Sew & So...

Although not a common combination, Mae’s father was a career Marine and an avid sewist. A direct descendant of Betsy Ross, he was born into a family of sewists, including his mother and grandmother. Mae grew up watching her father create quilts on his BERNINA machine and it was his love of sewing that inspired her to start sewing at the age of six. Mae was nine when her mother caught her cutting up her skirts and enrolled her in sewing school. Even as a child, Mae was frustrated by the “by the book” approach of her sewing teacher. Although she had ideas for making her own clothes her way, the school’s strict adherence to the formal pattern-driven designs prevented her from doing so. Today, she’s free to create her designs on her terms, whether she’s sewing from a pattern or bringing her own vision to life. Mae’s passion for sewing is driven by her belief in body positivity. “I know everyone is shaped differently. Some people are taller, shorter, or larger in some areas, and smaller in other areas. I want everyone just to look good, no matter what shape they are in. So I do a lot of custom work.” Mae’s clients run the gamut—some are thin with very few curves, some are larger and curvaceous, but the one thing they have in common is that they all look great in the clothes Mae designs for them. Mae often makes clothing for her clients, without ever meeting them. She discusses their style and asks questions to help her determine the best shapes, like “are you bigger on the top or the bottom,” or “what are your measurements.” If a person doesn’t know their measurements, she asked them what size they usually wear and goes from there. Mae’s designs are comfortable and classic and are inspired by the timeless styles of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Whenever she makes a dress or an outfit for someone, she wants it to be something they’ll look great in 10 years from now; something that is high-quality and won’t out of style. She believes that clothes should make a woman feel good about herself every time she wears it. (1:46-8:38)Mae has had a lot of challenges in her life, including being hospitalized for COVID. When her doctor told her she had a 50/50 chance of surviving, she decided then and there that if she survived, she was going to always make time for what she loved, and that was sewing. And that’s exactly what she did. When Mae isn’t working at the fire department, she spends her time immersed in sewing: from learning more about it to experimenting with different tools to creating new designs. She shares how different life challenges led her to where she is today and says that her dream for the future is to sew full-time and to help everybody look and feel their best in their clothes, and comfortable in their own skin. (8;40-26:27)If you’d like to reach out to Mae after hearing her inspirational story, you can go to her website and email her or find her @mae_burrows on Instagram.If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Bill Schroeder III has been around quilting since he was a young boy selling buttons at their AQS booth at the Quilt Show in his hometown of Paducah, KY. When his grandparents launched the AQS Quilt Contest in 1985, it was the first contest in the industry to award a $10,000 prize. When Meredith and Bill Schroeder started hosting Quilt Week 36 years ago, young Bill was right there helping his dad hang signs. When his family decided to sell the business, he and his brother-in-law James went in 50/50 and purchased the company. They did so to continue the family legacy, and to ensure that National Quilt Week would continue. It had been canceled the past two years due to Covid, so Bill worked tirelessly to ensure the show would go on. You can hear the pride in Bill’s voice as he shares the history of AQS, National Quilt Week, the National Quilt Museum, and American Quilter Magazine. As he details his hopes and plans for the future, and for the different shows around the country, he shares his desire to make Paducah the biggest show it can be. “For me, you know Paducah is home and I just tried to do my best to get everybody back here.” Bill is committed to keeping quilters and their amazing creations front and center. His goal for AQS is to reach 70,000 members by 2024 and he’s working hard to make that happen. He’s working with sponsors, the mayor of Paducah, the Secretary of State, and the residents of Paducah to make the community stronger, and to build greater awareness and support for the quilting industry. When Bill rolls the dice, his team rolls it with him, and he credits them with making National Quilt Week the best experience it can be for attendees. [8:23-15:40]As Bill continues to share his story, it’s apparent that the Schroeder family values have permeated every generation. He talks about the strong bond and connection they all have, and how their support of AQS and Quilt Week continues. It was a thrilling moment for everyone when the doors opened in Paducah this year and the quilters walked through them. Over 30,000 quilters came, sharing their love of quilting and their longing for community. Bill shares how much the support of his family and the hard work and dedication of his staff means to him, and humbly expresses his gratitude to everyone who made Quilt Week such a resounding success. [15:50-21:09] Be sure to tune into this engaging podcast to learn more about the Schroeder family, AQS- the internationally renowned organization, and the power of community. If you’d like to reach out to Bill personally, you can email him at [email protected] you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, rate and review this podcast too! Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

