Loading...

PODCAST

Stitching Tales

The Last Stitch Media

The inside scoop on sewing your own clothes and running a sewing business.Hosted by sewing veterans and authors of Fit for Knits and the upcoming sewing book To a Tee, Malena Hjerpe and Johanna Lundström.Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or contact us on our socials:⁠Stitching Tales on Instagram⁠⁠Stitching Tales on YouTube⁠About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.⁠Hazelhen Patterns

leisure crafts

All Episodes

1:03:22

From high fashion to brides and book woes: An update...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/09/22

It’s catch-up time! Malena has some cool news about her work, including a brief moment of proximity to a famous couturier. Plus a new part-time job at a bridal shop. We talk high-fashion pattern making, brides and the surprising joy of having a job where you interact with others. Meanwhile, Johanna has been wrestling with podcast hosting, monetising the podcast and the small matter of recutting more than 100 episodes. Meaning she wants to throw her computer out the window. They also get into their

en

49:22

Sewing game changers: Tricks that changed our sewing...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/09/15

What are the sewing habits, tools and construction choices that have made the biggest difference to our sewing?In this episode, Johanna and Malena share their personal sewing game changers, including pressing throughout construction, pre-pressing hems, inserting trouser zippers on the flat, making toiles, and cutting tricky fabrics in a single layer.They also discuss what home sewists can learn from ready-to-wear construction, using press templates for pockets, adjusting presser foot pressure, heavy

en

55:18

Bindings: The knit finish worth mastering #124

Stitching Tales ·

2026/09/08

Knit bindings are one of those sewing techniques that might seem simple. Just wrap some fabric around an edge, right? Well, not quite that easy, unfortunately. Plus, there are plenty of ways to do it, so how do we know which one is the best?Essentially, a perfect topic for Johanna and Malena to dive deep into. Malena even confesses that she has never sewn a binding before. So Johanna breaks down the different approaches. They talk about choosing fabrics, calculating width and stretch, and working

en

52:46

Happy Sew New Year: Why fall starts the sewing year #123

Stitching Tales ·

2026/09/01

Why wait until January to start fresh? Fall has all the ingredients for a new beginning, right? That's when we crave routines and want to reset, reorganise and make new plans. This is why Johanna and Malena make a case for September being the start of a Sew New Year.To kick off this new concept, they discuss habit stacking, journaling and mood boards, along with some very practical sewing tips. Plus a few lifestyle tips (nurture your reward system, as Johanna likes to say). So let go of ambitious

en

1:10:59

Fall fashion 2026: What to sew, shop and skip #122

Stitching Tales ·

2026/08/25

What does fall 2026 actually look like when you stop scrolling past the runway photos and start thinking about what you'd actually wear? Johanna and Malena compare fashion magazines, runway coverage, AI trend research and a very Swedish source of trend intelligence: watching what young people are wearing at a music festival Johanna visited recently.They talk about the return of visible craft, romantic details, tailoring, statement coats, richer colours and the surprisingly persistent comeback of

en

00:46:31

Summer catch-up: Sewing revelations, business woes...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/08/18

Summer is almost over, routines are returning, and Johanna and Malena are back with a catch-up. They talk about trying to take time off, getting back into work mode, Swedish summer weather, and the small matter of a health scare that gave Johanna an unexpected break from coffee, spices, wine and basically all the things she enjoys.The conversation also delves into the less glamorous side of creative work: EU packaging regulations and the administrative maze of running a small business. They also

en

00:59:54

Getting darts right: Everything you need to know #120

Stitching Tales ·

2026/08/11

Darts. Tiny folds of fabric that somehow manage to cause a surprising amount of confusion.In this episode, Johanna and Malena unravel one of sewing's most fundamental techniques, exploring what darts actually do, why they're still relevant, and how they transform flat fabric into garments that fit real bodies. Along the way they discuss bust, waist and shoulder darts, when you can replace them with princess seams or yokes, and why modern patterns sometimes hide shaping in plain sight. There's also

en

00:56:19

To A Tee update: The book is taking shape #119

Stitching Tales ·

2026/08/04

It's time for another To A Tee update, and this time Johanna and Malena have plenty to share. After months of writing, drafting, testing and revising, the book is finally starting to look like... well, an actual book.In this episode, they take you behind the scenes of the latest stage of the project, from sewing instructions and paper pattern layouts to neckline options, grading and all the tiny decisions that make a sewing book both useful and enjoyable to sew from. They also share an unexpected

en

01:02:48

Beyond the sketch: The hidden jobs in clothing #118

Stitching Tales ·

2026/07/28

Most people picture one job when they think about fashion: designer. Or perhaps a pattern maker if you are deeply into sewing (like us!). But the clothing industry is a whole ecosystem, and most of the key roles happen far away from the sketchbook.In this episode, Malena and Johanna break down how the apparel business actually works. From global players to small independent brands, they walk through all the roles that shape what we wear. If you’re curious about building a career in clothing or just

en

01:03:03

Summer sewing, rabbit holes & reality checks: An...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/07/21

