The Straight Stitch Podcast

07/01/2025

What do you know about zippers? Can you confidently choose the correct zipper for your next project? If, not, this podcast episode is for you. Listen along while we discuss the different types and sizes of zippers. Learn how to shorten zippers that are too long. Get over your fear of zippers and expand your zipper horizons!

03/12/2024

Simply Classic is a company focused on helping sewists to make chic and functional bags for everyday use. Owner Christine Hall Murphy joins me today to talk about her journey from CPA to bag designer and her efforts to bring the art of bagmaking to home sewists. Simply Classic seeks to educate bagmakers through its quarterly subscription program, a robust YouTube channel with tutorials and the weekly Bag Maker’s Workroom Live, and—soon!—classes and workshops with Chris. Her range of pattern offers something for everyone, from those just beginning to work with leather and heavier materials to those with years of experience.

Listen to The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcatcher!

30/10/2024

Episode 55 of The Straight Stitch Podcast features a recap of my two recent sewing classes at the Sewing and Design School in Tacoma, WA, one of which was an AMAZING two-day class with Kenneth D. King on drafting a custom trouser pattern!

13/08/2024

https://www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com/the-straight-stitch-podcast/episode-46mastering-the-art-of-pattern-drafting

Today’s guest is a young man from Canada who has channeled his passion for sewing into an entertaining and informative YouTube channel. Because of a childhood injury to one side of his body, Cornelius Quiring was inspired to begin making himself custom clothing. Along the way, he taught himself th...

14/05/2024

Today's episode is an interview with JoJo Beazel, owner of Seams Perfect Industrial and Vintage Sewing Machines in Fresno, CA. JoJo saw an opportunity during the pandemic to start a new business, and now has a thriving career reviving and refurbishing vintage industrial sewing machines. Join us for an informative chat!

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.  S

07/05/2024

This week, we welcome Whitney Luckenbill of Tomkat Stitchery to the podcast. Whitney is another of my favorite follows. I love that her videos cover not only sewing, but color, fashion, style, and fitting. I got to meet Whitney in person at Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA, in February. She is an absolute dynamo. In this interview, you'll hear about her journey from financial analyst to mother of twins to sewing content creator and teacher!

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

23/04/2024

This week, we take a road trip to Butte, Montana, for a conversation with the organizers of the Sew Butte! exhibit at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. Learn about the importance of sewing in this iconic western town, and check the show notes page for a gallery of vintage sewing machine eye candy!

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...

03/04/2024

This week's podcast is all about thread. 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.

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

26/03/2024

It's a variety show today, discussing the Joann Fabrics bankruptcy filing, a kerfluffle at Sew Expo 2024, respectful fitting techniques, listener questions about PDF printing and sewing project organization, and more!

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...

19/03/2024

My guest today is Kate McIvor, owner of The Confident Stitch in Missoula, Montana. I love to shop at Kate's store when I am in Missoula. It is a lovely mix of modern quilting fabrics, apparel fabrics, and bagmaking supplies. She carries a huge line of printed patterns from indie designers, and her subscription services—We Quilt This City and gar{Meant} For You—provide lots of opportunities to feed your creative passions.

Direct link to the episode page is below, or find the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, and other podcatchers!

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 qui

12/03/2024

https://www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com/the-straight-stitch-podcast/episode-25the-basics-of-bagmaking

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 ot...

20/02/2024

Episode 22 is live! Join me for a visit with vintage fabric hunter and book author Kira Hartley!

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.

13/02/2024

Episode 21 is live! Let's talk about sewing with knit fabrics!

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 fo

07/02/2024

Episode 20 is available! Apologies for the delay in getting show notes posted. We had an unexpected power outage yesterday morning that delayed them.

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. ************ Harper Cardigan pattern by Sinclair Pa

30/01/2024

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 last year: 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 amazing people, and John graciously spent two hours last week visiting with me over Zoom. The story of Special Operations Equipment is fascinating and one that I thought podcast listeners would enjoy hearing. And John is a great storyteller.

Because our conversation lasted longer than a usual podcast interview, I’ve posted two versions of this week’s episode. The “short” version is about the length of a regular podcast episode and covers the sewing part of our conversation. The “extended play” version is the entire two hours and gets into more of John’s personal experiences and observations about life. There was so much wisdom in that part of the conversation that I felt it needed to be shared even if it veered off the topic of sewing a bit. Note that it is marked “explicit” for some language, but we’re all adults and I expect people to make the appropriate choice for themselves. Either way, I hope you enjoy the 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 last year: 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 Fes...

23/01/2024

Episode 18 is out! Join me for a conversation with Melanie Knight, owner of Starry Knight Design in Corvallis, MT, about her business making leather shoes for babies and kids.

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 employ