Episode 27: Upcycling with Luisa

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Luisa Hurtado — fashion designer, sewing educator, Brother Sewing ambassador, and content creator with a true passion for upcycling! Born in Mexico and now based in Las Vegas, Luisa inspires sewists worldwide with her bilingual tutorials, innovative designs, and creative approach to turning everyday items into one-of-a-kind fashion.

In this episode, we chat with Luisa about:
🧵 Her journey from fashion design to content creation and teaching globally with Domestika
♻️ Why upcycling holds so much creative (and sustainable) power
🌎 Building community through bilingual content and brand collaborations
🎁 Her upcoming projects — including a brand new sewing pattern and local upcycling workshop

Luisa’s energy and creativity remind us that small steps can lead to big transformations — in sewing and beyond!

🎧 Tune in now for an inspiring conversation that will have you looking at your closet, thrift shop finds, and fabric scraps in a whole new light.

👉 Connect with Luisa:
Instagram: @imluluisa
TikTok: @designerluisa
YouTube: LuLuisa
Facebook: imluluisa
Website: luluisa.com
Domestika Course: Fashion Upcycling
Book Feature: Found.

💬 Stay connected:
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheSewcialHourPodcast, subscribe wherever you listen, and don’t forget to share your thrifty sewing tips with us in the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group!

Join the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15huSR1cbA/

Follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewcialhourpodcast/

Whether you’ve been sewing for years or are just starting out, chances are you’ve met the infamous quilt police. You know the type, the ones quick to point out “rules” or tell you you’re doing it wrong. In this episode, Bethany and Audra dive into the world of sewing criticism: the constructive, the unsolicited, and the projection-based comments that can show up both online and in person.

We explore why the quilt police exist, how to tell the difference between feedback that helps and feedback that hurts, and most importantly, how to protect your joy in sewing. From setting boundaries to reframing mistakes as learning opportunities, this episode is full of encouragement for anyone who’s ever felt judged for their stitches, fabric choices, or creative path.

💬 Have you had a run-in with the quilt police? We’d love to hear your story! Share it in The Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group or tag us on Instagram.

✨ Next week: A conversation with Luisa Hurtado (@imluluisa) on fashion design and upcycling!

💬 Stay connected:
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheSewcialHourPodcast, subscribe wherever you listen, and don’t forget to share your thrifty sewing tips with us in the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group!

Join the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15huSR1cbA/

Follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewcialhourpodcast/

Episode 25 – Pride & Joy Quilting with Guest Veruschka Zarate

This week on The Sewcial Hour Podcast, we’re joined by the incredibly talented and award-winning quilt maker and pattern designer Veruschka Zarate of Pride & Joy Quilting. Known for her bold, vibrant designs and mastery of foundation paper piecing (FPP), Veruschka shares how she discovered her passion for quilting, what inspires her jaw-dropping creations, and her favorite tips for quilters ready to try FPP for the first time.

We chat about her journey from learning traditional piecing in 2016 to becoming a BERNINA and Handi Quilter Ambassador, teaching internationally, and even releasing her own WonderFil thread collection. Plus, she tells us what keeps her creativity flowing, how she pushes the boundaries of FPP design, and the joy she finds in teaching others.

Whether you’re new to paper piecing or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspiration, encouragement, and practical advice you won’t want to miss.

Follow Veruschka:
Instagram: @prideandjoyquilting
Facebook: Pride & Joy Quilting
TikTok: @prideandjoyquilting
YouTube: Pride & Joy Quilting
Website: prideandjoyquilting.com

✨ Next week: Dealing with Criticism & the Quilt Police - don’t miss it!

💬 Stay connected:
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheSewcialHourPodcast, subscribe wherever you listen, and don’t forget to share your thrifty sewing tips with us in the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group!

Join the Sewcial Sewists Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15huSR1cbA/

Follow The Sewcial Hour Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewcialhourpodcast/