Podcast
Stitching Tales
The inside scoop on sewing your own clothes and running a sewing business.
Hosted by sewing veterans and authors of Fit for Knits and the upcoming sewing book To a Tee, Malena Hjerpe and Johanna Lundström.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us on our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Crafts chart
- #26
- Episodes
- 132
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 57 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 1 day ago
Episodes
132 episodes, newest first
-
51 min
The glamour and chaos of making sewing books #132
Show notes
The digital ebook version of To a Tee is now available for preorder! And there’s a sweet bonus for all you early birds. You’ll get our T-shirt fitting class for free, exclusively with ebook preorders.
Two and a half years apart, two days in front of the camera, five T-shirt styles, and enough sample garments to keep a small clothing shop stocked.
Yes, Johanna and Malena finally meet up in person for the To a Tee book photo shoot, and they're here to tell the tale.
They talk favourite patterns, rib knits, lettuce hems and the strange things that happen when you put two sewing nerds in a room with a deadline. There's also the less glamorous side of making a book: tweaking patterns, sorting measurement tables, laying out pages and getting everything ready for the printer. The finish line is in sight, even if the to-do list hasn't quite got the memo.
Plus, there's a podcast glow-up on the horizon, future book ideas, and Johanna's plan for a sewing tutorial app. Apparently, finishing one enormous project is an excellent time to start imagining three more.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
About Malena Hjerpe:
Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström:
Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
57 min
Sew better zippers: Tips and tricks that work #131
Show notes
Zippers can feel either completely manageable or like a trip straight down to anxiety land. So Johanna and Malena take a deep dive into the surprisingly broad world of zippers, looking at coil, metal, plastic and invisible zippers, and how to choose the right one for different garments.
They share practical tips for getting zippers to behave, including choosing the right length, stabilising fabric, accurate placement, shortening and even how to make new stoppers (that involves fire!). Then Malena takes on her bridalwear hat and gives some great tips on how to succeed with invisible zippers.
There’s also a little zipper history detour that reveals something embarrassing about the Swedes, and Johanna realises she is part of the problem!
Johanna's zipper tutorials
Pants zipper tutorial(with pattern pieces)
Jeans zipper tutorial (video tutorial, with pattern pieces)
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
About Malena Hjerpe:
Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström:
Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr
T-shirt history with a sewing nerd twist #130
Show notes
The T-shirt might be one of the most ordinary things in your wardrobe, but it has a surprisingly eventful past. Johanna and Malena trace its history from men’s underwear, athletic wear and workwear to James Dean, band tees, slogans and the everyday fashion staple we know today.
Along the way, they talk about the rise of jersey, Coco Chanel, and the practical origins of the white T-shirt. They also nerd out on construction, seamless knitting, and why getting a simple T-shirt to fit well is not nearly as simple as it looks.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
About Malena Hjerpe:
Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström:
Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
56 min
Sewing stripes: Cutting, matching & aligning #129
Show notes
Johanna is about to lose it if she has to sew one more striped garment in 2026. Luckily, Malena talks her off the ledge. Instead, they get into the weeds of sewing striped fabrics: Cutting as a single layer, deciding whether to follow the grainline or the stripes, figuring out where a hem stitchline should land, and discovering that sleeve caps have absolutely no interest in cooperating with stripes.
They also compare their different approaches to stripe matching, from meticulous planning to knowing when to say, “Good enough.”
There are tricks involving pins, basting, glue pens, wash-away tape and walking feet, but the bigger lesson is learning which battles are worth fighting. Because sometimes the perfect stripe match is possible. Sometimes the garment shape wins. And sometimes you just have to stop looking at it and move on with your life!
Then Johanna makes a bold statement: the best way to prevent modern-day brain rot is to sew more stripes!
Johanna's cutting and sewing stripes tutorial
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
About Malena Hjerpe:
Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström:
Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
53 min
Sewing culture, personal style and the Swedish wardrobe: Q&A #128
Show notes
Johanna and Malena open up the mailbox and answer some great listeners' questions, which takes the conversation into Swedish sewing culture, personal style and why making your own clothes can be about much more than filling a gap in the wardrobe.
They compare Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and Japanese style, talk about how sewing can become several hobbies at once, and share their thoughts on adjustable waistbands and the challenges of a truly unisex pattern block. Plus Johanna goes on a long rant against Swedish mainstream fashion!
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
About Malena Hjerpe:
Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström:
Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 3 min
Sew with fancy elastics: Practical and surprisingly useful #127
Show notes
Fancy elastic sounds like something that should come with a tiny handbag and an attitude problem, but it’s actually surprisingly useful. In this episode, Johanna and Malena look at fold-over elastic, stretch lace, picot and plush elastic, and where each works best.
They talk about stretch and recovery, choosing the right width, testing before committing, and different ways to attach elastic with a regular machine, serger or coverstitch. Because apparently, even elastic has a dress code.
From necklines to leg openings, there are plenty of ideas to try, and a good excuse to get a bit fancy with your next project.
