Review - Threads Industry Insider Techniques DVDs

Trisha asked my opinion of the Threads DVDs I won, so here goes...

The DVDs come in 2 volumes and retail for $30 each.  Kinda pricey, but the lessons contained within are excellent.  I have not seen these methods anywhere else.  They are appropriate for all experience levels. 

The format is like a sewing class, with Louise Cutting of Cutting Line Designs as teacher and Threads editor Judith Neukam as student.  Judy asks clarifying questions throughout the DVD that I find very helpful.

Louise is an excellent teacher and natural speaker.  The camera shots are clear and give close detail to see what she is doing.  There is an in interview in the beginning of Vol. 1 that is a bit stiff and long (ahem, that's what she said), which seems to be a universal trait of Threads DVDs.

The techniques themselves are a product of Louise's observations of designer RTW (ready-to-wear) garments, couture workroom methods, and personal experimentation.  She adapts these into techniques appropriate for home sewists, pointing out where her ways differ from what couturiers/professionals do.  These aren't strictly 'this is what we do in the garment industry' techniques.  All of the methods yield professional results and are easy (often quick) to replicate. 

Louise points out errors that home sewists make and how to correct them.  She also demonstrates the proper use of commonly misused tools (point turners used as point pokers, for example).

Here is a breakdown of what is on each disc:

Volume One

• Bulk-free facings
• Drafting and sewing a perfect collar (eliminates bulk and seams at the edges)
• Interfaced hem with no visible stitching for skirts and pants
• Thread-weighted hem for sheer fabric
• Mitered asymmetrical corners (when the hem allowance isn't the same on both edges)
• Support for smooth darts
• Quick serged french seams

Volume Two

• Bias bound edges as a replacement for facings
• Grading and clipping curved edges for smooth necklines and armholes (this section is invaluable; I use it in every garment I sew now)
• Padstitching jacket lapels by machine to build shape
• Sharp inset corners (freaking genius shortcut to the terribly difficult task of sewing an inside corner to an outside corner)
• Weightless pocket flaps

For the most part, specialized equipment is not necessary.  Besides a sewing machine and iron, she uses:

• serger
• point presser
• tailor's ham
• point turner
• fusible tapes (supplier mentioned)
• steam-a-seam
• edgestitch foot  (shown in Vol. 1 but not discussed until Vol. 2)

I have not been able to find the specific edgestitch foot she uses (not the kind with the ice skate blade in the middle).  This one has two toes as shown above:  a high toe on the left and a low toe on the right; you abut the fabric edge against the right lower toe.  Suggestions welcome!  It's a Viking blind hem foot (big thanks to Belinda of Sew4Fun).  Unfortunately, I think it's only available for Husqvarna Viking machines.

I enthusiastically recommend these videos!  There is a good mix of techniques for garment specific tasks (e.g. jacket lapel shaping) and everyday sewing (e.g. no stitch hems).

Try before you buy option:  check your local library for these DVDs.  You may be able to request them from another library if yours doesn't have them.