Stitcher's Brew Podcast

This week's guests are Emily of Self Assembly Required and Jen of Gingerthread Girl! A lot of people tell us that Stitcher's Brew Podcast is like having friends in their sewing room (and we LOVE hearing that - thankyou!) - we think this one might just be our most 'hanging out with friends' one yet - in fact I think all of us forgot we were recording and just did what we did best - natter on about all things sewing!! Fans of indie patterns, online fabric sellers and any kind of sewing or craft are going to love this one as we talk about everything from their sewing stories to their favourite sewlebrities! We do also cover the reason we got them on the podcast sofa - blogging VS. vlogging - as they both excel at both of these things and give us all tips and tricks to help us all become pros! Hope you have the kettle on - cos 4 giggly friends are about to come over and talk for Britain!! ;) ******** This episode is sponsored by Pfaff who make amazing sewing machines for all styles. There are overlockers, coverstitch machines and embroidery machines for beginners to keen sewers. We both love Pfaff machines and couldn’t recommend them enough – they sew through any fabric like it’s quilting cotton, that’ll be down to the IDT, the integrated walking-foot. Go visit their amazing range at www.pfaff.com ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week's guests are Dominque Major and Shauni Sanderson of Magnificent Thread. There are a few people that we see on instagram who just seem to be nailing their personal style through their makes and these two are doing exactly that. We are in awe of how stylish and on trend they appear to be and we wanted to talk to them about the trends they set and who inspires them.  We learn about their blogs and instagram as well as the usual good stuff -sewing stories, their first makes and their love for Indie patterns! Shauni and Dominque are both so brilliantly down to earth and help our shoe shopping guilt, disorganised wardrobe guilt and not tracing guilt so thanks for that ladies!! Settle in with us for a good ole natter about fashion, fun and fabrics oh and loads of sewing!! ********** This episode was bought to you by Sewisfaction who sell amazing fabrics, haberdashery items and indie patterns both online and in there shop in Wokingham, Berkshire – where they also teach lots of lovely sewing and craft classes! They stock many gorgeous dressmaking fabrics and we especially love their unique sewing kits where you can get everything to make some of the most popular indie patterns – like Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans or Tilly and The Buttons Cleo kit! Go visit their incredible range at www.sewisfaction.co.uk just in time for their brilliant summer sale and use our special code STITCHERSBREW for 10% off all fabric and patterns until 31st July. We all need some Sewisfaction we’ll be heading there ourselves to check out that summer sale after the show! ********** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

Today's podcast guest is Heather Lou from Closet Case Patterns. Yes you heard it right - we managed to pin down THE Heather Lou to visit our podcast nook whilst she was visiting London for teaching and adventures in Europe! We are both very inspired by this lady and all she does so we may say that it was a dream come true for us both!! Heather Lou is the easiest podcast guest - you can just throw anything at her and she will wax lyrical for hours. She knows a lot about SO many things so of course we discuss sewing but also Historical museums, wanting to be a jazz singer and the film Notting Hill! There is a LOT of good stuff in this episode! Just hearing about how she started Closet Case Patterns is inspiring enough but discussing her team, vision, branding and plans is flabbergasting! What a woman!!  We know you'll all know Heather Lou so there's no need for an introduction - just enjoy!  ++++++++++ This episode was bought to you by Netprinter Fed up of having to spend hours of cutting out and sticking together your PDFs? Well just upload it to Netprinter and they will deliver it to your door in big sheets instead! Netprinter are an international printing company based in Plymouth, UK and they have over 30 years experience being leading specialists so now they are helping us sewists by printing sewing patterns too! Stay tuned for the Tea Break, half way through the show where I get to talk to Simon all about the amazing services they are now offering sewing pattern designers - if you are an indie label - you don't want to miss it! Head to www.netprinter.co.uk for more information - check out the handy 'Sewing Pattern Printing' tab to upload your files and get sewing before you know it! +++++++++++ http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

Today's episode is all about pattern testing with our guests, Sarah and Eleanor. Most of us in the sewing community have pattern tested but these two are real pros - have tested about 20 different patterns each! They have lots of knowledge to share on what designers are looking for and how to become a pattern tester. We loved hearing their sewing stories and about how they are both from such crafty families - we want to dive into Eleanor's gran's fabric chest!!  Of course, as it was the week of Sarah's online fabric shop launch we also couldn't help but discuss her business and all those beautiful fabrics too!  We had a lovely chat with these two brilliant women and hope you do too! :) ******** This episode was bought to you by Whim Wham Buttons. Whim Wham Buttons is a small family business producing handcrafted ceramic buttons from their home in Stoke-on-Trent, the heart of the Potteries.  They have a stunning collection of flower shaped buttons all made from fine china and each one is beautifully hand-painted.  They are sure to add a really special touch to your makes.  Head to www.whimwhambuttons.com to find out more and maybe even treat yourself and your makes to some lovely buttons.  Use the code ' STITCHERSBREW10' for 10% off until Monday 25th (midnight BST) ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

