Love to Sew Podcast

Four years after our first Sewing Swimwear episode, we're back on the topic with more sewing tips, better fabric information, and lots of great pattern recommendations! We also cover ideas for adapting non-swimwear patterns into swimwear, swim coverup ideas, places to buy swimwear fabric, and a review of all the swimwear we have sewn ourselves. Plus: listener feedback from our Getting Started with Pattern Drafting episode!

Show Notes

This week's episode is a podcast crossover! We chat with the hosts of the Asian Sewist Collective Podcast, Ada Chen and Nicole Angeline, about making a sewing podcast, issues that affect sewists of Asian descent, and their personal sewing stories. Listen in to learn about how the Collective got started, how they make decisions, and how the podcast sausage gets made!

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Chests come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes - and patterns usually don't. In this episode, we go over the ways that patterns are shaped (or not) to accommodate a bust, how you can tell if you need a pattern adjustment, and how to adjust patterns to fit your unique chest.

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Rose Parr is a sewist and ergonomics expert. In this episode, we get her best advice for sewing practices that are kind to your body, including how to set up your sewing space, which ergonomic tools make a difference, and what stretches to do.

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Serena (a.k.a. Sewrena) makes her fabulous vintage wardrobe using vintage patterns and vintage machines! We chat with her about her favourite vintage styles, the differences between vintage and modern patterns, and what to look for in a vintage machine. Plus, vintage maternity clothes, making amazing hats, and #VintageStyleNotVintageValues.

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As sewists, we know a lot about finished fabrics - but how much do we know about how they get made? In this episode, we walk you through all the steps of the fabric-making process, from raw materials to finished bolts. We also cover ethical considerations, fabric certifications, and how finished fabrics get from factories to your doorstep.

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Samantha (aka @purplesewingcloud) is a sewist known for her fun, colourful makes. In this episode, we chat with her about mixing prints, incorporating patchwork into garments, and how to make the sewing community more accessible. Sam also shares the design process for her handmade wedding dress, her personal accessibility strategies, and how to do foundation paper piecing.

Show Notes

Every month on Patreon, we release a mini-episode for our patrons at the "Love to Sew Superfan" level! These episodes are short versions of our main episodes. We have done episodes on sewing techniques, fabric deep dives, and pattern ideas. We often make episodes based on questions or topics from our patrons! Patrons at this level also get 15% off discount codes to Helen's Closet and Blackbird Fabrics. ⁠ In this free mini-episode, we share five methods for making a dress form that looks just like you! We also discuss the pros and cons of each method, talk about how sewists use dress forms, and admit our fears of getting trapped in duct tape. ⁠ If you like this mini-episode and want more, consider supporting us on Patreon! Click the link below to sign up. Our patrons are the reason we are able to make quality sewing content. Thank you, patrons! ⁠

Love to Sew Patreon

Show Notes:

• "Quick and Easy Duct Tape Dress Form" in Threads Magazine
• "Close-Fit Duct Tape Dress Form" in Threads Magazine
• "Learn to Make a Paper-Tape Dress Form" by David Page Coffin in Threads Magazine
• Gummed Paper Tape
• "Molded Papier-Mâché Form" in Threads Magazine
• "Create a Custom Dress Form" by Judith Neukam in Threads Magazine
• DIY Dress Form Sewing Patterns by Bootstrap Patterns
• Mel's Bootstrap Patterns Dress Form Process Instagram Reel
• "Padding a Dress Form As Your Body Double: A Condensed Guide" by Brooks Ann Camper
• Episode 56: Hand Sewing with Brooks Ann Camper

Take your sewing to the next level by learning how to draft patterns! In this episode, we list the materials you need, give you an overview of the drafting process, and share resources to help you learn this skill. Also, Helen tells the story of her business, Helen's Closet Patterns!

Show Notes

Kat Brown Akootchook is a Native American artist and designer who blends contemporary and traditional with a wink and a smile! We chat with her about her wonderful work in many mediums: beadwork, sewing, block printing, and hide tanning.

Show Notes

March's bonus episode is full of adventure! Caroline went on a dangerous hike and saw a bobcat in her yard; Helen tried basket making and signed up for a pottery course. Plus: exciting Helen's Closet news, Caroline's wedding guest dress, tons of cool pattern releases, and a tool that will keep your fabric from twisting and bunching up in the washer and dryer.

If you like this episode and want more, consider signing up for our patreon! For $5 USD, will get a bonus episode every month, plus weekly behind-the-scenes photo posts.

Click here to visit our Patreon!

