Thread Theory

Welcome to the new era of menswear sewing. Go ahead and create something exceptional!

Tag Archives: Pattern Testers


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Thank you for your help! (And here’s a discount code as way of thanks.)

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Thanks to everyone who submitted a comment on the last blog offering their sewing talents!  I’ve selected several test sewers who are busily working away on the new pattern right now.

Please don’t be discouraged if we didn’t select you to test this time!  We try to select a fresh variety of testers for each pattern so please apply next time if you are still interested!

To thank you for following the blog and for your enthusiasm each time I call for testers, here is a 15% off coupon code that you can use any time!  THANKSFORREADING  The code will never expire and will give you 15% off you entire order.  Head to our shop to use the code >

(In case you’re wondering, the above picture is of our cat, Jazzy, trying to commandeer the newly assembled crib as her own…don’t worry, we’ve since worked on some serious cat training and the crib now remains safely cat free!)


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(CLOSED) Call for Testers: Are you well versed in sewing bottoms?

Well, this is it!  Our next pattern is ready for test sewing!  Would you like to be involved?

This time we are looking for sewists who are well versed in sewing bottoms – be that dress trousers, jeans or any other style of pant.

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Have you sewn the Jedediah or Jutland Pants?  Then you would be a perfect candidate!  Or perhaps you have tried out women’s pants such as any of the Closet Case Files jeans or some of the many amazing overall patterns that were launched in the last year.  If you’re interested in transferring your trouser sewing skills to menswear, then please apply!

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To apply, please comment on this blog post with a brief explanation of the following:

  1.  A summary of your bottoms/pants/trousers/jeans sewing experience.
  2. Your interest and experience in nicely photographing your finished tester project so that we can later share it on the blog (this isn’t necessary but is a great bonus for me!).
  3.  The size your male recipient usually fits so that I can be sure our new pattern is tested in a wide range of sizes.

Testers will be selected this Wednesday and you will have two weeks to sew our new pattern.

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Thank you so much for your enthusiasm!  Your help is essential in ensuring our patterns are easy to understand, have a consistent fit for all sizes, and aren’t riddled with typos.  I can’t wait to hear from you!


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Calling all Peacoat Test Sewers!

Matt gave you a sneak peak of my big peacoat project earlier this week and now, here is the full gallery of photos that resulted from a quick photo shoot with his dad, Rick!

The size medium sample on Rick Meredith (looking distinguished complete with a mysterious foggy backdrop!).
A closer look at the size Medium sample.

This is the final size medium sample of the Goldstream Peacoat pattern which is now being graded by Sabine over at Suncoast Custom while I work away on the instructions.

As you can see, the pea coat pattern will include an attractive (I think!) combination of classic and modern (read: easy to sew) details.  We’ve included epaulets and sleeve tabs as well as traditional top-stitched pointed lapels but we’ve forgone the tricky welt pockets to instead include unconventional but very easy to sew patch pockets with optional flaps.  The pattern includes a hood which is sewn as a completely separate piece from the coat so as not to complicate the classic pea-coat shape.  During really awful weather the hood can be buttoned to the hidden under-collar buttons so the wearer can stay completely dry and warm.  There  is a center back seam as well as optional front darts (which were not used for the version pictured here) so that the fit of the body is very easy to adjust.  If the darts are sewn in, the fit is very slim and modern (perfect for all the tall slim men who have been loving the fit of our Newcastle Cardigan!) but if they are left un-sewn the fit is as photographed here – a nicely fitted classic peacoat.

Now that things are drawing to a close with the production of the pea coat pattern (finally! You have all been so patient with us while we tackled this huge pattern project!) we are ready to assemble a list of pea coat test sewers.

For each of our other pattern releases we simply sent an email out to our existing test sewing group.  All these people have volunteered to be added to the list either through our website or blog and have been so enthusiastic and helpful each time we require test sewers.  For this pattern, though, we would like to accept new volunteers to add to our existing group in hopes of finding three test sewers with as much coat sewing and general tailoring experience as possible.

If you would like to be added to our test-sewing list for this particular project, comment on this blog post (and we will email you to ask for details on your sewing experience), or skip that step and email us directly (info@threadtheory.ca) with either a small write-up detailing your experience or links to online records of relevant projects (be it a blog post, a flickr pool or facebook photos etc.).  Keep in mind that this is quite a big test sewing project and will need to be completed in a time frame of approximately three weeks from when we send you the pattern.  As we expect to send the pattern out to testers within the next two weeks, this means that you will need to devote a good portion of time to sewing the coat this November.  Any test sewers who are already on our mailing list need not re-volunteer as we will send out our usual email once the pattern is ready to send out and you can volunteer for the project at that point!

Thanks for volunteering!


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Launch Week!

Here we are: Half a week before the launch of the Newcastle Cardigan – our first pattern!

This week, one of our test sewers, Kate, got back to us with a stunning version of the cardigan modeled by her boyfriend, Geoff! He even sewed on his own buttons! Without further ado, here are a few photos of her hard work:

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We love the fabric Kate chose – the cuffs are ironed so crisply and the wide shawl collar drapes very nicely!

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Thank you so much, Kate, for pattern testing for us (and Geoff for modeling)! Your comments and thoughts were invaluable.

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Look out before May 15th for our interview (and our pattern give-away) at House of Pinheiro! And of course, join us on Wednesday, May 15th when our first pattern will be up for sale! In the meantime, here are some inspirational photos from our Pinterest Board to get you excited to sew a shawl collar sweater:

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We want to thank everyone for the amazing support! Without the encouragement of our little sewing corner of the internet, we wouldn’t have made it to the launch date of our first Thread Theory menswear pattern. Thank you for your comments and for following our blog! Your support means to the world to us!