Stitching Tales

Lured by the idea of sewing faster? Johanna and Malena have some practical tips on how to sew more efficiently AND make fewer mistakes. Plus, we address the elephant in the room: Is faster sewing something we should even strive towards? Time-saving tips for sewing jeans https://www.thelaststitch.com/7-time-saving-tips-for-sewing-jeans Fastest way to assemble pdf-patterns https://youtu.be/yxNObYiJS...

Picking the wrong type of knit fabric for a project is a recipe for disappointment, so listen to this episode before you make your next knit garment. Malena and Johanna talk about different knit fabrics and their properties. What's the difference between a single knit and a double knit? And why are sweatshirt fabrics often flossy on the inside? Listen to find out! Then the discussion takes a d...

Malena is getting close to launching a new sewing pattern, but will she make her (self-imposed) deadline? Johanna has returned to her day job after a six-month-long break, and this new reality brings out mixed emotions. They also discuss alternative career plans, especially if you have a passion project that takes up a lot of brain space. Perhaps Johanna's next career move is to become a tram...

Building a personal brand means showing yourself. But how much is too much? Malena and Johanna have a candid talk about navigating their online presence, and the possible pitfalls. Johanna opens up about sharing her divorce online and what it's like dating as a semi-public figure. Plus she has an exciting update on her relationship status! Malena wonders if she should show herself more on Inst...

Would Malena and Johanna still run their sewing business if they became financially independent? And how can we shop smarter when buying fabric online? These and other great questions from the podcast listeners are answered in this fun Q&A episode. Plus we get to find out when Malena last sewed a garment for herself, that wasn't a work project (the answer might shock you!) Have more questions?...

Too busy sewing to read the sewing machine manual? No worries; we have all been there! In this episode, Malena and Johanna confess their own sewing machine mistakes and share tips on how to avoid making them. Plus Malena has been making patterns for a very cool design collab, and Johanna is feeling thorn that her day job leave is coming to an end. Have questions? Email us at ⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gm...

Interfacing can make (or break) a garment. So how do we pick the right type? And should we interface stretchy knit garments? Malena and Johanna do a deep dive into the world of interfacing and share some valuable tips you might not have heard before! Interfacing stretchy knits https://www.thelaststitch.com/using-fusible-interfacing-knits/ Stabilising shoulder seams on knit tops https://www.thelast...

Johanna is back from an amazing mini-holiday in Lisbon and is ready to tackle the next project – hers and Malena's new sewing book. She also had some shipping drama that made her want to run and hide and almost quit her business. Malena has been home alone and spent her "free" time sewing the photo samples for her upcoming pattern Yes, Malena will release a second pattern this year! Johanna's new...

Is rayon a natural fibre and are synthetic materials always bad? Plus, why are some fabrics rubbish while others hold up for decades, even though the fibre content is the same? Our resident fiber expert Malena goes deep into this important, and underrated, topic for us sewists. Johanna is in awe and has several new revelations in this episode. Enjoy! Have more questions? Email us at ⁠⁠stitchingtal...

Are sewing sweaterknits doomed to fail and are fine wool knits worth going broke for? Plus: Where are all the good menswear patterns? Johanna and Malena open their mailbox and answer more questions from our lovely listeners and viewers. Have more questions? Email us at ⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠ Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com...

Johanna has secretly launched her jeans sewing course, and you are among the first to find out! As a loyal podcast listener, get 20% off Denim Mastery before it officially launches on February 20. Grab your offer: https://courses.thelaststitch.com/denim-mastery?coupon=DENIMTALES (or use code DENIMTALES at checkout). The sale ends February 20 11.30 PM (Central European Time) Meanwhile, Malena is re...

Hemming with a serger is both fast and easy. Yet most of us don't do it. To change that, Malena and Johanna talk about four ways to hem knits using just a serger. Plus they get into coverstitching a bit too, and share valuable tips for making your coverstitching look professional. Get 20% off Coverstitch Success Use code POD20 or this link: ⁠⁠https://courses.thelaststitch.com/?coupon=POD20⁠ Hemmin...