Johanna's fancy elastic resources
Master The Coverstitch Machine Book
Fold over elastic video tutorial
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 3 min
From high fashion to brides and book woes: An update #126
Show notes
It’s catch-up time! Malena has some cool news about her work, including a brief moment of proximity to a famous couturier. Plus a new part-time job at a bridal shop. We talk high-fashion pattern making, brides and the surprising joy of having a job where you interact with others.
Meanwhile, Johanna has been wrestling with podcast hosting, monetising the podcast and the small matter of recutting more than 100 episodes. Meaning she wants to throw her computer out the window. They also get into their upcoming t-shirt book, where minuscule details can turn into a molehill. Plus the perennial question: must stripes align?
There is also a dental correction and a discussion of whether buying another overlocker is a completely reasonable expense. We’ll let you decide!
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us on our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
49 min
Sewing game changers: Tricks that changed our sewing #125
Show notes
What are the sewing habits, tools and construction choices that have made the biggest difference to our sewing?
In this episode, Johanna and Malena share their personal sewing game changers, including pressing throughout construction, pre-pressing hems, inserting trouser zippers on the flat, making toiles, and cutting tricky fabrics in a single layer.
They also discuss what home sewists can learn from ready-to-wear construction, using press templates for pockets, adjusting presser foot pressure, heavy thread for topstitching, rotary cutters, overlockers and magnifying lamps.
Some are simple workflow changes. Others are tools worth investing in. And one involves a cereal box.
Tutorials mentioned:
Johanna's dress pants zipper tutorial
Jeans' zipper tutorial (video)
Jeans pocket with press template
Magnifying lamp (Amazon affiliate link)
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
55 min
Bindings: The knit finish worth mastering #124
Show notes
Knit bindings are one of those sewing techniques that might seem simple. Just wrap some fabric around an edge, right? Well, not quite that easy, unfortunately. Plus, there are plenty of ways to do it, so how do we know which one is the best?
Essentially, a perfect topic for Johanna and Malena to dive deep into. Malena even confesses that she has never sewn a binding before. So Johanna breaks down the different approaches. They talk about choosing fabrics, calculating width and stretch, and working with a coverstitch binder or a regular sewing machine.
French binding, zigzag stitching, basting and stitch-in-the-ditch techniques also make an appearance in this meaty episode. If you've ever been intimidated by bindings, this episode has you covered!
Johanna's binding resources
Coverstitch Success Video Course
Master The Coverstitch Machine Book
Erikas Syskrin (for all your binding needs)
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
53 min
Happy Sew New Year: Why fall starts the sewing year #123
Show notes
Why wait until January to start fresh? Fall has all the ingredients for a new beginning, right? That's when we crave routines and want to reset, reorganise and make new plans. This is why Johanna and Malena make a case for September being the start of a Sew New Year.
To kick off this new concept, they discuss habit stacking, journaling and mood boards, along with some very practical sewing tips. Plus a few lifestyle tips (nurture your reward system, as Johanna likes to say). So let go of ambitious resolutions and an endless sewing bucket list. Instead, we should ask ourselves: What do you want more of in your sewing life? A new skill? A wardrobe rethink? Or simply more time at the sewing machine?
Consider this your September permission slip to start fresh, with fewer expectations and hopefully some fun fall sewing. Happy Sew New Year!
Spotify
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 11 min
Fall fashion 2026: What to sew, shop and skip #122
Show notes
What does fall 2026 actually look like when you stop scrolling past the runway photos and start thinking about what you'd actually wear? Johanna and Malena compare fashion magazines, runway coverage, AI trend research and a very Swedish source of trend intelligence: watching what young people are wearing at a music festival Johanna visited recently.
They talk about the return of visible craft, romantic details, tailoring, statement coats, richer colours and the surprisingly persistent comeback of capri pants and barrel trousers.
They also cover the current anti-polyester conversation, the return of preppy dressing, and a few trends that get a much less enthusiastic response from Johanna and Malena. Because just because something is trending doesn't mean we're going to sew it.
Book rec:
The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew (Amazon affiliate link)
Podcast rec:
Articles Of Interest: Ivy Style
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us on our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
47 min
Sewing revelations, business woes and a health scare #121
Show notes
Summer is almost over, routines are returning, and Johanna and Malena are back with a catch-up. They talk about trying to take time off, getting back into work mode, Swedish summer weather, and the small matter of a health scare that gave Johanna an unexpected break from coffee, spices, wine and basically all the things she enjoys.
The conversation also delves into the less glamorous side of creative work: EU packaging regulations and the administrative maze of running a small business.
They also have some fun sewing updates, including differential feed breakthroughs, making samples for To a Tee, and getting ready for a fall photo shoot and a fresh look for the podcast.
Another exciting thing: Johanna is about 75% done with To A Tee. Who knew! The work-life balance is, however, still in the muslin stage, it seems.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us on our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr
Getting darts right: Everything you need to know #120
Show notes
Darts. Tiny folds of fabric that somehow manage to cause a surprising amount of confusion.
In this episode, Johanna and Malena unravel one of sewing's most fundamental techniques, exploring what darts actually do, why they're still relevant, and how they transform flat fabric into garments that fit real bodies.
