Send us feedback about this episode! Explore the intersection of sustainable fashion and artistic creativity with Kathleen McVeigh, a visionary who transforms vintage textiles into stunning contemporary clothing pieces. Kat, together with her husband Dale Donaldson, is the author of the new C&T Publishing release entitled Reclaimed Quilts, Sew Modern Clothing & Accessories from Vintage Textiles. In this episode, Kat shares her passion for giving new life to vintage textiles. From sourcin...
Jun 25, 2024•42 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s episode is a fascinating conversation with Anne Graham, a seasoned seamstress specializing in repairing clothing for Patagonia. Her work for Patagonia is a fulfilling second career that has taught her much about sewing, people, and sustainability. Anne discusses the challenges and joys of extending the lifespan of outdoor apparel, emphasizing the importance of reducing waste. Her insights into the techniques she employs, such as darning, patching, and...
Jun 17, 2024•44 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! As a knitter, I was enchanted by the process of making knitted fabric—so much so that I often took a long time to complete a project. I would get sidetracked exploring different techniques. As a sewist, I’m exactly the opposite. Thrilled by the prospect of whipping out a piece of clothing in an afternoon, I am more about the product than the process. What’s your maker personality type? Are you a process person, a product person, or a combination of the two? H...
Jun 11, 2024•28 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Bad habits can get in the way of pleasurable sewing and lead to less-than-perfect results or even damage to our machines. In this episode, we’ll talk about the bad sewing habits that we should strive to remove from our sewing practice, such as sewing over pins, not changing the needle regularly, and more. What are the bad sewing habits that you’d like to eliminate? Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com Se...
Jun 04, 2024•35 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Singer is, arguably, the most recognized brand in the world of sewing. In today’s episode, we look at the man who bore that name—Isaac Merritt Singer—and how he came to be such an influence in the development of the sewing machine that we know today. Did you know that he fathered some two dozen children? Or that his first love wasn’t invention, but acting? Listen and learn more! Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.jan...
May 28, 2024•25 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! We sometimes forget that leather is a textile, and a wonderful material with which to create beautiful and functional items. Today's guest, Lisa Sorrell, of Sorrell Custom Boots in Guthrie, Oklahoma, has taken leatherwork to the next level with her designs. Lisa began making boots in 1996, custom fit and handcrafted for each client. Lisa’s work has been featured in several books, numerous magazines, and the PBS series “Craft in America.” She is the recip...
May 21, 2024•50 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Today's guest, JoJo Beazel, saw the opportunity for a new business during the pandemic and took it. What started as a fascination with sewing machines in general morphed into a love of industrial sewing machines, and from there, into a thriving business refurbishing these old workhorses. Seams Perfect Industrial and Vintage Sewing Machines in Fresno, CA, specializes in the restoration of industrial and commercial sewing machines. JoJo has a deep and abid...
May 14, 2024•41 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Whitney Luckenbill is on a mission to empower sewists to make garments to fit their unique shapes. Her YouTube channel, TomKat Stitchery, features a wealth of information on color, style, fabrics, wardrobe planning, patterns, and more. I was fortunate enough to meet Whitney in person at Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA, in February. She is as much of a dynamo in real life as she is on her channel, and we made plans to sit down a few weeks later for an extended chat. ...
May 07, 2024•33 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Social media is a two-edged sword. Negativity is everywhere, but the bright spots are waiting to be discovered. Today’s guest is Tiffany Scherschel, whose YouTube channel Hoosier Handmade is one of my favorite follows. Tiffany loves to sew garments, and she brings a positive, can-do attitude to every project. She also understands the importance of community and works hard to make all of her viewers feel like they are part of hers. I look forward to her twice-...
Apr 30, 2024•37 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! In this week’s episode, we take a road trip to the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives in Butte, Montana. The Archives currently features an exhibit of vintage sewing machines from the collection of Virgil “Sarge” Sargent. The machines—from a late 1800s Willcox and Gibbs chainstitch machine all the way up to a 1960s Singer Rocketeer—detail the importance of sewing in this iconic western town, accompanied by a wealth of accessories, quilts, and vintage clothing f...
