Stitching Tales
The Last Stitch Media
The Last Stitch Media
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
3d ago
Johanna and Malena play fantasy sewing and dream up five key garments that they love to wear over and over. For Johanna it's a retro-style windbreaker and of course the optimal pleated skirt (with pockets, of course). Malena ponders the perfect dress, and then she has a t-shirt revelation that makes them want to rethink everything. They also read another listener's email for the new Stitch and Tell segment, asking about the best places for fabric shopping and fashion inspiration in Sweden. Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) Places to visit in Sweden Göteborg Röhsska Museum Gårda Textil Knapp-Carlsson Italienska Modetyger Tygaffär'n Borås Textil Museum Stockholm Nordiska Museet Tygverket Siden-Carlsson Fabric chain-stores Ohlsons Tyger Selfmade
Dec 9
They shimmer, they float, they slide right off your cutting table… Malena and Johanna dive into the world of slippery yet stunning fabrics. From satin to chiffon to charmeuse, they are talking about the types of materials that can drive sewists up the wall. A very timely episode as Malena has been dipping her toe into bridal wear (!). Malena also explains the technical side of how these fabrics are made. And then they dive into a tip-packed session on how to cut and sew these glowing beasts without the pain. So if you’ve ever fallen for a slippery fabric but felt too intimidated to sew it, this episode is for you! Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. https://www.thelaststitch.com https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Dec 2
Malena and Johanna take a deep dive into the art of sewing smart on a budget, from fabric choices to smart tools. Malena also shares one of her favourite cost-saving tricks, based on how things are done in the garment industry. This impresses Johanna, because it's not just a budget trick; it's also a design feature! Johanna even claims that listening to this episode could make you rich, at least if you are using sewist math! But please don't fact-check this statement; instead, listen to this info-packed episode about how to sew on a budget. Also check out episodes 79, 23 and 18 to learn more about the sewing tools we think are valuable, and those you could skip. Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Nov 25
Malena has been on a super inspiring networking trip to Copenhagen, and now she wants to switch careers and pivot into custom designs for theatre and ballet. Johanna has been working abroad as well, which, among other things, led her to start a sewing TikTok account after enjoying a glass of Spanish cerveza at the airport! In this fun update, they talk about everything from how to crack the sizing dilemma (Malena has some shocking stats on how few people actually fit into standard RTW-sizing) to Johanna (finally) getting brave with marketing, and the results are promising. Plus a new segment: Stitch and Tell, email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com if you have something you want to share! Ithaca Maven Substack about pattern fitting https://ithacamaven.substack.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Nov 18
Think you have nailed wovens? Then think again. Malena is on a roll and delivers some fascinating factoids about woven fabrics, but please don't call the tweed police! Then Johanna wants to quit the podcast mid-through and run out and buy some chambray fabric. Luckily, she stays the entire recording and instead invents a groundbreaking new material for duvets– flatine . Check out the previous episode on woven fabrics: New sewing spaces & decoding woven fabrics #77 Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. https://www.thelaststitch.com https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Nov 11
Johanna and Malena chat about one of the simplest but most powerful fitting tweaks you can make, adding or removing length in just the right places. Whether you’re tall, petite, or just a unique human being (like all of us! ), you’ll learn how to adjust your patterns so your clothes sit exactly where they should. Malena explains why length adjustments should always come first in your fitting order and shares the best ways to adjust the length of your patterns. And Johanna talks about how understanding her height (or lack thereof) made her more accepting of her body and why RTW clothes seldom fit her. Fit for Knits https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book Alvanon Size Charts https://www.scribd.com/search?query=The%20Alvanon%20Standard%20 Have more questions? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. https://www.thelaststitch.com https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Nov 4
The worst part about sewing knit tops? The neckline, no doubt! To ease the pain and help you sew better neckline finishings, Johanna and Malena dive into one of the most common trouble spots when sewing knit tops, with a focus on the classic neckband. Malena explains why your neckband should always be shorter than the neckline, and how to calculate the best ratio for every type of knit. And should the neckband seam be at the shoulder seam, mid-back, or just behind the shoulder seam? This is a hot topic, and Johanna has some strong views, which Malena backs up with sensible facts. Then they talk about how to actually sew the dang thing (i.e the neckband) and share some great tips that you might never have heard before. Our book Fit for Knits https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book Have more questions? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. https://www.thelaststitch.com https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Oct 28
Johanna and Malena dive into your pressing sewing questions, and they’re not holding back! What sewing tools do they think are totally overrated? And have they done projects that went completely off the rails? (Oh yes, and Johanna blames the fabric). They also advise on when quilting cotton is suitable for garments and when it isn’t. Plus, Johanna and Malena share their best tips on how to construct and attach a perfect collar Johanna's undercollar tutorial Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com Or contact us at our socials: Stitching Tales on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod Stitching Tales on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns. https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern) About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator. https://www.thelaststitch.com https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
