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:

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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.”

Episode 45: The Confidence Ladder of Making

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re diving into something every maker experiences, but don’t always have language for: confidence. 🧵✨

When you first start sewing, everything feels intimidating: patterns are confusing, techniques feel overwhelming, and every project feels like a test. But over time, something shifts. You begin to trust your hands, your instincts, and your creative decisions.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what we’re calling The Confidence Ladder of Making: the four stages makers move through as they grow:

• Imitation – following patterns and learning the basics
• Modification – making small changes and creative tweaks
• Ownership – trusting your instincts and solving problems
• Authorship – creating something entirely your own

We’re talking about why imitation is not cheating, why so many makers stay in the modification stage (and why that’s okay), and how confidence is built through repetition, mistakes, and finished projects not talent.

If you’ve ever wondered “am I doing this right?” or felt stuck in your sewing journey, this episode will help you understand where you are and what comes next.

✨ Join the conversation:
If someone handed you a brand new sewing pattern today… would you follow it exactly, tweak it, or completely wing it? 👀
DM us or share in our Facebook group The Sewcial Sewists and tell us the project that first gave you sewing confidence.

🎧 New episodes of The Sewcial Hour Podcast drop every Tuesday on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a beginner maker who needs a little encouragement.

Next week: We’re chatting with Kate Hay of Quilt with Miss Kate, you won’t want to miss it! 🧵

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re joined by Karen Wade, founder of Bessie Pearl Binding Co. — a company that has helped thousands of quilters finally enjoy the finishing step with beautifully made, ready-to-use bias binding.

If binding is the part of quilting you dread (👀 you’re not alone), this episode is for you.

Karen shares how Bessie Pearl was born out of a very real sewing room frustration and how that one problem turned into a thriving product-based business. With a background in retail and over a decade of growth, she gives us an inside look at what it actually takes to build a business in the sewing world — and what most people get wrong about it.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The moment Karen realized there had to be a better way to finish quilts
• Why bias binding feels so intimidating for so many quilters
• How Bessie Pearl evolved from an idea into a full product line
• The realities of running a sewing-based product business
• How Karen selects fabrics and designs binding that works across quilt styles
• Tips to make binding feel less overwhelming (and maybe even enjoyable!)

Plus, we get to know Karen a little more through rapid-fire questions, hear what she’s loving right now, and chat about what’s next for Bessie Pearl — including a fun Quilt Top Maxi Skirt Sew-Along coming this summer 👗🧵

Whether you love binding, avoid it at all costs, or are somewhere in between, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on the final step of quilting.

✨ Connect with Karen & Bessie Pearl:
Follow along on Instagram: @bessiepearlbindingco
Explore ready-made binding options, tutorials, and more to simplify your quilt finishes.

🎧 New episodes of The Sewcial Hour Podcast drop every other Tuesday on all major platforms. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a quilter who really needs help with their binding 😉

Next week: We’re talking about The Confidence Ladder of Making — how to build skills, trust yourself, and grow as a maker.

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re talking about a topic that can get uncomfortable real fast… money. 💸✂️

Why does fabric feel so expensive? Why do makers consistently underprice their work? And what are we actually paying for when we choose handmade over mass-produced?

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the true cost of creating - from materials and tools to the often-overlooked value of time, skill, and experience. Because spoiler: that “quick afternoon project” didn’t just take an afternoon… it took years to be able to make it that quickly.

We’re diving into:

• What really goes into the cost of a handmade item
• Why time is the most undervalued part of sewing
• A reality check on what your projects would cost if you paid yourself fairly
• Why handmade will never (and should never) compete with fast fashion pricing
• The invisible labor behind every finished piece
• Why makers fall into the trap of underpricing their work
• The difference between hobby pricing and business pricing

We also get honest about the emotional side of pricing — how it’s tied to identity, confidence, and the fear that no one will buy - and why underpricing doesn’t make you generous… it makes you unsustainable.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, a side hustler, or running a full creative business, this episode will challenge how you think about the value of your work and help you decide what kind of maker you want to be.

✨ Join the conversation:
 DM us what you think your last project really cost (including your time 👀), and share one thing you’re going to stop underpricing this year.

🎧 New episodes of The Sewcial Hour Podcast drop every Tuesday on all major platforms. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a maker who needs permission to charge more.

Next week: We’re chatting with Karen Wade of Bessie Pearl - you won’t want to miss it! 🧵

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re joined by quilt designer and maker Julius Rempe-Night of Julius Handmade to talk all things Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) — one of the most striking and precise techniques in modern quilting.

Known for his bold geometric designs, fearless color palettes, and thoughtful approach to creativity, Julius shares how he discovered FPP, why he fell in love with the technique, and how it became the foundation of his pattern design work. With over eight years of experience, he’s helping quilters of all levels see that FPP isn’t just about precision — it’s about unlocking new creative possibilities.

In this episode we chat about:

• How Julius got started with quilting and design
• Why foundation paper piecing isn’t as intimidating as it seems
• His pattern design process and the tools he uses
• The role color plays in creating bold quilts
• The mindset shift students experience when learning FPP
• Why he shares free patterns and a yearly Block of the Month

Julius also shares what he’s currently working on, his favorite sewing tools, and details about his Foundation Paper Piecing design classes for makers who want to start creating their own patterns.

✨ Special for Sewcial Hour listeners:
Use code SEWCIALHOUR at checkout on the Julius Handmade Etsy shop for 20% off all patterns through the end of April. You can access the shop through his website below.

Connect with Julius:
Website: www.juliushandmade.com
Instagram: @juliushandmade
YouTube: Julius Handmade

We’d love to see your projects! If you try foundation paper piecing or one of Julius’s patterns, share your wins in our Facebook group The Sewcial Sewists.

