Welcome to the very last Stitching Tales episode of 2025. Johanna and Malena are in a reflective mood, mostly because they just realised that episode 100 is creeping up fast.
Malena shares her new work schedule with more room for personal projects. While Johanna reflects on the mind games that come with suddenly having more time on your hands. Of course, this leads to their big upcoming project, a sewing book they’ve been quietly plotting for a while.
It’s a fun, slightly chaotic, and also optimistic way to wrap up the year and look forward to what’s next. And yes, they also want your help deciding how to celebrate that 100th episode!
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Print desinger mentioned
https://www.instagram.com/isolettodesign
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Johanna and Malena look back at their 2025 business year, a year packed with changes, and most of them felt good. Johanna made the big jump into working full-time on The Last Stitch, which gave her a boost of creativity, focus, and energy that she hasn't felt in ages.
Malena finally launched the Bilberry top, scored her first pattern magazine feature, and even moved her sewing studio into a bridal shop, which has turned into some unexpected sewing adventures.
Together, they agree that 2025 felt calmer and less stressful than the years before. And the best part, they already have some very fun plans lined up for 2026.
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Johanna and Malena play fantasy sewing and dream up five key garments that they love to wear over and over. For Johanna it's a retro-style windbreaker and of course the optimal pleated skirt (with pockets, of course).
Malena ponders the perfect dress, and then she has a t-shirt revelation that makes them want to rethink everything.
They also read another listener's email for the new Stitch and Tell segment, asking about the best places for fabric shopping and fashion inspiration in Sweden.
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Places to visit in Sweden
Göteborg
Röhsska Museum
Gårda Textil
Knapp-Carlsson
Italienska Modetyger
Tygaffär'n
Borås Textil Museum
Stockholm
Nordiska Museet
Tygverket
Siden-Carlsson
Fabric chain-stores
Ohlsons Tyger
Selfmade
They shimmer, they float, they slide right off your cutting table… Malena and Johanna dive into the world of slippery yet stunning fabrics. From satin to chiffon to charmeuse, they are talking about the types of materials that can drive sewists up the wall.
A very timely episode as Malena has been dipping her toe into bridal wear (!). Malena also explains the technical side of how these fabrics are made. And then they dive into a tip-packed session on how to cut and sew these glowing beasts without the pain. So if you’ve ever fallen for a slippery fabric but felt too intimidated to sew it, this episode is for you!
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Malena and Johanna take a deep dive into the art of sewing smart on a budget, from fabric choices to smart tools.
Malena also shares one of her favourite cost-saving tricks, based on how things are done in the garment industry. This impresses Johanna, because it's not just a budget trick; it's also a design feature!
Johanna even claims that listening to this episode could make you rich, at least if you are using sewist math! But please don't fact-check this statement; instead, listen to this info-packed episode about how to sew on a budget.
Also check out episodes 79, 23 and 18 to learn more about the sewing tools we think are valuable, and those you could skip.
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Malena has been on a super inspiring networking trip to Copenhagen, and now she wants to switch careers and pivot into custom designs for theatre and ballet.
Johanna has been working abroad as well, which, among other things, led her to start a sewing TikTok account after enjoying a glass of Spanish cerveza at the airport!
In this fun update, they talk about everything from how to crack the sizing dilemma (Malena has some shocking stats on how few people actually fit into standard RTW-sizing) to Johanna (finally) getting brave with marketing, and the results are promising.
Plus a new segment: Stitch and Tell, email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com if you have something you want to share!
Ithaca Maven Substack about pattern fitting
https://ithacamaven.substack.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
Think you have nailed wovens? Then think again. Malena is on a roll and delivers some fascinating factoids about woven fabrics, but please don't call the tweed police!
Then Johanna wants to quit the podcast mid-through and run out and buy some chambray fabric. Luckily, she stays the entire recording and instead invents a groundbreaking new material for duvets–flatine.
Check out the previous episode on woven fabrics:
New sewing spaces & decoding woven fabrics #77
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Johanna and Malena chat about one of the simplest but most powerful fitting tweaks you can make, adding or removing length in just the right places.
Whether you’re tall, petite, or just a unique human being (like all of us! ), you’ll learn how to adjust your patterns so your clothes sit exactly where they should.
Malena explains why length adjustments should always come first in your fitting order and shares the best ways to adjust the length of your patterns. And Johanna talks about how understanding her height (or lack thereof) made her more accepting of her body and why RTW clothes seldom fit her.
Fit for Knits
https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book
Alvanon Size Charts
https://www.scribd.com/search?query=The%20Alvanon%20Standard%20
Have more questions? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.thelaststitch.com
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
The worst part about sewing knit tops? The neckline, no doubt! To ease the pain and help you sew better neckline finishings, Johanna and Malena dive into one of the most common trouble spots when sewing knit tops, with a focus on the classic neckband.
Malena explains why your neckband should always be shorter than the neckline, and how to calculate the best ratio for every type of knit.
And should the neckband seam be at the shoulder seam, mid-back, or just behind the shoulder seam? This is a hot topic, and Johanna has some strong views, which Malena backs up with sensible facts.
Then they talk about how to actually sew the dang thing (i.e the neckband) and share some great tips that you might never have heard before.
Our book Fit for Knits
https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book
Have more questions? Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.thelaststitch.com
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Johanna and Malena dive into your pressing sewing questions, and they’re not holding back! What sewing tools do they think are totally overrated? And have they done projects that went completely off the rails? (Oh yes, and Johanna blames the fabric).
