The Sewcial Hour Podcast

What actually happens before a sewing pattern is released to the public?

In Episode 55 of The Sewcial Hour, we’re going behind the seams to talk all about pattern testing with two guests who bring very different perspectives to the process: Catherine Holbrook of Bringing Sewing Back, who specializes in garment sewing, and Delia Birch of A Stitch is a Stitch Quilt Co., who designs quilt patterns and provides technical editing services to fellow designers.

While the basic purpose of pattern testing is the same, to have experienced sewists make a pattern, identify issues, and provide feedback before it is finalized, the process can look surprisingly different between garment sewing and quilting.

Catherine and Delia help us break down both sides of the process, including:

🧵 What exactly is pattern testing and why is it important?
✂️ What are designers actually looking for when they select testers?
📋 How many testers do you need and how do you manage a testing group?
💰 Do pattern testers get paid or compensated in other ways?
📣 What about affiliate links and promoting the pattern after release?
📸 How important are photography and social media promotion?
⏰ How important are deadlines and commitments?
🔎 What makes someone a GOOD pattern tester?
💬 How should testers communicate when they find a problem?
👗 What makes garment testing different from quilt testing?

Whether you've ever wanted to become a pattern tester, you've wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite patterns, or you're a designer looking to build a better testing process, this episode is packed with practical insight from both sides of the sewing world.

Meet Our Guests

Catherine Holbrook - Bringing Sewing Back

Catherine discovered sewing in 2014 and quickly went from refashioning thrifted garments to drafting her own patterns and sharing her sewing journey online. Today, she creates everything from Barbie clothes to full ball gowns and has partnered with brands including Simplicity, Mettler Thread, BERNINA, and Styla Patterns.

📸 Follow Catherine on Instagram: @bringingsewingback
👉 https://www.instagram.com/bringingsewingback/

Delia Birch - A Stitch is a Stitch Quilt Co.

Delia creates original quilt patterns and offers technical editing services to fellow quilt designers. Based in New Mexico with her husband and three kids, Delia loves creating approachable quilt designs with clear instructions and thoughtful construction.

🌐 Website: https://astitchisastitchquiltco.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_stitch_is_a_stitch/

You Love to See It

Bethany also shares some exciting news about her first-ever virtual sewing retreat, coming in January 2027! If you've been collecting gorgeous jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs, and other precuts without knowing exactly what to make with them, this retreat is for you.
Learn more here: https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-at-home-quilting-with-precut

Connect with The Sewcial Hour

Follow The Sewcial Hour on Instagram and Facebook.

🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video episodes.

💬 Join The Sewcial Sewists private Facebook group and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!

The Sewcial Hour Podcast - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

Would you love having sewing goodies delivered right to your door every month… or would your sewing room quickly become even more stuffed with things you may never use? 😂

In Episode 54 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m joined by Brooke Stambersky of Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches for a fun conversation about sewing subscription boxes and the big question: Are they actually worth it?

We’re talking about the appeal of subscription boxes, the mystery factor, cost vs. value, stash accumulation, sewing guilt, and who these boxes might actually be best for. We’ll also share some green flags and red flags to look for before signing up and give our own verdicts on whether sewing subscription boxes are worth adding to your sewing life.

And, of course, we have to ask: Are subscription boxes inspiring us to sew more… or are they just enabling our fabric and notion addictions? 😉

🧵 Sew With Me: Monthly Virtual Sewing Club
Looking for a fun way to sew, connect, and stay motivated? Check out my Monthly Virtual Sewing Club, where we get together online to sew, chat, and work on our projects together!
👉 https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me

Learn more about Brooke and follow along with her sewing adventures:
🌐 Website: www.brookesbitchinstitches.com
📸 Instagram: @brookesbtchinstitches
📘 Facebook: Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches
📌 Pinterest: Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches

Follow @thesewcialhourpodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

🎥 Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour on YouTube for video episodes.

💬 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!

The Sewcial Hour - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

What happens when your sewing space goes from a cozy Narrow Boat to a cottage in Scotland? 🏡🧵

In Episode 53 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m chatting with my friend Tracy Perks of Rope & Anchor Trading Co. Tracy joins me from the UK for a casual conversation about her quilting journey, her recent move to a cottage in Scotland, and what it’s like to suddenly have a whole lot more room to sew!

We talk about Tracy’s unique approach to quilt pattern design and her wonderfully distinctive writing style, the inspiration behind her patterns, and how her sewing life has evolved through the years—from quilting aboard a Narrow Boat to settling into a new home in the Scottish countryside.

