Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how ThreadThimble ("we", "us", "our"), accessible at threadthimble.com, uses cookies and similar technologies such as local storage when you visit our sewing and quilting review website. By continuing to use our site, you have the option to accept or decline non-essential cookies via the consent banner presented on your first visit.

What Are Cookies and Local Storage?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. Local storage is a similar browser technology that allows websites to store data directly in your browser, often used as an alternative or complement to cookies for remembering settings and preferences. Unlike cookies, local storage data does not expire automatically and is not sent to the server with every request.

How ThreadThimble Uses Cookies and Local Storage

We aim to keep our use of tracking technologies minimal and transparent. Below is a breakdown of what we use and why.

1. Consent Preference Storage (Local Storage)

When you first visit ThreadThimble, you will see a cookie consent banner asking whether you accept or decline optional analytics cookies. Your response is saved using your browser's local storage, under a key that records your choice (accepted or declined). This allows us to remember your preference so the banner does not reappear on every visit.

• Purpose: To remember your cookie consent choice.
• Type: Local storage (not a traditional cookie).
• Duration: Persists until you clear your browser storage or change your preference.
• Third-party access: None. This data stays within your browser and is not transmitted to us or any third party.

2. Analytics Cookies (Only If Accepted)

If you click "Accept" on our consent banner, we enable analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors use ThreadThimble — for example, which sewing machine reviews or quilting pattern guides are most popular, how long readers spend on a page, and which pages lead to high bounce rates. This data helps us improve our content, site structure, and overall user experience.

• Purpose: To collect aggregated, anonymized statistics about site usage.
• Type: Third-party analytics cookies (e.g., from providers such as Google Analytics).
• Duration: Varies by provider; typically between 24 hours and 2 years depending on the specific cookie.
• Third-party access: Yes. Our analytics provider may process this data in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies.

If you click "Decline," no analytics cookies are set, and no usage data is collected through these tools. Your decision is remembered via the local storage mechanism described above.

3. Strictly Necessary Cookies

ThreadThimble does not currently use strictly necessary cookies for core functionality beyond the consent storage mechanism, as our site does not include user accounts, shopping carts, or login systems. Should this change in the future, we will update this policy accordingly.

Third-Party Cookies

The only third-party cookies used on ThreadThimble are those associated with our analytics provider, and only when you have given consent. These third parties may set their own cookies to measure traffic patterns, device types, and referral sources. We do not control these cookies directly, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of our analytics provider for more detailed information about their data practices.

How to Withdraw or Change Your Consent

You can withdraw or change your cookie consent at any time using one of the following methods:

• Clear your browser's local storage and cookies: Go into your browser settings, locate the section for site data or privacy, and clear storage specifically for threadthimble.com. This will remove your saved consent choice and any analytics cookies that were set, and the consent banner will reappear on your next visit so you can make a new choice.
• Use private or incognito browsing: Browsing in a private window prevents local storage and cookies from persisting after you close the window, meaning the consent banner will appear again each new session.
• Adjust browser-level cookie settings: Most modern browsers allow you to block all cookies or third-party cookies by default. Note that blocking local storage entirely may prevent our consent banner from remembering your choice, causing it to reappear on each visit.

Browser-Specific Instructions

Instructions for clearing cookies and site data vary by browser:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data > select "Cookies and other site data."
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data.
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > search for threadthimble.com and remove it.
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Clear Browsing Data.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting. Because there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals, ThreadThimble currently relies on the consent choice you make through our banner rather than automatically detecting DNT signals. Declining analytics cookies through our banner has the same effect as opting out of tracking.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or the tools we use. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how ThreadThimble handles cookies and local storage, please reach out to us through the contact information provided on our website. We're happy to clarify our practices regarding sewing and quilting content delivery, site analytics, and your privacy choices.