The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts. – Details, episodes & analysis

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Part 2 of our series on sewing machine presser feet. We'll discuss the specialty feet that help you to do embroidery, free motion quilting, ruffling, and other fun techniques. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

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Today’s guest is a young man from Canada who has channeled his passion for sewing into an entertaining and informative YouTube channel. Because of a childhood injury to one side of his body, Cornelius Quiring was inspired to begin making himself custom clothing. Along the way, he taught himself the fundamentals of pattern drafting and now wants to share that knowledge with his audience. Cornelius tackles everything from shirts to coats to pants, and even though he concentrates on menswear, the principles he covers are applicable to garments for many different kinds of bodies. Toward the end of the interview, Cornelius turned the tables and asked a few questions of your host. I think you’ll find our discussion just as entertaining as Cornelius’s YouTube channel. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

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Bad habits can get in the way of pleasurable sewing and lead to less-than-perfect results or even damage to our machines. In this episode, we’ll talk about the bad sewing habits that we should strive to remove from our sewing practice, such as sewing over pins, not changing the needle regularly, and more. What are the bad sewing habits that you’d like to eliminate?

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

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Singer is, arguably, the most recognized brand in the world of sewing. In today’s episode, we look at the man who bore that name—Isaac Merritt Singer—and how he came to be such an influence in the development of the sewing machine that we know today. Did you know that he fathered some two dozen children? Or that his first love wasn’t invention, but acting? Listen and learn more!

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

Send us feedback about this episode!

We sometimes forget that leather is a textile, and a wonderful material with which to create beautiful and functional items. Today's guest, Lisa Sorrell, of Sorrell Custom Boots in Guthrie, Oklahoma, has taken leatherwork to the next level with her designs. Lisa began making boots in 1996, custom fit and handcrafted for each client. Lisa’s work has been featured in several books, numerous magazines, and the PBS series “Craft in America.” She is the recipient of numerous awards and the author of the book, "The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay," published in 2015.  In this episode, Lisa talks about her journey to becoming a custom bookmaker and what needs to be done to save and pass on these specialized skills to future generations. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

Send us feedback about this episode!

Today's guest, JoJo Beazel, saw the opportunity for a new business during the pandemic and took it. What started as a fascination with sewing machines in general morphed into a love of industrial sewing machines, and from there, into a thriving business refurbishing these old workhorses.  Seams Perfect Industrial and Vintage Sewing Machines in Fresno, CA, specializes in the restoration of industrial and commercial sewing machines. JoJo has a deep and abiding appreciation for these machines for their functionality as well as their artistic design. Join me for a conversation with JoJo about some of the machines that have graced the Seams Perfect workbench and how they have been restored to a useful life. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

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Whitney Luckenbill is on a mission to empower sewists to make garments to fit their unique shapes. Her YouTube channel, TomKat Stitchery, features a wealth of information on color, style, fabrics, wardrobe planning, patterns, and more. I was fortunate enough to meet Whitney in person at Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA, in February. She is as much of a dynamo in real life as she is on her channel, and we made plans to sit down a few weeks later for an extended chat. Hear about Whitney’s journey from financial analyst to mother of twins to YouTube content creator. Whitney has also launched a series of online classes on fitting and other topics. If you do any garment sewing, Whitney will help you level it up!

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

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Social media is a two-edged sword. Negativity is everywhere, but the bright spots are waiting to be discovered. Today’s guest is Tiffany Scherschel, whose YouTube channel Hoosier Handmade is one of my favorite follows. Tiffany loves to sew garments, and she brings a positive, can-do attitude to every project. She also understands the importance of community and works hard to make all of her viewers feel like they are part of hers. I look forward to her twice-weekly videos—on Tuesdays and Fridays—and getting to sit down and chat with her in person was like having a cup of tea with a dear friend. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

Send us feedback about this episode!

In this week’s episode, we take a road trip to the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives in Butte, Montana. The Archives currently features an exhibit of vintage sewing machines from the collection of Virgil “Sarge” Sargent. The machines—from a late 1800s Willcox and Gibbs chainstitch machine all the way up to a 1960s Singer Rocketeer—detail the importance of sewing in this iconic western town, accompanied by a wealth of accessories, quilts, and vintage clothing from area collectors. Janet sat down for a lively conversation with the three organizers of the exhibit: Laura Sargent (Sarge’s widow), Leslie Doyle, and Rose Brock. Come along as we explore the history of sewing in the wild west. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com

Send us feedback about this episode!

My guest today is Alex Jackson, owner and designer at H Clothing Company in Colorado. After graduating with degrees in business and wanting to start his own company with a sustainability focus, Alex settled on clothing manufacturing. A self-taught sewist, designer, and natural dyer, Alex creates the kind of clothing he wants to wear using hemp fabrics. Hemp is enjoying a resurgence as a useful natural fiber and requires far fewer chemical pesticides and herbicides than cotton. I know you’ll find Alex’s commitment to his vision as inspiring as I do. 

Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com
My website: www.janetszabo.com
See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog
E-mail me! janet@janetszabo.com