It's time for another catch-up episode, which means Johanna and Malena are chatting about everything from summer sewing projects to the not-so-glamorous realities of running a sewing business.Malena has been sewing a new boat-neck knit top and they swap some practical sewing tips, including a clever neckline trick, moving shoulder seams for a better fit, and ways to reduce bulk when sewing knits.The conversation then shifts from the sewing room to the business side of things. Johanna reflects on

en

01:06:39

How sewing pattern grading works #116

Stitching Tales ·

2026/07/14

Sizing a sewing pattern is rarely as simple as making everything bigger or smaller. In this episode, Malena unpacks what pattern grading actually involves, from choosing a base size to adjusting proportions for areas like the bust, waist, neck and sleeves.You’ll hear why grading is about balance rather than mathematics alone, how fabric choice affects the process, and why there are so many different sizing charts out there. If you’ve ever wondered why sizing can feel inconsistent or simply

en

01:00:08

The messy reality of pivoting #115

Stitching Tales ·

2026/07/07

Sometimes a business pivot starts with a carefully planned strategy. Other times it starts with panic, burnout, a global crisis… or just the growing feeling that something isn’t working anymore.In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about the messy reality of changing direction as creative entrepreneurs. From freelance work and sewing businesses to bridal alterations, PDF patterns and unexpected career detours (construction worker!).They also reflect on the emotional side of entrepreneurship:

en

01:02:10

Getting elastic right: Why not all elastic is created...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/06/30

Johanna and Malena unravel the surprisingly complicated world of elastic, and hopefully they didn't stretch this topic too far!This elastic deep dive covers everything from comfy waistbands and sports bras to swimwear and activewear. Plus lots of practical tips for measuring elastic, joining the ends neatly, preventing twisting and rolling, and even how to use elastic for gathers.Johanna also explains why she almost always reaches for knitted elastic these days, and why clear elastic deserves a

en

00:56:07

Make it last: Caring for your handmade wardrobe #113

Stitching Tales ·

2026/06/23

You spend days making a precious garment. And then, with wash and wear, it starts to break down.In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about what affects how long handmade clothes actually last, such as fabric choices, how you wash your makes, and the things that slowly wear garments down.If you’ve ever had something you made lose its shape, fade faster than expected, or just not hold up, this episode will help you figure out what’s going on.Email us at

en

00:56:33

Where do sewists hang out now? #112

Stitching Tales ·

2026/06/16

The sewing world has never been more connected, or more fragmented.15 years ago, most online sewists gathered in a handful of forums and blogs. Today, conversations are spread across Facebook groups, memberships, Discord servers, Substack, online courses, Instagram, YouTube, and platforms that may or may not still exist by the time this episode airs.On one hand, it's easier than ever to find people who share your interests. On the other hand, keeping track of where everyone is gathering can feel

en

00:56:32

Sew better with the right thread #111

Stitching Tales ·

2026/06/09

Sewing thread seems simple, until you realise that there is a thread jungle out there, and that choosing the right thread can affect everything from seam durability and stretch to stitch quality and how smoothly your machine sews.In this episode, Malena and Johanna are diving deep into the world of sewing threads. From regular all-purpose thread to overlock cones, stretch thread and heavy topstitching thread, this episode covers what different threads actually do, when to use them and why thread

en

00:58:46

Creative burnout, exhaustion & pressure to always...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/06/02

What happens when the thing you used to enjoy doing starts feeling like dread? Because burnout and exhaustion often creep up on us, and can be hard to nip in the bud.In this candid conversation, Johanna and Malena talk about their own experiences with burnout, losing motivation, and what happens when a hobby, passion, or creative business no longer feels inspiring. Because even something you genuinely love can become emotionally draining when there’s pressure to create, produce, improve, or keep up

en

01:00:25

Summer sewing: Linen struggles, hacking shorts and...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/05/26

Summer has (almost) arrived in Sweden, and Malena and Johanna are ready to talk about warm-weather sewing. It starts with a linen pants therapy session where Johanna has some saggy struggles; luckily, Malena has the solutions. They move on to shorts and how we can hack our favourite pants sewing pattern into a pair of shorts (hint: the answer might surprise you).Then Malena pulls out a roll of fabric and asks for advice, and the answer could be...dungarees, or as Johanna says, "own the stripes!"

en

00:50:40

Coverstitch secrets: Beyond basic hems #108

Stitching Tales ·

2026/05/19

The coverstitch machine can easily become an expensive hemming machine. So in this episode, Johanna and Malena talk about why it can do so much more than just finish the bottom of a t-shirt.Johanna is on a roll in this episode, and dishes on everything from reverse coverstitching and bindings to seams inspired by ready-to-wear activewear and even denim!Then the conversation turns to using woolly nylon and heavier threads for fuller coverage, binding techniques both with and without specialised

en

00:57:19

Lack of confidence, purging patterns & creative...

Stitching Tales ·

2026/05/12

Malena and Johanna open the mailbag again and answer your pressing sewing questions! Should you purge patterns that no longer fit? Who gets the final word when Malena and Johanna disagree on a technique? And can you skip the grain line when sewing samples?These and many more questions are answered in this very meaty Q&A episode. Email us more questions at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or contact us at our socials:Stitching Tales on InstagramStitching Tales on

en

126 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living

Brittany Gibson - Beginner Homesteader

FamilyGeekery - A Podcast About Comics, Video Games, and Anything Else Geeky!

QuickPixel Media

Modified Rides Podcast

Modified Rides Podcast

Living Clutter Free Forever - decluttering tips,home organizing, minimalist living

Caroline Thor - Professional Organizer...