Techniques for Casual Clothes from Threads Paperback – January 7, 1994

I am very pleased I purchased this book, not because I will wear the specific clothing included - they are quite full and really loose - but they are a great jumping off point that, by paring down the patterns, I can design a silhouette I prefer. There are a lot of details that might be incorporated into other clothing, such as unique pockets. It's a great reference book and sewing manual. Useful.

I bought this book specifically to sew knit fabrics, like yoga pants. I have sewn swimsuits and sweats for years, so I'm familiar with these fabrics, having learned thru experience and the Stretch 'n Sew books and patterns (which have great instructions and illustrations). I just bought a Kwik Sew pattern for yoga pants, and thought this book would help. Most of the book covers other types of clothes, but they have a chapter on exercise clothes which I found helpful. The illustrations are very good, and like most things that are associated with Threads, casual is somewhat formal (they specialize in couture sewing). I paid a good price for the book, which appears brand new, and it shipped very quickly, so I was able to read it before I cut out my pants (pattern 3115), which are really comfortable and fit well. After reading the chapter I wanted and using the measuring technique, I was able to use a different size than I would have expected using just the pattern instructions. It was published in 1994, so it's a bit dated, but the techniques are valid, and some styles, like the coat on the cover are forever.

Beautiful clothes. Great construction techniques that can be applied to many types of garments. Helps to revive knowledge of the inner construction of timeless clothing that contributes to maintaining its shape and insuring longevity. Highly recommended. Lavishly illustrated and very clearly described details that even a novice seamstress can use. A must-have for every library.

IT WAS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.

Received this just as it was described. It's the ONLY kilt "pattern" I've ever seen in print! It featured in two issues of Threads.

These are all articles previously published in Threads Magazine. The coat on the cover was featured in issue 45, and in issue 52 a reader asks for the name of the pattern. The article writer responds that the pattern is Folkwear's Turkish Coat, but with modifications, such as additional flare added to the hem and armscye. You can download a decade or so worth of Threads from archive.org, including all the issues from which these articles are collected, but I'm happy to have them all in one place. There's a lot of creativity on display here.

This book is a collection of articles from past issues of Threads magazine but that is a good thing because Threads articles are always packed with information, good tips, excellent diagrams and photography and I always feel as though I just learned something. In this book there are a variety of projects all of which offer sewers the opportunity to expand skills, be more creative, and learn. One article shows ways to make unique, designer-looking vests using piecing techniques, applique and trim. Another shows techniques for creating reversible jackets including how to select fabrics and techniques for invisible finishes.Probably my favorite article includes information and instructions for making clever closures, tabs, loops, etc. that can make a plain shirt or jacket look like an expensive boutique treasure.I have quite a collection of these Threads books but this one is the one I use most often.

I can't believe the ideas this book has. I would suggest this book to any sewer that I know..Thanks Again

This book is SOOOO dated - no-one would ever wear these EXTREME 1980s fashions! I bought it for the beautiful coat on the cover, and although the book has quite a few horrid (by current standards) patterns, the coat is NOT among them. There is a short coat with sewing tips that could possibly be applied to some design elements of this coat (colour blocking), but it'd be a real stretch. Other than that, there's not a word about the cover anywhere inside - not even a picture, never mind key things like shaping etc. I can usually find something useful in any book, but this is a TOTAL waste of money!

Good for easy patterns