Show notes:

Sewing Patterns:

• Sam Apron by Helen's Closet
• March Top and Dress by Helen's Closet
• Elodie Wrap Dress by Closet Core
• Cameron Button-Up by Helen's Closet
• Avery Leggings by Helen's Closet
• Daughter Judy
• Adams Pant by Daughter Judy
• Bowen Dress by Kim Sisson of Hubba Ding for Peppermint Magazine
• Sofia Sweetheart Knit Dress and Top by Staystitch Pattern Co.
• Sew it Yourself by Daisy Braid Pre-Order
• Cashmerette Club
• Kimball Bomber Jacket by Cashmerette
• Clove Vest by Charlotte Emma Patterns
• Hyde T-Shirt by Muna and Broad
• Nova Star Quilt by Then Came June

Other Mentions:

• Lost Ruins of Arnak
• Noble Blood Podcast
• Calico
• Emily Van Hoff
• The Great Pottery Throw Down
• Dune
• Supergoop Glowscreen
• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion
• Wad-Free
• Yoga with Adriene

For our 200th episode, we asked our listeners the question we ask all our guests: "How did you learn to sew?" In this episode, we share some of the many great responses we got - funny, touching stories of discovering this skill we all love.

Show Notes

Donny Hoang (aka Donny Q) is a sewing influencer and microbiologist with a unique, textural personal style. In this episode, we chat with him about self-drafting, taking great photos, working with leafcutter ants, and his dream style aesthetic: looking like a pile of unfolded laundry.

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It has pockets! We cover patch pockets, in-seam pockets, slash pockets, and welt pockets. Plus: a short history of pockets, iconic pocket patterns, and tons of pocket tips!

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This episode was originally released on August 19, 2019. In this Love to Sew Favourite, we talk about everything denim! What do denim weights mean? How do I choose the right denim for my project? What is selvage denim? We cover it all!

This episode was originally released on March 11, 2019. We asked for your sewing stories from around the world! In this Love to Sew Favourite, we make connections and highlight differences in our sewing. We share your stories, tips, and experiences.

Show Notes

This episode was originally released on August 12, 2019. In this Love to Sew Favourite, we chat with Susan Khalje about the art of couture sewing! We chat about why couture matters, how to create 'couture moments' in your wardrobe, and the tools needed to succeed with couture sewing.

Show Notes

This episode was originally released on April 16, 2018. In this Love to Sew Favourite, we give you tips and ideas to level up your sewing! We want to help you to learn new skills, improve the quality of your work, and sew something you didn't think possible. We hope you'll come away with the encouragement you need to take your sewing practice up a notch.

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This episode was originally released on September 21, 2020. In this Love to Sew Favourite, Maressa Fernandez joins us to talk about maker affirmations! She shares how maker affirmations can help us to work through creative struggles and inspire a breakthrough in your creative practice.

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This episode was originally released on December 2, 2019. Are you looking for the perfect sewing gift to give to a loved one? What about gifts to give to your sewing friends? In this Love to Sew Favourite, we've got you covered - so your gift can be as special and unique as your loved one!

Show Notes

Alexandra Morgan is a fitting expert - and today, she brings her expertise to our listeners! Alexandra shares a bit about her experience in the fashion industry and in the home sewing world, walks us through the steps of her fitting process, and helps six listeners with their fitting issues. The fitting photos are in our show notes, so visit lovetosewpodcast.com to follow along!

Show Notes

There's no fabric more glamorous than silk! In this episode, we take a deep dive into this fancy fiber - its history, how it's made, and how to work with it. Plus, we share a source for custom cutting mats, an amazing sewing song made by a listener, and alternatives to silk!

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Interested in quilting, but don't know where to start? Start here! Bhiravi Rathinasabapathi, quilt designer and owner of Strawberry Creek Quilts, teaches us all the basics in this episode.

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Four years of Love to Sew? This calls for a celebration! In this fun, chatty episode, we share big changes in our lives from the past year, answer questions from listeners, and play a game with our partners, Sam and Shea!

SHOW NOTES

Collars can be tricky to sew, but they're worth it! In this episode, we go over the parts of a collar, the different kinds of collars, and lots of collar sewing tips. Plus, we answer a listener question about how to make more things you like, share some collared sewing patterns, and even talk about how to eliminate a collar!

Show Notes

A great garment pairs a good design with the perfect fabric. In this episode, we guide you through pattern and fabric matchmaking, whether in-person or online. Plus, we answer a question about using natural fiber fabrics for interfacing, share a listener's recommended sewing gadgets, and share our best and worst fabric choices.

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What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started sewing? In this episode, Love to Sew listeners share the hard-earned advice they wish they had when they were new sewists - and Helen and Caroline commentate!

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Christi Johnson is a textile artist and teacher. We talk with her about mystical empowerment through wearable embroidery, clothing vs. fashion, and her new book!

