December 2003/ January 2004 Threads

Feature Articles		Page
THE SHAWL COLLAR REVEALED by Fred Bloebaum Easy and always chic, the shawl collar is an essential part of every sewer's repertoire		34
FLAT, FLATTERING ELASTIC WAISTBANDS by Sandy Scrivano Make pulll-on pants and skirts that keep your waistline svelte		39
DESIGNER SHOPPING STRATEGY: BUY FABRIC IN GROUPS OF THREE by Loes Hinse Put together your own fashion collection using fabric you'll love to sew and wear		42
BEST BETS IN FALL/WINTER PATTERNS by Patricia Moyes Ladylike fashions with a definite menswear twist		46
PAINT A FAST FINISH by Donna Christopher A decorative, no-sew alternative to serging and hems on sheers		52
CONVERT, COMBINE, AND REARRANGE DIGITIZED MOTIFS by Jennifer Stern If you want to build unique, composite designs from existing motifs, customizing software is for you		56
PLAYING WITH DESIGN: STRAIGHT SKIRTS by Sarah Veblen Two simple strategies for using flaps of fabric to vary a basic skirt pattern		60
TUCK FABRIC ON A GRID TO CREATE AIRY TEXTURE by Mary Ray Add dimension and loft without using batting		64
ELEGANT VELVET APPLIQUÉ by Anna Mazur An easy way to mimic the look of intricate hand embroidery		70
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS Wool jersey sources, neckline video, Threads online index		8
TIPS Dart markings, delicate bridal veil edge, mirror-image pleats, removing buttonkhole stitches, unobtrusive pockets		14
QUESTIONS Woolly serger threads, jobs in the sewing field, fashion videos, surge suppressors		20
BASICS Pad stitching		24
FITTING Fitting a straight skirt		28
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Sewing and embellishing machines, threads, videos		74
DELICIOUS DETAILS Capes		78
BOOKS Dress details from around the world		82
QUICK TO MAKE Stay-put pillow		84
ADVERTISER INDEX		94
INDEX TO ISSUES #105 - 110		96
CLOSURES On tension		98
BACK COVER Appliquéd vintage skirt		100

The Shawl Collar Revealed; Flat, Flattering Elastic Waistbands; Designer Shopping Strategy: Buy Fabric in Groups of Three; Best Bets in Fall/Winter Patterns; Paint a Fast Finish; Three Way to Make Ends Meet; Convert, Combine, and Rearrange Digitized Motifs; Playing with Design: Straight Skirts; Tuck Fabric on a Grid to Create Airy Texture; Elegant Velvet Appliqu