The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts.
The Straight Stitch is a podcast about sewing and other fiber arts. Join Janet as she visits with makers about their projects, highlights what is new and noteworthy in the world of sewing, and talks about what's on her cutting table and under the needle. Occasional episodes may venture into related areas such as embroidery or knitting.
Episodes
90 episodes
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 as she reviews the process of figuring out what th...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 27
•
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, ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 26
•
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, ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 25
•
29:19
Back in the Trenches with Kira Hartley
This episode features a chat with Kira Hartley Klinger, author of Fabric Wars and Fabric Wars & More, about her unique journey from vintage fabric reseller to self-published writer. Kira shares how estate sales, auctions, ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 24
•
44:17
What I Did on My Summer Sewing Vacation
Join Janet for a recap of her trip to Bernina University in Salt Lake City at the end of June. Hear about the classes she took, what she learned, and what's coming up for this fall. But the fun didn't end there! Janet flew from Salt Lake City t...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 23
•
36:05
Good, Better, Best: Leveling Up Your Sewing Skills
Are you ready to take your sewing skills from basic to brilliant? In this episode, we’re diving into practical and inspiring ways to level up your sewing practice. From mastering fit and experimenting with tricky fabrics to refining your finish...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 22
•
29:37
To Err (While Sewing) Is Human
Mistakes! No matter how long you've been sewing, you can't avoid mistakes completely. In this episode, Janet describes the quilted jacket she's been working on for the past two months and how a mistake toward the end of the construction process...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 21
•
36:40
The Weaver Sews
Daryl Lancaster, renowned handweaver, teacher, and fiber artist—joins me today for an inspiring conversation about her lifelong journey with textiles. Known for her colorful handwoven garments and no-nonsense teaching style, Daryl shares how sh...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 20
•
57:05
Calling All Bagmakers
In this episode, we sit down with Sherri Nelson, the creative force and organizer behind the upcoming Sac Bag 'n Sew Expo, happening this September 2025 in Sacramento, California. Sherri shares the heart and vision behind the event, what makes ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 19
•
29:50
From the Fashion Industry to Indie Designer
This episode features a conversation with Christine Lindebak, founder of Sewing and the City. Christine is a fashion designer and sewing entrepreneur who’s bringing high style to the home sewing world. Christine shares her journey from sewing a...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 18
•
44:03
Where Did My Sew-Jo Go?
Has your desire to sew—something that should bring you pleasure—ever taken a vacation? It happens to all of us at one point or another. The reasons could be anything from life stress to creative paralysis. In this episode, we'll explore the rea...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 17
•
27:31
Disappearing Fabric Stores
Today's episode is a chatty update about what I've been sewing and the ongoing disappearance of fabric stores. One of my favorite stores outside of Seattle announced last week that it was closing, and the first wave of Joann Fabrics locations h...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 16
•
36:14
The Sacks that Spoke: Branding with Humble Textiles
This episode explores the importance of textiles in marketing and branding. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, in Spokane, WA, houses a unique collection of over 150 cloth flour sacks, dating from 1900 to the 1940s, which showcase the ev...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 15
•
38:20
Sashiko with Sylvia Pippen
Today's episode features an interview with renowned textile artist and quilter Sylvia Pippen, whose work beautifully blends traditional Japanese sashiko with contemporary appliqué techniques. Sylvia shares her creative journey—from gro...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 14
•
31:43
Getting Started with Projector Sewing
In this episode, we explore the innovative world of using a projector to cut out sewing patterns, eliminating the need for pinning or tracing. Whether you're a curious beginner or looking to streamline your sewing process, today’s guest, Shered...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 13
•
39:18
Favorite Sewing Tools
In this episode, I take a closer look at the essential tools that make my sewing more efficient and enjoyable. From sewing machines and scissors to pins, measuring tools, and beyond, I am sharing my favorite items from my sewing toolbox—what I ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 12
•
28:18
Andrea Blohm, Milliner
Millinery is the art and craft of designing, making, and selling hats, typically women’s hats. A milliner is a skilled artisan who creates hats using various materials like felt, straw, fabric, and embellishments such as feathers, ribbons, and ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 11
•
32:52
Who Am I and How Did I Get Here?
We’ve had a slew of new listeners to the podcast in the past couple of weeks (yay!). Not everyone wants to go back and listen to the podcast from the beginning, so I thought I’d do a recap of who I am and how I got here. It’s a tale with a few ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 10
•
31:24
Emma Jones of Vintage Sewing Box
Join me for a lovely chat with Emma Jones of Vintage Sewing Box. Emma is a UK designer who delights in all things needle and thread. A former primary school teacher, Emma has combined her love of sewing with her talent as an instructor and shar...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 9
•
35:38
Sew Expo 2025
Today’s episode is a recap of Janet’s trip to Sew Expo 2025, in Puyallup, WA. Sew Expo is an event sponsored by Washington State University and is in its fifth decade. Janet went as a teacher for the second time, teaching five knitting classes ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 8
•
31:37
The Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum
By the time this episode drops, I’ll be on my way to Sew Expo in Puyallup, Washington, to teach five knitting classes and a sewing class. In this episode, I sit down to chat with Morgan Kavanagh, one of the staff members at the Pacific Northwes...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 7
•
30:17
The Ins and Outs of Interfacing
This episode is all about interfacing—a crucial element in garment construction that can make a big difference in the structure and longevity of your projects. Whether you're making a crisp shirt collar, sturdy bag handles, or reinforcing a hem...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 6
•
32:41
Dispatches From the Sewing Room
Today’s episode is a cozy chat about what’s been happening in my sewing room. Grab your beverage of choice and pull up a comfy chair and join me for a discussion of sewing projects, sewing classes, and what is going on with Joann Fabrics. How h...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
33:36
Using a Die Cutter for Sewing and Quilting
This episode is about die cutters—innovative tools that have revolutionized quilting and fabric cutting. I'll talk mostly about the Accuquilt cutters, because those are the ones I own and know well. Learn how these die cutters work, the differe...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
28:36
Making a Custom Dress Form with Inge deGroot
My guest today is Inge deGroot, a resident of he Netherlands, who reached out and asked to share her passion project about making a custom dress form. Inge tried several methods of creating a dress form that was similar to her body shape, but w...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
42:28