June/ July 2004 Threads

Feature Articles		Page
EXPLORING CHINESE SILK-FACED BROCADES by Sarah Veblen These dressy Asian fabrics offer a lot of everyday western style		34
8 REASONS TO REMOVE YOUR PATTERN SEAM ALLOWANCES by Karen Howland Sewing is simpler when your patterns end at the seamlines		39
SUMMER FASHION REPORT: THE BEST STYLES TO SEW by Anna Mazur Dresses hold court along with pretty colors, girlish fabrics, and whimsical embellishments		42
ADD STYLE WITH GRAPHIC FABRIC INSERTIONS by Pamela Ptak Master Class: This decorative couture piecing technique keeps your fabric lightweight and fluid		48
FABRICATIONS: VARIATIONS ON A CLASSIC SHIRT DRESS by the Threads editors Always appropriate, yet sometimes dull, this summertime staple offers more than the expected safari and beach looks		52
IT'S EASY TO MAKE A MULTISIZE PATTERN LARGER OR SMALLER THAN ITS PRINTED RANGE by Kathryn Brenne For an easy-to-visualize design experience, use sample fabric to work out style variations on a favorite top		56
CREATING A DESIGNER KNOCKOFF by Anna Mazur You don't need to be a trained patternmaker to dulicate a garment you've seen. Start with the closest pattern you can find and adapt it.		61
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS		8
TIPS Mini patterns visualize design, keep scissors handy; take a toddler's measurements; fix a warped cutting mat; folding design board		14
QUESTIONS Cotton velvet; finding discontinued patterns; shaped godets; proper gown storage		20
BASICS Stay tape adds strength and stability to seams		24
FITTING To alter for a diminutive bust, you must change more than the darts		30
MACHINE EMBROIDERY Hand embroidery by machine Threads Embroidery Collection		66
EXPLORING DESIGN Threads Design Challenge VIII: Sophisticated sportswear with an ethnic accent		72
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Custom fitting system; silk dyes; lighting; pro-style pressing system		78
ADVERTISER INDEX		88
CLOSURES A skill to be proud of and pass along		90
BACK COVER Hand-embroidered handkerchief		92

Exploring Chinese Silk-Faced Brocades, 8 Reasons to Remove Your Pattern Seam Allowances, Summer Fashion Report: The Best Styles to Sew, Add Style with Graphic Fabric Insertions, Fabrications: Variations on a Classic Shirt Dress, It's Easy to Make a Multisize Pattern Larger or Smaller than Its Printed Range, Creating a Designer Knockoff