Stitching Tales

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:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube

About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
Hazelhen Patterns Instagram
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)

About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
thelaststitch.com
The Last Stitch Instagram

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
Muna and Broad
Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
Hazelhen Patterns Instagram
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
thelaststitch.com
The Last Stitch Instagram

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:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
Hazelhen Patterns Instagram
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
thelaststitch.com
The Last Stitch Instagram

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
Fit for Knits
Sewing Activewear
Master The Coverstitch Machine

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stitchingtalespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
Hazelhen Patterns Instagram
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
thelaststitch.com
The Last Stitch Instagram

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:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
Hazelhen Patterns Instagram
hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
thelaststitch.com
The Last Stitch Instagram