The Sewcial Hour Podcast

What actually happens before a sewing pattern is released to the public?
In Episode 55 of The Sewcial Hour, we’re going behind the seams to talk all about pattern testing with two guests who bring very different perspectives to the process: Catherine Holbrook of Bringing Sewing Back, who specializes in garment sewing, and Delia Birch of A Stitch is a Stitch Quilt Co., who designs quilt patterns and provides technical editing services to fellow designers.
While the basic purpose of pattern testing is the same, to have experienced sewists make a pattern, identify issues, and provide feedback before it is finalized, the process can look surprisingly different between garment sewing and quilting.
Catherine and Delia help us break down both sides of the process, including:
🧵 What exactly is pattern testing and why is it important?
✂️ What are designers actually looking for when they select testers?
📋 How many testers do you need and how do you manage a testing group?
💰 Do pattern testers get paid or compensated in other ways?
📣 What about affiliate links and promoting the pattern after release?
📸 How important are photography and social media promotion?
⏰ How important are deadlines and commitments?
🔎 What makes someone a GOOD pattern tester?
💬 How should testers communicate when they find a problem?
👗 What makes garment testing different from quilt testing?
Whether you've ever wanted to become a pattern tester, you've wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favorite patterns, or you're a designer looking to build a better testing process, this episode is packed with practical insight from both sides of the sewing world.

Meet Our Guests
Catherine Holbrook - Bringing Sewing Back
Catherine discovered sewing in 2014 and quickly went from refashioning thrifted garments to drafting her own patterns and sharing her sewing journey online. Today, she creates everything from Barbie clothes to full ball gowns and has partnered with brands including Simplicity, Mettler Thread, BERNINA, and Styla Patterns.
📸 Follow Catherine on Instagram: @bringingsewingback
👉 https://www.instagram.com/bringingsewingback/
Delia Birch - A Stitch is a Stitch Quilt Co.
Delia creates original quilt patterns and offers technical editing services to fellow quilt designers. Based in New Mexico with her husband and three kids, Delia loves creating approachable quilt designs with clear instructions and thoughtful construction.
🌐 Website: https://astitchisastitchquiltco.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_stitch_is_a_stitch/

You Love to See It

Bethany also shares some exciting news about her first-ever virtual sewing retreat, coming in January 2027! If you've been collecting gorgeous jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs, and other precuts without knowing exactly what to make with them, this retreat is for you.
Learn more here: https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-at-home-quilting-with-precut

Connect with The Sewcial Hour
Follow The Sewcial Hour on Instagram and Facebook.
🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video episodes.
💬 Join The Sewcial Sewists private Facebook group and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!
The Sewcial Hour Podcast - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

Would you love having sewing goodies delivered right to your door every month… or would your sewing room quickly become even more stuffed with things you may never use? 😂
In Episode 54 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m joined by Brooke Stambersky of Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches for a fun conversation about sewing subscription boxes and the big question: Are they actually worth it?
We’re talking about the appeal of subscription boxes, the mystery factor, cost vs. value, stash accumulation, sewing guilt, and who these boxes might actually be best for. We’ll also share some green flags and red flags to look for before signing up and give our own verdicts on whether sewing subscription boxes are worth adding to your sewing life.
And, of course, we have to ask: Are subscription boxes inspiring us to sew more… or are they just enabling our fabric and notion addictions? 😉
🧵 Sew With Me: Monthly Virtual Sewing Club
Looking for a fun way to sew, connect, and stay motivated? Check out my Monthly Virtual Sewing Club, where we get together online to sew, chat, and work on our projects together!
👉 https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me

Learn more about Brooke and follow along with her sewing adventures:
🌐 Website: www.brookesbitchinstitches.com
📸 Instagram: @brookesbtchinstitches
📘 Facebook: Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches
📌 Pinterest: Brooke’s Bitchin’ Stitches

Follow @thesewcialhourpodcast on Instagram and Facebook.
🎥 Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour on YouTube for video episodes.
💬 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!
The Sewcial Hour - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

What happens when your sewing space goes from a cozy Narrow Boat to a cottage in Scotland? 🏡🧵
In Episode 53 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m chatting with my friend Tracy Perks of Rope & Anchor Trading Co. Tracy joins me from the UK for a casual conversation about her quilting journey, her recent move to a cottage in Scotland, and what it’s like to suddenly have a whole lot more room to sew!
We talk about Tracy’s unique approach to quilt pattern design and her wonderfully distinctive writing style, the inspiration behind her patterns, and how her sewing life has evolved through the years—from quilting aboard a Narrow Boat to settling into a new home in the Scottish countryside.
And of course, we couldn’t chat about everything Tracy has been up to without talking about her new Christmas quilting book, which is available now! 🎄🎄
If you love hearing the stories behind the makers, discovering new quilt patterns, and getting a peek into the creative lives of fellow sewists, you’ll love this relaxed conversation with Tracy.
📖 Check out Tracy’s new Christmas quilting book:
https://amzn.to/4g8TeFz

