Sew with Confidence | Sewing, Fabric, Sewing Patterns, Sewing with Knits cover art

Sew with Confidence | Sewing, Fabric, Sewing Patterns, Sewing with Knits

Sew with Confidence | Sewing, Fabric, Sewing Patterns, Sewing with Knits

Written by: Lisa Hawkes - Pattern Designer & Sewing Teacher
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Do you want to sew clothes but are worried that the clothes will look homemade? Are you afraid of wasting your time, money & fabric? Tired of sewing beautiful clothes that never actually get worn, but just hang in the back of the closet? Do you want to expand your sewing skills but are nervous about trying new techniques?

Welcome to Sew with Confidence! This podcast will help expand your sewing skills, provide guidance in choosing the materials for your next project, and help you confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear!

Hi, I’m Lisa, the host of Sew with Confidence and the owner and designer behind Pink Hollybush Designs, a line of sewing patterns for children’s garments. I have been sewing since I was a little girl and my background is in smocking and heirloom sewing. I’ve had my share of sewing fails - garments that didn’t fit, choosing the wrong fabric, and sewing pieces that just weren’t my style or appropriate for my life. I hate the thought of the time and money that has been wasted.

Through trial and error, along with many sewing classes, I have figured out how to sew with confidence. I discovered that choosing the right fabric and sewing techniques can make all the difference between a garment looking homemade or being one that you're proud to wear.

If you are ready to expand your sewing skills, confidently sew clothes that you and others will love to wear, and be part of a supportive sewing community, then fire up that sewing machine, dive into your fabric stash, join me, and let’s Sew with Confidence!

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • EP 21: Working with PDF Sewing Patterns: Some People Love 'em & Some People Hate 'em
    Oct 13 2026

    Are you one of those people who hate PDF patterns or do you love them? I have to admit that I started out as one of those people who hated PDF patterns but I have changed my mind and now I am one of those who love them. Well, love them or hate them, PDF patterns are here to stay, unless of course they get replaced by projector files, but that is a topic for another day. Today if you are one of the haters, I am hoping to change your mind and if you love PDF patterns I have a simple assembly hack and some storage ideas. So let’s delve in

    I remember the time I first tried a PDF sewing pattern. I had purchased the book Twinkle Sews by Wenlan Chia. The book came with a series of patterns on a CD in an envelope in the back. I know that I am dating myself now. I made a dress for my daughter from the book and I remember printing out what I think was 70 pages for the dress. I can’t double check because even though I still have the book, I don’t have any way to print from a CD. But I remember thinking, PDF patterns will never take off. Well, I was wrong. PDF patterns have indeed taken off. I won’t go so far to say that they are here to stay because I could certainly see projector sewing files replacing them, but for today so many wonderful patterns are only available if you are comfortable working with PDF patterns. So in this episode, I am going to try and get you there! And if you are entirely comfortable putting PDF patterns together, stick around because I have a hack for you on how to assemble them quickly as well as some storage recommendations.

    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit

    Check out the Sewing Circle at:

    Seamwork patterns: https://colettemedia.pxf.io/Gb5Bak

    Ikatee Free patterns: https://ikatee.fr/en/pages/rh-ikatee-is-hiring

    Tilda Blouse: https://www.maison-fauve.com/en/products/patron-couture-gratuit-blouse-tilda-pdf-a-telecharger?_pos=1&_sid=a6307e136&_s

    Other Resources:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit

    Sign up for the weekly newsletter at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter

    Ways to Connect:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/

    YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns

    Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • EP 20: 3 Cozy Knit Fabrics to Sew for Fall From Easiest to More Challenging.
    Oct 6 2026

    I know that cooler temperatures are on the way even if the weather hasn’t gotten the message. We want to be prepared when that cooler weather arrives. I also hear from many of you that you are afraid to sew with knit fabrics. Cozy knit fabrics are some of the easiest knits to sew, so into today’s episode I am ranking 3 cozy knit fabrics for you to try from easiest to one that is more of a challenge. If you are a beginner to sewing with knits, the first two are definitely beginner friendly and the last one is for those of you who have a little more experience sewing with knits. So with that, let’s delve in and Get Cozy!

    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    EP 18: Successfully Purchase Fabric Online Using This Key Metric: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sew-with-confidence-sewing-fabric-sewing-patterns/id6786780019?i=1000791067992

    Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit

    Other Resources:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit

    Sign up for the weekly newsletter at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter

    Ways to Connect:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/

    YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns

    Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • EP 19: How to Find Focus and Support for Your Sewing Journey
    Sep 29 2026

    Do you struggle to find time for your sewing practice or the focus to finish your sewing projects? Have you ever wished that you could finish that project for a beloved child or even yourself? I can’t give you more hours in your day, but in today’s podcast, I have a story about a sewing legacy and a possible solution to help you get the support you need.

    Enrollment is currently open for the Sewing Circle, our online sewing membership community. If you would like to be part of a supportive sewing community to enable you to expand your sewing skills, confidently sew clothes that you and others would love to wear, and be encouraged in your sewing practice, I invite you to check out the Sewing Circle. You can find all the details at: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/sewingcircle

    Other Resources:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Grab the Free Sewing Essentials Toolkit at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/toolkit

    Sign up for the weekly newsletter at https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/newsletter

    Interested in Smocking? Get the Free Get Started Smocking Email Series: https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/post/new-to-smocking-start-here

    Ways to Connect:

    Join the Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewwithconfidencepodcast

    Website - > https://www.pinkhollybushdesigns.com/

    YouTube - > https://www.youtube.com/@PinkHollybushDesigns

    Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/pinkhollybush/

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
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