Love to Sew

You’ve reached the Love to Sew Help Line! What’s your sewing struggle? In this episode, we’re taking your calls and giving out advice – on how to upcycle overalls into pants, what fabrics to use for summer shorts and trousers, whether or not to backstitch when shirring, and more! Plus, we catch up about our […]

You asked, we answer! In this episode, we answer questions about lots of different topics, including: Caroline’s wedding dress, Helen’s board game recommendations, impostor syndrome, dealing with negative feedback, and our favourite pizza toppings. When we said ask us anything, we meant it! Plus, we give a personal update on our lives and businesses for […]

This episode is filled with ideas for sewing projects to make for your fur babies! We recommend patterns, fabrics, and sewing techniques that will keep your pets safe, entertained, and adorable. Plus, we chat about our own pets, answer a question about how to fix a dress pattern that comes out shorter in front, and […]

Knits vs. wovens! Late night sewing vs. daytime sewing! Making a muslin vs just going for it! In this episode, Helen and Caroline have friendly debates over different approaches to sewing. They weigh the pros and cons of each choice before revealing their personal preferences – and the results of our Instagram polls (nearly 3,000 […]

Sewing is a good thing. Travel is a good thing. Put them together and you get a GREAT thing! In this episode, we talk about taking your sewing with you on your travels, planning sewing-themed activities for your trips, and how to make your me-mades presentable while travelling. Plus, we talk about sewing retreats, sewing […]

In this episode, we share all the info you need to get gorgeous gathers, stretchy shirring, and fluttery flounces. This episode is packed with techniques and tips! We also recommend lots of patterns and share pattern hack ideas. Plus: a listener writes to us about gathers in quilting. The transcript for this episode is on […]

Crack that WIP! In this episode, we chat about why projects become works-in-progress, how to organize your WIP pile, and strategies to work through your WIPs. We also answer a listener question about brushed fabrics – and share an upcoming sewing-themed cozy mystery novel that features Helen’s Closet! Plus, a challenge: #LoveToSewWIPs! The transcript for […]

Double gauze is a lightweight, breathable, cloud-like fabric that often has a nice crinkly texture. In this episode, we answer all your questions about sewing it – how to pre-wash it, how to keep it from fraying too much, and most importantly: DO YOU PRESS IT?! Listen in for all our best tips and pattern […]

YOU can quilt! In this episode, Helen shares a bunch of reasons to love quilting, walks quilting newbie Caroline through the steps of the quilting process, and recommends projects for beginner quilters. If you’re quilt-curious, this episode may just make you a quilter!  Plus, we answer a listener question about the minimum of tools you’ll […]

Welcome to the future of sewing! We share stories from kid and teen sewists – creative, kind, enthusiastic young people who are getting ready to take on the world. We also share resources to help the kids in your life learn to sew! Plus, we answer a listener question about telling pattern pieces apart and […]

Garment guts are the hidden parts of the garment that give it shape, structure, and functionality. In this episode, we talk about boning, padding, underskirts, horsehair braid, waist stays, pad stitching, and more! We also answer listener questions about fabric labeling, wringing out fabric, and when to buy a serger. The transcript for this episode […]

Bodies change – it’s a fact of life! In this episode, we share strategies for how to sew for yourself when your body is changing – from making new garments that will fit over several sizes to altering and refashioning old me-mades. This episode is packed with info! Plus, we answer a listener question about […]

We answer questions from our listeners about a variety of fabrics, including ramie, cupro, silk pique, bull denim, tulle, and more! Plus: the perfect T-shirt fabric, burn testing, and fabric for work pants that won’t wrinkle. We also share listener feedback from the Home Decor episode. The transcript for this episode is on this page […]

Join us for a discussion of everything sleeves! We review the three main types of sleeves, walk you through several methods of attaching set-in sleeves, and offer lots of sleeve sewing tips. Plus, we cover sleeve fitting, sleeve pattern hacking, and our favourite sleeve styles. The transcript for this episode is on this page at […]

Hello Caller, this is the Love to Sew Help Line! What’s your sewing struggle? We answer questions from our listeners about pattern alterations, interfacing, re-fashioning, regaining sewjo after a long break, and more! We also share an inspiring listener email about whether or not to go to fashion school. The transcript for this episode is […]

We dive into fancy weaves – those fabrics that are made with special looms, special tools, special yarn twists, or otherwise unusual processes! We cover satins, jacquards, velvets, dobby weaves, and more, describing what they’re like, how they’re made, and how to sew with them. We also give advice to a listener who’s starting her […]

Have you ever looked at all the stitches you can do on your machine and wondered, “What’s that one for?” In this episode, we explain the function of each stitch, give tips on how to get the best results from machine stitching, and share some ideas for how to use decorative stitches. We also share […]

Image credit: Saki Jane (@sakijane) for the article “Sustainable Scrap Busting: Fabric Plant Bucket” on the Helen’s Closet blog Home decor sewing can make your house into a warm, inviting home! In this episode, we chat about the home decor fabrics, notions, and tools you’ll need to do a bevy of projects. We also give […]

Soft, cute, and always wire-free, we are HERE for bralettes! In this episode, we talk about the fabrics, patterns, and techniques you can use to make the perfect bralette for you. We review the different ways bralettes can give support, notions you might need, and how to switch out finishes. We also share listener feedback […]

Is there anything scarier than a really bad sewing mishap? Okay, there are a few things, but this episode is about the sewing moments that made our listeners’ hearts drop. We share their funny and harrowing stories, plus answer a listener question about getting a flat bias tape-finished neckline. Happy Spooky Season! The transcript for […]

Home sewing patterns put knowledge and power in the hands of ordinary people, changing fashion forever. In this episode, we go back to the beginnings of sewing patterns in the mid-19th century (and a little bit earlier). We talk about the enormous shifts in technology and lifestyles through the nearly two centuries that followed – […]

This episode is all about making cozy cool quilted garments! We talk you through every step: choosing fabric, making patchwork, quilting, assembling, and finishing. We also review batting options, give seam finishing tips specifically for those bulky quilt seams, and chat about inspiring quilted garments we love. In our listener question section, we recommend A-line […]

From laundering to mending, this episode is all about caring for your precious me-made garments! We cover pre-washing, sewing tips to make your clothes last, stain removal, storage, and more. Plus, a listener letter about swim trunks notions! From the Listener Question Section: Jalie 2678 – Board Shorts Victor Swim Shorts by Jalie (4133) Episode […]

We share your most unexpected tips and tools in this community episode! From fun gadgets to expert guidance, be prepared to have your mind blown! The transcript for this episode is on this page at the end of the show notes. From the Feedback Section: Sew Busty Community Busty Pattern Database “Full Bust Adjustment Guide […]

In this episode, we review components of design (volume, colour, texture, print, and more) so that you can pinpoint your ideal personal style. Then we offer suggestions to bring your ideal down to earth so that it’s wearable in your everyday life. Plus: how to have fun with fashion, a listener question about getting flat […]