Helen Wilkinson and Caroline Somos host Love to Sew, a fun weekly podcast about making clothes, sewing community, and small business. They talk about their passion for sewing a handmade wardrobe and their daily lives as creative entrepreneurs. Listen to interviews with indie business owners and inspiring sewists who totally understand your obsession with sewing.
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Handmade Wardrobe Podcasts
Handicraft and Stitch – The Podcast Two sewing besties (who didn’t even like each other at first) found common ground in their love of handicrafts, history, and flipping fast fashion the bird. Tune in for DIY education, sewing history, silly banter, loud laughter, and a celebration of secondhand style with Nikki and Rachael. This is a cozy, colorful, no-judgment zone for everyone—especially our LGBTQIA+ fam, allies, and anyone who wants to make, mend, and learn in the community. Pull up a ch ...
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Embark on a thrilling road trip through the world of sewing with the Sewing and Fitting Mentor Podcast, your go-to destination for stitching, creativity, and community. Hosted by Renee, a passionate sewist with a zest for adventure, this podcast blends the excitement of a motorcycle journey with the intricate art of sewing. From her first stitches at age 9 to becoming your guide on this creative journey, Renee invites sewists of all levels to join her on an unforgettable adventure. Each epis ...
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Handmade Holiday Gifts with Nikki & Rachael : S-1/EP-14
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Season 1 / Episode 14: Handmade Holiday Gifts with Nikki & Rachael This week on Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael are unwrapping a real treat: the top handmade holiday gifts from every decade starting in the 1950s. We dive into the evolution of handmade holiday gifts—from post-war practicality to modern-day creativity. Nikki and Rachael expl…
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In this episode, we took the plunge and sewed our favourite fabrics into showstopper garments! We reveal them to each other for the first time and share the stories of where we got our fabrics, what the fitting and sewing process was like, and where we plan to wear our new clothes. Plus, we answer a listener question about altering a pants pattern …
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Episode 295: Inuit Sewing Traditions with Laura Pia Churchill
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In this episode, we interview Inuk sewist Laura Pia Churchill! She tells us about life in Nunavut, Inuit sewing traditions, sewing through grief, being an auntie, and lots more. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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The Many Stories of Unhinged Sewing : S-1/EP-13
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Season 1 / Episode 13: The Many Stories of Unhinged Sewing Sewing isn’t always serene — sometimes it’s a little… unhinged or is it? In this episode, we’re lifting the seams on our most chaotic crafting moments, along with stories from the community. Whether it’s a project gone sideways or a hilarious recovery, these are the moments that remind us w…
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In this episode, we share a bunch of lesser-known sewing notions! Have you heard of a curve runner? How about drawcord elastic? Monofilament thread? Zipper lubricant? We talk about all of these and lots more! Plus, we answer a listener question about taking in trousers. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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Episode 293: Parents and Caregivers Who Sew
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This episode is all about how to sew when you're a parent or caregiver! How to find the time, how to keep kids away from sharp sewing tools, how to involve kids in your sewing practice, and more. Our listeners called and wrote in with some really cool stories, tips, and strategies! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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Crafters of the Night - Handmade Halloween Costumes : S-1/EP-12
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Season 1 / Episode 12: Crafters of the Night - Handmade Halloween Costumes This Halloween, we’re skipping the store-bought look and getting stitched in the spirit—not shopping at Spirit Halloween! In this episode, we dive into the creative magic of making your own costume, from brainstorming ideas to bringing spooky (or sparkly) visions to life wit…
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What to Consider When Building Your Capsule Wardrobe : S-1/EP-10
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Season 1 / Episode 10: What to Consider When Building Your Capsule Wardrobe In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the art of creating a capsule wardrobe—one that’s intentional, versatile, and sustainable. We walk through the key things to consider when building your own capsule, from choosing timeless pieces to making sure your clo…
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Episode 292: Sew the Look with Pauline Bruce
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In this episode, we interview Pauline Bruce aka @sewuthinkucan! She's a pattern hacking genius, Sew the Look specialist, and beloved member of the sewing community. She chats with us about her continent-crossing sewing journey, tells us how to get sewing friendships off the internet and into real life, and reveals her secrets for finding patterns t…
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The Story Behind Nikki's Handmade Wedding Dress : S-1/EP-11
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Season 1 / Episode 11: The Story Behind Nikki's Handmade Wedding Dress In this heartfelt episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki shares all about designing and sewing her very own wedding dress—from the first sketch to the final stitch. Both Nikki and Rachael share about their time working in the alterations room at David’s Bridal. Yes, they have a…
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We each chose a rising trend for Fall/Winter 2025 and sewed garments inspired by it! In this episode, we reveal them to each other for the first time. We also talk about our pattern and fabric choices, the tips that helped us through the sewing process, and where we plan to wear our trendy outfits. Show Notes…
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This episode is an introduction to projector sewing! Projector sewists skip the paper and project patterns directly onto fabric. We talk about what you need for a successful setup and how to use it; the pros and cons of projector sewing vs. printing out PDF patterns; and whether we're planning to start using projectors (we disagree!). We also answe…
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Season 1 / Episode 9: Mending and Making Do In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the roots of the “Mend and Make Do” movement that began in Britain during wartime—when creativity, thrift, and necessity came together in powerful ways. We’ll connect those historic lessons to today’s growing movement of mending as an act of rebellion…
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Episode 289: Functional Style with Cornelius Quiring