🧵 Sew With Me Retreat - October
I also take a quick break in the middle of this episode to tell you about my upcoming Sew With Me Retreat this October!
If you're looking for a fun weekend filled with sewing, creativity, community, and plenty of time to work on the projects you love, I'd love for you to come sew with me!
👉 Learn more about the October Sew With Me Retreat: https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me-retreat-october

Connect with The Sewcial Hour
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook: @thesewcialhourpodcast
🎥 Subscribe to The Sewcial Hour on YouTube for video episodes.
💬 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, and continue the conversation with fellow sewists.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Be sure to follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other sewists discover The Sewcial Hour!
The Sewcial Hour - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists. Bringing Creativity & Community Together.

What happens when a love of quilting turns into a career that takes you across the country, introduces you to incredible people, and makes you one of the familiar faces in the quilting community?
In Episode 52 of The Sewcial Hour, I’m joined by Corey Pearson, Chief Quilter at Linda’s, for a conversation about quilting, creativity, travel, community, and the journey that brought him to where he is today.
Corey and I talk about how he discovered quilting, his path to becoming Chief Quilter at Linda’s, and what that role really looks like behind the scenes. We dive into his passion for longarm quilting, the artistry behind the process, and why he continues to be excited about quilting after turning his passion into a career.
We also talk about life on the road, quilt shows and industry events, building relationships within the quilting community, and the partnerships that help move the industry forward. And, of course, we get a little personal with some fun quick-fire questions along the way!
Whether you're a longtime quilter, a longarm enthusiast, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind the people who make up our creative community, this conversation with Corey is full of insight, laughs, and plenty of quilting inspiration.
Because quilting is about so much more than fabric and thread. It's about creativity, connection, lifelong learning, and the people who make this community so special.
🧵 Sew With Me Retreat — October
I also take a quick break in the middle of this episode to tell you about my upcoming Sew With Me Retreat this October!
If you're looking for a fun weekend filled with sewing, creativity, community, and plenty of time to work on the projects you love, I'd love for you to come sew with me!
👉 Learn more about the October Sew With Me Retreat:
https://www.craftwithbethany.com/sew-with-me-retreat-october
✂️ Shop Linda's
Want to check out the quilting tools and supplies Corey and the team at Linda's love? Shop Linda's and use my affiliate code BETHANY10 to save 10% off your order!
👉 www.lindas.com
As a Linda's affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made using my code.
Follow Corey
Want to keep up with Corey and see more of his quilting adventures?
📸 Instagram: @sew_coco_pearson
https://www.instagram.com/sew_coco_pearson/
🎙️ The Sewcial Hour — A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists
Bringing creativity and community together through conversations about sewing, quilting, creativity, and the people who make this industry so special.
Follow @thesewcialhourpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and watch video episodes on YouTube. You can also join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to connect with fellow makers!

What does it really take to build a creative career without losing yourself in the process?
In Episode 51 of The Sewcial Hour Podcast, Bethany is joined by guest co-host Lina Owen for an honest conversation about creativity, social media, and finding your place in the sewing industry. Together, they explore the challenges many makers face, from navigating layoffs and rebuilding confidence to resisting the pressure to fit neatly into a niche.
Bethany and Lina open up about the emotional side of creating, the reality of trying to turn a passion into a career, and how comparison, algorithms, and imposter syndrome can make it difficult to trust your own voice. Lina also shares her experience creating bilingual content and the importance of making the sewing community more inclusive and accessible for Spanish-speaking makers.
Whether you're an aspiring creative entrepreneur, a content creator, or someone who simply loves to sew, this episode is a reminder that your perspective is what makes your work unique and that success doesn't have to look the same for everyone.
In This Episode
Rebuilding creativity after career setbacks
The pressure to "find your niche"
Social media, comparison, and creator burnout
Building a sustainable creative career
Creating bilingual content and increasing representation
Balancing passion, purpose, and profitability
Advice for aspiring creative entrepreneurs
Connect with Lina Owen
📷 Instagram: @quiltingwithlatinas
🌐 Website: https://quiltingwithlatinas.com

Stay Connected with The Sewcial Hour Podcast
📷 Instagram: @thesewcialhourpodcast
📘 Facebook: @thesewcialhourpodcast
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes and bonus content.

🧵 Join our private Facebook community, The Sewcial Sewists, to connect with fellow sewists, share your projects, and continue the conversation.
If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more sewists discover the show and keeps our creative community growing.
Thank you for listening to The Sewcial Hour Podcast - A Podcast for Sewists by Sewists, bringing creativity and community together.