Stitching Tales

Sewing pants can be intimidating. Getting the fit right, zippers, welt pockets, the list goes on. Johanna and Malena discuss the challenges with sewing pants and share some very helpful tips too. Plus did Johanna manage to release her new sewing pattern, the Vide Pants, despite not being done 48 hours before the launch? Listen to find out! Resources mentioned: Vide knit pants ⁠⁠https://shop.thelas...

Johanna has finally launched a new sewing pattern, the Vide knit pants. Will it fly or flop? Johanna is a bit nervous about the outcome but excited to have a new pattern to share, after over two years of no releases. Shop Vide knit pants ⁠https://shop.thelaststitch.com/collections/clothes/products/vide-knit-pants-pdf-sewing-pattern Johanna is also on a break from her day job and has some ideas on...

Is a straight stitch sometimes a good idea when sewing knits? And do you need a serger to sew joggers? In this second part of the knit pants series, they nerd out on seams, machines and assembly methods. It turns out that Johanna and Malena use totally opposite methods when sewing knit pants. So which one is the best? Or are both excellent? Listen to find out! Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht...

Who doesn't like comfortable pants? Johanna and Malena certainly do. This is why they love to wear and sew pants made with knitted fabrics so much that they have also released sewing patterns with this style. In this first episode, they dive deep into all the nerdy stuff that will make a huge difference when sewing knit pants, such as picking the right fabric, best cutting layout and elastic. Fit...

Johanna and Malena are writing another sewing book! And they can finally share what it is about! Plus we get into a heated debate about which seam allowance is best for knit sewing patterns! Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitc...

Malena is participating in the #sewsmallseptember24 initiative. So we discuss ways to support smaller sewing businesses that might not have big-name recognition but provide awesome products. If you want to know more about the challenge and how to participate, check out @neighborhoodpatterns and @madswick_studio on Instagram who launched this initiative to highlight small sewing businesses. And reg...

We asked for your questions and here are our answers. In this episode we talk about presser feet for knits, how to best fit jeans and other pants, tips for grading patterns, our favourite makes, how to be smart about time when running a business and more! Have questions for another Q&A episode? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Sewing Jeans Book https://www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans...

Johanna and Malena are back from a summer podcast hiatus. But it's been a busy summer for both of them. Malena has created several new patterns and samples for a new project that will be announced soon. And Johanna has (finally!) filmed her new jeans sewing course. Plus a new sewing pattern is in the works. It will be a busy fall, so Johanna has decided to take (yet another) break from her day...

Sewing is tricky sometimes and we can all use a little help. Johanna and Malena talk about the tools that make tricky things easier, and save time too! Plus Johanna has finally listened to Malena and purchased a life-saving "sewing" tool. But it took almost setting the sewing studio on fire before she came to her senses. That said, Johanna does set something on fire during the episode, b...

Malena and Johanna go outside their Scandinavian comfort zone to allow themselves to dream big, about sewing and the future of their businesses. We share some lofty goals, plus we tease our next projects! Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Male...

Do you have to prewash every fabric and is overcasting the edges always necessary? And do we really have to cut all pattern pieces in the same direction? Johanna and Malena talk about their biggest sewing dos and don'ts. Some they agree on, and some...well...you have to listen and find out! Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching...

Malena has added projector files to her latest pattern (The Malva Tee) and we think projectors might be the future for us homesewists. Plus she is featured on the biggest sewing podcast (not us, hehe). Johanna is almost done with the instructions for her latest sewing pattern, the Vide knit pants. But will it sell? This question leads to a discussion about sewing pattern companies going through pe...

Learn our top tips for making your own activewear. We talk fabrics, construction methods, patterns, fit – and how to add those special seams and finishes using regular, domestic, sewing machines. Use code SAPOD20 to get 20% off: Johanna's Sewing Activewear ebook + Aila Leggings patterns. Malena's Hazelhen Top and Fieldfare Joggers. Johanna's discount link https://shop.thelaststitch.com...

We share our top picks of must-have sewing helpers. Tools that are also budget-friendly, with one tiny exception. Malena and Johanna also get into a discussion about which country produces the best scissors. Then Malena reveals a tool that makes Johanna explode with laughter! Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Johanna's Top 10 Tools for Less...

Do you want to duplicate a store-bought garment? In this episode, we talk about how to make a pattern from a piece of clothing. There are several ways to do this and we cover them all. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Johanna's Pattern Transfer Tutorial https://youtu.be/qyZIMeEv0yc Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.co...

Malena is working on a secret pattern project but worries that the pattern's name might turn her into a crazy cat lady. Johanna is burning the midnight oil cranking out weekly YouTube videos, but fears her schedule is not sustainable. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Johanna's YouTube-channel https://www.youtube.com/@Thelaststitch Stitchin...

What's the secret to sewing awesome knit tops? In this episode, Malena and Johanna share their best tips for fitting and sewing a t-shirt rivalling high-end RTW. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free FBA and SBA guide https://www.thelaststitch.com/bustguide Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ St...

Malena's day job is making patterns for one of the largest fashion companies in the world. Can you guess which one? In this episode, she shares what it's like to develop patterns in the professional world, and takes us through the process from a design sketch to the finished garment in stores. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales...

Can you sew stretchy knits without a serger? Absolutely! If you use the right stitches, tools and techniques. In this episode, we share our best tips for sewing knit fabrics on a regular sewing machine. Video: Sew Stretchy Knits on a Sewing Machine: 5 Game-Changing Tips https://youtu.be/rr2hASfbuMY Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on I...

Malena's free pattern launch has been a huge success. But now she is swamped with freelance work, with little time to develop new products and content. Johanna is back on YouTube and is blown away by the response. But can she produce weekly videos while also filming a sewing course, creating a new sewing pattern, plus working a part-time job? The struggle is real! Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

Do we really need a coverstitch machine? And why are they so fickle? Johanna and Malena cover (hah) everything you need to know about using a coverstitch machine and share their best tips. Coverstitch Success Course https://courses.thelaststitch.com/ [Code has expired] Free coverstitch troubleshooting guide https://www.thelaststitch.com/coverstitch-troubleshooting-guide/ Johanna's coverstitch reso...

Do we have to be on every single platform? And how do we create great content on every social media without burning ourselves to ashes? The answer is that we can't! But if we want our business to succeed, we must keep churning out new content. So how can we do that without losing our minds? Johanna and Malena brainstorm some ideas for more effective content marketing. Fit for Knits ⁠⁠⁠https://...

What are the secrets to sewing a really awesome pair of jeans? Johanna and Malena dive deep into this fascinating topic and offer tips and hacks you might not have heard before. Plus a few tales of jeans sewing disasters, because yes, they happen to all of us! Johanna's book Sewing Jeans https://www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans-book Sewing jeans resources https://www.thelaststitch.com/sewing...

Malena is blown away by the response to her new free pattern. And Johanna is losing subscribers on YouTube because of the podcast! In this catch-up, we share some exciting and not-so-exciting things that have happened lately in our sewing businesses. Fit for Knits ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠...

Marketing is the thing that both Malena and Johanna struggle with the most when it comes to running a business. Malena wants to rely less on Instagram and is currently trying out new platforms. Johanna is only comfortable with time-consuming, high-quality, content marketing, which incidentally is what stops her from doing any marketing at all. We also address some legal and taxation complications...