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 296: We Sew the Good Fabric 11/11/2025

Episode 296: We Sew the Good Fabric In this episode, we took the plunge and sewed our favourite fabrics into showstopper garments! We reveal them to each other for the first time and share the stories of where we got our fabrics, what the fitting and sewing process was like, and where we plan to wear our new clothes. Plus, we answer a listener question about altering a pants pattern from an elastic waist to a fitted waist and share another listener’s feedback about a futuristic zipper. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38983640

Episode 295: Inuit Sewing Traditions with Laura Pia Churchill 11/04/2025

Episode 295: Inuit Sewing Traditions with Laura Pia Churchill In this episode, we interview Inuk sewist Laura Pia Churchill! She tells us about life in Nunavut, Inuit sewing traditions, sewing through grief, being an auntie, and lots more. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38854655

Episode 294: Do You Know This Notion? 10/28/2025

Episode 294: Do You Know This Notion? In this episode, we share a bunch of lesser-known sewing notions! Have you heard of a curve runner? How about drawcord elastic? Monofilament thread? Zipper lubricant? We talk about all of these and lots more! Plus, we answer a listener question about taking in trousers. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38763505

Episode 293: Parents and Caregivers Who Sew 10/21/2025

Episode 293: Parents and Caregivers Who Sew This episode is all about how to sew when you’re a parent or caregiver! How to find the time, how to keep kids away from sharp sewing tools, how to involve kids in your sewing practice, and more. Our listeners called and wrote in with some really cool stories, tips, and strategies! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38626990

Episode 292: Sew the Look with Pauline Bruce 10/14/2025

Episode 292: Sew the Look with Pauline Bruce In this episode, we interview Pauline Bruce aka @sewuthinkucan! She’s a pattern hacking genius, Sew the Look specialist, and beloved member of the sewing community. She chats with us about her continent-crossing sewing journey, tells us how to get sewing friendships off the internet and into real life, and reveals her secrets for finding patterns to dupe ready-to-wear looks. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38533010

Episode 291: We Sew Fashion Trends 10/07/2025

Episode 291: We Sew Fashion Trends We each chose a rising trend for Fall/Winter 2025 and sewed garments inspired by it! In this episode, we reveal them to each other for the first time. We also talk about our pattern and fabric choices, the tips that helped us through the sewing process, and where we plan to wear our trendy outfits. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38449590

Episode 290: Projector Sewing 09/30/2025

Episode 290: Projector Sewing This episode is an introduction to projector sewing! Projector sewists skip the paper and project patterns directly onto fabric. We talk about what you need for a successful setup and how to use it; the pros and cons of projector sewing vs. printing out PDF patterns; and whether we’re planning to start using projectors (we disagree!). We also answer a listener question about pants length adjustments. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38374340

Episode 289: Functional Style with Cornelius Quiring 09/23/2025

Episode 289: Functional Style with Cornelius Quiring We interview Cornelius Quiring, the beloved internet sewing teacher and content creator! We chat with him about his unique sewing journey, his minimalist design perspective, how he teaches difficult drafting concepts, and his favourite things to sew. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38284030

Episode 288: We Sew Vests 09/16/2025

Episode 288: We Sew Vests We each sewed a vest and, in this episode, we reveal them to each other for the first time! We talk about the patterns and fabrics we chose, the ups and downs of the sewing process, and how we’re going to style our new vests. Plus, an extra special surprise! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38173045

Episode 287: Sewing Help Line 4.0 09/09/2025

Episode 287: Sewing Help Line 4.0 We’re back for the fall 2025 season with a brand-new call-in episode! We answer sewing questions from our listeners: how to choose your size based on your fabric’s stretch percentage, what patterns to pick for a work capsule wardrobe, how to sew a curved French seam, and lots more! We also catch up about our summer break. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/38079960

Episode 286: If You Could Only Sew One Thing 05/13/2025

Episode 286: If You Could Only Sew One Thing We asked our listeners: “If you could only sew one thing, what would it be?” In this episode, we share their answers (and ours)! Listen in and get inspired - there are so many different kinds of answers! /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/36501360

Episode 285: We Sew Eyelet 05/06/2025

Episode 285: We Sew Eyelet We each sewed an eyelet garment, and now we’re going to tell each other about it for the first time! We discuss our fabric choices, pattern choices, sewing experiences, and lots more. /episode/index/show/lovetosew/id/36416200

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

Love to Sew Podcast

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