The conversation begins with Rachael Barr, Curator of the National Quilt Museum. She talks about the history of the museum, its mission and the behind-the-scenes activities involved in bringing an exhibition to life. One current exhibit is “New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Shakespeare 2022”. This competition challenges quiltmakers from around the world to create an innovative quilt based on a specific traditional pattern. Each artist brings the magic of storytelling to life through their own creative interpretation and techniques. The theme for this year’s competition is Shakespeare. Laura Pomes, this year’s first place winner, comes from a background of theatrical costume design. She talks about the research, the inspiration and the various techniques used to create Twelfth Night Vision, which is suggestive of a painted portrait of William Shakespeare. She did a lot of experimentation to ensure that each section of the quilt was different than the others and was reminiscent of the Elizabethan era. “Every time I turned around, she explained, “I was trying to express some type of Shakespearean theme.” (6:00-14:38)When second place winner Rachel Burke was asked about her reaction to winning, she shares that, “My heart is equal parts gratitude and amazement.” Her quilt, called Come Ye Spirits was inspired by Lady MacBeth’s monologue where she calls upon the spirits of the underworld to assist her in her ambitious goals. The piece started out simple but became more complex as she went along and ended up consisting of almost 3,000 pieces. Another one of our conversations was with award-winning artist Sheila Frampton Cooper, who ventured into the world or abstract quilt making in 2010. Her exhibit Untamed Abstraction reflects the fact that she likes to push the limits when piecing. She describes one of her quilts, in such exquisite detail that it brings it to life for the listener. (20:57-27:17)Mildred Sorrells, Hall of Fame Quilter, shares a fascinating story about her quilt that was inspired by an antique quilt from 1856. Whether talking with artists, guests or staff, the excitement is palpable—proof that you don’t just visit the museum, you experience it. Becky Glasby, Educational Director at the Museum, talks about the museum’s “Block of the Month” Club, and the excitement of seeing how different quilt artists bring their own interpretation to the challenge. Her piece, Cheers for 30 years is also on display. The museum is always interested in acquiring new work from artists, and encourages people to visit their website, quiltmuseum.orgto learn more about events and submitting a proposal for their work. (33:04 - 38:55)If you’re looking to be inspired, pull up a chair and listen to this delightful and informative podcast. If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

What began as just a hobby in Mimi's Los Angeles home in 2012 blossomed into an international brand. She’s achieved a daily engagement of more than 3.2 million followers across all social media platforms, 22 million pageviews and 2.2 million unique visitors annually on her blog and courses on DIY. But her love of sewing started long before that.Mimi began sewing when she was twelve, taking apart clothes, and figuring out how to put them back together again. She didn’t realize that she was teaching herself the basics of construction and pattern making. Although she was a runaway at 15 and a single mom at 16 living on the streets of L.A., Mimi always knew that she had some sort of purpose in life. Although it was hard to sew while she was homeless, her love of sewing never left her. She eventually got a job in film production, started a sewing blog, created home sewing videos for You Tube, and became a successful and respected entrepreneur. She signed on as a licensee for Simplicity in 2014 and was the first blogger to have her own pattern line. Within a few years, her tenacity and talent led her to the role of VP for the Big Four (McCall, Butterick, Vogue, Simplicity). Mimi shares, in detail, her journey to creating several multi-million-dollar businesses. (2:32 – 22:16)Mimi has consistently been an advocate for creating more sexy and confident patterns for plus-size women, more stylish patterns for men, styles for brown and black women, new sewists and young sewists. She is integrally involved in every aspect of the business, from creating the patterns, to obtaining fabric rights, to merchandising and branding. In addition to her role as a Vice President, her blogs, online classes, and other highly successful ventures, Mimi, along with her friend and fellow sewist, Brittany J. Jones, founded Melanated Fabrics and Creative Center in Atlanta. To add to her list of accomplishments, Mimi has written a book, which will be released next year.Simply put, Mimi’s story is a story of hope, fortitude and grit. An important part of her mission in life is to inspire men and women to embrace their power, find their voice and discover their purpose. She attributes much of her success to following her inner voice and being authentic. She believes that if you do what you love, the money will follow. In her words, “It has to be something that’s special to you, and something that you would do even if you weren’t being paid for it.” The purpose, she says, has to be genuine. (22:24 – 38:55) As you listen to this amazing and engaging podcast, you realize that Mimi’s story is not about the struggles, but about the triumphs. The best way to reach her is through Instagram @Mimi G style. If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Sarah’s love of sewing began when she was a young girl growing up in New Zealand. Her first creation? A bean bag frog. As she grew older, her passion for sewing grew and Sarah