Hey there, fellow bag makers, on this episode of the Bag Makers Sew-Ciety Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the wonderfully talented Sian from Kittenish Behaviour. If you’re into sewing bags (or want to be!), this is an episode you can’t miss. Sian and I took a delightful walk down memory lane, talking about everything from her first bag-making experience to the amazing retreats she’s been hosting for sewists all over the world. There’s a little something for everyone in this episode, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned bag-making pro!
Our Sewing Friendship: Sian and I go way back, and we kicked off the episode reminiscing about how we met and bonded over her NCW (Necessary Clutch Wallet) tutorial. Seriously, if you haven’t tried it, you need to check it out!
Sian’s First Bag-Making Experience: You’ll love hearing Sian talk about her first go at bag making. She got creative with some leftover fabric from a dress and dabbled with patterns she found on Pinterest, including the NCW and a hobo bag.
From Student to Teacher: We dove into how Sian transitioned from making bags for herself to teaching others. She started off teaching the NCW pattern at a local sewing studio and has since hosted her own bag-making retreats! Pretty inspiring, right?
The Magic of Sewing Retreats: Sian shared how her retreats have grown over time. What started as a two-day event has now evolved into week-long retreats on the Isle of Wight, complete with both sewing and non-sewing exploration days. Trust me, after hearing her describe these retreats, you’ll be looking to book your spot!
An International Community: Sian’s retreats have attracted sewists from all over the world, including the US, Australia, and even Zimbabwe. It’s amazing how sewing can bring people together from different corners of the globe.
Bag Making vs. Garment Sewing: We also got into a fun discussion comparing bag making to garment sewing. Sian loves that bags don’t have the same fitting issues that garments do. Plus, you can finish a bag in the retreat timeframe, which makes it super satisfying for sewists of all skill levels.
Favourite Bag Patterns: Of course, we couldn’t resist talking about some of our favourite bag pattern designers. Sian and I gushed over designs from Swoon, Lavender & Twine, and Chris W Designs. Their patterns are versatile, and the quality is just top-notch.
Pattern Hacks & Customization: We shared a few laughs as we talked about how we tweak and modify patterns to make them work for our needs. Honestly, that’s one of the best parts of sewing – the freedom to get creative!
Community Love: This episode had a lot of interaction with our live audience. We had fun answering questions and even chatting about names (you’ll have to listen in to find out more!). The sense of community among sewists is one of the things I love most about these podcasts.
What’s Next?: We wrapped up the episode with some exciting future plans, including another retreat that’s in the works for April-May of next year, which will also coincide with Sian’s birthday celebrations. How fun is that?!
Why You Should Tune In
This episode is packed with inspiration, whether you're new to sewing or have been making bags for years. Sian’s journey from her first bag to teaching and hosting retreats shows just how much fun and rewarding bag making can be. Plus, if you’ve ever thought about attending a sewing retreat, Sian’s description of her events will have you sold. The sense of community and creativity that’s built during these gatherings is just unmatched.
So, grab your favourite cup of tea (or coffee) and your latest sewing project, and give this episode a listen. You won’t regret it!
Until next time happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full
Deb x
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