We pity the spool! Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
- Threads magazine is widely considered to be the best sewing resource around and their site is my go-to for quick answers to seamstress quandaries. They have posted past articles on every conundrum in their extensive archive and also have a new blog with all sorts of great tips. Plus get helpful advice from other readers in the gatherings forum.
- Also worth noting is this week's arrival of the long-awaited 2009 Threads Magazine Archive DVD. If you don't want to spring for the entire 24-year set, check out the Best of Threads Volume 1 and Volume 2.
- PatternReview.com is a favorite place for sewers to gather, gab and gripe about the latest patterns, but it also offers some excellent sewing instruction that combines real-time online chats with downloadable PDFs. You learn live from sewing greats like Susan Khalje and Kenneth D. King for a mere $35.
- Every sewer I know out there raves about the excellent step-by-step Islander Sewing Systems DVDs, which include favorites like Easy Zippers and Industrial Shortcuts for Home Sewing.
- If you really want to go pro, I've just discovered the fabulously rich eTelestia.com which offers a complete 10-week, DVD-based sewing instruction course. You'll pick up valuable industry-based techniques and can expand your repertoire to fashion design and pattern-making as well. It's practically like getting an online degree!
- For some quick, fun projects and techniques that get you started sewing, check out the hip SewFastSewEasy.com for moderately priced online videos where you can learn how to put in a zipper or whip up a makeup bag in no time. And get your kids and their friends in on the sewing game with these easy beginner projects from MakingFriends.com.
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Next week's topic: There's a whole world of indie sewing patterns and we'll go off the beaten track to find them.