Will AI be able to construct a sewing pattern using just an image, a prompt and your measurements? And will sewists jump on the latest trend; hot pants as the new mini skirt? Johanna and Malena bring out the crystal ball and make some bold predictions. This somehow brings us into a heated discussion about unethical, unsustainable and downright dangerous practices that some clothes companies use. W...

Hemming stretchy knits is tricky – something Malena and Johanna know all too well. Luckily they have figured out some really cool tricks that will make it so much easier, even if you only have a regular sewing machine. Tauko Magazine ⁠https://www.taukomagazine.com/shop/issue-14⁠ Subscribe to Johanna's newsletter https://www.thelaststitch.com/newsletter Blind-hem tutorial https://www.thelaststitch....

How to fix growing necklines, dealing with difficult knit fabrics and what's the story behind Johanna's sewing career? We answer these and many other listener questions in this Q&A episode. Have questions for another Q&A episode? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on Instagr...

Malena can finally reveal her secret project! Plus she has big plans for 2025 (hint: two new sewing patterns). Meanwhile, Johanna is burning the midnight oil trying to finish her jeans video course. And she is waiting for a very exciting delivery that gives her clout among the young people in her life. Looks like we are off to a strong start! Pre-order Tauko Magazine https://www.taukomagazine.com/...

Malena and Johanna had some grand plans for 2024. So how did it all go? Plus Malena reveals a professional pivot that she has never talked publicly about before! And a huge thank you to all of you that tuned in this year to listen to our podcast! Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Stit...

Looking for the ultimate gift to give your sewing friend (or yourself)? Then look no further. We share our best picks for sewing holiday gifts, from essential sewing tools to inspiring books, something for every budget level. Stitching Tales Gift Guide https://www.thelaststitch.com/giftguide Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on...

Did Johanna really end up joining a weekly dance thing because of Tinder? And why did Malena's sister ban her from caring for her plants? In this episode, we lift the lid on our personal life and share some things you probably didn't know about us! Plus we answer the question we all want to know...how big is really our (fabric) stash? Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-...

Sewing buttonholes is not Johanna and Malena's favourite thing to do. However, they have many tips on making them great, including some garment industry insider tips. Listen to get lots of great insight on the best placement, getting the size right, stitch settings, tools and of course, how to open the buttonholes without ruining everything. Easy bound buttonhole tutorial ⁠⁠https://www.thelaststit...

Johanna set her newly purchased fabric on fire, but why? And which mega-hyped Swedish brand is Malena's new client? Plus did Johanna finally crack the code for successful time management? Listen to find out! In this episode, we talk about what's been happening in our sewing and business life lately. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sti...

You asked and we answered! Malena and Johanna share their favourite upcycling projects and give tips on the best seam allowances for tricky areas, plus how to use interfacing on knit fabrics. Enjoy! Johanna's mittens and beanie hat patterns (for upcycling old sweaters) https://shop.thelaststitch.com/collections/accessories Have questions for another Q&A episode? Email us at stitchingtalespod@g...

Feeling intimidated by sewing a zipper on pants? And what's the secret to a making waistband that looks as nice on the inside as the outside? Plus the secret to a truly invisible machine hem. Malena and Johanna share their best pant sewing tips in this info-packed episode. Enjoy! Johanna's Pants Tutorial Series ⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/category/tutorials/sewing-pants/⁠ Machine Blind-hem Tut...

Johanna can't even pay one month's rent with her latest pattern release, despite it being one of her best-performing patterns yet. And Malena argues that you do need experience and the proper tools to create great sewing patterns. If you lack some skills, enlist help from those who have the knowledge. DIY doesn't mean we have to do EVERYTHING ourselves. In this very candid conversation, we are bus...

Sew welt pockets, darts, and other dress pants details like a pro. Malena and Johanna go deep into common techniques for dress trousers and share their best tips, including some clever RTW techniques. Johanna's Pants Tutorial Series ⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/category/tutorials/sewing-pants/ Dart Sewing Tutorial https://www.thelaststitch.com/vide-sew-along-back-darts/ ⁠ Easy bound buttonhole t...