Explore every episode of the podcast Stitched By Podcast

Join Stitched By Podcast host Auri as she speaks with three pattern designers across the sewing, knitting and crochet communities in depth about what it’s actually like being a pattern designer.

In this conversation, we discuss imposter syndrome, size-inclusivity, being on social media and marketing your business, burnout and what it takes to be a pattern designer. If you prefer to watch the interview, you can do so here.

About the Guests:

Emma (midsummer.knits)

Emma aka Midsummer Knits recently became a full-time knitwear designer after knitting for the past 20+ years. She has a focus on detail-oriented and size-inclusive patterns with a special love for tank tops and summery tops which she feels are often overlooked in the knitting community!

Get Emma’s recently released Persephone Top knitting pattern here.

Lindsey (justtheworsted)

Lindsey, aka just the worsted, has been a size inclusive crochet and Tunisian crochet designer since 2019. She creates timeless wardrobe staples that everyone can wear. If you love a good sweater then she wants to be friends.

Get Lindsey’s recently released book: Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe.About the book: Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe includes 15 exclusive patterns ranging from beginner to advanced, and each chapter helps you build upon skills that you've learned to improve your Tunisian crochet techniques. Each pattern and the Tunisian Crochet 101 section have QR codes that link to full video tutorial explanations. There are projects for each season so you won't just find yourself making sweaters--and of course--- they're all size graded to include sizes for XS-5X.

Sanna (paradisepatterns)

Sanna Myers is the designer and pattern maker behind Paradise Patterns. She was born and raised in Sweden, where she studied art, pattern making, and weaving, before moving to Hawai'i in her early twenties. She fell in love with a local surfer, and never left. She started pattern-making for small Honolulu apparel brands, and after becoming a mother, went freelance, which eventually led her to building her own indie pattern company, Paradise Patterns, where she creates size-inclusive, beginner-friendly sewing patterns for home sewists.Learn more about Sanna and Paradise Patterns on her website: paradisepatterns.com

I hope you enjoy the episode, please let me know what you think in the comments and if you like conversations like this.The next episode will discuss the tension that sometimes exists between sewists and sewing patternmakers in the sewing community… to be continued. If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please let me know in the comments! 🌷

Stitched By is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to the Stitched By Podcast. The podcast where we speak with crafters, creators, designers and patternmakers in the sewing, knitting and crochet communities about the topics that matter most to them and to you.

In today’s episode we discuss the ongoing topic that comes up often in these communities: “Design Copying/Stealing.”If you are part of these communities, I’m sure you’ve seen this happen quite often. A designer/patternmaker feels that their design has been copied/stolen and they put it on social media for everyone to take in. Was their design stolen? Is their design just trending? What is causing this to happen? What is the solution?

As you listen to the podcast, here are some questions you can think about:

* What is creative inspiration?

* What is copying?

* How do you ensure you are not copying anyone with your own designs?

* What is “unique” design?

* When do you think design goes from referencing to copying?

* Where should the line be drawn?

* Is late stage capitalism to blame?

* Is there a solution to this problem?

About the Guests:

Jiaj (jiaj.co)

Jiaj's love for garment making and textile art began with embroidery. After leaving the corporate world, a sewing class in downtown Los Angeles sparked a journey that led to numerous sewing classes and tailoring courses, allowing him to immerse himself in the craft of garment making. He is currently building his shirt brand as a creative endeavor to bring a sense of whimsy back into everyday life.

Mei (mei.knits)

Mei is a knitter, knitwear designer and a content creator based in Brookyln, NY. She loves designing garments that feel playful, nostalgic, and fun to wear, often inspired by vintage fashion and Y2K Japanese street style. When she's not knitting, Mei enjoys travel, spending time with her two dogs outside and exploring all sorts of creative projects. She loves connecting with fellow makers and believes in celebrating the creativity and care that goes into handmade work.

Shay (thebookishalchemist)

Shay is a knitter, reader, content creator, and knitwear designer. She loves designing garments that feel like they stepped out of a story book, and regularly listens to books while working on fiber projects, specifically enjoys rich and captivating stories (especially Sci-fi and Fantasy). Shay loves spending time with her cats and her partner, as well as connecting with friends in various communities both online and in person.

