Stitching Tales by The Last Stitch Media

06.25.2024

Sewing dos and don'ts #21

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...

06.18.2024

Projector files and struggling pattern companies #20

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...

06.11.2024

Sewing activewear #19

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...

06.04.2024

Our favourite sewing tools #18

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...

05.28.2024

Drafting patterns from existing clothes #17

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...

05.21.2024

Naming patterns & secret projects #16

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....

05.14.2024

Sewing and fitting a perfect t-shirt #15

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 Stitching Tales on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod⁠⁠⁠ T-shirt...

05.07.2024

Secrets of a big brand pattern maker #14

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...

04.30.2024

Sewing knits on a sewing machine #13

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...

04.23.2024

Big plans, little time #12

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...

04.16.2024

Coverstitching: Our top tips and tricks #11

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. Get 20% off Coverstitch Success Use code POD20 or...

04.09.2024

Feeding the social media beast #10

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...

04.02.2024

Sewing jeans like a pro #9

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,...

03.26.2024

Launching patterns and losing followers #8

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...

03.19.2024

Our struggles with marketing #7

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,...

03.12.2024

Creating a sewing pattern: From start to finish. #6

Curious about the process of developing sewing patterns? What tools do we use? How much is digital vs pen and paper? And are pattern testers required to ensure a good fit in all sizes? These and a lot more questions are...

03.05.2024

Malena released a (free!) pattern + other updates: #5

Malena has released the Malva tee, which you'll get for free if you sign up for her newsletter. Malva is guaranteed to become a wardrobe staple, and Johanna can't rave enough about the balanced and clever silhouette. Johanna hasn't released a...

02.27.2024

Sewing newsletters, yay or nay? #4

Do we really need newsletters? Do readers find them useful? Or are they simply a waste of both inbox space and precious time for us business owners? Malena wants to start a monthly sewing newsletter. But her concept flies in the...

02.20.2024

Our best tips from Fit for Knits. #3

Johanna and Malena have made a book together. It's about how to fit and sew beautiful knit clothes. Listen to this episode to learn a ton of tips that could blow your mind. Fit for Knits Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching Tales on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stitching...

02.13.2024

Who said sewing knits is easy? #2

Malena and Johanna get candid about their own struggles when it comes to sewing clothes made with knit fabrics. We talk about fabrics that can't handle sewing, disappointing necklines and having the serger knife slice up your garment (again!). Luckily they...

02.04.2024

Sewing won't make us rich. #1

Malena and Johanna talk about the realities of running a sewing business. Can you quit your day job, or even make money at all? And does creating content take the fun out of sewing? Johanna likes to pretend she is running...