Well, I have to say that after a wonderful issue that seemed to address much of the feedback given here, this new issue appears to be the “beginners supplement”. The only thing that was a bit advanced was the 3 views of one battern. I went thru it quite quickly (usually I savor it) and nothing caught my eye.
How do others feel?
Nancy
Replies
I cancelled my subscription last year, primarily because there seemed to be too much on embellishment, and not enough on construction. This is AT LEAST the third time I've subscribed for a while, then given up. Anyone remember when Threads covered knitting and weaving as well? That's what I initially bought it for. In any event, there is clearly a cycle, and there will be issues you want, and ones you don't. I've decided for the moment I do better buying the single copy on the newstand....
Nancy, I respect your opinion but think you may be a little harsh about this issue (hopefully you are referring to issue 114). I agree it isn't one of their best but not all that bad. I was disappointed in Peggy Sagers' article, "5 steps to a perfect slack pattern" but then I was disappointed in Sandra Betzina's article a few months ago. It really is sad when the model or models don't appear to have very well fitted pants. Doesn't offer much help on the subject. But I thought the article on stripes was intriquing and always enjoy Lois Ericson (again not one of her best either). All in all it wasn't too bad an issue just not as good as they could have offered. Happy sewing. Sue W, Williston,FL
I was referring to issue 115. I didn't mind 114 at all. But, I still prefer my older issues! I personally don't like art to wear. I find that it can look great on the hanger or on a wall, but not on the body. They are usually rather shapeless to accomodate all the embellishment and don't relate well to the human body. I find that the clothes wear the person not the other way around and they are rarely flattering. Decoration for its own sake is not enough and doesn't make fashion. I am much more interested in high fashion and I do like architectural clothing, Pamela Ptaks skirt is fabulous, but her outfit for the design challenge was just not wearable or flattering. But, I am definitely a less is more person and really prefer modern designs that don't reference the past quite so much.
Nancy
Nancy, I just noticed the cover of 115 on the website. I guess between hurricanes charlie and frances my issue hasn't made it yet. I will withold judgement seeing that I haven's seen this issue yet. The cover doesn't look promising but sometimes you can't judge a book by it's cover. While I enjoy Lois Ericson's work I don't do art to wear myself either. But I find the creativity involved in most of her work energizing. I'm more of a classics person myself. However, I relate more to the relationship between the Paris runway and the interpretation for RTW. I may chose an element and incorporate it into my garments. Maybe a simple as the collar and cuff or some such. It's nearly impossible to get away from the historical reference in clothing. I was admiring a skirt draft from the 1940's book on-line and thinking how could that be interpreted to modern wear when I received a new RTW catalog and the same feature that caught my eye from the 1940's pattern drafting book was featured in a skirt. It's really kind of hard to create anything truly new and modern just about everything that can be done has been done it's more a matter of how you combine and interpret. By the way, how long have you had issue 115? Just to give me an idea of how long I should wait before I contact Threads about not receiving an issue. Please don't take my comments wrong I'm enjoying your point of view and hope you feel likewise. Happy sewing.
Sue W, Williston, FL
I've only it had it a few days so don't despair. I have an art background and a friend at college accused me thinking that there was no art of consequence before 1945. At the time that was not inaccurate. I think that too many designers don't just get inspired but they knock off the past. There was an article recently in the NY Times about Nicholas Guesquiere(sic) the designer for Balenciaga going into the archives and reworking the past. After a while it is just tired. I saw Yeo Lee's line on the fashion week coverage last night and I really love her work. It is marvelously architectural but at the same time very wearable. She used non models in all sizes and the clothes still worked. I think Bendel's carries her work, I will have to go see it in person next time I'm in the city. It looks modern and easy to wear not fussy and overworked. I do agree that sometimes I see clothing that I wouldn't wear but an element is usable
Nancy. .