eventually studied fashion, design, and garment construction. Her talent led her to BERNINA. She shares what it’s like to work for a family-owned company, how everyone looks out for each other, and how she can go into any BERNINA store anywhere in the world and be welcomed like family. “It really is quite unique.” (1:57-10:29)Sarah also talks about her biological family, and about growing up with a mother who struggled with mental health issues. She shares how sewing helped her deal with some of those issues, including the death of her mother. She’s glad that more people are talking freely about mental health. For her, and for many others, sewing and social media are providing creative and emotional outlets and are helping to build a strong sense of community. She shares many fascinating stories about her travels and the people she’s met along the way. One of her favorite experiences was going to the Kimono Museum in Japan and having them dress her as a geisha; she brings the experience to life in exquisite detail. (11:49 -19:43)Sarah learns new things everywhere she goes and believes that sharing her knowledge with young sewists and designers is her way of giving back to the community. One of the ways she does it is by being involved with cosplays (costumed role-playing venues), including Comic-Con events. She has several different costumes she loves to wear, with Princess Leia being her most recent. It’s also one of her favorite creations. But cosplays aren’t the only thing Sarah’s created costumes for. She was part of the team that created costumes for Lord of the Rings when they were in New Zealand filming. As she shares the fascinating details of how it came about and the experience itself, she says that creating the quilt for Frodo’s bed was a labor of love. “Anyone out there who’s sewn with gold thread knows how challenging it is.” (20:14 -32:01)Everything Sarah Caldwell does is a labor of love, whether it’s sewing, baking, doing Zumba or singing in her band. At times, she combines her sewing and singing skills in her classes. You won’t want to miss the entertaining podcast about a woman who dared to dream.Be sure to follow Sarah on Instagram where you can get a first-hand look at some of her wild and wonderful creations. You can also reach her at @cladwell If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

As a young girl, Jean would look at the moon at night and dream of working for NASA. That dream came true when she became one of 18 seamstresses that built (sewed), created, and repaired thermal protection, flight hardware, and parachutes. This dedicated team of women dubbed themselves the Sew Sisters.Jean felt that getting her initial interview with NASA was a miracle. “The second time Kennedy Space Center came on the caller ID, I thought somebody was playing a cruel joke.” It was no joke. Jean got accepted into the team. She remembers telling her daughter, “Oh gosh, this is a call Mom's been waiting for her whole life.” She shares the fascinating story of how her dream came true—from her initial meetings with the panel to her training to receiving her official stamp number that showed she was officially certified. This number appears on every part she’s ever built. (5:54-11:19)Everything from the giant industrial sewing machines to the precision of the work to the materials used, pose a unique challenge to sewists. There’s Teflon-coated fiberglass used for the spacesuits. Silver Polyamide film that’s layered with Dacron mesh to create blankets. Threads made from quartz stones are liquified, then spun and twisted into thread. Whatever the material, each one has special properties designed to perform a specific function while protecting the equipment and the astronauts. Jean goes into fascinating detail about how these unique fabrics, threads, and materials are created and combined to provide the ultimate protection against even the most extreme conditions. (11:20-27:00)Because of her work at NASA and her interest in the Wright Brothers, Jean received a call from Neil Armstrong’s son, Mark, about a special project. The project involved precisely cutting and preparing nearly 200 pieces from historical fabric for auction. This fabric had flown in the Wright Flyer in 1903 and had also accompanied Neil Armstrong to the moon. Pieces that were three-quarters by three-quarters of an inch sold for $95,000 each, the ones that were an inch and a quarter by an inch and a quarter went for $175,000 each. Whenever Jean gives a talk, she stresses the need for creative people at NASA because, as she says, “those are the dreamers of the world.” It was through channeling her own creativity that she came up with Sew Sisters Space Creations, which is an homage to her fellow Sew Sisters at NASA. She creates shirts, lanyards, and ties; everything she makes has a piece of flown payload bay fabric from Columbia, Discovery, or the Endeavor space shuttle. ( 34:06-40:00)Although retired, Jean is still involved in many NASA-related activities. As you listen to her story, you can’t help but be inspired by how a little girl from Michigan had the chance to live her dream. If you’d like to connect with Jean, you can reach out to her at her Sew Sisters Space Creations on Facebook or by emailing her at [email protected] you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