🎧 New episodes of The Sewcial Hour Podcast drop every Tuesday on all major podcast platforms.

Next week: We’re diving into a topic every maker eventually faces — The Economics of Handmade. 💸🧵

In this week’s episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re recapping all things QuiltCon! 

From the quilts that completely stopped us in our tracks to the trends we saw everywhere, we’re breaking down our biggest takeaways from this year’s show. We’re talking bold color palettes, modern design moments, the vendors that had everyone buzzing, and the inspiration overload that only QuiltCon can deliver.

We’re also sharing:

• Our favorite quilts and why they stood out
• Creative techniques we’re dying to try
• Behind-the-scenes moments and funny stories
• What surprised us most about the event
• How QuiltCon reflects where the modern quilting movement is headed

Whether you attended in person, followed along on social media, or are just QuiltCon-curious, this episode will make you feel like you were right there with us.

QuiltCon always leaves us feeling inspired, slightly overwhelmed (in the best way), and ready to start five new projects immediately — and we’re bringing you along for the ride.

✨ Join the conversation!
Come share your favorite QuiltCon moments in our Facebook group, The Sewcial Sewists, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for photos, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday — make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast!

Have you ever bought a PDF pattern… and then procrastinated for days because you didn’t want to print, tape, and cut it out?

In this episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re diving into the world of projector sewing — the tool that has completely changed how Bethany sews and the one Audra is currently setting up (with a healthy mix of excitement and intimidation).

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of using a projector for sewing, this episode is for you. We’re breaking it all down in a beginner-friendly way and walking you through exactly what you need to know to get started.

We cover:

• What projector sewing actually is and why sewists love it
• How it saves time, money, paper, and frustration
• The differences between standard throw, short throw, and ultra short throw projectors
• How throw ratio affects your setup
• Mounting options and creating a stable cutting space
• Calibration (and why it’s way less scary than it sounds)
• How to convert regular PDF patterns into projector files using the free software PDF Stitcher
• The best resources for support, including the Projectors for Sewing Facebook group and projectorsewing.com

We also talk about the many ways you can use a projector beyond garment sewing — bags, quilt templates, appliqué, crafts, vinyl, leather, and so much more.

Our biggest takeaway?
Don’t wait.

So many sewists buy a projector and let it sit in the box because the setup feels overwhelming. But once it’s mounted and calibrated, it becomes second nature — and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Plus, we’re sharing a quick Spool School tip, what we’re currently working on, and some exciting updates (including QuiltCon!).

If you’ve been thinking about getting a projector… this is your sign. 🧵✨

🎧 Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour Podcast
⭐ Leave us a review
💬 Share your projector setup or questions on Instagram or inside The Sewcial Sewists Facebook group

Let’s remove friction and get back to sewing.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’re talking about a relationship that might need a little extra love — your sewing room.

In this episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Audra and Bethany dive into how your sewing space impacts your creativity, motivation, and joy. After last week’s conversation about WIPs and UFOs, we’re taking things one step further and talking about how to create a sewing space that supports you instead of stressing you out.

Because if your sewing room feels chaotic, cluttered, or guilt-inducing, it’s really hard to feel inspired to create. Your sewing space shouldn’t be a dumping ground, a storage unit, or a shame spiral — it should be a place you want to be.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your sewing environment sets the tone for your creativity
• Organization systems that actually work for real-life sewists
• How to purge, donate, and let go of stash guilt
• Decorating your space with your makes and celebrating your work
• Tools, lighting, and sensory details that make sewing feel joyful
• Simple ways to keep your space tidy without turning it into a full-time job
  
  

We also share what we’re currently working on, what we’re loving lately, and encourage you to give your sewing space a little refresh — even if it’s just one small change.

✨ This Valentine’s Day reminder: you deserve to love the space where you create.

🎧 Up next:
Next episode, we’re talking all about Projector Sewing.

💬 Join the conversation:
Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour Podcast
Leave a review
Share photos of your sewing space glow-up on Instagram or in our Facebook group, The Sewcial Sewists

Your sewing room doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to work for you. 🧵💕

Every sewist has them: Works in Progress and UnFinished Objects lurking in bins, closets, and the corners of our sewing rooms… quietly judging us.

In this episode of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Audra and Bethany are talking about all things WIPs & UFOs and why we get stuck, how unfinished projects can weigh on us emotionally, and how to decide what’s actually worth finishing (and what’s okay to let go).

We’re breaking down:

• Why WIPs happen (and why they’re not a personal failure)
• The difference between projects that deserve patience and projects that deserve permission to be released
• How sunk cost guilt keeps us stuck
• Smart ways to repurpose unfinished projects instead of forcing yourself to suffer through them
• Simple strategies to actually finish more projects without turning sewing into a guilt factory

We also talk honestly about the emotional weight unfinished projects carry, how they mess with our confidence, and why your sewing space should never feel like a guilt museum.

Plus, we’re spotlighting Cara of The Little Golden Fox and HollyAnne Knight of String & Story, sharing what we’re loving lately, and giving you one simple piece of homework that could change how you feel every time you walk into your sewing room.

✨ Homework: Pick one project. Either finish it or officially release it. No more emotional support UFOs.

🎧 What’s next?
Next episode, we’re taking this conversation even further with “Love Your Sewing Room” - all about creating a sewing space that sparks joy, creativity, and motivation.

💬 Join the conversation:

• Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour Podcast
• Leave us a review
• Share your 2026 sewing goals or word-of-the-year on Instagram or inside our Facebook group, The Sewcial Sewists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesewcialsewists

Sewing is supposed to be joyful and it starts with giving yourself permission to move forward. 🧵✨