Love to Sew Podcast

Helen Wilkinson and Caroline Somos host Love to Sew, a fun weekly podcast about making clothes, sewing community, and small business. They talk about their passion for sewing a handmade wardrobe and their daily lives as creative entrepreneurs. Listen to interviews with indie business owners and inspiring sewists who totally understand your obsession with sewing.

Episode 284: What If I Don't Love to Sew? 04/29/2025

Episode 284: What If I Don't Love to Sew? In this episode, we chat about a really interesting email we got from a listener who doesn’t enjoy the sewing process. We talk about sewing for practical reasons versus sewing for the process, how to make the sewing process more enjoyable, and how to decide whether sewing is worth it. Plus, we have some fun voicemails from listeners to start it all off! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/36288780

Episode 283: Hemp 04/22/2025

Episode 283: Hemp This episode is all about a lesser-known fiber: hemp! It’s super environmentally friendly, breathable, antibacterial, and has great body and texture. We talk a bit about hemp’s long history, how it goes from plant to fabric, and what to sew with it. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/36240560

Episode 282: We Sew Skorts 04/15/2025

Episode 282: We Sew Skorts This episode is like a mini sewing challenge! We each sewed a skort and we discuss it for the first time on the pod. We chat about the patterns and fabrics we chose for our skorts, our experiences sewing them up, and how we wear them! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/36076070

Episode 281: Historical Costuming with Christine Millar 04/08/2025

Episode 281: Historical Costuming with Christine Millar We interview Christine Millar, aka Sewstine! She talks to us about her stunning historical costumes, from drafting the patterns to designing and machine embroidering the sumptuous fabrics. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/35999710

Episode 280: Ease 04/01/2025

Episode 280: Ease Ease is the extra length and width that pattern designers add so that you can move in your clothes. In this episode, we talk about how ease works and how to figure out the amount of ease that YOU like. It’s a game-changer for making clothes that fit! We also answer a listener question about grading between sizes vs. pattern adjustments. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/35900230

Episode 279: Reacting to Fashion Trends, Spring 2025 03/25/2025

Episode 279: Reacting to Fashion Trends, Spring 2025 In this episode, we’re reacting to rising fashion trends for spring 2025! Whether we love ‘em or hate ‘em, we’re gonna tell you how you can incorporate them into your me-mades. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/35833525

Episode 278: Happily Dressed with Brandon Hayden 03/18/2025

Episode 278: Happily Dressed with Brandon Hayden We interview Brandon Hayden, a pattern designer, sewing teacher, and content creator who makes menswear with bold fabrics and cool details. He wants to empower sewists to build their skills and express themselves! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/35703960

Episode 277: Sewing Machine Chat 03/11/2025

Episode 277: Sewing Machine Chat We’re back with the first episode of the spring 2025 season! We chat about our sewing machines - the ones we learned on, the ones we have today, and the ones we want in the future. Plus: we catch up about what we did on our winter break, name our fave sewing machine features and pet peeves, and share what our machines are named! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/35553420

Free! Mini-Episode 59: Grading, Trimming, and Notching, Oh My! 01/24/2025

Free! Mini-Episode 59: Grading, Trimming, and Notching, Oh My! We’re bringing this mini-episode out from behind the paywall as a treat for you! It was originally released in September 2024. This mini-episode is about bread-and-butter sewing techniques that reduce bulk. We review the basics of grading, trimming, and notching, plus some more advanced and unexpected techniques that will give you a great finish. Caroline and Helen learn a lot about each other in this episode…👀 Let us know: do you trim your seams every time, or only when the pattern instructs you to? If you would like access to a new mini-episode every month, plus our back catalogue, subscribe to us on or sign up to our at the “Love to Sew Superfan” level. Thanks to our subscribers for your support. And thank you to all our listeners for listening! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/34965730

