Replies

1. 
   Ckbklady | Mar 27, 2007 01:44am | #1

   Hi there,

   I for one say no, thanks - there are so many sources for home dec articles in Sew News, JoAnn Fabrics magazine, Clotilde's Sewing Savvy, and a great many new books on the subject printed every year. So little is published on couture sewing and advanced sewing techniques that I would prefer to see Threads stay focused on clothes. I skip all the "Quick To Make" and crafty articles in Threads for the same reason. I can get ideas for those things elsewhere.

   That said, obviously no magazine can be everything for everyone. If the Threads eds decide to put home dec articles in, I'll think of you and be glad that they listened to your request and put in something that you enjoy. :)

   :) Mary

1. 
   Ralphetta | Mar 27, 2007 04:02am | #4

   I agree that there are many good sources for home deco.  I find it an interesting subject, but as the other person pointed out, Threads is about the only place to find advanced sewing articles and I would hate to see those sacrificed to make space for home decor/crafts.

2. 
   solosmocker | Mar 27, 2007 02:19am | #2

   I agree with Mary wholeheartedly.

3. 
   Cherrypops | Mar 27, 2007 03:05am | #3

   Hi Victoria,

   I too, agree with ckbklady. There are many other sources available.

   Threads should be kept for Garment sewing techniques, tips and new design ideas.

   If you want more home decor articles search the internet.

   http://www.google.com and type 'home decor sewing'. there is a lot of free info out there.

   http://sewing.about.com/od/homedecorating/Home_Decorating.htm is full of ideas.

   Have fun with your google search and home decor sewing.

   CherryPops (australia)

    

    

4. 
   samsmomma | Mar 27, 2007 06:10pm | #5

   I'd love to see some articles that could be adapted to home dec sewing..  fitting a slipcover can be just as challenging as fitting a dress. Piping/welting, making your own cording, creating lace, reweaving and darning over a hole in fabric... these are all things that could be used in home dec or garment sewing.

   It's a shame that people think of home decor as fluffy pillows or gluing trim to a lampshade and dismiss the finer points of it.

1. 
   midnitesewer | Mar 27, 2007 11:23pm | #6

   I agree with you. I worry that narrowing the focus too much may mean a less interesting Threads. Threads should include home dec articles. Such articles were featured in the past and were well regarded by readers.  My sister is using the techniques in an article from my stash of old Threads to make new cushions for some beautiful 1950's era patio furniture that she is restoring.

2. 
   Cherrypops | Mar 28, 2007 01:58am | #7

   Thank you for those specifics. That style of home decor I agree with. I love the glamorous look and feel of velvet with the piping edge.

   CherryPops

3. 
   fuzzer | Mar 29, 2007 05:30am | #8

   Hi to everyone, I just received my new Sew News Magazine and they have a whole section on fitting slipcovers.  Lots of good info for anyone interested in home dec.  Also has a free home dec measuring guide with it.  Thought you'd like to know.  Happy sewing.  Fuzzer.

1. 
   Cherrypops | Mar 29, 2007 05:50am | #9

   thank you fuzzer! this type of information is well received here. Regards Cherrypops

2. 
   MaryinColorado | Mar 30, 2007 01:29am | #10

   Thanks for the heads up!  I would like to try to recover two dining room chairs.  It will be quite a challenge as they are fully upholstered, have arms, and a shaped high back and ruffled skirt.  I'd like to make them more tailored looking and modern.  I have never done anything like this.

   I am open minded about what Threads may wish to add as far as content.  Increased readership will keep Threads sales up!  I am all for a healthy magazine that can keep it's longevity going!  Mary

1. 
   victoria0001 | Apr 01, 2007 09:33am | #11

   I've been away for a few days and am catching up.  I always enjoyed the home dec. articles in prior Threads issues and agree with others about piping and many sewing techniques which are equal to fashion sewing.  I'm wide open to all avenues.  Anyone had a look at the new spring Vogue Patterns magazine?  Some interesting articles in there regarding zippers and designing your own fabrics.  Updated techniques, tips, notions, styles and anything new is always fun as well as some very basic techniques which we tend to forget about if not used frequently.

   Happy stitching!

2. 
   Josefly | Apr 18, 2007 02:47am | #13

   Go for it Mary. Not sure if you mean to re-upholster, or slip-cover, but if you plan to reupholster, I can say my experience with it was very rewarding. I found a chair on the street, perfectly good, just needed new fabric. Took it apart down to the springs, which I re-tied, and reused some of the padding, replaced more, and upholstered seat, back, and arms (partially upholstered arms) after refinishing the exposed wooden part of the arms and the legs. It took a while, and I took my time with it, and it turned out great. There was very little actual sewing, other than covering the piping - staples replace stitching these days, and a good staple/tack gun is a must.Take good notes as you remove the old fabric, so you can remember the order of attachment. There are good books available at the library, and there's help online, too - just google upholstery and you'll see. I wish I could remember the exact site I used; maybe I can fiddle around a little and find it for you. I had fun with it. But give yourself plenty of time, and just work on it some each day, without forcing yourself to meet a deadline. Good luck.

