Stitching Tales

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

The sewing world has never been more connected, or more fragmented.
15 years ago, most online sewists gathered in a handful of forums and blogs. Today, conversations are spread across Facebook groups, memberships, Discord servers, Substack, online courses, Instagram, YouTube, and platforms that may or may not still exist by the time this episode airs.
On one hand, it's easier than ever to find people who share your interests. On the other hand, keeping track of where everyone is gathering can feel like a part-time job. And don't we all crave more in-person meetups these days?
The conversation may also have been lightly influenced by some behind-the-scenes brainstorming around Johanna and Malena's upcoming book To a Tee and whether the internet really needs one more place for sewists to gather.
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