Along the way they discuss bust, waist and shoulder darts, when you can replace them with princess seams or yokes, and why modern patterns sometimes hide shaping in plain sight.
There's also plenty of practical advice on marking, sewing, pressing and troubleshooting darts, whether you're working with crisp cotton, slippery silk or stretchy knits.
If darts have ever felt a bit mysterious, this episode is for you!
Johanna's dart tutorials
Sewing darts on knits (Vide pants tutorial)
Sewing darts using bobbin thread
Quick and easy way to sew darts
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
56 min
To A Tee update: The book is taking shape #119
Show notes
It's time for another To A Tee update, and this time Johanna and Malena have plenty to share. After months of writing, drafting, testing and revising, the book is finally starting to look like... well, an actual book.
In this episode, they take you behind the scenes of the latest stage of the project, from sewing instructions and paper pattern layouts to neckline options, grading and all the tiny decisions that make a sewing book both useful and enjoyable to sew from.
They also share an unexpected highlight: a surprise shout-out from one of the sewing world's biggest names.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 3 min
Beyond the sketch: The hidden jobs in clothing #118
Show notes
Most people picture one job when they think about fashion: designer. Or perhaps a pattern maker if you are deeply into sewing (like us!). But the clothing industry is a whole ecosystem, and most of the key roles happen far away from the sketchbook.
In this episode, Malena and Johanna break down how the apparel business actually works. From global players to small independent brands, they walk through all the roles that shape what we wear.
If you’re curious about building a career in clothing or just want to understand what really happens behind the scenes, then this episode is for you!
Episodes mentioned
Secrets of a big brand pattern maker
Creating a sewing pattern from start to finish
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 3 min
Summer updates, rabbit holes & reality checks #117
Show notes
It's time for another catch-up episode, which means Johanna and Malena are chatting about everything from summer sewing projects to the not-so-glamorous realities of running a sewing business.
Malena has been sewing a new boat-neck knit top and they swap some practical sewing tips, including a clever neckline trick, moving shoulder seams for a better fit, and ways to reduce bulk when sewing knits.
The conversation then shifts from the sewing room to the business side of things. Johanna reflects on leaving her day job to focus on The Last Stitch full-time, while Malena shares what it's like balancing a part-time job at a bridal shop with freelance sewing. They also discuss pattern sales, Etsy, newsletters, AI, marketing, why visibility has become harder than ever, and what it really takes to make a living teaching sewing online.
If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at Stitching Tales, this episode is your backstage pass.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 6 min
How sewing pattern grading works #116
Show notes
Sizing a sewing pattern is rarely as simple as making everything bigger or smaller. In this episode, Malena unpacks what pattern grading actually involves, from choosing a base size to adjusting proportions for areas like the bust, waist, neck and sleeves.
You’ll hear why grading is about balance rather than mathematics alone, how fabric choice affects the process, and why there are so many different sizing charts out there.
If you’ve ever wondered why sizing can feel inconsistent or simply confusing, this episode gives you a clearer understanding of the decisions happening behind the scenes.
Mentioned in this episode
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr
The messy reality of pivoting #115
Show notes
Sometimes a business pivot starts with a carefully planned strategy. Other times it starts with panic, burnout, a global crisis… or just the growing feeling that something isn’t working anymore.
In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about the messy reality of changing direction as creative entrepreneurs. From freelance work and sewing businesses to bridal alterations, PDF patterns and unexpected career detours (construction worker!).
They also reflect on the emotional side of entrepreneurship: anxiety, motivation, social exhaustion, financial uncertainty and how difficult it can be to know whether you should keep pushing forward or try something completely different.
And naturally, it wouldn’t be Stitching Tales without a slight detour into matching fabric shades, small talk and the unexpected ways world events have shaped their businesses.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
1 hr 2 min
Getting elastic right: Why not all elastic is created equal #114
Show notes
Johanna and Malena unravel the surprisingly complicated world of elastic, and hopefully they didn't stretch this topic too far!
This elastic deep dive covers everything from comfy waistbands and sports bras to swimwear and activewear. Plus lots of practical tips for measuring elastic, joining the ends neatly, preventing twisting and rolling, and even how to use elastic for gathers.
Johanna also explains why she almost always reaches for knitted elastic these days, and why clear elastic deserves a permanent place in every sewing room.
Let's just say this conversation has plenty of stretch!
Elastic resources mentioned
Master The Coverstitch Machine
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
56 min
Make it last: Caring for your handmade wardrobe #113
Show notes
You spend days making a precious garment. And then, with wash and wear, it starts to break down.
In this episode, Malena and Johanna talk about what affects how long handmade clothes actually last, such as fabric choices, how you wash your makes, and the things that slowly wear garments down.
If you’ve ever had something you made lose its shape, fade faster than expected, or just not hold up, this episode will help you figure out what’s going on.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com/ (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
On these lists
Stitching Tales is one of the shows picked out on this list
More in Crafts
Placed highest on Apple Podcasts' Crafts chart right now