1. 
   Ralphetta | Apr 18, 2007 03:08am | #14

   I'd done lots of women and children's clothing and costumes but not much home dec, although I watched my mother reupholster several things.  A few years ago I traded "services" with a good friend.  She needed some minor upholstery, and other work done in her living/dining room.  I enjoyed learning some new skills and that's how I got my nickname.  She was really happy with the results and started calling me Ralphetta Lauren.

2. 
   Josefly | Apr 18, 2007 10:43pm | #15

   I've wondered about your name, Ralphetta; thanks for satisfying my curiosity. You must have impressed your friend - wish I could see your results.So don't you agree it's great fun to re-upholster? I find it takes a little strength, but actually is easier than garment sewing. Fitting is no problem - just stretch the fabric over the seat, arms, back, etc., and staple. Of course, I've only done it twice, and didn't really have to start from scratch, so don't claim to be an expert, and I didn't have to buy tools for stretching strapping, etc. But I was pleased to find that a beginner could get satisfying outcome.I don't really enjoy home-dec sewing, I have to say. I've done lots of it for myself through the years, and for my daughter-in-law, who has wonderful taste but doesn't want to sew. I only do it out of necessity - can't otherwise get what I like, at least at a price I'm willing to pay. But the process is drudgery for me.

   Edited 4/18/2007 3:53 pm ET by Josefly

3. 
   Ralphetta | Apr 19, 2007 02:13am | #16

   My friend was confident that I could do it, and told me to take as much time as I wanted.  I didn't do anything complicated and had fun learning a new skill. Many, many years ago I did the walls and ceiling of my bedroom in shirred fabric.  I didn't want it to look tacky and I thought it turned out tasteful...sort of Grace Kelly-ladylike.  I did it by myself and figured that since I wasn't working with paint, glue, or anything sticky, I could quit and take a break ANY time I felt like it.  It turned out great and looked a WHOLE lot more expensive than it was.

4. 
   victoria0001 | Apr 19, 2007 10:24am | #17

   This has become an interesting thread.  I think I do as much home Dec. as I do garments.  Home Dec. lets me be just as creative and I can purchase very expensive textiles for cushions at a fraction of the price in shops.  I also use down bed pillows and make them smaller to fit inside.  Now that is a challenge and sometimes I am sniffing in down and wrestling with the pillows and my sewing machine.  I pin the pillow to the size I need and then attempt to stitch two rows of sewing and cut in-between the stitching lines.  I then make a ticking cover and then pop the newly sized pillow into my cushion cover.  Nice and comfortable - look fabulous.

5. 
   Josefly | Apr 20, 2007 01:30am | #18

   I got a kick out of imagining you with down in your nose. Reminds me of when I was a child and my grandmother emptied the down out of a bed pillow ticking to wash it. She had quite a system for keeping the down in control. Your method sounds pretty fail-safe. Can you make two pillows from one bed-pillow?

6. 
   victoria0001 | Apr 20, 2007 09:18am | #19

   Hi Josefly -

   Not quite 2 pillows from 1 bed pillow.  I've got enough left over to make a very long snake though!!  It really depends on the size of cushion i need.  Before I got my system down (well, it isn't quite a system - more like wrestling) I took the pillows outside and proceeded to pull the down out of the bed pillows and carefully put it into the new ticking I'd made.  Well, the entire neighbourhood was wondering if we had snow in the middle of summer and I was covered in tiny bits of down!  I got some strange looks and decided to keep it as an inside job!  I may purchase very expensive textiles for my cushions but I purchase my down pillows from Wal-Mart.

7. 
   Josefly | Apr 21, 2007 02:04am | #20

   Walmart down pillows - good idea. If I hear of someone who needs a down snake, I'll direct them to you. Bet your pillows are gorgeous. My grandmother took the pillow, opened up one end, inserted the whole pillow into a pillow case open end down, then tried to turn the pillow cover inside out, inside the pillow case, dumping (most of) the down into the case. Lots of the down stuck to the cover and wouldn't come off. Then she washed the cover, dried it on the line, and most of the down that had stuck to the cover got blown around the yard. Then she reversed the process to refill the cover. It was a comical event to watch. There's just no containing the stuff.

8. 
   victoria0001 | Apr 21, 2007 09:43am | #21

   The lengths we go just to get happy results!!!  I guess that's all part of it and it certainly leaves me with hysterics when I remember all the things I've done in the home dec. zone for good results.

9. 
   MaryinColorado | Apr 23, 2007 07:14am | #23

   Great story!

10. 
    MaryinColorado | Apr 23, 2007 07:14am | #22

    Thanks for the encouragement!  They are looking forlorn sitting on the patio. 

5. 
   Char9 | Apr 17, 2007 10:07pm | #12

   Yes!  Bring em on!  I've gotten so many ideas for my home dec sewing from books and magazines.  But I would be very disappointed if Threads magazine started featuring home dec articles.  I really depend on Threads to teach me the latest in clothing construction.