Send us feedback about this episode! Choosing fabric can feel overwhelming—but it’s also one of the most important skills a sewist can develop. This episode focuses on savvy fabric selection, from drape and structure to weight, recovery, and how a fabric actually behaves in real life. We’ll explore why the same pattern can look completely different depending on the fabric you choose and how fabric choice affects not just construction, but also wearability and satisfaction. (Is white silk practic...
May 05, 2026•42 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s guest is nationally-known sewist, author, and educator Katrina Walker. In her own words, she “comes from a long line of seamstresses”—women who sewed not because they wanted to, but because they had to. Katrina has taken that legacy one step further. After graduating from college and realizing that investment banking was not for her, she returned to her home state of Washington. A series of serendipitous encounters, a job with Nordstrom Product Group,...
Apr 28, 2026•55 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we break down color theory into a practical, no-fluff guide specifically for sewing projects. Instead of getting lost in abstract design concepts, we focus on how real fabric choices come together in quilts, garments, and handmade wardrobes. You’ll learn how to build a cohesive fabric palette from a single “hero” print and avoid the most common mistake sewists make—ignoring value and contrast. If you’ve ever brought home beautiful fabrics tha...
Apr 21, 2026•39 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Send us feedback about this episode! Would you like to turn your sewing skills into income? In this episode, we explore the many ways to earn money from sewing—whether you’re looking for a simple side hustle or dreaming of building a business that support your lifestyle. From dependable income streams like alterations and repairs to more scalable options such as pattern design or teaching, we break down what each path really looks like behind the scenes. We also dive into producing handmade good...
Apr 14, 2026•38 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Send us feedback about this episode! Our guest today is Cristina Phaneuf, owner of Bumbleroot Design. Cristina shares her creative journey—from learning to sew by hand at a young age to discovering her passion for designing and making beautifully functional bags. Along the way, she’s carved out a distinctive niche in the sewing world, where thoughtful construction meets eye-catching design. Cristina also talks about how her background as a technical writer shapes her approach to pattern design, ...
Apr 07, 2026•47 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Send us feedback about this episode! Today's episode is a compilation of listener questions about sewing shows, working with large-scale prints, and more. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and let's sit down for a chat. 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! janet@janetszabo.com...
Mar 31, 2026•25 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us feedback about this episode! Your serger and coverstitch machine can do so much more than finish seams, and in this episode, we’re unlocking their full potential. From workhorse stitches that give your garments a professional finish to the decorative techniques that add texture, color, and personality, you’ll discover how to get more from the machines you already own. We’ll break down the most useful functional stitches (and when to use them), explore creative options like flatlocking, r...
Mar 24, 2026•42 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Send us feedback about this episode! Have you ever wished you could combine the neckline of one design with the sleeves of another design to create the perfect blouse pattern? Or add the pockets from one pants pattern to another? Frankenpatterning is such a useful skill! In today's episode, we’re talking about how and why sewists combine, modify, and completely reinvent patterns to create garments that have all the desired features. From simple swaps like sleeves and necklines to more advanced m...
Mar 17, 2026•37 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Send us feedback about this episode! Quilted coats and jackets are everywhere right now—and for good reason. They combine the creativity of quilting with the practicality of garment sewing and give makers an opportunity to show off their skills. In this episode, we explore the growing trend of quilted outerwear and what makes these garments so appealing to makers. From classic quilt jackets to modern oversized coats, quilted garments offer endless possibilities for using favorite fabrics, experi...
Mar 10, 2026•40 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Send us feedback about this episode! I'm getting ready for Sew Expo in Puyallup, Washington. Join me for a chat as I talk about how I prepare for my classes, particularly ones I haven't taught before. I'll discuss the difficulties of hunting down accurate information in this age of the Internet and AI and how that can be a huge disadvantage to newbie sewists. There might be a short rant about interfacing. If you've ever been frustrated by inaccurate or conflicting sewing information, you will be...
