The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts.
Hosted by Janet Szabo, The Straight Stitch explores sewing, quilting, and related fiber arts. Weekly episodes feature interviews with makers, highlight what is new and noteworthy in the world of sewing, and delve into what's on Janet's cutting table and under the needle.
Episodes
111 episodes
A Journey Towards Circularity
In this episode, we're joined by Justin Barry, owner of Fdes (Functional Design) in Whitefish, Montana, to talk about designing and making with recycled textiles—and why constraints can be a powerful creative tool. Justin shares how a summer jo...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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36:42
When Your Sewing Machine Suddenly Hates You
Have you ever sat down to sew and thought, “What is wrong with my sewing machine?” Skipped stitches, bird’s nests, weird noises—it can feel like your machine has turned against you. The tool that worked perfectly yesterday now seems to...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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40:00
Where to Shop Now and Other Questions
Janet is on the road again, so today is a listener question episode. Today's requests include: 1) Where can we get sewing supplies now that Joanns is out of business? 2) Can we talk about indie pattern companies and how to find patterns that wo...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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29:21
Where Do Your Dreams Take You?
Today’s guest is Kenneth D. King, sewing and couture expert and an adjunct instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan. He teaches at his studio in New York City and travels extensively in the United States, teaching fi...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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48:37
Chasing Goals in 2026
The turn of a new year seems to be a great time to set sewing goals and make resolutions. Does it work? We're only a few days into 2026 and Janet's plans have already taken a detour. Listen to a recap of the projects she finished at the end of ...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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32:44
Your First Quilt Starts Here
In response to listener feedback, this episode focuses on quilting as a beginner. Learning to quilt doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We'll share simple, approachable ways to get started with quilting—even if you’ve never sewn a quilt before. Yo...
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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41:42
Getting Professional (Sewing) Help When You Need It
Sometimes, it's important to know when to ask for help with a project, and where to go to get that help. Garment fitting is particularly tricky to do solo. In this episode, Janet talks about her recent visit to the Sewing and Design School in T...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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25:53
A Crisis of Confidence and the Importance of Community
Today we are joined by a listener with an important story to share. Laura Wilson relates how the change to a challenging new job—as well as other unexpected life events—led to the loss of her sew-jo for almost an entire year. Can you relate? Ha...
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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38:45
Women Weaving Their Stories with Nicole Nehrig
In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Nehrig—psychologist, maker, and author of Women Weaving Their Stories—to explore the deep connections between craft, identity, and how those connections have been expressed by women's textiles t...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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53:53
Travel Recap and a Broken Machine!
Our next 100 episodes begin with a recap of Janet's recent travel and the sad story of a broken machine. (Spoiler alert: The machine has been fixed and is working beautifully again!) Come along to hear about some beautiful Hugo Boss deadstock f...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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28:27
Listener Q&A!
Happy 100th Episode! The podcast is now two years old. To celebrate, I asked for listener questions and my audience did not disappoint. Today's episode covers everything from what to do with muslins to how to maintain momentum through big sewin...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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29:21
Smart Sewing Storage
If your sewing room is overflowing with fabric, notions, and half-finished projects, this episode is for you! We’ll talk about creative and practical ways to store your sewing supplies—everything from thread and zippers to cutting tools and pat...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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29:09
Sew, Sew With Saremy Duffy
In this episode, I chat with Saremy Duffy, the creative force behind the popular Sew Sew Live YouTube channel and the founder of Sew Sew Guild, an online sewing community built on encouragement, learning, and connection. Saremy shares how her j...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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1:11:28
Quilt Class with Kaffe and Brandon
In this episode, I share my experience taking the Economy Block quilt class with legendary designers Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably. From the bold use of color and pattern to the playful approach they bring to traditional blocks, the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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30:17
Piecing Tiny Quilts with Amy Pabst
Our guest today is award-winning microquilter Amy Pabst, known for her breathtaking miniature quilts that pack incredible detail into impossibly small spaces. Amy shares what first drew her to textiles, the techniques and tools that make microq...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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32:31
Machine Embroidery for Beginners
Curious about machine embroidery but not sure where to start? Janet just purchased her first embroidery machine and has been learning how to use it. In this episode, we cover the basics of beginning embroidery—from choosing your first machine a...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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35:13
National Sewing Month
September is National Sewing Month here in the states. This episode is a chatty roundup of all the exciting events that have been happening lately, from sewing celebrities visiting the local quilt store to lots of fun sewing projects. Grab your...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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29:56
A Deeper Dive Into Industrial Machines
In this episode, we visit again with JoJo Beazel, owner of Seams Perfect Industrial Sewing Machines, to talk about the world of heavy-duty stitching. JoJo shares how she helps sewists, small businesses, and manufacturers find the right machines...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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1:02:39
Creativity and Community: A Conversation with Marianne Buller
In this episode, we sit down with Marianne Buller, owner of The Quilt Gallery in Kalispell, Montana. Marianne shares the story of her journey from working in construction to owning one of Montana’s most beloved quilt shops and gathering spaces....
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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56:10
Rulerwork Quilting: From Straight Lines to Designs
Not all rulers are created equal! Cutting rulers help us measure and cut fabric with precision, but quilting rulers are a whole different tool—designed to guide your stitches as you quilt. In this episode, we dive into the world of quilting rul...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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33:21
Expand Your Serger and Coverstitch Horizons
Your serger and coverstitch aren’t just for finishing seams—they can also be powerful tools for adding flair, texture, and personality to your sewing projects. In this episode, we explore creative ways to turn these machines into decorative sti...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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39:21
Detours on the Way to A Dress
Learning how to alter and adapt clothing patterns to fit your unique body shape is a process. Sometimes that process goes smoothly and sometimes it involves a bit of trial and error. Join Janet on a journey of figuring out what those drag lines...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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31:54
Mastering Buttonholes for Gorgeous Garments
Do you fear and avoid buttonholes? As a sewist, you can't hide from them forever, and mastering them will open a whole new world of possibilities. Modern sewing machines also do most of the heavy lifting for you. Whether you make them by hand, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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29:24
Do You Need an Industrial Machine?
Thinking about upgrading to an industrial sewing machine—or just curious what all the fuss is about? In this episode, we dive into the world of industrial machines: what makes them different from home models, when (and why) you might want one, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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29:19