Apr 23, 2024•41 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! My guest today is Alex Jackson, owner and designer at H Clothing Company in Colorado. After graduating with degrees in business and wanting to start his own company with a sustainability focus, Alex settled on clothing manufacturing. A self-taught sewist, designer, and natural dyer, Alex creates the kind of clothing he wants to wear using hemp fabrics. Hemp is enjoying a resurgence as a useful natural fiber and requires far fewer chemical pesticides and herbi...
Apr 16, 2024•36 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! I took up quilting around 2010, after many years of being a professional knitting designer. For some reason, I was very drawn to scrap quilts, and they remain my favorites kinds to make. I am fascinated by the interplay of random bits of fabric. Join me for a discussion of my favorite books and patterns and get a few tips for making some scrap quilts of your own. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See ...
Apr 09, 2024•34 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! How much do you think about the thread you use in your machine? Do you like to experiment with different kinds, or do you find one you like and stick to it? In today's podcast, we're going to explore the many kinds of threads currently available to sewists. Learn about the structure, fiber content, and how choosing a thread can make or break your project. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com Se...
Apr 02, 2024•43 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Today's episode covers a variety of topics—the Joann Fabrics bankruptcy filing, a student issue that arose at Sew Expo 2024, respectful fitting techniques, and some listener questions about printing PDF files and systems for organizing sewing projects in progress. Feedback, comments, and questions always welcome! Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog...
Mar 26, 2024•40 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! The current economic environment is challenging for small businesses. On today's episode, Janet visits with Kate McIvor, owner of The Confident Stitch in Missoula, Montana, to hear about her business philosophy and what makes for a successful fabric store. The Confident Stitch offers both modern quilt fabrics and apparel fabrics in a lovely, downtown Missoula brick-and-mortar store, but also has a thriving online presence and several subscription service...
Mar 19, 2024•44 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Who doesn't love a good bag? Making bags on a sewing machine is a fulfilling and creative process that combines both functionality and artistry. Let your personality shine through your choice of material—canvas, leather, or vinyl—and add finishing touches in the form of decorative threads and other trims. The sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a handmade bag is a testament to the fusion of skill, creativity, and craftsmanship. In this epi...
Mar 12, 2024•44 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! The 2024 Sewing and Stitchery Expo is in the books. This huge event is held at the Washington State Fairgrounds every March and is hosted by Washington State University. Come along for a recap of Janet's classes, an overview of the show, and some thoughts about the current state of the needlework industry. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog E-mail...
Mar 05, 2024•37 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! A big part of successful sewing, especially when making garments, is making good fabric choices. In this and upcoming "Fabrication" episodes, Janet will discuss different kinds of fabrics, how they are constructed, their characteristics, and techniques for sewing with them. This episode continues the discussion of knit fabrics started in Episode 21, focusing on sweater knits, sweatshirt fabrics, athletic knits, fleece/minky, and a few others. Show n...
Feb 27, 2024•25 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Enjoy an entertaining visit with Kira Hartley, author of the book Fabric Wars: The Hunt for Vintage Fabric with Etsy's DodOddity . Kira is a battle-scarred veteran of auction and estate sales in the midwest, where she competes to acquire vintage fabrics and notions to sell to her devoted customers. She details her adventures —along with colorful caricatures of her competitors—in her book, with a second volume soon to follow. Hear from Kira as she talks a...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! A big part of successful sewing, especially when making garments, is making good fabric choices. In this and upcoming "Fabrication" episodes, Janet will discuss different kinds of fabrics, how they are constructed, their characteristics, and techniques for sewing with them. This episode focuses on knits, specifically jersey, rib knits, and interlock or doubleknits. (The world of knits is too big to cover in a single episode!) Learn why knits are dif...
Feb 13, 2024•38 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! This episode was inspired by an article by Jenni Grover entitled “3 Steps to Let Go of Guilt About Quilting.” Has guilt about your hobbies ever robbed you of the joy of creating? Let’s talk about why that happens and what we can do about it. 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...
Feb 06, 2024•42 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s podcast guest is John Willis of Special Operations Equipment in Camden, TN. Some of you may remember that I went to Tennessee twice in 2023: in April, to attend Nicole Sauce’s Living Free in Tennessee Spring Workshop, and again in October, to attend and present at the Self-Reliance Festival. SRF is held at Special Operations Equipment. When not being used to host events, SOE is a sewing factory making high-end tactical gear. John and Amanda Willis are...
Jan 30, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Today’s podcast guest is John Willis of Special Operations Equipment in Camden, TN. Some of you may remember that I went to Tennessee twice in 2023: in April, to attend Nicole Sauce’s Living Free in Tennessee Spring Workshop, and again in October, to attend and present at the Self-Reliance Festival. SRF is held at Special Operations Equipment. When not being used to host events, SOE is a sewing factory making high-end tactical gear. John and Amanda Willis are...
Jan 30, 2024•50 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Join me for a conversation with Melanie Knight, owner of Starry Knight Design in Corvallis, MT. Melanie talks about how a simple pair of baby shoes inspired her to start a business using with just a small sewing machine and some leather scraps. That kitchen-table business grew to one that now employs several women and helps support Melanie's family. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See my sewing...
Jan 23, 2024•41 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! The Stitchery and Sewing Expo—fondly known as Sew Expo—is celebrating 40 years this year! This annual event is produced by Washington State University and held at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA, near Tacoma. This year’s event is scheduled for February 29th to March 3rd. My guests today are Jenn Geise, Education Manager, and Brittany Labbe, Show Manager. We’ll talk about the history of the show, the classes—class offerings are changing a bit ...
Jan 16, 2024•31 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! The humble sewing machine needle—such a small part of the process and yet, such a huge part of the process. Gone are the days when the choices were red band needles for wovens and yellow band needles for knits. Today's sewists have a plethora of choices, from needles for quilting to those best for cosplay and embroidery. We'll explore all there is to know about sewing machine needles. Learn about shanks, eyes, and scarfs (scarves?). Find out how oft...
Jan 09, 2024•39 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! The start of a new year is a great time to set some goals and review planning and organizational systems. We’ll talk about what goals Janet sets and why—it’s not as many as you might think—and ways to keep track of all those WIPs and UFOs. Janet also talks about making the Nathalie cowl neck sweatshirt by Jalie Patterns and sewing up a generator cover for her husband’s construction equipment. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My we...
Jan 02, 2024•44 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! My guest today is Kerry Brown, founder and owner of Strong Roots Resources in Tennessee. I first met Kerry at the Living Free in Tennessee Spring Workshop last April. While we were relaxing and visiting before dinner one evening, Kerry shared with me the story of Nan, his grandmother, teaching him to sew as a young boy. We reconnected at the Self-Reliance Festival in Camden, Tennessee in October and I asked Kerry if he would like to share his memories of Nan ...
Dec 12, 2023•41 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! Are you feeling stressed out by the holiday season? Have you turned a hobby into a business and are wondering how to reclaim your sanity? Do you need help setting boundaries? Janet talks about maintaining balance between real life and your crafting/sewing life and offers some ideas that have worked for her. (Full disclosure: She needs help in these areas, too!) She’ll also talk a bit about her current sewing, quilting, and embroidery projects and one of the b...
Dec 05, 2023•40 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Send us feedback about this episode! I am on the road again! Join me as I take my annual birthday trip to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with my two daughters, as well as treat myself to a private class at the Sewing and Design School in Tacoma and—of course!—some fabric shopping. 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...
Nov 28, 2023•38 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast 
