The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts.

Send us feedback about this episode! This episode features a conversation with Christine Lindebak, founder of Sewing and the City. Christine is a fashion designer and sewing entrepreneur who’s bringing high style to the home sewing world. Christine shares her journey from sewing as a child to working in the fashion industry to building a modern, inclusive pattern brand that empowers makers to expr...

Send us feedback about this episode! Has your desire to sew—something that should bring you pleasure—ever taken a vacation? It happens to all of us at one point or another. The reasons could be anything from life stress to creative paralysis. In this episode, we'll explore the reasons for sewing slumps, how to reignite that creative spark, and offer support for the idea that sometimes, a brea...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today's episode is a chatty update about what I've been sewing and the ongoing disappearance of fabric stores. One of my favorite stores outside of Seattle announced last week that it was closing, and the first wave of Joann Fabrics locations have shuttered for good. Is online shopping an alternative? I'll offer up some suggestions for my favorit...

Send us feedback about this episode! This episode explores the importance of textiles in marketing and branding. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, in Spokane, WA, houses a unique collection of over 150 cloth flour sacks, dating from 1900 to the 1940s, which showcase the evolution of flour packaging and its significance in regional and international trade. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Easter...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today's episode features an interview with renowned textile artist and quilter Sylvia Pippen, whose work beautifully blends traditional Japanese sashiko with contemporary appliqué techniques. Sylvia shares her creative journey—from growing up in a family of artists to developing her signature style inspired by nature, Pacific Island culture, and the rhythm...

Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we explore the innovative world of using a projector to cut out sewing patterns, eliminating the need for pinning or tracing. Whether you're a curious beginner or looking to streamline your sewing process, today’s guest, Sheredith Hardy, breaks down everything you need to know: how projectors work, what equipment you need, how to set it up...

Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, I take a closer look at the essential tools that make my sewing more efficient and enjoyable. From sewing machines and scissors to pins, measuring tools, and beyond, I am sharing my favorite items from my sewing toolbox—what I love, why I chose the ones I did, and how they’ve improved my projects over time. Whether you're just beginning yo...

Send us feedback about this episode! Millinery is the art and craft of designing, making, and selling hats, typically women’s hats. A milliner is a skilled artisan who creates hats using various materials like felt, straw, fabric, and embellishments such as feathers, ribbons, and beads. In today’s episode, guest Andrea Blohm introduces us to the art of millinery and its place in the world of moder...

Send us feedback about this episode! We’ve had a slew of new listeners to the podcast in the past couple of weeks (yay!). Not everyone wants to go back and listen to the podcast from the beginning, so I thought I’d do a recap of who I am and how I got here. It’s a tale with a few plot twists—including six months of chemotherapy at age 28 for leukemia—but it details my journey as a knitting designe...

Send us feedback about this episode! Join me for a lovely chat with Emma Jones of Vintage Sewing Box. Emma is a UK designer who delights in all things needle and thread. A former primary school teacher, Emma has combined her love of sewing with her talent as an instructor and shares her passion through Instagram, YouTube, patterns, and more. She specializes in English paper piecing and embroidery,...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s episode is a recap of Janet’s trip to Sew Expo 2025, in Puyallup, WA. Sew Expo is an event sponsored by Washington State University and is in its fifth decade. Janet went as a teacher for the second time, teaching five knitting classes and a sewing class (on thread). Arriving a couple of days early gave her the opportunity to visit a few Joann Fabrics s...

Send us feedback about this episode! By the time this episode drops, I’ll be on my way to Sew Expo in Puyallup, Washington, to teach five knitting classes and a sewing class. In this episode, I sit down to chat with Morgan Kavanagh, one of the staff members at the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum. The museum is currently hosting the Red Dress Project, which is a gown that traveled the...

Send us feedback about this episode! This episode is all about interfacing—a crucial element in garment construction that can make a big difference in the structure and longevity of your projects. Whether you're making a crisp shirt collar, sturdy bag handles, or reinforcing a hem, interfacing provides that extra support and stability. We’ll cover the different types of interfacing and their...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s episode is a cozy chat about what’s been happening in my sewing room. Grab your beverage of choice and pull up a comfy chair and join me for a discussion of sewing projects, sewing classes, and what is going on with Joann Fabrics. How has 2025 started out for you? Are you working on the projects you thought you’d be working on or have your plans been de...

Send us feedback about this episode! This episode is about die cutters—innovative tools that have revolutionized quilting and fabric cutting. I'll talk mostly about the Accuquilt cutters, because those are the ones I own and know well. Learn how these die cutters work, the different types of dies available, how much they cost, and whether or not a die cutter might be a good fit for your quilt...

Send us feedback about this episode! My guest today is Inge deGroot, a resident of he Netherlands, who reached out and asked to share her passion project about making a custom dress form. Inge tried several methods of creating a dress form that was similar to her body shape, but was not satisfied with the results. After months of research, she was able to locate a company in her area to make a 3D...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s episode features an interview with Yvette of Stash Hub. Yvette and her husband, Doug, are the talented couple behind the creation of this app that enables sewists to catalog and curate their stashes. Overwhelmed by fabric, patterns, and notions? Stash Hub will help you organize what you have and provide inspiration for tackling those projects. Our conve...

Send us feedback about this episode! What do you know about zippers? How are nylon coil zippers different from molded plastic zippers? Can you shorten a zipper? How? In this episode, we'll talk about all the different kinds of zippers available and how to choose the correct one for your projects.  Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today's guest is Susan Skalak, a fiber artist and owner of With Needle and Stick. Susan currently resides in Virginia, where her flock of sheep and goats provide the raw material with which she designs and makes custom needle-felted coats. Hear about Susan's journey from mechanical engineer to fiber artist and how those two practices are not as differ...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today's episode is a look back at the sewing I did in 2024 and a look ahead to what I want to make in 2025. I'll also talk a bit about the podcast and plans for growing it in the new year. I've always believed it's much easier to see the road ahead when you look back to see how far you've come! Show notes for each episode: www.thestraig...

Send us feedback about this episode! Simply Classic is a company focused on helping sewists to make chic and functional bags for everyday use. Owner Christine Hall Murphy joins me today to talk about her journey from CPA to bag designer and her efforts to bring the art of bagmaking to home sewists. Simply Classic seeks to educate bagmakers through its quarterly subscription program, a robust YouTu...

Send us feedback about this episode! Liz Pike is the owner of Let's Get Sewing, a sewing school in Spokane, Washington. Liz has combined her experience as a former public school teacher with her love of sewing and now offers after-school sewing classes to school-age children (and adults!). Her summer camps provide an opportunity for kids to explore their creativity while simultaneously reinfo...

Send us feedback about this episode! Our guest today is Alayna Rasile, a member of the board of the Montana Fibershed. What is a fibershed, you ask? "A fibershed is a geographically defined area in which fiber resources (wool, flax, hemp, cotton, etc.) are produced and then used by the people living within its boundaries." We'll hear from Alayna about how the Montana Fibershed organ...

Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we'll continue the topic of sewing after the apocalypse with a discussion of those supplies and skills that are most essential. This is also a great primer on the basics that a new sewist might want to have on hand for many common situations.  Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See...

Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s episode is a bit tongue-in-cheek; I don’t expect there to be an apocalypse, but have you ever thought about how you might sew if the grid went down? People used to do it all the time, and we can learn from the past. This episode focuses on people-powered machinery—treadle sewing machines and handcrank sewing machines—and how to find and refurbish one fo...