an artist and she found a site that prints fabric from her paintings. I have already made her two skirts and the material for four more just came in the mail. I'll be sewing that and two short jackets these next two weeks and adding to two quilts that I have started.
TxMouse, the silk denim sound interesting.

I costume Community Theatre and believe me, I have very few model-thin actresses to dress. One favorite of mine asks only that I make her "pretty" costumes and she is not a small woman. I love creating costumes for her that make her happy. Why the judges didn't send Ven packing I do not know. His design was as bad as Nathans and he was rude and hateful to that poor lady. I wanted to smack him and hug her. The winning dress wasn't my favorite but it was interesting.

I have a beautiful piece of sheer fabric that would lend itself to draping. This book would be such a help.

I just finished four straight weeks of no-days-off costuming a show. It would be lovely to sit back and read with no pressure.

Why was a beautiful black jacket photographed against a dark background? Aren't we supposed to see the jacket?

If this were 1940, the photographed models would have been "plus" size. Not sure the slender styles of that era translate to overweight Americans of today.

Twenty-five years ago my daughter gave me a sweat shirt that says, "The One Who Dies With The Most Fabric Wins"! I"m definately in line! I have bins of fabric, piles of fabric, fabric stashed in closets, etc, etc, etc. My garage even has plastic bins of fabric. Oh well, one of these days.....

Good luck with finding the 1800 and 1802 patterns. At our JoAnn the 1800's began with 1846. Of course, they could be behind in loading the drawers but one would think that they would want to keep up with what is coming across the internet. Mostly what we get from our JoAnn's is attitude. Sends us straight to Hancock's.
My sewing for the summer. Costumes for a drama and a favorite musical "The Music Man" 1912-era. Fun.

I absolutely have to try this with the cheescloth and dying the fabric! Why, oh why, do I always find the most interesting projects two days before a scheduled vacation. I will just have to wait a week, darn it anyway. Thanks for the article, can't wait to try it.

I believe Project Runway has been on long enough. Time for something new and fresh. Someone should tell the powers-that-be that is is time to fold the tent and fade away. Now we have the winner on tour! Mondo will be at our mall. We won't be there. Enough of his posturing!

I costume for Community Theatre so it is hard to pick a favorite but if pushed, I really like the 1912-1918 time period. Depending on where you are in the country, River City Iowa in 1912 would be different from New York City, so there is a range to chose from. I am costuming "The Music Man" this summer, hence the reference but I do like the romance of those styles. Another favorite is 1830, the Empire style dresses. But then, there is the lovely 1776 costume. I'll stop before I hit every fashion decade. I really just like to costume shows so the book would be a great reference addition for me.

Depending on what show I am costuming, I use vintage patterns or reproductions. For instance, I have used the Folkwear Pattern for the 1905 Walking skirt more than a dozen times. I have used both McCalls and Simplicity repros of vintage patterns. Yes, you have to adjust the fit for our current figure types, but that is what makes the project interesting. Vogue has a 1933 vintage pattern that I wanted to try, but did not have time, for the musical "Annie". Some of my patterns that I kept from the 1950's are now showing up in the "vintage" section. Does that make me feel old! No, I'm not old, just vintage. Using Folkwear Patterns, I never cut the pattern pieces, I copy over the pieces for the size I need, then I always have the original for additional use. I thoroughly enjoy the whole process from drawing the pattern off to modeling the garment.

I have the originals of all of these patterns. I am going to compare them as the sizes have changed a lot. I loved these styles but it's an age thing. I was in high school in the 50's and we tend to always have a soft spot for what we wore when we approached adulthood. I think that I have kept every pattern that I ever purchased and friends and family add to my collection. I costume community theatre so I really do use my patterns.

Owning the Archive DVD's would free up two or three shelves of back issues. Now, whether I could get rid of the copies is another story. I have almost every issue. It's an important day when the magazine arrives.

I was 6 years old in 1945 when I finally deviled the woman who took care of me while my mother worked (didn't have "baby sitters" in the '40's) into letting me run the treadle machine. I remember being told not to sew my finger. I am now 72 and have yet to "sew my finger." The machine was a Singer treadle. My mother had an old electric Singer in a wooden case that I started using. I remember she traded it in for a centential model which I loved. After that the Singers that I used were never quite as good. I would love to own a "Featherwieght" as I am a costumer and have to carry my machine back and forth to the theatre for repairs etc. However, my love of sewing and creating began at age 6 and here I am with a sewing machine, serger, iron and ironing board that never get put away. Love it!

Costumes for the 74-member cast of "Hairspray" for The Carmel Repertory Theatre." Followed immediately by costumes for another large cast of "Annie!" for the same theatre. "Hairspray" is 1962 so all my patterns from the 1960's will be used. "Annie" is 1933. Fun vintage stuff.

Altho I have a bookcase full of sewing manuals, I have found that every time I get a new one, there is something that I have not thought of that makes a difference. Maybe to construction, possibly fitting, pattern lay-out, etc. etc. etc. Threads books, like the magazine, are always very well done. I would love a copy.

I am currently making 24 aprons for the servant girls in a stage production of "Annie." When finished, I will begin the "Annie" traditional dress, red with white cuffs, white at the waistband and white at the V neckline. My use of the magazine is always to look for tips from other sewers. I almost always find something valuable.

I dug out my copy of issue 100 of Threads. The pictures are much better and answer almost every question on this post. The material is a large stripe and there are five views of the coat. Why I didn't make one years ago is beyond me. Also, revisitng issue 100 was a treat. The Travel Wardrobe is perfect for our current baggage restrictions. New Years Resolution=Revisit all my collected issues of Threads.

Kenneth, Thank you for allowing us to get up close and personal with a piece of art that we would not ordinarily get to examine. The jacket is beautiful and you are so very fortunate to own it. Many, many thanks for sharing.

There is no question about it, the judges have lost their collective minds. I really don't care who wins now and probably won't even watch the final show. Gretchen should have gone home weeks ago along with the other less-than-stellar designers. I won't wear her designs(?) to clean the house. That being said, I would wear anything (well almost, not sure about the feather skirt)Michael C designed. His clothes appeared to be timeless, very tasteful and beautiful. Maybe too nice and attractive for the runway shows. Have any of you looked at Michael Kors Fashion Week designs? Wouldn't buy any of them either. I don't think real people are considered when the designs are judged. I think that Mondo has the best chance to win but Andy could do an end run and surprise us. Should the unthinkable happen and Grethen was named the winner, that would definately be the end of Project Runway for me.

I love this coat and this article! I used to alter garments that a flight-attendant friend bought off-the-rack in Paris. The construction was beautiful. Covered snaps, hand-made frog closures, hand-inserted linings, and wonderful labels. It was a joy.
I, too, would love to have a pattern for this coat with the lovely 3/4 sleeves (I remember them well from the '50's. We wore long gloves with them.) The bias sleeve with the gusset is very interesting. Any chance someone might do a pattern?

I have an eleven-year-old granddaughter that lives with me and loves to play at my sewing machine. I am the world's worst teacher and would love to have the book to maybe help her learn to sew. I taught myself to sew using a book, when I was nine. I am now a costumer for Community Theatre and a quilter and she watches me sew all the time. I have Threads magazines practically from Day One and you cannot compare them to any other publication on the market. Top of the line.

The front seam looks great. I would use the seam only for decoration however. Possibly down the middle of the sleeve, avoiding the extra bulk under the arm. I intend to use the seam on a fleece jacket, adding it to the center of the back and down the sleeves. Thanks.

"Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue," How much fun would a new craft be for 2010!