Feb 17, 2026•32 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we're joined by Tricia Camacho, the guiding force behind PatternCon—the conference where patternmaking nerds can find their tribe. We talk about how PatternCon came to life and what sets it apart from traditional sewing events. Tricia is committed to bringing designers, educators, and makers together. She shares her big-picture vision, the behind-the-scenes reality of launching a brand-new conference, and what attendees can expect from an eve...
Feb 10, 2026•47 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we're joined by Justin Barry, owner of Fdes (Functional Design) in Whitefish, Montana, to talk about designing and making with recycled textiles—and why constraints can be a powerful creative tool. Justin shares how a summer job with the Montana Conservation Corps led to an unexpected career working with reclaimed and repurposed materials. Hear what shapes his design process, from sourcing textiles to adapting patterns and construction method...
Feb 03, 2026•37 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us feedback about this episode! Have you ever sat down to sew and thought, “What is wrong with my sewing machine?” Skipped stitches, bird’s nests, weird noises—it can feel like your machine has turned against you. The tool that worked perfectly yesterday now seems to be throwing a fit. In this episode, we break down the most common sewing machine problems, why they happen, and how to troubleshoot them without panic. You’ll learn how to think like a sewing machine, spot simple fixes fast, an...
Jan 27, 2026•40 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us feedback about this episode! Janet is on the road again, so today is a listener question episode. Today's requests include: 1) Where can we get sewing supplies now that Joanns is out of business? 2) Can we talk about indie pattern companies and how to find patterns that work for us? and 3) Is it possible to balance creative pursuits with small children at home? A bonus question answers how much fabric to buy for a particular project. (Hint: The answer is not "All of it!") Pour a cup of y...
Jan 20, 2026•29 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s guest is Kenneth D. King, sewing and couture expert and an adjunct instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan. He teaches at his studio in New York City and travels extensively in the United States, teaching fitting and couture sewing techniques. He is also a contributing editor to Threads magazine. Kenneth is the author of a number of books on garment design and drafting, as well as the books Doll Couture and Doll Couture: R...
Jan 13, 2026•49 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us feedback about this episode! The turn of a new year seems to be a great time to set sewing goals and make resolutions. Does it work? We're only a few days into 2026 and Janet's plans have already taken a detour. Listen to a recap of the projects she finished at the end of last year and what is in the works for 2026. 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! janet@janetszabo.co...
Jan 06, 2026•33 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us feedback about this episode! In response to listener feedback, this episode focuses on quilting as a beginner. Learning to quilt doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We'll share simple, approachable ways to get started with quilting—even if you’ve never sewn a quilt before. You’ll learn which beginner projects work best, how to build skills without overthinking, and what tools you actually need to begin. This episode is all about confidence, creativity, and starting where you are. If you’ve ...
Dec 16, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Send us feedback about this episode! Sometimes, it's important to know when to ask for help with a project, and where to go to get that help. Garment fitting is particularly tricky to do solo. In this episode, Janet talks about her recent visit to the Sewing and Design School in Tacoma, WA, for help fitting a princess seam dress pattern with Ryliss Bod. Janet also highlights a stop at the new Shabby Fabrics showroom in Post Falls, ID, and another visit to Pacific Fabrics in Seattle. Show notes f...
Dec 09, 2025•26 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Send us feedback about this episode! Today we are joined by a listener with an important story to share. Laura Wilson relates how the change to a challenging new job—as well as other unexpected life events—led to the loss of her sew-jo for almost an entire year. Can you relate? Has your desire to create disappeared, even for a few weeks? Laura was able to rediscover her love of creating with the help of a supportive sewing group at her local quilt store. No matter where you are in your sewing jo...
Nov 25, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Nehrig—psychologist, maker, and author of Women Weaving Their Stories —to explore the deep connections between craft, identity, and how those connections have been expressed by women's textiles through the years. Nicole shares how the pandemic upended her life and led to the idea for the book. We talk about the powerful personal stories uncovered through her interviews and why textile work remains such a vital form of ...
