Stitching Tales

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)
Zip-up runner belt tutorial

Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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
⁠Sewing Activewear Book
3 ways to sew stretch lace
Fold over elastic video tutorial

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.