As the conversation begins, we learn about the individual journeys of Christa and Aaronica, and how sewing has influenced each of their lives. Christy, a plus-size sewist herself and daughter of a tailor, grew up around sewing, and notes that the sewing industry has adapted over the years to be more accommodating to sewists of all sizes. Although she sewed on and off since a young age, Aaronica’s real passion for sewing started when she was pregnant with her second child. For her, quilting is one of the most empowering things ever because you can take unformed pieces of fabric and create garments, handbags, quilts and more that have the power to last lifetimes while telling stories. (1:00-7:45)As the conversation continues, they discuss the difference between curvy and plus-size sewing, body positivity and the value of body neutrality. While society tries to make us have worth based on our bodies, the truth is we all have them, they’re all different, and regardless of how we feel about our bodies on any given day, they actually play no part in our worth at all. As Christy and Aaronica dive into the nuts and bolts of sewing, they talk about everything from where to find patterns and designs for plus sizes, to choosing patterns that fit your body, to adjusting patterns to create amazing outfits for your body. They also discuss the importance of trial and error and of starting with something easier to sew, using a simpler pattern and less expensive fabric. They share some of their favorite places to buy fabric—from bundles to one-of-a-kind fabrics. And because everyone makes mistakes, they talk about ways to fix them, pointing out that sometimes the fix results in an even more exciting piece. Part of the discussion centers on tools Christy and Aaronica feel they can’t live without and why, and the specific tools they would recommend to other sewists. They share their current goals for creating different outfits, what those garments are, and the different techniques and tools to make them “wow.” (10:00- 45:00)This conversation is full of insights, inspirations and valuable sourcing information for beginners who are just starting to make plus-size creations as well as for seasoned sewists. So grab your notebook, turn on the podcast and get ready to load up on fun, facts, and fabulous tips. Once you’ve listened to the podcast, you’ll likely want to listen again. It’s that good. To learn more be sure to check out the “We All Sew” blog, as well as Christy and Aaronica’s individual social media platforms. If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

SHOW NOTES:(1:50) Joe takes us through his early work with his father and his easily found interest in the studios. He talks about entertainment and fashion and how these two industries merged for him.(3:13) Joe meets Mr. Spock on the set of Star Trek. It’s this meeting that led to Joe’s lifelong career. His courage and moxie led the way…with a little help from his friends!(9:00) Learn about the beginning and early days of Vecchiarelli Brothers.(10:40) Joe initially knew nothing about fashion. He tells us about Helen Joseph Armstrong and how she taught him everything he needed to know…tutoring him 2 days a week for 2 years!(12:00) Joe is approached by the executive producer of Dancing With the Stars to help them with the genesis of the series. 23 seasons later, Joe’s proprietary method for dealing with dancers’ weight loss is still being used!(15:35) How did Joe begin working at America’s got Talent? He tells you…!(16:20) Joe explains how he branched out from studio work to providing fit forms for home use. It was one phone call that changed things forever.(22:20) Joe takes us through the secrets to creating custom body fit forms for home use.(24:42) Joe tells the story of how he first met and began to work with Dolly Parton. Still one of his most very favorite celebrities. Learn about the big mistake he made when fitting Drew Scott from Property Brothers.(29:15) What’s a typical day like on the set of Dancing With the Stars and how do they manage more than 300 garments a week. Joe takes behind the scenes for a special look into this perennially popular show. Learn how many crystals are sewn into the garments and the step-by-step process for doing this.(32:55) What’s the most important thing that sewists need to know abut fitting? It all begins with the center of gravity.(36:22) What’s next for him...what’s his dream? (38:06) And finally, what makes him happiest? If you’d like to get in touch with Joe, go to [email protected] and put “Sew & So podcast” in the subject line. Find him on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Born in the United Kingdom, Justine began her first career as a model at 16. From created performance art costumes for artists, plays, and television commercials while earning her master’s degree in Design at the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School.Seymour designed the wardrobe for the Apple TV+ adaptation of The Mosquito Coast. Her award-winning costume design in the Netflix hit miniseries Unorthodox, was nominated for an Emmy and won the German TV Award for Best Costume Designer.She did the costuming on many films including Mission Impossible II, Moulin Rouge, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Son of the Mask, The Sessions, Backtrack, All-Nighter, and Destination Wedding. And she’s designed episodic television shows for various networks including Netflix’s Messiah and Medal of Honor; TNT’s I Am the Night; and Amazon Studios’ One Mississippi. Justine begins by telling the story of how she began to sew at age four because of her grandmother. (3:00). Sewing was something she took too quickly through sewing costumes for her dolls. The Waldorf school curriculum had a profound effect on her creativity (5:59). There she sewed entirely by hand perfecting her craft. It gave her the ability to think outside the box and quickly find solutions. Listen to her fascinating story about her modeling career and her costuming for artists, plays, and television commercials throughout the 1980s and early 1990s (7:30). Justine talks in-depth about her costuming experiences for two features