What's Out There: Online Magazines
We all love our sewing and craft magazines. I’ve subscribed to quite a few off and on and picked up a few on the newsstands. Threads, of course, Vogue Patterns, BurdaStyle, Sew News, and then there’s all the quilting ones. I’m also susceptible to the beading ones. There’s nothing like something sparkly to suck me in. Nearly all of them have an online component. Threads has an “Insider” add-on subscription. I’ve watched some of their videos and they have some interesting articles. Not many magazines are 100% online, however I’ve found two!
One online magazine is produced right here in Portland. Sarai Mitnick of Colette Patterns started Seamwork in December of 2014. The content is free, and you can read all the articles in the past issues as well. There are some interesting articles including how to choose lingerie fabrics, inspirational artists, Pendleton Woolen Mills, and a creative person’s guide to Portland, which though a shade outdated (Museum of Contemporary Craft has since closed) is quite thorough and fun.
More recent issues have a section called Block Paper Scissors by Devon Lott, which shows how to change up a pattern to get a new accent. She also suggests which Colette pattern the instructions would work well with. For example, the July 2015 issue showed how to change a basic sleeve to a flutter sleeve. The magazine pays for itself by selling patterns. For your $6 monthly subscription, you get two simple patterns meant to be sewn up in less than three hours.If you’ve been following along online, there’s been quite a bit of discussion about the last couple of Colette Patterns and samples releases. While most of her patterns in her line are not my style, I do like a few, including the latest skirt, Selene. I particularly like those angled, welt pockets. Swoon! If you decide to try some of her patterns, be aware you will definitely need to do a muslin to make sure that the bodice darts are placed (and point) correctly, and you may want to test out her sewing directions as well. One of her latest sample garments has zipper puckers and no one needs those “butt nipples” where your dart points poke straight out from your backside. Pressing is important people!! Don’t skip it!! One last thought on the Colette Pattern line: it’s really great that she is showcasing a variety of models for her garments. It’s so nice to see different sizes and body types in the clothes.
The other 100% online magazine is called Through our Hands. It is published in the UK, started in 2014 as an online magazine, with the option of buying a paper issue, an online issue to download and keep, or one of their books. It showcases the best of textiles and mixed media artists. One of our own local Portland artists, Terry Grant, is a contributor.
I really enjoy being able to look at an “Art with a capital A” magazine for inspiration and enjoyment. I love looking at them, but can’t usually afford them when I only look through maybe twice and then recycle it. It’s wonderful to see how others work, choose color, express their ideas in textures and media, and maybe take a couple ideas to my own projects. Sometimes the art they show is not really my thing, but I do like to see what others are doing. Sometimes it really IS right up my alley, and in that case I’d love an issue to keep.
One of the really nice things about this magazine is that the photos are very detailed and high resolution. This means that I can blow the issue up to full screen on my 28″ monitor and still zoom in on details to really see what the stitching looks like or, miracle of miracles, make that tiny text large enough to read! A page of a magazine 28″ wide is really quite impressive. You sure can’t do that with the paper ones!
As you surf the ‘net and read blogs, keep an eye out for those online publications. You can really find some wonderful little jewels out there.
Leigh Wheeler
President
