Bagmaking as a Business, From Patterns to Production

Send us feedback about this episode! Our guest today is Cristina Phaneuf, owner of Bumbleroot Design. Cristina shares her creative journey—from learning to sew by hand at a young age to discovering her passion for designing and making beautifully functional bags. Along the way, she’s carved out a distinctive niche in the sewing world, where thoughtful construction meets eye-catching design. Cristina also talks about how her background as a technical writer shapes her approach to pattern design, resulting in clear, thorough instructions that empower makers at every skill level. She’s refreshingly candid about the challenges she faced when exploring factory-level bag production, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to scale a handmade business. Whether you’re a bagmaker, a pattern enthusiast, or simply curious about the business side of sewing, this episode is full of insight, honesty, and creative inspiration. Show notes for each episode: www.thestraightstitchpodcast.com My website: www.janetszabo.com See my sewing projects at: www.janetszabo.com/blog E-mail me!  janet@janetszabo.com