Women of the Movement follows Mamie Till in her fight for civil rights and True Spirit, which is based on Australian Jessica Watson’s memoir about her journey as the youngest person ever to sail solo, non-stop around the world (11:30).Justine treats us to a behind-the-scenes explanation of the processes she uses to costume for a production. Her meticulous approach to detail and inclusion of the actors in the final look. While in grad school she was the only costume designed but worked in the art department and learned the technique of aging fabrics. Enjoy her story about Moulin Rouge and her contribution to the soft furnishings in one of the key scenes. She also shares her experience on-set on this film...and the moment at which she knew that costuming was what she wanted to do (18:29). Known for authentically building character through costume (29:30) Justine talks about how she earned this reputation through her costuming work on Unorthodox on Netflix. Travel with her into the Satmar community of Williamsburg, The Bronx New York as she shares her adventure in preparing for this production for which she won many costuming awards. (29:54) Justine has words of advice for those who are interested in following in her footsteps (36:55). A road that she’s traveled for the past 22 years...she’s learned that observing is the most important skill to have. What makes an outfit fantastic?! And finally, what’s next for her...what’s her dream? Listen at (40:10)! If you’d like to get in touch with Justine, you can learn more at www.justine-seymour.com and connect with her on Instagram, @justineseymourcostumedesign. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

After living in the United States for seven years, Marisa and her husband moved back to Spain in the late 1990s to help her parents with their sewing machine business. While working at the store, she and her sister introduced quilting to help modernize the business. Marisa also managed the store and taught sewing before returning to the United States in 2019.It was while she was in Spain that Marisa discovered her love of free motion quilting. Although she’s been quilting for the past 22 years, Marisa didn’t create her first themed art quilt until 2014. She named her quilt Regeneration, and it was the first time she used the elements of nature and symbolism in her quilting. The thread painting figure was a phoenix, which represented the elements in nature; how they are born, live, and die—and how they don't die in vain, but rather to create new life. The quilt, which received its first award in Spain and was accepted to be exhibited at a quilt market in Houston, is currently hanging in her son’s room. Since then Marisa has made about 20 art quilts. (1:51- 11:14)She talks in detail about her love of teaching and of free motion quilting; of choosing a theme, using thread to paint a story, and how different techniques can be used to create quilt art. She also shares how different words, colors, and themes can take on different meanings based on the region and culture they’re from. So before she begins a project, she always researches her subject or theme. This helps her to understand the different nuances of a theme, so she can present a unique perspective on the subject. She believes that owning a subject is the first step to creating a quilt. Once you do that, you can give it a fresh twist; something that is totally different. Early on in her career, Marisa was too intimidated to exhibit her work, because she didn’t think she was good enough to be in the company of such accomplished artists. However, a conversation she had with the President of the Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) in 2014, gave her the courage to forge ahead. “She told me you just have to start from something, and you have to start somewhere, and this is a good place to start.” So Marisa took the leap and since then, her work has appeared in numerous exhibits around the world. She continues to challenge herself and encourages others to do the same. (17:22- 20:19)Her advice to traditional quilters who may want to go from creating quilts for a bed to creating an art quilt that hangs on a wall is to start where they’re comfortable and then, little by little, step outside their comfort zone and try something different. She says that if you want your work to be exhibited, it must be unique. You need to add a fresh twist to what you’re creating, whether it’s a log cabin pattern or a traditional block pattern. It doesn’t matter if it turns out perfect. You just have to try to be your best, and if it’s not “the best,” it doesn’t matter because it’s your best. You learn from your failure and try again. (20:31-22:27)As you listen to this engaging podcast, you’ll find that Marisa’s enthusiasm and passion are contagious. You may find yourself ready to take a few leaps of your own. If you’d like to reach out to Marisa to share your ideas or get a little inspiration, you can email her at [email protected] or check out her blog, MarisaMarquezQuilts.WordPress.com!If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

