The main topic for today’s episode is “Sewing Fashion and Quilting trends of 2024”.  It was fun to research this topic and to present my thoughts on them as well as resources for you to check out to make some trendy fashion including patterns, fabrics notions and more. Stephanie's recommendations for sewing patterns on trend for 2024: https://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/dawn-curve-jeans-4-in-1-sewing-pattern. Cufffed jeans are a trend right now too - like 4” cuffed.  also wide leg jeans are very in right now.   https://megannielsen.com/collections/sew ..read more

Christa Watson is back to chat with us about none other than machine quilting, her new Dazzle Dots fabrics with Benartex, Sewing table with Arrow,  quilting notions sold in quilt shops and her new book with C&T Publishing. Links: https://christaquilts.com/ Christa's Books Dazzle Dots Fabric Collection CT Publishing Creative Spark Christa Cabinet Sewing Table Christa's 2024 Teaching Events Make and Decorate Podcast Links to Ep. 25, 32 and 81 with Christa Watson https://stephaniesochadesign.com/search?q=christa+watson Music: Frederick Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No. 2  https://app.sound ..read more

Welcome to the Make and Decorate Podcast, for makers who love to sew, quilt, knit and decorate....and do all the crafts! Today's guest is Naomi Fata from Love Stitches by Naomi at naomifata.net. Naomi does bridal alterations and makes custom slip covers for upholstery furniture. She also does in person and virtual sewing classes.  You can get 25% off of pdf tutorials and sewing lessons with promo code MAKEANDDECORATE.  Links to Naomi: Website: Naomifata.com YouTube: Sewing with Naomi FataIG: https://www.instagram.com/naomifata/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/naomifata/ The mu ..read more

Season 6 Ep. 109 Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness is back to talk about making bags.  Sara is a bag pattern designer and sells bag making supplies and beautiful cork fabrics at https://sewsweetness.com Sara also has a YouTube channel with tutorial videos on bag making techniques and her live Sewcial Sunday show where she gives information on new and upcoming patterns, book, fabric and notions reviews and answers viewer’s questions. This is a link to the recent pattern bundle releases Minikins 4 and a link to the Sew Sweetness Facebook Group IG link:  https://www.instagram.com/sewswe ..read more

S6 E108: Knitting with Willie Nillie Knits Links: https://www.instagram.com/willienillieknits/ Link Tree - all the links to find Willie Nillie Knits Support the show For photos and links to what I talked about in this episode, visit my podcast blog https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate Make and Decorate Friends, Mighty Networks group - free to join! INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design WEBSITE: https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com YOUTUBE: Stephanie Socha Design ..read more

S6 E107:  Quick and Easy Fall and Halloween Sewing, Crochet and Knitting Projects Make and Decorate Patreon Group - Free membership option!!  Patreon finally added free memberships to their platform.   Head on over to Patreon.com/makeanddecorate and join free, and if at a later point you wish to upgrade to a paid tier you can easily do so.  For the month of October, I will unlock a few of the premium level posts for the free members to try out. Halloween: Ghost coasters pattern by A spoonful of Sugar on Etsy Idea: candy corn coasters - sew three fabric strips togeth ..read more

Season 6 is here!!!  Consider joining my Make and DecoratePatreon group for a new bonus episode every month. I did record a great interview with Karla Gerome from the Grace Company, unfortunately you will not be able to listen to that conversation due to technical issues.  I do, however have our recording notes that I share with you on this episode.  Grace Company has a few new products coming out in late fall, and currently is running  amazing promo pre-order deals that will end after September 30, 2023.  This is the link to Grace Company so you can check out the Lit ..read more

My guest on this episode is Minki Kim from Sewingillustration.com.  In our chat, we learn about Minki’s passion for sewing, designing her patterns and her fabrics with Riley Blake Designs.   Along with her sewing patterns, Minki shows how to make them with tutorial videos on her YouTube Channel, Minki Kim In the Chit Chat segment: I share updates on quilting, knitting, gardening and new YouTube video recommendations. Support the show For photos and links to what I talked about in this episode, visit my podcast blog https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate Make and ..read more

Artificial Intelligence, what exactly is it and how we can utilize generative ai in our maker lives? I will answer those questions and more in this episode. I will present two types of GAI (generative intelligence) programs; ChatGPT and DALL-E. Also, I address the “sew-bot” addition to the apparel manufacturing industry. Who is using sew-bots, how it impacts the industry and how we can avoid this fast fashion craze. Chit Chat: Sew Sweetness new Minikins 4 releases April 16th. See some of the patterns revealed on the Sew Sweetness you tube channel https://www.youtube.com/live/jytpU26ef14?fea ..read more

Make designing and organizing your sewing or craft room easy with a step by step process to guide you through start to finish so that you can spend more time sewing and crafting.   Support the show For photos and links to what I talked about in this episode, visit my podcast blog https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate Make and Decorate Friends, Mighty Networks group - free to join! INSTAGRAM: @stephanie.socha.design WEBSITE: https://stephaniesochadesign.com/podcast-make-and-decorate EMAIL: info@makeanddecorate.com YOUTUBE: Stephanie Socha Design ..read more