The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts

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Have you reviewed your sewing habits recently? Whether you're a newbie or an accomplished sewist, a periodic audit of your sewing practice can reveal opportunities for change and improvement. Maybe you need to level up your pressing skills. Perhaps a commitment to changing your rotary cutter blades more frequently is in order. Let's identify those areas that might be holding you back from better sewing and make some changes!

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

In today's episode, we broaden our focus with Kristen Buchanan, one of the founders of Pacific Northwest Fiber Connect. Along with co-founders Hannah Paquette and Jolene Quaintance, Kristen is helping build a "chamber of commerce" for the fiber industry across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The organization's mission is to strengthen and grow the Pacific Northwest's regional fiber economy by connecting producers, businesses, and consumers. Kristen shares the inspiration behind this new venture, the challenges of launching a grassroots organization, and why building strong regional connections is more important than ever.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Machine embroidery is one of those sewing skills that seems almost magical. You load a design, press start, and watch your project come to life—but behind every beautiful embroidered piece is a skilled maker who knows how to make the machine do exactly what they envision. In this episode, Deana Crider—owner of Crafty Girlfriends—shares the story of her journey into custom machine embroidery. We chat about the creative process, the challenges of running a custom embroidery business, and the little details that make the difference between an ordinary project and one that becomes a treasured keepsake. Along the way, Deana offers practical advice for anyone who has been thinking about trying machine embroidery themselves. Whether you're already an embroidery enthusiast or you've been wondering if an embroidery machine belongs in your sewing room, this conversation is full of inspiration, encouragement, and a few laughs between friends. You'll come away with a new appreciation for the creativity, skill, and heart that go into every embroidered stitch.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Today’s episode is a recap of Janet’s recent trip to Oregon and the fabric she found while she was there. Beginning with an ill-advised foray into Seattle just as a World Cup game was letting out of the stadium—although the stop at Pacific Fabrics was absolutely worth the hassle—and ending with some shopping in Albany, Oregon, she collected quite a few new and noteworthy fabrics along the way. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Why does a quilt block come out the wrong size? Why does a sleeve twist, a neckline gape, or a hem ripple? When something goes wrong in a sewing project, it's tempting to look for a quick fix. Sometimes, though, the visible symptoms aren't the actual problem. Whether you're a quilter, garment maker, or somewhere in between, learning to diagnose problems is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. We'll explore how to identify the clues your fabric is giving you, distinguish between fabric, technique, and machine-related issues, and trace problems back to their true source. The next time a project doesn't go as planned, don't ask, "How do I fix this?" Instead, ask, "Why did this happen?" The answer may teach you more than the project itself.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Our guest today is Heather Webster, founder of Pattern-Walk, a website dedicated to preserving and sharing vintage sewing patterns dating back to the 1940s and beyond. Raised in South Africa and taught to sew by her grandmother, Heather rediscovered her passion for sewing after retirement. What began with the purchase of a single box of patterns at a local estate sale soon grew into a thriving business built around collecting, curating, and connecting sewists with vintage designs. Pattern-Walk offers tens of thousands of vintage patterns, along with educational blog posts and resources that help modern sewists use and appreciate these remarkable pieces of sewing history. In this episode, Heather shares her journey from collector to entrepreneur, her love of vintage fashion and pattern design, and what continues to inspire her work preserving these treasures for future generations.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

When people find out that you sew, chances are good that they will ask, "Can you hem my pants?" To many non-sewists, sewing is sewing, but those of us who spend time making garments (or quilts!) know that alterations are often an entirely different skill set. In this episode, we're taking a closer look at the world of alterations and why they can be far more complex than they appear. We'll discuss the differences between constructing a garment from scratch and modifying one that's already been made. We'll also explore the expectations that come with being known as "the person who sews," how to decide whether an alteration project is worth taking on, and why it's perfectly acceptable to say no when a request falls outside your interests or expertise.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Today's guest is Brooks Ann Camper, custom garment expert, educator, and all-around joyful maker. Brooks Ann's path into sewing was anything but traditional. After discovering sewing (and irons!) as a senior in college, she went on to study costume construction, work in Broadway costume production, create couture bridalwear, and eventually develop her own approach to custom-fit garment sewing. Brooks Ann shares how her background in costume production shaped the way she thinks about fit, patternmaking, and the creative process. Along the way, she reflects on her journey from theatre and couture bridalwear to teaching sewists how to create clothing that truly fits both their bodies. Whether you're interested in pattern drafting, fit, couture techniques, or simply hearing the story of a creative career built stitch by stitch, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this conversation.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

What are the tips and tricks that streamline your sewing process and make it more enjoyable? We're not focusing on productivity in this episode; we're talking about eliminating bottlenecks, optimizing workflow, and eliminating decision fatigue. It might be something as simple as changing the location of your pressing station, or purchasing a few additional tools so you aren't chasing down your seam ripper when you need it. Let's make our sewing practice even more enjoyable with a quick audit of its efficiency. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]

Send us feedback about this episode!

Are you a sewing gadget collector or a minimalist? Are there favorite tools you would want if you were stranded on an island with only a sewing machine and fabric? In this episode, we’ll make a virtual visit to Janet’s sewing room and find out what tools and gadgets are on her cutting table, near her machines, and at her pressing station. See a complete list on the show notes page at www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com.

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me!  [email protected]