With the start of a new year, the Threads editors pause to discuss what excites them about sewing, plus how they approach making New Year’s sewing resolutions. Plenty of vibrant colors and fun fashion trends serve as motivators for planning new sewing projects. But there are even more sources for conjuring their next challenge, the editors explain in Episode 60 of the Sewing with Threads podcast.
Color inspiration
Learn how they’ll incorporate Viva Magenta, Pantone Color Institute’s Color of the Year for 2023 into their garments. Then find out about Editorial Director Sarah McFarland’s preoccupation with a special shade of pink.
Fashion trends
Spring forecasts show several smart trends in pants that we haven’t seen in many seasons. Sarah and Editor Carol J. Fresia detail the looks and discuss plans for their wardrobes.
Books
Check out some books the editors are excited about these days. For Sarah, it’s The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt (Touchstone, 2012) and any book by Threads contributor Claire Shaeffer.
Carol is into Fabricating Women: The Seamstresses of Old Regime France, 1675–1791 by Clare Haru Crowston (Duke University Press, 2001) and The Pocket: A Hidden History of Women’s Lives by Barbara Burman and Ariane Fennetaux (Yale University Press, 2020)
Jeannine Clegg, Threads Managing Editor, Production, is perusing Seasonal Flower Embroidery: A Year of Stitching Wild Blooms and Botanicals by Kazuko Aoki (Roost Books, 2022).
Momentum from Threads articles
The editors keep going back to Threads-published articles for sewing inspiration. A few of these articles have them planning upcoming projects:
“Simple Stitches, Complex Designs” by India Hayford, Threads #186
“Chic Knit Pants” by Christine Jonson, Threads #219
“Practical Pants Fitting” by Ruth Collins, Threads #218
“Trench Coat Appeal” by Susan Khalje, Threads #203
“Grand Appliqué” by Sarah McFarland, Threads #217
“Not-So-Basic Capsule Wardrobe” by Linda Lee, Threads #220
The lure of patterns
Though not new, these are among the patterns and pattern collections that have captured the editors’ attention lately:
The Weaver Sews by Daryl Lancaster
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I enjoyed the sharing of sewing plans for this year. Y’all have inspired me to try a few new things and go back to some previous Threads articles for guidance. Thank you for having this forum and the years inspiration!