As a former social worker with zero art experience, Kelly Rae picked up her first paintbrush at age 30 - that's when everything started to change. Although she had been collaging and card making at home after work, it was when she started adding painting to her cards and scrapbooking that Kelly’s passion ignited. She explains painting brought her what she was craving: healing, unburdened joy, and awakening. Kelly Rae started blogging about her process, and before long, her cards turned into paintings with collaging mixed in. In 2006, when Etsy was first starting out, she began showing her work there, and before long she got a licensing partner through Etsy. She started exhibiting wall art and was approached by a book editor to turn her blog post into a book. Her style of truth-telling and her possibility-driven approach to life, work, and art quickly spread, reaching people from around the country. She shares her journey of being “an accidental artist,” becoming a full-time artist in 2008, having her art up in 60,000 retail shops, launching her own shop, and creating a community of “possibilitarians” —people who believe in the spirit of possibility and that encourage each other to do the things they never thought they could do. (3:55-11:11) Her inspirational style goes back to high school when she recalls her love of all things that had wings. From high school through college, she had butterflies, that turned into angels, all over her walls. Today, these winged figures are a hallmark of her work. Another source of inspiration is the conversations Kelly Rae has with her creative community, friends, and family and the sentiments sparked by them. Today, she works with Benartex to bring her artistry to fabric.Although she’d been interested in fabric design for a long time, it wasn’t until Benartex reached out to her, and Kelly Rae Roberts is founder of KellyRaeRoberts.com and fabric designer for Benartex, the Bernina sister company. She's a creator of several E-courses, books, home decor, gifts, stationery products, and retreats that focus on the idea that when we let art out, we let love in. She began collaborating with one of their designers, and she was able to translate her ideas into fabric. The process starts with Kelly Rae creating a painting using multiple layers of vintage wallpaper and paint to create patterns and depth. She then adds texture and paints the hero image on top, an angel or other winged creature. Once done, she works with the fabric designer to create arresting patterns. It’s a fascinating process; and one that attracts a lot of interest. Her fabrics are used by all different types of quilters in all kinds of quilts, from traditional to super-modern. She loves that she now lives in Sister, Oregon, which is known for its quilting community and is home to the International Quilt Festival. The Stitching Post is a local store that carries her line; the staff has also made several quilts using her fabric. She says, “It’s been fun to be doing fabric while living in this small town that is all about quilting.” (13:44 – 25:25)Kelly Rae’s fascinating story is a testament to the power of synchronicity, trusting in the process, paying attention to the tugs on our sleeves, what wants attention, and then following the breadcrumbs. It’s obvious that Kelly puts her heart and soul into everything she creates. After listening to the podcast, you’re going to want to connect with her. You can do so at her website, KellyRaeRoberts.com, and by sending her an email at [email protected]. If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Becky loves all aspects of quilting—from choosing the pattern to cutting the fabric, to stitching and piecing and mixing up patterns and colors. She also loves machine quilting—especially free motion quilting. Because she doesn’t have to follow a set pattern and can basically do whatever she wants, she feels that it enhances her ability to create and be artistic. She compares free motion quilting to handwriting. “Whether it's meanders or stipples, or swirls or squiggly lines, you know whatever it is you're creating it's not always going to look exactly the same from one person to the next…like handwriting, you have your own speed, your own density of the quilting.” And as Becky explains to her students, like handwriting it takes practice. (6:56 -11:02)She speaks in-depth about the inspiration she gets from the exhibitions at the museum and the artists she’s met through her work there. She explains that it’s impossible to pick just one quilt or artist, or exhibit that stands out because there’s always something new and exciting happening. She loves meandering through the museum and talking to the guests about the quilts and exhibits. Becky is involved in a lot of different things at the museum, from the youth program to the school block challenge to the junior quilter’s club, to meeting artists and being involved in social media.The creativity and jumping from one project to another keeps things fun and interesting. One of her favorite aspects of the job is teaching the next generation of quilters at quilt camp, which is held every June. Some are beginners, many of whom are learning about quilting and using a sewing machine for the first time. The intermediate group is using machines to do binding and learning other techniques. Because they’ve been in the program for four or five years, it’s exciting to see how their personalities evolve and how they’re reflected in their quilting. The advanced quilters get to do free quilting and put their own spin on the patterns provided. You hear the pride in Becky’s voice as she talks about being able to pass the skill in this art form onto to the next generation and watching them grow with it from year to year. (18:37-22:22)An international destination for quilters, The Quilt Museum is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. The process of selecting artists and pieces to be exhibited in its contemporary collection is fascinating, and quite involved, as there are two side galleries with at least three rotating exhibits at any given time. As a non-profit organization, most of their more than 660 quilts are donated; about half our hand-stitched, half-machine sewn, with others using a combination of both techniques. 97% of the work exhibited is by women artists. The museum has between 40,000 to 50,000 visitors from around the globe each year; many of them are in the spring for Quilt Week. Another global attraction is the online Block of the Month Club. Started in 2018, it currently has 21,000 members globally. As Becky talks about the wealth of programs offered by the museum, its growing community of passionate quilters, and the many little-known facts about the museum, you can see that this is a woman who is 100% dedicated to celebrating contemporary quilters and their work. (37:49-44:52) Be sure to join us for this fascinating podcast, brimming with possibilities, potential, and passion. Becky’s contact information is on the museum’s website, quiltmuseum.org. You can also connect with Becky and the museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