Nancy,
What about - Pablo Picaso [Spanish Cubist Painter and Sculptor, 1881-1973], Claude Monet [French Impressionist Painter, 1840-1926] and Edouard Manet (b. Jan. 23, 1832, Paris, France--d. April 30, 1883) just to name a few? I also have an art background and studied it in college. But I am also a realist and realized that there are very few who are actually able to make a living at creating art. I eventually decided to join the Air Force and make a career of it. I never lost touch with what I consider my roots and sewing is part of that. Where we are today is a result of what happened yesterday. We can't deny or ignore history since it a part of who we are. I'm not so sure that there aren't great fabric stores now because we aren't attracting young sewers as our society has become so profit oriented and the way to make profits in the fashion industry is on the backs of the workers. It is a very labor intensive industry. Someone has to cut the fabric to make a sale and that takes time and time is money. Typically workers in the fashion industry don't make good wages. It is only the top couple of percent that make high salaries. I really think that has more to do with fabrics not being available as anything. It used to be that just about every store sold fabrics but one after another after another gave up the space for higher profit less labor intensive merchandise. Today you can go into nearly any store and the workers know nothing about the merchandise being sold. Everything is prepackaged and the consumer is expected to be their own expert. Boy did I go on a tangent or what. Any who - happy sewing and think kindly on history - you are apart of it.
Sue W, Williston, FL
Dear Sue,
I do agree with you, I said that I was young at the time. I also remember buying fabirc at department stores that haven't carried fabics in 30 or more years! I stopped painting years ago because I couldn't make a living at it and went into landscape design . Profit margins are everything these days. Just look at how much a store can sell something on sale and the original price. I doubt that they are losing money, just not making the profit they want.
Nancy
On this depressing thread...
I am too young to remember department stores selling fabric, but with more than a few years under my belt as an art-school graduate, I have yet to give up. I've waited a lot of tables, worked for an independent fashion designer, and am currently working in costuming. Come on yall, you're acting like there aren't ways to integrate our art school experience into every day life.
And yes, the last issue was a bummer. Thumbs up include: the "I'm going to make that Prada jacket straight from the photogragph" artical a couple of issues ago and the wacky tied up "unpractical" skirt this issue.
The first bleach spraying artical back in '98 or so inspired a series of "fabric drawings" I used in an art show. So it can go both ways.
Erin
Yes, but you are not wearing your sprayed art. I am using my artschool background, I design landscapes. I am a better designer than I ever was a painter.
Nancy
But I would, if that particular skill was appropriate for a project. Thats why we read Threads after all, to accumulate skills for the future, and you never know. I agree the crafty hokey art-to-wear I would not wear as a hip young thing, but every once and a while someone hits on it just right. After all, that's what I like about the designers who use creative surface design (see the prada tie dye) or quilted or embroidered elements. They only have a slew of craftspeople and the finest materials known to man.
p.s. glad to meet you, i'm new!
Erin
I do agree but it often takes the hand of an expert designer to take it out of the realm of kitsch. I just saw a Chado Ralph Rucci jacket that he had hand painted the fabric and had reproduced for his 2005 spring collection and I have to admit I am impressed. But his clothes are so orignal and at the same time so wearable for someone over a size 2! I also like the Prada tie dye. I have been thinking along those lines for experimenting this winter when I am not so busy, as my business is somewhat seasonal.
Nancy
I just glanced through 115, and found so many new (or remembered) things to try that I didn't know where to start. Currently rummaging through my stash with a spray bottle of bleach in hand, having finished off the problem neckline with a decorative stitch. I guess people are at different places in what they need.
Nancy,
Just wanted to note that I am also a "less is more" person, so I have settled on vests and the occasional jacket as my art-to-wear piece. My tops and bottoms are plain and the best quality fabric and fabrication I can do. My vests are where I allow myself to experiement w new techniques, learn to use the different feet that came w my machine (even buy some new to try a completely new idea), and "allow" myself to fail (it's not that much fabric).
I don't wear them all the time, so I don't think I'm identified as a "vest person" or an art-to-wear person, but I find that this allows me to learn, create (dare I use that word), and stretch my boundaries while still primarily dressing in the classics.
Just something to consider....
nancy (small "n")
nancy, I like your attitude. Sounds a bit like me. <grin> Happy sewing.
Sue W, Williston, FL
For whoever wants to know, I received my latest issue of Threads early last week. I live on the east coast -- don't know if that makes a difference.
nancy
nancy,
Thanks for that bit of information. What with all the storms and such my issue is probably on the way. I'll definitely give awhile longer before contacting anyone at Threads. Thanks again.
Sue W, Williston, FL
Jan, I now realize I'm not on the same page as you all. Going through your stash with a spray bottle of bleach, hmmmm. I'll have to wait and see this. Happy sewing.
Sue W, Williston, FL
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