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We interview Cornelius Quiring, the beloved internet sewing teacher and content creator! We chat with him about his unique sewing journey, his minimalist design perspective, how he teaches difficult drafting concepts, and his favourite things to sew. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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We each sewed a vest and, in this episode, we reveal them to each other for the first time! We talk about the patterns and fabrics we chose, the ups and downs of the sewing process, and how we're going to style our new vests. Plus, an extra special surprise! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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We're back for the fall 2025 season with a brand-new call-in episode! We answer sewing questions from our listeners: how to choose your size based on your fabric's stretch percentage, what patterns to pick for a work capsule wardrobe, how to sew a curved French seam, and lots more! We also catch up about our summer break. Show Notes…
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Season 1 / Episode 8: Fabric Care for All! Confession time: we’ve all let fabric sit a little too long in a bin or wondered if we can really throw that delicate textile in the wash. In this episode, we’re tackling the mysteries of fabric care with easy, down-to-earth tips. Because when you care for your fabric, your fabric takes care of your making…
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Season 1 / Episode 7: Her Story - Ancient Egypt Linen & Knitted Socks of Ancient Egypt We’re kicking off our brand-new Her Story mini-series, where we explore the women, hands, and histories behind the textiles throughout time. In this first installment, we travel back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt to uncover how linen was grown, spun, and wo…
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Where the F*ck Did Home Economics Go?!? : S-1/EP-6
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Season 1 / Episode 6: “Where the F*ck Did Home Economics Go?!?” Home Ec isn’t just about sewing aprons and baking casseroles—and it never was. In this fiery episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real roots of Home Economics and asking why it disappeared from classrooms (and our lives). Spoiler: it has everything to do with power, gender, a…
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Curating Your Sewing Toolkit - Hand Sewing Edition: S-1/EP-5
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Season 1 / Episode 5: Curating Your Sewing Toolkit – Hand Sewing Edition Ready to thread the needle on your sewing journey? In this episode, we’re going back to basics—and making them beautiful. Rachael and Nikki break down the essential tools every hand-sewist should have in their starter kit (spoiler alert: it’s less than you think!), plus a few …
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Bonus Episode 1: Buzz Buzz...The Sewing Hive
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🧵Bonus Episode 1: Buzz Buzz...The Sewing Hive 🐝 In this sweet-as-honey episode, we sit down with Jamie, co-founder and owner of The Sewing Hive—a vibrant sewing school right here in Columbus, Ohio! 🧷✂️ Jamie (Nikki’s fabulous friend and fellow stitch sorceress) shares her sewing story, the spark that started The Sewing Hive, and how this buzzing co…
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You're Sew Gay - Happy Pride 2025! : S-1/EP-4
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Season 1 / Episode 4: You're Sew Gay - Happy Pride 2025! The Rainbow Was a Revolution: Gilbert Baker & the Original Pride Flag 🌈✂️ Pull up a chair and grab your favorite sparkly thread — this week, we're stitching a story that changed the world. In this special Pride episode, Rachael dives into the vibrant legacy of Gilbert Baker, the artist and ac…
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Season 1 / Episode 3: In this delightfully inky episode, Rachael and Nikki roll up their sleeves and dive into the wonderfully textured world of block printing. Whether you’re curious about carving your first lino block or you’ve admired the crisp charm of hand-pressed woodblock prints from afar, this is your cozy beginner’s guide. The duo chats th…
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The Magic of Thrifting Your Supplies! : S-1/EP-2
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Season 1 / Episode 2: The Magic of Thrifting Your Supplies! Welcome back to Handicraft and Stitch! In this episode, we dive into the creative joy (and sweet surprises) of thrifting your sewing supplies. From unexpected fabric finds to secondhand scores that spark inspiration, we're sharing our favorite thrift shopping stories and tried-and-true tip…
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Season 1 / Episode 1: Sew...I Guess We Podcast Now. Meet Rachael and Nikki — Our Story, Our Why, and What We’re Stitching Today Welcome to the very first episode of Handicraft and Stitch: The Podcast! We’re Rachael and Nikki—two friends, makers, and big believers in the power of slow stitching, shared stories, and community care. In this kickoff ep…
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Episode 286: If You Could Only Sew One Thing
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We asked our listeners: "If you could only sew one thing, what would it be?" In this episode, we share their answers (and ours)! Listen in and get inspired - there are so many different kinds of answers! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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We each sewed an eyelet garment, and now we're going to tell each other about it for the first time! We discuss our fabric choices, pattern choices, sewing experiences, and lots more. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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Episode 284: What If I Don't Love to Sew?
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In this episode, we chat about a really interesting email we got from a listener who doesn't enjoy the sewing process. We talk about sewing for practical reasons versus sewing for the process, how to make the sewing process more enjoyable, and how to decide whether sewing is worth it. Plus, we have some fun voicemails from listeners to start it all…
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This episode is all about a lesser-known fiber: hemp! It's super environmentally friendly, breathable, antibacterial, and has great body and texture. We talk a bit about hemp's long history, how it goes from plant to fabric, and what to sew with it. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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This episode is like a mini sewing challenge! We each sewed a skort and we discuss it for the first time on the pod. We chat about the patterns and fabrics we chose for our skorts, our experiences sewing them up, and how we wear them! Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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Episode 281: Historical Costuming with Christine Millar
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We interview Christine Millar, aka Sewstine! She talks to us about her stunning historical costumes, from drafting the patterns to designing and machine embroidering the sumptuous fabrics. Show NotesBy Caroline Somos & Helen Wilkinson : Sewing Enthusiasts and Indie Sewing Entrepreneurs
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Ease is the extra length and width that pattern designers add so that you can move in your clothes. In this episode, we talk about how ease works and how to figure out the amount of ease that YOU like. It's a game-changer for making clothes that fit! We also answer a listener question about grading between sizes vs. pattern adjustments. Show Notes…
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