After hearing how the dedicated teachers at North Charleston High School created a Makerspace for their students, BERNINA and Craig Conover from Bravo TV, Southern Charm, and the owner of Sewing Down South, decided to outfit the space so that NCHS scholars could dream, create and pursue their passion.This story of creativity and hope began when Ms. Connell, an art teacher at NCHS and founder of the school’s Makerspace, noticed that there was a lot of interest in sewing and fashion. After receiving a donation of fabric, she had the students experiment with sewing pillows, and from there the idea of a Makerspace started to take shape. Ms. Connell has teamed up with Ms. Murray, a team member and librarian at NCHS to further develop the program. Meanwhile, Ms. Clegg, who runs the Liberty Hill STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Initiative in the North District, has also jumped in to help. Thanks to the participation of several partners including Boeing and CCFC, the Makerspace has expanded to additional schools in the northern district and will now include grades K-12. As these dedicated professionals share their stories and the evolution of a Makerspace program for aspiring scholars, the excitement is palpable. According to Ms. Clegg, the machines donated by BERNINA, and the other partnerships they’ve formed will be the foundation for the Makerspace in the area, which will help these young scholars learn life skills and artistic ways to express themselves.BERNINA credits Craig Conover’s sewing journey as the initial source of their inspiration to get involved with this amazing local effort—so when BERNINA donated 12 Bernette machines to NCHS, Craig Conover accompanied them. He provided words of support and encouragement, while also presenting them with a challenge to create. Craig shares that he was bullied a lot growing up, and that sewing was one of his outlets for dealing with it—although he mostly did it in the privacy of his home. He also talks about how, when he was growing up there were no Makerspaces, and goes on to say, “Having a space in the school where you can explore your creative side comfortably and encourage each other, it's just great.” Craig’s ability to escape negative feelings through the act of sewing and his realization that there’s beauty in imperfection informed his decision to start Sewing Down South. He talks about his journey of starting the business with his business partner Jerry Casselano, how sewing is therapeutic, and how the machines that were donated will enable young scholars to bring a lot of joy to people. He knows that while the pressure about gender norms isn’t as great as it used to be, kids still aren’t really introduced to sewing and cooking. He also knows that a lot of them don’t have a sewing machine at home, so they don’t have the chance to discover their talent. He shares his excitement at the prospect that Programs like Makerspace can really help students discover a talent they didn’t even know they had. (5:26-9:23)We talked to so many wonderful individuals at this event; professionals who are committed to helping these students grow and evolve their passions. As Ms. Clegg so aptly states, “What's special about our scholars is a lot of people sell them short… We not only want to show our neighborhoods, our cities, our state, and the world that our scholars can fly, we want to prove to them that they can fly.” Craig and his partner Jerry are providing an opportunity for these young scholars to do just that. They shared their support of them and put forth a challenge that could result in some young scholars having the opportunity to sell their creations from the “creator’s corner” in their store. His show, and his store, are about breaking down gender stereotypes and showing boys and girls that they can succeed at anything they want, from sports to sewing. “Let’s get out of the shadow,” he encourages them, “let’s have fun and connect,” (15:43 – 17:56)Talking with all of the wonderful people in this podcast proves that good still exists and that it’s this good that will shape the futures of the young scholars at NCHS. If you want to be uplifted this holiday, listen to this special podcast and share the power of love, giving back, and helping our students understand that they can do more than just walk through this life…they can fly!If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

