Media

Newsday, ACT II
Ellen Yan

An ardent crocheter, Debra Scala Giokas yearned to tell yarns about the nation’s first ladies, how they stitched together an army of wartime knitters, built the West Wing, held parties with oyster ice cream and shared needlework patterns with the public.

Threads Magazine
Jeannine Clegg

The book’s plentiful historic and needlework images are not highly detailed, and the book is designed in muted tones, giving it an historic feel. However, you can easily read from the images of typewritten instructions on pages 74-75 from First Lady Edith Roosevelt for knitting a pair of men’s socks.

Ames Tribune
News Republican
Sarah Jordan-Heintz

People may know basic facts about U.S. First Ladies, but "Ladies, First: Common Threads" is the first biography of its kind to hone in their needlework.

The book features 18 First Ladies, including Iowa native Lou Henry Hoover, who all shared a love of needlework, be it knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, cross-stitching or sewing.

Women's Wear Daily
Rosemary Feitelberg

Her curiosity was piqued after seeing one of McCardell's monastic dresses on display. After reading articles about the designer and her autobiography, Scala Giokas determined it would be a great story for children and more.

Frederick Magazine

What do Frederick and Sayville, N.Y. have in common? They both have residents who are celebrating Claire McCardell, the American designer who changed fashion forever for American women.

Rad More

Threads Magazine
Jeannine Clegg

“I read her autobiography, What Shall I Wear (Simon and Schuster, 1956), and then read as many articles as I could find about her. I thought it would make an inspiring story for children, especially girls. Here is someone who wanted to play sports . . . but not in dresses. She solved her own problem with creativity,” said Scala Giokas.