Bonus Episode 81 12/06/2024

Bonus Episode 81 This month’s bonus episode is free for all of our listeners! Helen chats about her holiday crafting: sewing, block printing, beading, and more. Caroline shares about her trip to NYC, what she’s been cooking lately, and the pair of me-made pants that pushed her out of her style comfort zone. Plus, new indie pattern releases, a fun fantasy book, and a game that would make a great gift for a sewist. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/34308760

Episode 276: Sewing Quick Wins 11/26/2024

Episode 276: Sewing Quick Wins Quick wins are projects that refresh you and revive your sewjo. If you’re feeling uninspired and unmotivated to sew, have a listen! We go over what makes a project “quick” and what makes it a “win” so you can choose a project that will work for you. Plus, we share a bunch of specific ideas for quick win projects, including our personal faves! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/34099016

Episode 275: Fabric Design with Rashida Coleman-Hale 11/19/2024

Episode 275: Fabric Design with Rashida Coleman-Hale We interview Rashida Coleman-Hale, fabric designer for Ruby Star Society! We talk to her about her journey to becoming a surface designer, her process for designing fabric collections, and her upcoming book. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33920352

Episode 274: Sewing for Others 11/12/2024

Episode 274: Sewing for Others We chat about sewing for others - what to make, what to avoid, and how to make sure that your experience is fun and fulfilling! We talk about the pros and cons of sewing for others, whether as a gift or as a favour. We share tips about fitting and choosing fabric. And we share OUR experiences sewing for our loved ones! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33809257

Episode 273: Sewing for Travel 11/05/2024

Episode 273: Sewing for Travel This episode is all about sewing garments, bags, and accessories for trips! We talk about the best fabrics, how to layer, and how to design a travel capsule. Plus: indie patterns for clothes that travel well, tips for sewing travel bags, and our memories of sewing for travel! We also answer a listener question about sewing lace with big holes and share listener feedback about sewing motivation. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33752082

Episode 272: Fiddly Sewing 10/29/2024

Episode 272: Fiddly Sewing We share tips and tricks for fiddly, persnickety, awkward, and complicated sewing techniques! We cover invisible zippers, darts, spaghetti straps, princess seams, and lots more. Plus, we share a listener’s experience with custom printed fabric and another listener’s sewing horror story. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33602317

Episode 271: Low-Waste Design with Cris Wood 10/22/2024

Episode 271: Low-Waste Design with Cris Wood In this episode, we interview low-waste pattern designer Cris Wood! We chat with her about how her patterns work, her design process, and what draws her to low-waste patternmaking. We also talk about her cool and colourful personal sewing. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33520062

Episode 270: Corduroy and Velvet 10/15/2024

Episode 270: Corduroy and Velvet We take a deep dive into TWO fabrics: corduroy AND velvet! Both of them have a fluffy, fuzzy, pile - but they’re not exactly the same. We chat about their history, how they’re made, and how to sew with them! Plus, we share pattern recommendations and answer your corduroy and velvet questions. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33411047

Episode 269: Say Yes with Michelle Thomas-Elder 10/08/2024

Episode 269: Say Yes with Michelle Thomas-Elder In this episode, we interview Michelle Thomas-Elder, a designer, tailor, and sewing teacher who owns The Kut Studios, a co-working space for designers in LA! Michelle has made custom pieces for celebrities and altered haute couture gowns - and recently, she released her first book. She has amazing stories to tell and a “Say Yes” attitude that we absolutely love. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33319387

Episode 268: Reacting to Fashion Trends 10/01/2024

Episode 268: Reacting to Fashion Trends In this episode, we talk about rising fashion trends for fall/winter ‘24/’25! We say how we REALLY feel about them and share some ideas for how to incorporate them into your me-mades. Let’s get trendy! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33213697

Episode 267: All About the Process with Geri Berman 09/24/2024

Episode 267: All About the Process with Geri Berman We interview Geri Berman, AKA Geri in Stitches! Geri’s social media accounts are the happiest place in the sewing world - she shows off her jaw-dropping projects, shares lots of tips, and demonstrates interesting techniques, all with her signature high energy and positivity. We talk to her about hand dyeing, sashiko, and more! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33115237