And of course, we couldn’t chat about everything Tracy has been up to without talking about her new Christmas quilting book, which is available now! 🎄🎄

If you love hearing the stories behind the makers, discovering new quilt patterns, and getting a peek into the creative lives of fellow sewists, you’ll love this relaxed conversation with Tracy.

📖 Check out Tracy’s new Christmas quilting book:
https://amzn.to/4g8TeFz

🧵 Sew With Me Retreat - October

I also take a quick break in the middle of this episode to tell you about my upcoming Sew With Me Retreat this October!

If you're looking for a fun weekend filled with sewing, creativity, community, and plenty of time to work on the projects you love, I'd love for you to come sew with me!

👉 Learn more about the October Sew With Me Retreat: https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me-retreat-october

Connect with The Sewcial Hour
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook: @thesewcialhourpodcast

🎥 Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour on YouTube for video episodes.

💬 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Be sure to follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!

The Sewcial Hour - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

What happens when a love of quilting turns into a career that takes you across the country, introduces you to incredible people, and makes you one of the familiar faces in the quilting community?

In Episode 52 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m joined by Corey Pearson, Chief Quilter at Linda’s, for a conversation about quilting, creativity, travel, community, and the journey that brought him to where he is today.

Corey and I talk about how he discovered quilting, his path to becoming Chief Quilter at Linda’s, and what that role really looks like behind the scenes. We dive into his passion for longarm quilting, the artistry behind the process, and why he continues to be excited about quilting after turning his passion into a career.

We also talk about life on the road, quilt shows and industry events, building relationships within the quilting community, and the partnerships that help move the industry forward. And, of course, we get a little personal with some fun quick-fire questions along the way!

Whether you're a longtime quilter, a longarm enthusiast, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind the people who make up our creative community, this conversation with Corey is full of insight, laughs, and plenty of quilting inspiration.

Because quilting is about so much more than fabric and thread. It's about creativity, connection, lifelong learning, and the people who make this community so special.

🧵 Sew With Me Retreat — October

I also take a quick break in the middle of this episode to tell you about my upcoming Sew With Me Retreat this October!

If you're looking for a fun weekend filled with sewing, creativity, community, and plenty of time to work on the projects you love, I'd love for you to come sew with me!

👉 Learn more about the October Sew With Me Retreat:
https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me-retreat-october

✂️ Shop Linda's

Want to check out the quilting tools and supplies Corey and the team at Linda's love? Shop Linda's and use my affiliate code BETHANY10 to save 10% off your order!

👉 www.lindas.com

As a Linda's affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made using my code.

Follow Corey

Want to keep up with Corey and see more of his quilting adventures?

📸 Instagram: @sew_coco_pearson

https://www.instagram.com/sew_coco_pearson/

🎙️ The Sewcial Hour — A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists

Bringing creativity and community together through conversations about sewing, quilting, creativity, and the people who make this industry so special.

Follow @thesewcialhourpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and watch video episodes on YouTube. You can also join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to connect with fellow makers!

What does it really take to build a creative career without losing yourself in the process?

In Episode 51 of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Bethany is joined by guest co-host Lina Owen for an honest conversation about creativity, social media, and finding your place in the sewing industry. Together, they explore the challenges many makers face, from navigating layoffs and rebuilding confidence to resisting the pressure to fit neatly into a niche.

Bethany and Lina open up about the emotional side of creating, the reality of trying to turn a passion into a career, and how comparison, algorithms, and imposter syndrome can make it difficult to trust your own voice. Lina also shares her experience creating bilingual content and the importance of making the sewing community more inclusive and accessible for Spanish-speaking makers.

Whether you're an aspiring creative entrepreneur, a content creator, or someone who simply loves to sew, this episode is a reminder that your perspective is what makes your work unique and that success doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

In This Episode

• Rebuilding creativity after career setbacks
• The pressure to "find your niche"
• Social media, comparison, and creator burnout
• Building a sustainable creative career
• Creating bilingual content and increasing representation
• Balancing passion, purpose, and profitability
• Advice for aspiring creative entrepreneurs

Connect with Lina Owen
📷 Instagram: @quiltingwithlatinas
🌐 Website: https://quiltingwithlatinas.com

Stay Connected with The Sewcial Hour Podcast
📷 Instagram: @thesewcialhourpodcast
📘 Facebook: @thesewcialhourpodcast
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes and bonus content.

🧵 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to connect with fellow sewists, share your projects, and continue the conversation.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more sewists discover the show and keeps our creative community growing.

Thank you for listening to The Sewcial Hour Podcast - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists, bringing creativity and community together.

