Threads Magazine vs AcuSpark
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Threads Magazine
Access comprehensive garment-sewing instruction on your iPad. This app offers digital delivery with enhanced features like searchable content, videos, and slideshows. It caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced sewers, covering all aspects of garment creation.
- Linkable and searchable content
- Techniques videos
- Slide shows
- New trends
- In-depth garment sewing instruction
- Pattern adaptation and fitting advice
Read full descriptionHide full description
Enjoy Threads – the best garment-sewing information anywhere – on your iPad. Convenient digital delivery includes unique bonus features and enhancements: linkable and searchable content, techniques videos, slide shows, new trends, and more. A FREE sample issue is included with the app. No other sewing brand delivers the caliber of garment-sewing instruction provided by Threads: in-depth information, tailored to suit beginners to advanced sewers. From learning sewing fundamentals to mastering advanced skills, Threads covers every aspect of garment sewing: inspiring ideas, patterns, fabrics, insider secrets and designer techniques for adapting patterns, fitting, tailoring, and embellishments. SUBSCRIPTION PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. Download the Threads Magazine app, then subscribe or buy issues individually. If you are currently a print subscriber or a paid Threads Insider, you can get access to digital editions FREE -- absolutely no extra cost. Simply sign in with your customer number or member email in the Settings tab. Auto-renewable Subscription plans: 1 year (6 issues) - $32.99(automatically renewed until canceled) 2 Months (1 issue) - $5.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Single copies - $6.99 (not automatically renewed) Many of our other celebrated newsstand-only publications are available for individual purchase, including SewStylish and CraftStylish. - All purchases (inc. subscriptions) will be charged to your iTunes account at the confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions will automatically renew within 24 hours of the end of the current subscription. - If you would like to cancel your subscription please do so before this 24 hour period by accessing your iTunes account settings. - Please be aware that subscriptions cannot be cancelled/refunded once purchased. - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Terms of use: - All content in the Threads Magazine app is copyright Active Interest Media. All rights reserved. - Terms of use and privacy policy apply when accessing content via the Active Interest Media app. - Privacy Policy - https://www.aimmedia.com/privacy-policy/ - Terms of Use - https://www.aimmedia.com/terms-of-service/ // Credits Threads Magazine is published by Active Interest Media. iPhone/iPad application developed by Paperlit
AcuSpark
This app guides users on sewing machine operation and offers helpful tips. It can scan QR codes on compatible machines to provide instant answers and inspiration, or function independently as a sewing concierge.
- QR code scanning for machine-specific instructions
- Step-by-step illustrative videos
- Basic sewing machine knowledge
- Presser foot descriptions
- Stitch chart
- Multilingual support
Read full descriptionHide full description
AcuSpark is an app that explains how to use the sewing machine and provides useful tips. Read the QR code displayed on the sewing machine screen with AcuSpark and all your questions will be answered. AcuSpark can also be used without a sewing machine. The app acts as a concierge, offering support and inspiring new ideas. AcuSpark is compatible with the following sewing machine models: * Continental M7 Professional Reading QR codes (linking with sewing machine) * When the QR codes displayed on the sewing machine screen are read with AcuSpark, instructions and know-how related to the status of the sewing machine appear in the app. Features * Offers basic knowledge on how to use the sewing machine. * Step-by-step illustrative videos for learning special sewing methods are available. * Anyone of any generation can learn about sewing machine operation. Other functions * Easy-to-understand instructions using videos with illustrations * Presser foot descriptions (including optional items) * Includes a stitch chart containing the sewing machine's built-in stitches Supported languages are as follows: * English * French * Spanish * Changing language settings Language settings can be adjusted through device settings (Settings -> General -> Language & Region).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Threads Magazine at 4.6 against AcuSpark's 3.0. Threads Magazine also leads on review sentiment (41% vs 0%) and ratings volume (318 vs 11). AcuSpark's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Threads Magazine sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 2 months. AcuSpark asks for nothing beyond the download.
Threads Magazine holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Threads Magazine has 318 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Threads Magazine's written reviews are positive against 0% of AcuSpark's.
Threads Magazine ships an update every 7 months, AcuSpark every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Threads Magazine | AcuSpark |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (318 ratings) — better | 3.0 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 41.2% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 318 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 96 MB | 146 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Taunton Interactive | JANOME Corporation |
Customer experience
Threads Magazine
AcuSpark
Bugs and requests
Threads Magazine
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes on launch
- Unable to download/access purchased issues
- Login issues and lost subscription access
Requested features
4 requests- Update app to support latest iOS versions
- Improve stability and reliability
- Provide better access to past/archived issues
- Clarify subscription options and entitlements
AcuSpark
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Threads Magazine
- Threads Subscription$5.992 Months
- Threads Subscription$29.991 Year
- 1 Year Subscription$29.991 Year
- Gifts to Make$2.99
- December / January 2013$6.99
- February / March 2013$6.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Fitting$6.99
- Threads Classic Garment Sewing Skills$6.99
- SewStylish Spring Fashion 2017$6.99
- Threads October/November 2014$6.99
- Make it Couture$8.99
- SewStylish Fall Fashion 2014$8.99
- Threads Handbags$8.99
AcuSpark
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Threads Magazine free?
Is AcuSpark free?
Which has better reviews, Threads Magazine or AcuSpark?
Do Threads Magazine or AcuSpark have ads?
Which is updated more often, Threads Magazine or AcuSpark?
Other comparisons