Episode 266: Jackets 09/17/2024

Episode 266: Jackets We talk about a bunch of popular jacket styles and give fabric advice, sewing tips, and indie pattern recommendations for each one! We also talk about unusual details you find on jacket patterns and play “Is it a Jacket?” Plus, a listener question about options for non-staticky office tops. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/33031917

Episode 265: The Savile Row Suit with Patrick Grant 09/10/2024

Episode 265: The Savile Row Suit with Patrick Grant We interview Patrick Grant, Great British Sewing Bee judge, former director of Savile Row house Norton & Sons, and owner of sustainable brand Community Clothing! Patrick takes us behind the scenes of revered bespoke tailoring houses and discusses what it takes to become a Savile Row Tailor. We also chat with him about his journey to where he is now, buying fewer but better things, and the amazing vibe on the Sewing Bee set! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/32906367

Episode 264: Sewing Help Line 3.0 09/03/2024

Episode 264: Sewing Help Line 3.0 In this episode, we answer YOUR questions in another installment of the Sewing Help Line! We talk about cutting off-grain, sun-protective fabrics, how to adjust shorts that are two sizes too big, and lots more! Plus, we catch up about our summer adventures. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/32818147

Episode 263: Love to Brag 05/28/2024

Episode 263: Love to Brag We want to hear you brag! In this episode, we share our listeners’ proudest sewing moments. And maybe we’ll brag a little bit, too! Plus, we answer a question about sewing machine servicing and share feedback from our Long-Time Sewists episode. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/31458307

Episode 262: Quilting Magic with Suzy Williams (AKA Suzy Quilts!) 05/21/2024

Episode 262: Quilting Magic with Suzy Williams (AKA Suzy Quilts!) We interview quilting icon Suzy Williams, a.k.a. Suzy Quilts! We chat with her about designing quilt patterns and fabric collections, hear the surprising story of how she learned to sew, and get some great advice about overcoming perfectionism. Plus, we chat about the meditative magic of the quilting process. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/31342667

Episode 261: Sewcializing 3.0 05/14/2024

Episode 261: Sewcializing 3.0 How do you connect with other sewists in today’s social media landscape? In this episode, we talk about the benefits and drawbacks of the most popular social media platforms, give some tips and tricks for making sewing content that connects with people, and answer some listener questions about sewcializing. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/31236667

Episode 260: Sister Mintaka with Sandeep Sandhu 05/07/2024

Episode 260: Sister Mintaka with Sandeep Sandhu We interview Sandeep Sandhu, the owner of the amazing fabric store Sister Mintaka! She tells us how she chooses her beautiful fabrics, what advice she would give to small business owners in the sewing space, and all about her personal sewing. She’s not only a fabric mogul, she’s a style icon! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/31115063

Episode 259: Block Prints 04/30/2024

Episode 259: Block Prints This episode is about one of our very favourite fabrics - Indian block prints! We explore the rich history of these textiles, the process of making them, and where to buy them. We also share a bunch of pattern ideas and sewing tips so you can incorporate these dreamy, light, beautiful fabrics into your wardrobe! Plus, we answer a listener question about sewing rulers. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/31021448

Episode 258: Pattern-Free Design with Daisy Braid 04/23/2024

Episode 258: Pattern-Free Design with Daisy Braid In this episode we’re interviewing Daisy Braid, also known as DIY Daisy! We chat with her about her book, Sew it Yourself, which is filled with pattern-free, wearable projects. She also tells us about her personal style evolution, how to find the good stuff when you’re shopping secondhand, and her year of DIY! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/30915188

Episode 257: Overalls and Jumpsuits 04/16/2024

Episode 257: Overalls and Jumpsuits We love overalls and jumpsuits! In this episode, we talk about choosing the right style for you, matching it with the perfect fabric, and the pattern adjustments that are super important for these all-in-one garments. Plus: indie patterns, installing hardware, and more! And in the listener question section, we give some gift ideas for the sewist who has everything. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/30793113

Love to Sew Podcast

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