Episode 50: Amy Chappell of Ameroonie Designs

What does it take to turn a love of sewing into a thriving creative business?

In Episode 50 of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Bethany sits down with Amy Chappell, the designer and maker behind Ameroonie Designs, to talk about building a handmade business, designing sewing patterns, and finding joy in creating through every season of life.

Amy shares the journey that led her from sewing for her family to becoming a well-known pattern designer and educator. Together, Bethany and Amy discuss the realities of running a creative business, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, the importance of designing approachable projects, and why sewing continues to be such a meaningful creative outlet.

Whether you're dreaming of selling your own handmade creations, looking for fresh sewing inspiration, or simply love hearing the stories behind your favorite makers, this episode is full of encouragement, practical insights, and plenty of sewing conversation.

In This Episode

• Amy's creative journey and the story behind Ameroonie Designs
• Growing a handmade business one project at a time
• Designing sewing patterns that inspire confidence
• Balancing creativity, family, and entrepreneurship
• Advice for aspiring pattern designers and creative business owners
• Finding joy in making, even during busy seasons

Connect with Amy Chappell

🌐 Website: Ameroonie Designs
📷 Instagram: @amerooniedesigns
📘 Facebook: @AmeroonieDesigns

Stay Connected with The Sewcial Hour Podcast
📷 Instagram: @thesewcialhourpodcast
📘 Facebook: @thesewcialhourpodcast
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes and bonus content.
🧵 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to continue the conversation, share your latest projects, and connect with fellow sewists.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love your support! Please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews help more sewists discover the show.

Thank you for listening to The Sewcial Hour Podcast - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists, bringing creativity and community together, one stitch at a time.

Episode 49: When Creativity Feels Heavy | with Lina Owens of Quilting with Latinas

Creativity isn't always joyful.

Sometimes life changes everything, and the things that once brought us comfort become the hardest to return to.

In this deeply personal episode of The Sewcial Hour, Bethany is joined by guest co-host Lina Owens of Quilting with Latinas for an honest conversation about what happens when creativity feels heavy. Together, they share their lived experiences navigating job loss, burnout, identity shifts, and the emotional weight that can make creating feel impossible.

They discuss:

• How layoffs and major life changes can impact your identity
• Why creativity is often the first thing to disappear during difficult seasons
• The pressure to keep creating while silently struggling
• Losing confidence and comparing yourself to everyone else online
• How work-from-home life can change the way your creative spaces feel
• Reclaiming a sewing room, studio, or creative space after painful memories
• Finding healing through friendship, community, and small steps forward
• Giving yourself permission to rest—and rediscover joy on your own timeline

This isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's about sharing real experiences, offering hope, and reminding you that you're not alone if your creativity feels different than it once did.

Whether you're navigating burnout, grief, a career transition, or simply feeling disconnected from the hobby you love, we hope this episode reminds you that healing isn't measured by productivity—and that it's okay to start small.

You Love to See It: Bethany and Lina share something that brought them joy this week.

Get Lina’s Book: Learn to Quilt - Bilingual Guide (https://amzn.to/4fbC8WU)

Coming Up Next: Bethany welcomes Amy Chappell of Ameroonie Designs for a conversation all about sewing, creativity, and her inspiring journey.

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to follow The Sewcial Hour, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend who might need to hear it.

Stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook at @thesewcialhourpodcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel for video episodes and bonus content, and join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, where sewists from around the world come together to inspire, encourage, and create.

In Episode 48 of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Bethany sits down with garment sewing educator, pattern drafting teacher, and content creator Cornelius Quiring for a thoughtful conversation about the fundamentals of sewing, garment construction, fit, and finding confidence through creativity.

When Cornelius was just three years old, a farm accident left his body asymmetrical. Frustrated by clothing that wasn't designed to fit his unique body, he learned how to draft patterns and sew garments for himself, transforming sewing into a powerful tool for self-expression, problem-solving, and empowerment. Today, he shares those skills with thousands of sewists around the world through his educational content, helping others better understand how clothes actually work and why that knowledge can unlock a whole new level of confidence.

Together, Bethany and Cornelius discuss pattern drafting, garment construction, body inclusivity, menswear sewing, personal style, content creation, and why so many sewists are intimidated by the idea of "advanced" sewing. Cornelius also shares his philosophy on making complex concepts approachable, the importance of understanding fit, and how learning to troubleshoot can be more valuable than striving for perfection.

