Stitching Tales

The Last Stitch Media
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Crafts
  • Updated Weekly

The inside scoop on sewing your own clothes and running a sewing business. By the authors of Fit for Knits, Malena Hjerpe and Johanna Lundström. Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on YouTube ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod⁠⁠ About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com⁠⁠⁠ About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. ⁠⁠⁠https://hazelhenpatterns.com

  1. 3h ago

    Summer sewing, rabbit holes & reality checks: An update episode #117

    It's time for another catch-up episode, which means Johanna and Malena are chatting about everything from summer sewing projects to the not-so-glamorous realities of running a sewing business. Malena has been sewing a new boat-neck knit top and they swap some practical sewing tips, including a clever neckline trick, moving shoulder seams for a better fit, and ways to reduce bulk when sewing knits. The conversation then shifts from the sewing room to the business side of things. Johanna reflects on leaving her day job to focus on The Last Stitch full-time, while Malena shares what it's like balancing a part-time job at a bridal shop with freelance sewing. They also discuss pattern sales, Etsy, newsletters, AI, marketing, why visibility has become harder than ever, and what it really takes to make a living teaching sewing online. If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at Stitching Tales, this episode is your backstage pass. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  2. Jul 14

    How sewing pattern grading works #116

    Sizing a sewing pattern is rarely as simple as making everything bigger or smaller. In this episode, Malena unpacks what pattern grading actually involves, from choosing a base size to adjusting proportions for areas like the bust, waist, neck and sleeves. You’ll hear why grading is about balance rather than mathematics alone, how fabric choice affects the process, and why there are so many different sizing charts out there. If you’ve ever wondered why sizing can feel inconsistent or simply confusing, this episode gives you a clearer understanding of the decisions happening behind the scenes. Mentioned in this episode Muna and Broad Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  3. Jul 7

    The messy reality of pivoting #115

    Sometimes a business pivot starts with a carefully planned strategy. Other times it starts with panic, burnout, a global crisis… or just the growing feeling that something isn’t working anymore. In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about the messy reality of changing direction as creative entrepreneurs. From freelance work and sewing businesses to bridal alterations, PDF patterns and unexpected career detours (construction worker!). They also reflect on the emotional side of entrepreneurship: anxiety, motivation, social exhaustion, financial uncertainty and how difficult it can be to know whether you should keep pushing forward or try something completely different. And naturally, it wouldn’t be Stitching Tales without a slight detour into matching fabric shades, small talk and the unexpected ways world events have shaped their businesses. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  4. Jun 30

    Getting elastic right: Why not all elastic is created equal #114

    Johanna and Malena unravel the surprisingly complicated world of elastic, and hopefully they didn't stretch this topic too far! This elastic deep dive covers everything from comfy waistbands and sports bras to swimwear and activewear. Plus lots of practical tips for measuring elastic, joining the ends neatly, preventing twisting and rolling, and even how to use elastic for gathers. Johanna also explains why she almost always reaches for knitted elastic these days, and why clear elastic deserves a permanent place in every sewing room. Let's just say this conversation has plenty of stretch! Elastic resources mentioned Fit for Knits Sewing Activewear Master The Coverstitch Machine Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  5. Jun 23

    Make it last: Caring for your handmade wardrobe #113

    You spend days making a precious garment. And then, with wash and wear, it starts to break down. In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about what affects how long handmade clothes actually last, such as fabric choices, how you wash your makes, and the things that slowly wear garments down. If you’ve ever had something you made lose its shape, fade faster than expected, or just not hold up, this episode will help you figure out what’s going on. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  6. Jun 16

    Where do sewists hang out now? #112

    The sewing world has never been more connected, or more fragmented. 15 years ago, most online sewists gathered in a handful of forums and blogs. Today, conversations are spread across Facebook groups, memberships, Discord servers, Substack, online courses, Instagram, YouTube, and platforms that may or may not still exist by the time this episode airs. On one hand, it's easier than ever to find people who share your interests. On the other hand, keeping track of where everyone is gathering can feel like a part-time job. And don't we all crave more in-person meetups these days? The conversation may also have been lightly influenced by some behind-the-scenes brainstorming around Johanna and Malena's upcoming book To a Tee and whether the internet really needs one more place for sewists to gather. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  7. Jun 9

    Sew better with the right thread #111

    Sewing thread seems simple, until you realise that there is a thread jungle out there, and that choosing the right thread can affect everything from seam durability and stretch to stitch quality and how smoothly your machine sews. In this episode, Malena and Johanna are diving deep into the world of sewing threads. From regular all-purpose thread to overlock cones, stretch thread and heavy topstitching thread, this episode covers what different threads actually do, when to use them and why thread choice can completely change the outcome of a sewing project. Plus: why cheap thread has its place, but not on a sewing machine. And of course, Johanna messes up the thread weight systems, but hopefully she manages to save her face in the end! Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

  8. Jun 2

    Creative burnout, exhaustion & pressure to always create #110

    What happens when the thing you used to enjoy doing starts feeling like dread? Because burnout and exhaustion often creep up on us, and can be hard to nip in the bud.In this candid conversation, Johanna and Malena talk about their own experiences with burnout, losing motivation, and what happens when a hobby, passion, or creative business no longer feels inspiring. Because even something you genuinely love can become emotionally draining when there’s pressure to create, produce, improve, or keep up constantly. They also offer practical advice grounded in both their own experience and science-backed strategies. But of course, that doesn't mean they have it all figured out; in fact, Johanna reveals that she still has some questionable work habits, so do as she says, not as she does! Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram Stitching Tales on YouTube About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. Hazelhen Patterns Instagram hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. thelaststitch.com The Last Stitch Instagram

See All (117)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The inside scoop on sewing your own clothes and running a sewing business. By the authors of Fit for Knits, Malena Hjerpe and Johanna Lundström. Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on YouTube ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod⁠⁠ About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com⁠⁠⁠ About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. ⁠⁠⁠https://hazelhenpatterns.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Last Stitch Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Last Stitch Media
  • Show Website
    Stitching Tales

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