We love Hannah and Rosie from The New Craft House - not only are they lovely people and very talented makers but they are paving the way for crafts businesses that do things exactly how they want. We can't help but be a tad envious of these two who live and love their very successful business, especially as they do it side by side as best friends since school. The way that they have created their work to fit in with their lifestyles and have chosen their own pace of working is incredibly refreshing and inspiring as are all the things they do. We hear all about this, how they met, started sewing, their day to day and about how they both live on boats... could these two get any cooler?! When they left Megan and I both said ' I want to be them' and we have a feeling you will too. So grab a cuppa and join us for a lovely chat about doing business your way! ++++++++ This episode is sponsored by Pfaff who make amazing sewing machines for all styles. There are overlockers, coverstitch machines and embroidery machines for beginners to keen sewers. We both love Pfaff machines and couldn’t recommend them enough – they sew through any fabric like it’s quilting cotton, that’ll be down to the IDT, the integrated walking-foot. Go visit their amazing range at www.pfaff.com ++++++++ http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week’s guests are Harriet from Sew Me Sunshine and Lucy from Sew Essential. Both online shops stock a vast array of fabrics, patterns and haberdashery items to fuel every sewists habit! Sew Essential also have sewing machines and gadgets galore so we have lots to talk about! We hear about the brilliant sewing stories of these ladies and how they have successfully embedded their business into the sewing community. Both have many tricks up their sleeves and it was wonderful to delve into their worlds – even to hear about how they met their husbands and how they are both so inspired by the fashion catwalks! We could have talked to these wonderful women all day so we are happy to share with you this brilliant, inspirational episode that should encourage anyone that its never too late to completely change your career path! ******** This episode was brought to you by 1st For Fabrics. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne with a brilliant new online shop, this family run business is a one stop fabric shop stocking everything you need for your dressmaking, quilting and soft furnishing projects. If you are nearby you must pop in and see there massive shop of stunning strokable fabrics but if you are nowhere near then go to www.1stforfabrics.co.uk to do exactly the same!! I’m a bit obsessed with their printed and glitter babycord! Oh and you get FREE GUTERMANN THREAD WITH EVERY ORDER!! So if your feeling the ‘thirst’ for fabrics look no further then 1st For Fabrics!!!

This week's guests are Harriet Johnson of Hobbing Handmades and Zoe Curry aka Zoe Sews. We are so in awe of these two - they both have life altering illnesses but you wouldn't know it - as they are two of the most positive, upbeat people we have had on the podcast sofa yet. Both of them have so many strings to their bows in the sewing community and further afield and are definitely inspirations to us all. We hear all about their struggles (I suggest keeping tissues nearby) but that these two young ladies refuse you be identified by their illness. We learn about their sewing journeys, how they have to amend the patterns to suit their needs and all the amazing things they have already done and have coming up. We aren't lying when we said this is our favourite episode so far - it's truly special to get a chance to share their stories with you. We hope this inspires and warms your heart. It really did for us. This episode was bought to you by Judy Young Art She does amazing commissions of pets and children in pastels or watercolours depending on your preference. I’m lucky enough to have the best portrait of Hobbes by Judy – she totally got his naughty cheeky nature whilst looking totally gorgeous – I’ll treasure it forever! Go visit her website www.judyyoungart.com Or email her at judyyoungart@gmail.com for commissions and art classes. ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week’s guests are Kate and Rachel from The Fold Line! It’s hard to imagine the sewing community before The Fold Line went live in 2015. Now it is our go to for anything you should desire in the sewing world from searching for the best sewing pattern for your needs to catching up with what the sewists are making in their weekly Sew Reporter and reviews and making a lot of friends along the way – it really is the hub of the sewing community. We met Kate and Rachel at the same time as we met for the first time – at a sewing meetup held by Simplicity with a May Martin (best known as the judge of Series 1,2 & 3 of The Great British Sewing Bee) workshop. All four of us were very new to meetups and a tad nervous and when we found each other Megan and I excitedly heard about their plans to start a ‘sewing community website’! So getting them on the podcast sofa was always high on our priorioties. We talk to them about life before The Fold Line, how they met and started their business before quickly moving onto the day to day life and trials and tribulations of dealing with many different aspects of the sewing world from the small businesses to the everyday sewer. So come join us to talk about sewing tents and the fears of filming from the middle of Oxford Street and sew much more! ******** This episode is sponsored by Cotton Reel Studio, who are a beautifully curated fabric, haberdasher, pattern and knitting online shop. Their fabric is chic and stylish – Laura has impeccable taste – check out her blog and website www.cottonreelstudio.com We have another amazing discount code for you… Use BREW15 for 15% off everything in the shop until Friday 6th July. ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week it’s just us; Gabby, Megan, a pot of tea and Hobbes the dog of course! We get a chance to have a good ole catch up after recording 22 sessions of guests to keep us going whilst Megan has her baby (she is due in less than a week now!) So we discuss those lovely guests and reflect on the podcast so far. We chat through what we’re making and crushing on in the sewing world! Then it’s Q&A time where we get to answer your questions that you kindly sent in – Thankyou! From our favourite Tilly and The Buttons (drink!) pattern to tips for sewing in small spaces we loved getting to respond to all these brilliant queries!! So, whether you are on your commute with us in your ears, sewing up a storm or basking in the sun in the garden we hope you enjoy our natter with a lovely cup of tea! ******** This episode is sponsored by Pfaff who make amazing sewing machines for all styles. There are overlockers, coverstitch machines and embroidery machines for beginners to keen sewers. We both love Pfaff machines and couldn’t recommend them enough – they sew through any fabric like it’s quilting cotton, that’ll be down to the IDT, the integrated walking-foot. Go visit their amazing range at www.pfaff.com ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week's guests are the legendary Tilly Walnes from Tilly and The Buttons and Lauren Guthrie from Guthrie & Ghani... These two ladies really need no introduction. Having been on our TVs in the first series of The Great British Sewing Bee together, Lauren and Tilly are good friends and we had such a lovely chat hearing about their rise to what we can only describe as 'serious Sewlebrity status!' We hear all about where their love of sewing started, how they started their business, their teams, branding, blogging and The Great British Sewing Bee! Tilly and Lauren are wonder women who have gone from being crafty for a hobby to having two of the biggest independent brands in the sewing business as well as being amazing mums and super lovely people - we are in awe! So, we hope you share our joy and get inspired as we delve into their worlds! +++++++ This episode was bought to you by Girl Charlee who specialise in selling stretch fabrics. Their extensive range of beautiful knit fabrics include vegan leather and they also have PDF patterns for sale from your favourite indie designers! Sign up to their newsletter for updates on new fabrics, sales and even giveaways on girlcharlee.co.uk  We are happy to have a discount code for you all - just use the code 'GCBREW15' for 15% off their fabrics until the end of May. +++++++ NB, This is an online recording and although we have really tried to give you the smoothest episode there are bits that drop out slightly and we apologise for this. Luckily we didn’t lose any of the good stuff! =============== http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week's guests are The Stitch Sisters who are friends who started a sewing school and sew much more together! Rachel and Nikki are both talented sewists who happened to move with their families to the same small town near Bristol - one day they discovered they both had the same passion for sewing and the next thing they knew they had a sewing school, a vlog and very active sewing community lives! We LOVE these ladies - there are lots of giggles and we all got on like a house on fire - there are many similarities and a lot of love in the podcast nook - maybe thanks to the amazing cake Nikki baked us! Join us all for inspiring stories of friendship, future plans and fabrics - oh yes, there will always be talk of fabrics!! ******** This episode was bought to you by Doughtys Online who have a massive range of all the fabrics and haberdashery your heart desires! They stock so many gorgeous fabrics for quilting, dressmaking and your furnishing needs. From Libertys and Lady McElroy cotton lawns, quilting cottons from Lewis & Irene and Makower to the biggest selection of Batik fabrics in the UK at only £8.99 a metre! Oh and EVERY jersey colour and Stripe you could imagine! We're very happy you offer you lovely listeners a 10% discount for Doughtys - just use the code 'STITCHERSBREW' at checkout. Head to www.doughtysonline.co.uk to find something special this bank holiday! ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week's guests are Vic Wright and Giorgia Migliaresi with us to talk all about colour! When we pair together our guests we try and tie them together with a common thread and this one was colour! Giorgia has recently been on a Colour Analysis course and has much wisdom about finding the right colours for you and Vicki is the most colourful dressmaker we know! We thought it would be really interesting to hear how colour effects them both - and we were right- it really is! Both sewing bloggers and talented dressmakers, we chat about their sewing stories, the community and fabrics (of course!) whilst covering some very useful tips and tricks to discovering your colours! Colour is a big part of everyone's life but follow Giorgia and Vic's advice to make it an even bigger part. You will be surprised at how much it can effect your mood and general wellbeing as much as your wardrobe. This week's guests are Vic Wright and Giorgia Migliaresi with us to talk all about colour! When we pair together our guests we try and tie them together with a common thread and this one was colour! Giorgia has recently been on a Colour Analysis course and has much wisdom about finding the right colours for you and Vicki is the most colourful dressmaker we know! We thought it would be really interesting to hear how colour effects them both - and we were right- it really is! Both sewing bloggers and talented dressmakers, we chat about their sewing stories, the community and fabrics (of course!) whilst covering some very useful tips and tricks to discovering your colours! Colour is a big part of everyone's life but follow Giorgia and Vic's advice to make it an even bigger part. You will be surprised at how much it can effect your mood and general wellbeing as much as your wardrobe. Join us for a cup of tea and chat all about the wonderful world of colour! ******** This episode was bought to you by Minerva Crafts who have a ginormous range of everything you should need for your craft project! They stock so many gorgeous fabrics and nearly every sewing pattern you could think of from the big 4 and indie designers. Go visit there amazing range at www.minervacrafts.com and check out their wonderful blogger network for inspiration from lots of brilliant crafters. We are over the moon to collaborate with Minerva and have a special discount code for you - use ‘STITCHERSBREW’ at checkout for 10% off dressmaking fabrics before the end of May and treat yourself! ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week’s guests are Rachel Pinheiro and Rachel Sherlock – here to talk to us all about photography! We all need to take photos at some point – of our makes, ourselves and our tools and we wanted to get you all the tips and tricks to get the best ones possible. Whether you are a blogger and instagrammer or just like to have pictures to look back on we want you to enjoy the process as much as possible and these two Rachel’s are full on advice on how to do that. We are so excited to have a top sewing blogger and hugely influential photographer in the podcast nook together. They both bounced off each other brilliantly and have lots of wisdom to impart to us all – all to get the best photographs and enjoy doing it. We hope you get as much out of this episode as we did and it gives you loads of ideas for your own photography. http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week’s guests are Nina from Nina Lee and Ana aka Cocowawa Crafts! Both friends of the hosts, Gabby and Megan, they tell us exactly what it’s like to run your own indie pattern business from their bedrooms. There is so much inspiration and knowledge to be gained from hearing how they both DIY like a boss – from folding their own patterns to staying up all night and immersively themselves completely in their work. We love chatting to them and discovering all about the trials and tribulations of being a one woman show and getting glimpses into those amazing ‘good news days’ too. We can’t help but feel proud of these ladies and hope you share in the joy of a great big natter over a cup of tea and choccy biscuits with them! ******** This episode was bought to you by Girl Charlee who specialise in selling stretch fabrics. Their extensive range of beautiful knit fabrics include vegan leather and they also have PDF patterns for sale from your favourite indie designers! Sign up to their newsletter for updates on new fabrics, sales and even giveaways on girlcharlee.co.uk for the UK and Europe or girlcharlee.com for US, Canada and the rest of the world. We are happy to have a discount code for you all – just use the code ‘GCBREW15’ for 15% off their fabrics until the end of April ******** http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis

This week Gabby and Megan discuss Sewing On A Budget. This a topic we could seriously have talked about forever! Doesn’t everyone love getting a deal?! If you’re a serial bargain hunter, like us two, you will understand the thrill of finding a gem for an amazing price. In this episode we give out all our tips and tricks for making sewing accessible on a smaller budget or just making you aware of saving in places that you might not know about! Sewing is such a joyful hobby we want everyone to be able to afford, enjoy and take part in every aspect of sewing and the sewing community regardless of income. This episode was bought to you by Sew Hayley Jane who creates stunning sewing subscription boxes! Each month Hayley sends a box of beautifully curated fabric and haberdashery items straight to your door! We are lucky enough to have 10% discount off your first box for all you lovely listeners using the code ‘BREW’ – but hurry as this offer runs out on 25th April Head over to the website www.sewhayleyjane.com to see the beautiful boxes and the three different options! http://www.stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/stitchersbrewpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/stitchersbrewpodcast https://twitter.com/stitchersbrew We'd love to hear from you: hello@stitchersbrewpodcast.co.uk +++ Theme song created by Stephen Ellis +++ Podcast edited by Gabby Young and Stephen Ellis