I hope you enjoy the episode, please let me know what you think in the comments and if you like conversations like this.The next topic that is being planned is the ongoing “feud” between sewists and patternmakers in the sewing community… to be continued!If you have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please let me know in the comments!If you would like to watch the interview, you can find it on my YouTube channel here.

Stitched By is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Join Stitched By Podcast Host, Auri in this episode as we dive into the creative journey of Brandon Hayden, the founder of Happily Dressed. Discover how Brandon's passion for self-expression and fashion led him to create a vibrant community that empowers both beginners and seasoned makers. From his early days as a photographer to becoming a patternmaker, Brandon shares insights into his creative process, the challenges of the sewing space and the importance of authenticity in social media. He discusses the launch of his new brand, Fieldman, which focuses on slow fashion and honoring his family history. The conversation highlights the significance of creativity, confidence, and the journey of personal growth in the crafting community.

Find Brandon on Instagram at happilydressed and fieldmanclothing, on YouTube at Happily Dressed for his tutorials and on Etsy at Happily Dressed LLC for his patterns.

Candice is a former lawyer turned sewing content creator and pattern designer based in Ontario, Canada. She discovered her love for sewing during her first maternity leave, initially buying a sewing machine to make baby items for her son. A friend from her prenatal class introduced her to garment sewing, and she was instantly hooked.

In 2021, Candice co-founded Staystitch Pattern Co. with her friend Lindsey, and she also releases her own patterns under the brand @sewbakemake. She's especially passionate about upcycling, giving new life to old textiles by transforming them into fresh, wearable garments.

When she's not in her sewing studio, Candice enjoys embracing motherhood, spending time outdoors, and perfecting her sourdough baking skills.

Find Candice on Instagram, YouTube and her website ‪@sewbakemake

And find me on Instagram and my website @stitchedbypodcast And @stichay on Instagram, youtube and my website. 

Working as an Engineer by day and a knitwear designer by night, Hollis is the creator
behind Vexnot Studio. A one woman business that produces knitwear and crochet designs, as well as one of a kind pieces. Incorporating yarn from Manos Del Uruguay, a non-profit supporting artisans in rural Uruguay, Hollis creates unique and eye-catching designs.

In this episode, we will hear how Hollis manages a full-time job in tech while also working on her business, imposter syndrome as a creative, the effects of social media on artists and more!

Moa P. Blomqvist is the fiber artist behind Honse. With her crochet hook as a weapon and her heart on full display, she's taken on the mission to revolutionize the public opinion on crochet. With 25 years of crochet behind her, immense love of colors and a healthy dose of nostalgia she crochets in ways you've never seen before. She lives and works in the small coastal town of Varberg in Sweden, where she has run Honse as a business since 2020, and a yarn store by the same name since 2021.

Find Moa on Instagram @honsedesign and on her website https://www.honsedesign.com

From the age of 10, Sarah knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. This dream led her
to pursue degrees in both business and fashion design. She then worked as a footwear
designer while simultaneously building her patternmaking business, Les Perlines. After four
years of working both jobs, she decided now was the time to take her business full-time.

Sarah is a fashion designer, footwear designer, and the founder of Les Perlines, a sewing pattern brand that blends feminine and trend driven designs with thoughtful craftsmanship. With a technical degree in fashion design and a bachelor's degree in both business and fashion design, Sarah brings a unique mix of creative expertise and industry knowledge to her work. Her journey in fashion began at a young age—taught to sew by her grandmother, she knew by the time she was 10 that she wanted to be a fashion designer, even if she didn't yet know what that truly meant. That passion led her to a career in footwear design, where she worked full-time while simultaneously building Les Perlines, developing thoughtfully crafted sewing patterns that empower makers to create beautiful, well-fitting garments. Through her Pattern Lab series and engaging Instagram content, Sarah shares insights into pattern development, sewing techniques, and the creative process, inspiring fellow makers to bring their visions to life. 

Find Sarah on Instagram @sarbernier @les.perlines and on her website https://www.lesperlines.com