The tagline “Because you’re worth it” always seemed suspiciously self-indulgent and consumption-driven to me. But these days, I have been considering it more broadly: We are worth it, and being thoughtful toward ourselves can—and should— encompass kindness and generosity toward others and the world we live in.

As sewers, we know that each garment we make is special in some way—even if it’s a complete dud. We invest time, materials, skill, care, hope, and love. When it’s easy and affordable to purchase clothing, sewing for yourself and others is all the more meaningful.

We’ve been delighted to see an enthusiastic return to hand stitching in the past several years. The slower pace of sewing without a machine brings opportunities to reflect on the value of your sewing practice and enjoy the luxury of your skills. In this issue, we share several ways to delve into the meditative nature of hand sewing: You can add charming hand-embroidered motifs to an everyday T-shirt; construct an elegantly finished double-cloth jacket; or build a beautiful, reversible pieced fabric, working with traditional Korean bojagi techniques.

Kindness to the planet includes reducing waste: Our revamped “Exploring Design” department features a young designer who shows how to make the most of small bits of deadstock fabrics. In our fall fashion forecast, author Vanessa Nirode makes a strong case for the value of sewing timeless, quality garments that will keep you happy for years to come. You deserve it.

— Carol J. Fresia, Editor

P.S. For National Sewing Month, Threads is offering a sweepstakes with a prize package to spark your creativity. Enter at ThreadsMagazine.com, starting September 1, 2023.