We also chat about Cornelius' collaboration with LDH Scissors and his Midnight Edition Gift Set:
https://ldhscissors.com/collections/all-products/products/cornelius-quiring-x-ldh-midnight-edition-gift-set

Whether you're brand new to garment sewing or looking to deepen your understanding of how clothing is made, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical insights, and a reminder that you don't need permission to make ambitious things.

Follow Cornelius:
Website: https://cornelius.ooo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corneliusquiring/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CorneliusQuiring

Follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewcialhourpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesewcialhourpodcast/
Sewcial Sewists Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/663087616152256
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesewcialhourpodcast

Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to continue the conversation, share your projects, and connect with fellow sewing friends. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share it with a fellow sewist!

Who Gets to Decide Your Sewing Level?

What does “advanced sewing” actually mean?

Is it mastering difficult techniques? Sewing with tricky fabrics? Pattern drafting? Perfect topstitching? Or is it simply having the confidence to try something new?

In this episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Bethany dives into the complicated world of sewing skill labels — beginner, intermediate, advanced, confident beginner — and unpacks why those labels are far more subjective than most sewists realize.

Because the truth is: there’s no universal standard for sewing difficulty. One designer’s “easy weekend project” might leave another sewist crying over a seam ripper at 2am. And sometimes the projects we fear most end up teaching us the most.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Where sewing skill labels actually come from
• Why pattern difficulty is often subjective
• What “advanced sewing” really means
• Why troubleshooting is one of the most important sewing skills
• The forgotten “intermediate beginner” phase
• Why sewing skill is NOT linear
• Comparison culture and social media perfectionism
• Letting go of the idea that you need permission to sew certain projects
• Redefining success in sewing beyond perfection

Bethany also shares a more realistic sewing skill progression and reminds listeners that you can be advanced in one sewing niche and a total beginner in another — and that’s completely normal.

Plus, in this week’s “You Love To See It” segment, we’re celebrating beginner wins, imperfect projects, cutting into “the good fabric,” and sewists realizing they already belong in the creative space exactly as they are.

Whether you’re sewing your very first garment or tackling your tenth ambitious project, this episode is a reminder that sewing isn’t about earning a label — it’s about curiosity, creativity, and learning as you go.

Listener Question:

What sewing level do YOU identify with right now?
And what project made you feel more confident as a sewist?

Join the conversation in our Facebook group, The Sewcial Sewists!

Follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast:

• Instagram @thesewcialhourpodcast
• Facebook - The Sewcial Hour Podcast
• Subscribe on YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share the episode with your sewing friends!

Episode 46 of The Sewcial Hour is all about quilts, community, and building a business that feels like hanging out with your best quilting friends. This week, Bethany and Audra sit down with Kate Hay — the owner of Quilt with Miss Kate — to talk about growing up in the quilt world, working behind the scenes in the fabric industry, and creating an online quilt shop that makes quilters feel truly seen.

Kate shares what it was like growing up in her mom’s quilt shop, Patchwork Plus, before spending years as a sales rep for Moda Fabrics and eventually taking the leap to launch her own modern online quilt shop in 2024. From curating quilt kits and fabric bundles to documenting the entire journey online, Kate gives us an honest look at what really goes into running a quilt business in today’s sewing world.

We also dive into:
🧵 How quilt shops decide what fabric collections to carry
🧵 What quilters never see happening behind the scenes
🧵 Why community matters more than ever in quilting
🧵 The misconceptions people have about owning a quilt shop
🧵 Beginner quilting mistakes and favorite quilting tools
🧵 Trivia championships, escape rooms, and quilt naps

Plus, Kate teaches this week’s Spool School segment all about how quilt shops actually buy fabric — and why supporting your favorite small quilt shop matters more than you think.

And of course, there’s plenty of laughter along the way, including our “absolutely not” fabrics, rapid-fire favorites, and this week’s “You Love to See It” moments.

Follow Kate online:
✨ Quilt with Miss Kate Website
✨ Instagram @quiltwithmisskate
✨ TikTok @quiltwithmisskate

Be sure to follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast on social media for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more sewing community fun:
🪡 Instagram @thesewcialhourpodcast
🪡 Facebook - The Sewcial Hour Podcast
🪡 Subscribe on YouTube

Join the conversation in our Facebook group, The Sewcial Sewists, and share your FPP wins with us!

If you’re loving the podcast, don’t forget to leave a review on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts — reviews help more sewists discover the show and grow our amazing community.

New episodes of The Sewcial Hour Podcast drop every Tuesday on all major podcast platforms, with video episodes available on YouTube. Next week: The Myth of “Advanced” Sewing — let’s talk about sewing labels and who gets to decide what makes someone “advanced.”