April | 2018 | Thread Theory

April 27, 2018
by ThreadTheory 33 Comments

Searching for menswear sewing patterns

West Coast forest

First off, thank you for the huge response to last week’s call for pattern testers! Our five testers have been chosen (this was very difficult since there were so many outstanding and enthusiastic candidates) and they are busily sewing away as we speak.

To thank you all for your continued interest in the Thread Theory blog and, especially, for your enthusiasm each time we call for volunteers to test, here is a $5 discount code that can be used on anything in our shop. If you have found the perfect fabric but don’t want to wait around for our patterns to go on sale, this $5 coupon will be just the ticket to get you sewing faster. Enter INVOLVED upon checkout and your order will be $5 cheaper! 🙂 There is no expiry on this code.

Now, moving on to new business, I have a pressing question to ask you: Do you know and love any PDF menswear patterns created by other indie pattern designers? We’ve been scouring the internet to find every menswear PDF pattern out there since we are endeavouring to collaborate on a very exciting upcoming project. We don’t want to leave anyone out! Comment below with the any menswear sewing patterns (and the name of the company that created them) so that Matt and I can send these talented designers an email to make acquaintances!

Matt and Morgan camping

Thanks for helping us to foster a sense of community in the online world of menswear sewing. We’re really hope you’ll help us meet some new (to us) colleagues!

April 20, 2018
by ThreadTheory 89 Comments

Call for testers! – Closed April 27/18

It’s that time again! We have a pattern ready for test sewers – would you like to join the team?

Thread Theory Kit Builders-18

This time around we are looking for 5 test sewers who can complete the project in one week. This might sound like a short deadline but don’t worry, it is realistic for the amount of sewing time needed for this quick wardrobe staple!

Please comment below to volunteer if you match one (or more) of the following criteria:

You will be sewing for someone who is likely at one or the other end of our newly expanded size range (XS-4XL). You are willing to thoroughly use our body and garment measurement charts and comment on our sizing and fit.
You are brand new to sewing knits and can give your opinion on the approach-ability of the instruction booklet from this perspective.
You are extremely detail oriented and can give excellent feedback on grammatical errors, the clarity of the instructions, and the clarity of the diagrams within the instruction booklet.

What do you think? Is test sewing right up your alley?

April 6, 2018
by ThreadTheory Leave a comment

Vintage Patterns – Exceptional western shirts

(Click on each pattern image to head to the listing in our shop)

There is a lovely new selection of affordable vintage patterns in our shop! These western shirts caught my eye in particular since they include such a huge amount of detail and would be a wonderful sewing challenge to sink your teeth into. Check out the shaped yoke in the pattern below:

Many of the shirts include iron-on embroidery transfers so these patterns would not only provide a satisfying sewing project, but they would allow you to try your hand at some colourful embroidery too!

Even though each pattern includes only one size, be sure to check out the western shirt listings because we have several copies of each pattern in size small, medium and large!

In addition to the western shirt patterns, we have a wide range of other new patterns – some decades old and some relatively new. This tie making kit is interesting because it includes cardboard templates to make cutting out your bias silk very quick and accurate. If you plan to sew a large number of ties, this template would be very useful.

These two patterns are created by an independent pattern company that really intrigues me. Have you ever heard of Elements patterns? I tried googling them with no success but from what I can see from the packaging, they are (or were) a very detail oriented active wear sewing pattern company (under the umbrella company Pitter Patterns…also doesn’t come up on Google) based out of Ontario, Canada. I love the idea of designing ‘systems’ and wish I had the rest of the patterns to go with these sets!