They also advise on when quilting cotton is suitable for garments and when it isn’t. Plus, Johanna and Malena share their best tips on how to construct and attach a perfect collar
Johanna's undercollar tutorial
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
What would happen if Johanna and Malena joined the chaos of Project Runway? In this episode, they discuss how to deal with impossible challenges, fabric-shopping drama, and hard-hitting criticism from the judges.
Would they accept feedback with grace, get defensive or even start crying? Johanna would definitely shed some tears, that's for sure.
And would Malena’s wearable designs gain the approval from the judges—or be sent off with an Auf Wiederschein?
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
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Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Malena’s taking her sewing to new heights—literally—by moving onto a stage as her new sewing space! Johanna’s first reaction? Total shock… quickly followed by excitement. Luckily, Johanna is also getting a studio update, albeit not quite as glamorous.
After their catch-up, the conversation shifts to woven fabrics. Malena provides the ultimate guide to the three main categories of woven fabrics. Then Johanna tries to make Malena pick a favourite, but she ends up picking one for herself instead (hint, it starts with a T and ends with Will.)
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
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About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
What if your favourite pair of jeans wasn’t something you bought, but something you made yourself? In this episode, Johanna and Malena explore why sewing your own denim is not only empowering but also incredibly fun.
Johanna, who’s never found a perfectly fitting pair of jeans in stores, shares her latest denim project and how she’s adapted industrial techniques for home sewing.
Plus, she gives a sneak peek at the exciting updates to her jeans sewing course, Denim Mastery.Johanna's jeans sewing course
https://courses.thelaststitch.com/denim-mastery
Johanna's book Sewing Jeans
https://www.thelaststitch.com/sewing-jeans-book
Stitching Tales on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/stitchingtalespod
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.instagram.com/hazelhenpatterns
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
Johanna and Malena have noticed a recent decline in body diversity, both on the runway and among celebrities (hello, Ozempic). Was body inclusivity just a passing trend? And how does this shift make us feel about our own bodies?
Navigating society’s beauty standards is definitely complicated. And as sewing influencers, Malena and Johanna also want to present themselves, and in particular their creations, in the best light– quite literally.
So being non-judgmental toward ourselves is often easier said than done. On the flip side, sewing can actually help ease some of these pressures and Malena shares her best fitting tips for all of us with three-dimensional bodies.
Fit for Knits Book
https://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book
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.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Malena enjoys cutting out the pattern pieces. Johanna does not. But they agree on one thing: how you cut can really make or break a sewing project. So, they dig into practical strategies for cutting pattern pieces, including how to prep, align, mark, and cut.
Plus some great advice on how to deal with those tricky fabrics (Johanna has three words for you: single-layer cutting).
P.S. Malena had some light sound issues in this episode.
Fit for Knits Bookhttps://www.thelaststitch.com/fit-for-knits-book
Episodes mentioned:
Trace, cut or chalk? Ways to mark your fabric #67
Understanding seam allowances #62
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.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Is your sewing table buried under mountains of fabric? Do seam rippers actually have legs? And why can't we ever find the right sewing machine needle? Keeping organised during sewing is hard, and we have all been there.
Malena and Johanna share their messy sewing space confessions and give some simple tips on how to improve your sewing space. Or as the French chefs say it – mise en place. Mais oui.
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.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Johanna puts on her reporter's hat (she used to be a journalist) and explains how tariffs work and their impact on both sewing businesses and the customers. Hopefully, this will clarify the confusion surrounding the current situation and explain why many sewing companies have ceased shipping to the US.
Malena has finally launched her Bilberry top (yay!), but not without last-minute hiccups.
Listen for a candid conversation about what it’s really like to run a solo sewing business when outside factors keep throwing new wrenches your way!
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Have you looked at a sewing pattern and thought, I could never make that? Or maybe you’ve mastered the basics, but the idea of sewing a zipper or adding collars to a garment intimidates you?
In this episode, Johanna and Malena share the best methods for transitioning from a sewing novice to feeling more like a pro.
Plus, they address mindset challenges such as frustration with underwhelming results, the fear of “ruining” good fabric, and the hesitation that comes with trying something new. Topics covered:
Exclusive discount on the Bilberry Top
BILBERRY DROPS SEPTEMBER 4
(offer valid from 4th to 7th September):
Use the code PODCAST20 for a 20% discount https://www.etsy.com/shop/HazelhenPatterns
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Malena and Johanna put their style forecaster hats on and list the key trends for fall 2025 and, most importantly, how to sew them.
They talk genie pants, draped coats, power suits and midi-skirts. And what about embracing fashion comebacks? Well, Malena still struggles with revisiting 90s fashion, and Johanna is so not ready for 80s shoulder pads.
As Stitching Tales' resident music fanatic, Johanna also has some interesting style notes from the "Swedish Coachella" music festival (hint: we all need a pleated kilt skirt).
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.thelaststitch.com
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch
Malena has found the perfect solution to bring back her sewing mojo: invite a friend and sew together over a glass of cava.
Johanna is currently a sweaty, toothless mess. But she has also done some sewing this summer that reminded her of an important principle: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!)
They also talk day-job updates, and on air, they impulsively make a bold declaration that will challenge them both. Listen to find out!
Email us at stitchingtalespod@gmail.com
Or contact us at our socials:
Stitching Tales on Instagram
Stitching Tales on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@StitchingTalesPod
About Malena Hjerpe: Professional pattern maker, sewing book author and owner of Hazelhen Patterns.
https://www.hazelhenpatterns.com (get your free Malva t-shirt pattern)
About Johanna Lundström: Sewing book author, pattern designer and sewing content creator.
https://www.thelaststitch.com
https://www.instagram.com/laststitch