Threads Magazine

Video: Threads Magazine A quilting historian and author discusses today’s interest in quilting and her new book, which coincides with an exhibition at the New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, Massachusetts. Sandra Sider explains in this episode of Sewing With Threads that quilts are a common touchtone. They are especially valued because they often recall a beloved sewing relative and a family’s history.

Turn Basics Into Confidence and Confidence Into Creation Now is your chance to learn the basics and start sewing with confidence. We’ve partnered with Janome to bring you an 8-week journey to nail down your skills and increase your sewing knowledge. Each week, you’ll build a new skill, from setting up your workspace and choosing fabric to mastering seams, shaping, and finishing techniques. Whether you’re brand new to sewing or looking to strengthen your foundation, you’re in the right place.

The 40th annual Silver Needle Runway at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, New York, had it all when it came to fashion collections. The work of 32 graduating senior designers showcased at the fashion event May 8, 2026 ranged from the artistic to the functional and from maximalist to minimalist. Two collections are notable for their practicality, fine construction, and thoughtful detail: Dylan O’Connor’s “The 12th Man” collection and Coryn Rebimbas’s “Girls Invented Punk Rock” ensembles.

A carefully fitted and sewn women’s tuxedo, velvet-skirted gown, and two more finely tailored looks have earned Oskar Villaseñor a coveted title. The graduating senior was named Marist University’s 2026 Designer of the Year on May 8. The four looks he created for his senior collection were showcased along with those of his 31 classmates at the student-run 40th annual Silver Needle Runway in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Photos: (left) courtesy of the New Hampshire Historical Society; (all others) courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Three original garments worn by George Washington are on display thru July 26, 2026 at historic Mount Vernon, his Virginia estate. This rare exhibition provides insight into the importance Washington placed on his appearance as commander of the Continental Army and as the first president of the United States.

Video: Threads Magazine Tricia Camacho of Creative Costume Academy has combined a love of patternmaking and travel into a multi-faceted career. In this episode of Sewing With Threads, the costume designer, teacher, and sewing pro talks about her training and the three businesses she runs, including PatternCon 2026. Tricia harnessed skills learned from her early interest in sewing to create costumes and then work for large theatrical productions.

It took one gravity-defying dress to change my life. Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) created a stunning batwing dress in his final years as a master couturier. I recognized it as a perfect example of a well-played melody of atelier flou and atelier tailleur: the soft shapes in the back together with the structural silhouette in the front. I embraced my fascination with the dress and chose it as the focus of an in-depth study for a couture school project.

Polo-Style Knit Dress or Top GreenStyle.com This moderately easy pattern is appropriate for those experienced sewing knits. While the construction is not difficult, several points in the design involve intersecting seams. Grading seam allowances to manage that bulk is key to achieving a flat finish. Sized A1 to M3, curvy fit/women’s for busts 32 inches to 61 inches, waists 24 inches to 53 inches, and hips 33 inches to 62 inches.

California-based designer Carole Little (1934–2015) began her foray into fashion in 1975, and within a few years her designs were popular nationwide. She made it her mission to create high-quality, affordable clothes for working women. Her success was due not only to her design acumen, but also to her business savvy. She realized there was a vast untapped market for stylish apparel that was less costly than designer wearbut rivaled high-priced offerings in looks and construction.

As individuals increasingly challenge gender categorization, neckties—a traditionally masculine sartorial staple—have become a tool in playful identity expression. Celebrities of all genders are wearing ties for a range of public appearances, as are models on designer runways this season. If you’re interested in wearing neckties, you may enjoy creating your own: Choose your favorite colors and prints and draft a pattern that’s right for your proportions and the desired effect.