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Cutting is a big part of every sewist's life. In this episode, we share tips for cutting patterns and fabric, recommend the best cutting supplies, and have a Team Rotary Cutter vs. Team Scissors smackdown!

Show Notes

Tailoring for everyone! Emilia Bergoglio makes amazing tailored garments. In this episode, they chat with us about tailoring techniques, degendering fashion, and their favourite learning resources.

Linings can make your clothes last longer, make sheer fabrics more versatile, and even make your jackets warmer. In this episode, Helen and Caroline review how to sew linings, how to draft linings, and how to choose the perfect lining fabric for your garment.

Francisco Diaz is an artist, slow fashion sewist, and upcycler extraordinaire! In this episode, we pick their brain about sewing with thrifted fabrics, painting and drawing on garments, earth day goals, queer creator collabs, and more.

An organized stash is the key to enjoying your fabrics! We share small-space strategies, listener tips, cataloging methods, and more in this comprehensive episode. Big stash? Small stash? We've got ideas for any stash!

This episode was originally released on August 26, 2019. What does your style say about you? From assessing your current style to designing your dream wardrobe, we will have you inspired to create the looks that best suits you.

This episode was originally released on March 23, 2020. This Love to Sew Favourite is all about thread! We discuss the different types of thread, their properties and weights, and how to find the right thread for your sewing project. We also discuss top tips for finding a good quality thread and ways to strengthen your thread when hand-stitching!⁠

This episode was originally released on November 19, 2018. In this Love to Sew Favourite, Gretchen Rubin joins us to talk about her Four Tendencies framework and how it relates to our creative hobbies. We talk about knowing yourself better, finding accountability, facing your fears, and how colour can influence our everyday lives. Gretchen is a happiness expert and she gives us loads of tips on how to be happy and productive in our sewing practice.

This episode was originally released on July 6, 2020. In this Love to Sew Favourite, we discuss the fascinating history of linen, common characteristics of linen, and the many great pattern suggestions for sewing with linen. We also touch on some tips and tricks for sewing with linen and our favourite linen makes!

This episode was originally released on October 28, 2019. In this Love to Sew Favourite, Vogue Patterns designer Carlos Correa gives us a behind-the-scenes preview of the making of Vogue sewing patterns! Carlos also chats about his own sewing journey, his love for high fashion, and his approach to making a handmade wardrobe.

This episode was originally released on May 20, 2019. In this Love to Sew Favourite, we share the wonderful, heartfelt, and surprising reasons why we sew. Listeners all around the world wrote in to tell us their 'why' and celebrate this wonderful hobby with us!

This episode was originally released on September 17, 2018. In this Love to Sew Favourite, Jen Hewett shares her passion for block printing and tells us how we can print our own fabrics! She walks us through how she got started with block printing, why she loves turning her printed fabrics into garments, and what makes a good block. We also discuss listening to your body while you work, wearing prints, and why not to turn your hobby into a business.

Pants! We love to sew them and we love to wear them. In this episode, Helen and Caroline talk pants sewing techniques, pants patterns, pants fabrics, and the pants fitting process!

In this episode, Helen and Caroline chat with three amazing petite sewists: Simone Nelson, Shontae Buffington, and Lauren Digby. They share their petite sewing strategies, tips, and stories to help other sewists find their perfect fit!

Terrance Williams is a sustainable fashion entrepreneur, style icon, content creator, and activist! In this episode, Helen and Caroline chat with him about his business, his personal style journey, and creating change in the sewing world.

Lyocell/Tencel is lovely for garment sewing...but what is it? In this episode, Helen and Caroline completely demystify this beautiful, comfortable, and sustainable fabric: how it's made, how to sew it, and how to care for it!

This week, we are delving into zero waste sewing! Helen and Caroline discuss how to revolutionize your sewing practice with waste-reducing techniques, zero waste patterns, and sustainable habits.

Mark our words: marking tools are important! Helen and Caroline break down all the different kinds of marking tools so that you can choose the best ones for your projects.

Hooray for beginner sewists! Helen and Caroline cover your beginner questions in this Q&A--from machine threading to fitting muslins!

Saremy Duffy from Sew Sew Live joins us to talk about commercial sewing techniques and how she started live-streaming sewing projects on YouTube! Saremy talks about her extensive experience in the sewing industry and shares her top tips for bringing commercial sewing practices into home sewing.

Need to brush up on your sewing vocabulary? We are here to help! We cover some of the most common terms in home sewing and share some helpful tips and tricks along the way!⁠

Treasure Mallory from Nikki&Mallory joins us to talk about leatherwork! Treasure shares what you need to get started, how to overcome beginner challenges, and the differences between garment sewing and sewing with leather. She also shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey and her best advice for small business owners.