Nov 18, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Send us feedback about this episode! Our next 100 episodes begin with a recap of Janet's recent travel and the sad story of a broken machine. (Spoiler alert: The machine has been fixed and is working beautifully again!) Come along to hear about some beautiful Hugo Boss deadstock fabric, the new Bella Quilt Coat pattern from byAnnie, and to find out what podcasts Janet listens to as she drives across Washington State. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.j...
Nov 11, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Send us feedback about this episode! Happy 100th Episode! The podcast is now two years old. To celebrate, I asked for listener questions and my audience did not disappoint. Today's episode covers everything from what to do with muslins to how to maintain momentum through big sewing projects to specifics about sewing needles and more. Get yourself a cup of tea and sit down for a cozy chat and a big helping of birthday cake. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website:...
Nov 04, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Send us feedback about this episode! If your sewing room is overflowing with fabric, notions, and half-finished projects, this episode is for you! We’ll talk about creative and practical ways to store your sewing supplies—everything from thread and zippers to cutting tools and patterns. Learn how to make the most of your space, whether you sew in a dedicated studio or at the kitchen table. You’ll hear ideas for labeling, sorting, and repurposing everyday items for sewing storage, plus tips to ke...
Oct 21, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, I chat with Saremy Duffy, the creative force behind the popular Sew Sew Live YouTube channel and the founder of Sew Sew Guild, an online sewing community built on encouragement, learning, and connection. Saremy shares how her journey from reluctant student to accomplished patternmaker to engaging YouTube creator helped her to build a thriving virtual studio where sewists from around the world come together to make, chat, and grow their skills...
Oct 14, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, I share my experience taking the Economy Block quilt class with legendary designers Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. From the bold use of color and pattern to the playful approach they bring to traditional blocks, the workshop was full of inspiration and fresh ideas. This class was especially meaningful to me as I have been following Kaffe Fassett since the 1980s when I was yet a novice knitter. To be able to meet him in person some 40 years ...
Sep 30, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Send us feedback about this episode! Our guest today is award-winning microquilter Amy Pabst, known for her breathtaking miniature quilts that pack incredible detail into impossibly small spaces. Amy shares what first drew her to textiles, the techniques and tools that make microquilting possible, and the patience and precision required to make quilts on such a small scale. We also talk about where she finds inspiration and how she integrates what she’s learning in pursuit of a fine arts degree ...
Sep 23, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Send us feedback about this episode! Curious about machine embroidery but not sure where to start? Janet just purchased her first embroidery machine and has been learning how to use it. In this episode, we cover the basics of beginning embroidery—from choosing your first machine and essential supplies to setting up your first design. Whether you want to personalize gifts, add flair to your quilts, or explore creative projects, this episode will give you the confidence to press “start” and begin ...
Sep 16, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Send us feedback about this episode! September is National Sewing Month here in the states. This episode is a chatty roundup of all the exciting events that have been happening lately, from sewing celebrities visiting the local quilt store to lots of fun sewing projects. Grab your favorite beverage and let’s visit! 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! janet@janetszabo.com...
Sep 09, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we visit again with JoJo Beazel, owner of Seams Perfect Industrial Sewing Machines, to talk about the world of heavy-duty stitching. JoJo shares how she helps sewists, small businesses, and manufacturers find the right machines for their needs, from upholstery to leatherwork to bagmaking. We dig into the differences between home and industrial machines, what to consider before making the leap, and the surprising ways an industrial setup can t...
Sep 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Send us feedback about this episode! In this episode, we sit down with Marianne Buller, owner of The Quilt Gallery in Kalispell, Montana. Marianne shares the story of her journey from working in construction to owning one of Montana’s most beloved quilt shops and gathering spaces. We talk about the evolution of The Quilt Gallery under her ownership, how the involvement of her husband and children has made it truly a family business, and the ways her shop fosters creativity and community. Mariann...
Aug 26, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 30
