I am not a great magazine buyer. Celeb, gossip and style mags hold little interest apart from a flickr though in a waiting room. I do buy the occasional sewing magazine and these tend to have a garment rather than a quilting focus. I recently started as a columnist for Sewing World magazine. You can see from the strap line in the picture that is well established with a 20 year reputation- quite some going as a magazine, its a tough world out there!
Sewing World is a dependable type of magazine. There is always a mix of projects from relatively simple garments for adults or children, usually a quilt per issue (the one above is by Jenna from Sew Happy Geek) and a selection of small projects- wash bags, totes, children's toys. I enjoy the features in this magazine. There is usually some sort of technical masterclass article written by an expert. In the March issue facings are the theme and it is written by Angela Venn of Venn Tailoring. Kellie from Plush Addict has some very useful articles on handling tricky fabrics like fleece which you can now find on the Plush Addict blog.
There are articles on individuals working in the sewing industry. I especially liked this months's feature on Collier and Robinson: bespoke blazer makers and there preparation for Henley Regatta- great info and great tips!
When I am browsing in WHSmith, I do always check out Sew Magazine, which is now Sew Home and Style. There is usually a 'free' pattern with this magazine and that is the main lure. The patterns tend to be Simplicity but not exclusively so and in the past included styles from their current range. More recently the free patterns have been either very simple and rather boxy shapes, or 50s style dresses (there are only so many I need or wear) so I haven't bought any but always worth checking out and the features are usually helpful and written by people who know their sewing!
Threads is a USA publication aimed at the sewing enthusiasts which is available in the UK but getting hold of a copy is often random. My branch of WHSmith only ever has a handful and they go fast. This is a more advanced magazine with the emphasis on techniques rather than patterns although there are projects and makes included too.
So far I have been pleased with what I have received. Articles are thorough and the techniques are ones I will use- shoulder alterations, sleeve/shoulder fitting and the readers tips are often very clever although I do get echoes of Viz magazines top tips, but maybe that's just me...
Some of the content decisions are a little odd. In a feature all about using bias tubes which had multiple pictures, including the magazine cover, of a top with neck, hem and sleeve cuffs all finished with repeated delicate bias tubes and hand stitches, the article did not explain how to do that but instead concentrated on an elaborate celtic knot that surely no one would want to wear? The embellishment articles are generally not to my taste. They have a tendency to look old fashioned. I've done silk painting back in the 90s but I would never want to wear something like this, Quelle horreur!
I a not a huge fan of upcycling for clothing- it has its place but I don't generally like doing it and it really needs to be done well- if I can see that the dress is obviously made out of a selection of men's shirts, I do not want to make it. Hideous!
What do you buy or subscribe to?
Oh goodness that shirt dress really is horrible! I like the idea of re-using and upcycling but not when it looks as obvious as this. Also, the silk painting looks so 90s
ReplyDeleteI rarely buy sewing magazines any more, except for a particular pattern I might like. I find mostly there is a tremendous amount of repetition in the projects featured both from issue to issue and between the various magazines and I find some of the newer publications are heavy on featuring new fabric collections which is really just advertising in a different format, I'd prefer a bit more substance! I also find that since there are so many free tutorials online it's hard to justify the cost. I used to buy them a lot when I started sewing first, and I think a lot of them are aimed at the beginner sewing/quilting market and I certainly loved them back when I was new to the world of sewing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, they're very pretty but if I want to make something fairly basic I generally just draft it up myself and much as I love them, a girl only needs so many zipped pouches and cushions. I like the idea of threads as it's more technique focused so I might give that a try.
DeleteI enjoy Threads for the well written advanced techniques. I really liked my Ottobre subscription - both kids and women. In general, I don't subscribe because of the pressure to sew when each issue comes. The pressure to read it, make something out of it -- all a bit much.
ReplyDeleteThis year I subscribed to SewNews, they always have pretty covers. I find mag. articles to sometimes be missing the one direction that makes the item look like the photo. Editing is sometimes done by non-sewers (gasp).
I'm also not a magazine buyer or reader - there's generally not enough reading in them for me. I buy the very occasional copy if there's a pattern I love, usually for a soft toy or dress. I bet your column makes for a great read!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about Threads! I subscribed for a couple of years but finally canceled my subscription because the garments they were showing we're things I would never, EVER want to wear. Also they have wonderful articles on advanced techniques but nothing much to help beginning garment makers to get to the point where those advanced techniques would come in handy.
ReplyDelete