British by birth, Paul Ashworth is an avowed world traveler and has lived and worked in multiple countries. Bernina of America represents half of Bernina's business worldwide, and during his time there, he has successfully grown the business by over 65%. When asked what brought him to Bernina, he says, “…I guess you can say it’s luck.” He shares that if someone had told him he’d one day be joining the sewing industry, he probably would have chuckled to himself. He had it in his head that the wine and spirits industry was where he belonged, but when BERNINA approached him with the opportunity to be its CEO, he couldn’t pass it up.When asked what inspires him on a daily basis, he doesn’t miss a beat before exclaiming it’s the passion, the people, and the power of the brand. He talks about waking up daily, thrilled at the opportunity to move the company and the brand forward. He believes that his European background enables him to bring a unique perspective as to what the Swiss might be thinking. He also talks about working with premium and luxury products—from the Louis Vuitton Hennessy group to BERNINA—and how critical it is to work with the BERNINA dealers to bring a product to life, nurture the product, maintain its premium appeal, and never dilute the brand. (3:55-6:52) When he talks about how BERNINA on the outside BERNINA on the inside is, he explains that the passionate professionals at BERNINA make and control every step of the production, manufacturing, and sourcing process. He goes on to explain that every product, across every segment it competes in, is made in its own production facilities. He explains that this type of precision, control, and craftsmanship is part of the brand and the company’s DNA. He takes great pride in the fact that the company doesn’t outsource anything, and that includes their new longarm machines and high-end sergers. I shared with him that while many of our guests didn’t start out on a BERNINA, they always aspired to owning one, and once they got one, they ultimately got more. He says that is quite common, because once you get into using the best, one is never enough. He talks about how BERNINA is very much about quality stitches. “It is,” he says, “a bit of an obsession.” Once people work on a BERNINA, they can see, hear, and feel the difference. (15:07- 18:44)The more we talk, the more apparent it becomes that Paul is truly passionate about the people he works with. As he continues with the details of his time at BERNINA and his insights into the industry, his pride in being part of this family-owned company is evident. It’s not surprising that he shares 30% of his time on developing and nurturing talent. Mr. Ashworth is convinced that everyone who is part of the BERNINA team shares his commitment to ensuring that every aspect of the BERNINA experience is a quality one, and that everything works together to enhance the sewist’s creativity. Everything from the parts to the dealerships, the software to the technology, the in-store offerings to the online classes, is designed to create a premium user experience. It’s not surprising then that the relationship between the sewist and their BERNINA becomes a sort of love affair. (21:49 - 37:36If you’d like to know more about the vision of the company and its leader, you can visit Bernina.com or reach out to Mr. Ashworth himself at [email protected] you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [email protected] or complete the form on our website. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Ricky began designing and making quilts in 1991 and has been named one of the 30 most distinguished quilters in the world. He was selected by the readers of Quilters Newsletter Magazine as the most influential person in the quilting industry and was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning. Ricky is passionate about sharing his creative experience and enthusiasm and encourages individuals to cultivate self-expression, to reach for the unreachable, and to believe in the impossible. His discovery story is rich in details. As he takes us on his journey, he shares that he was smitten with the process of quilting from the moment he made his first quilt in the privacy of his home. He says, “I wasn’t aware of the “quilt police” when I made my first quilt…and while it was pretty pathetic in many ways, I wouldn’t be where I am without that first quilt, so I’m not ashamed of it, and I usually display it when I’m doing my seminars.” When new quilters come across his path, Ricky tells them that he doesn’t want them to be perfect and that they should simply enjoy the process, knowing that through the process they’re going to get better. Ricky believes that making a quilt is a journey and while you’re making the quilt, life unfolds, and as it does, those events, those moments, go into the quilt. Whether it’s a struggle or a celebration, those memories are fixed in the quilt so that when you look at it, you’re not just seeing a quilt but remembering the things you experienced in life. (7:02-11:40)Ricky refers to himself as a creative soul and shares that he’s happiest when he’s creating. His first creative outlet was music; he learned to read music before he learned the alphabet. Then photography and quilting came along, and now he does all of them. Ricky doesn’t want to be a “one-trick pony,” and wants people to engage with him whether he’s talking about quilting or music or photography or things that happen in his day-to-day life. His overall message is one of inspiration and positivity, and he genuinely believes that we can all be more than we ever imagined possible. “I want my legacy to be that I’ve inspired people, entertained people, and hopefully educated them along the way.” Ricky waxes eloquently about the ebb and flow to creating, and how different art forms inform and influence one another. He believes that quilters can become better artists through photography, saying that photography can teach us to see the world through new eyes, and once we do, we’ll never see it the same way again. (17:45 - 21:28 ) Whether he’s sharing the adventures of “Lizzy Albright and the Attic Window,” his young adult novel set in the 1960s, his special bond with ravens, or his pull to live in the mountains, one thing is clear: Ricky is passionate, colorful and inspirational. When you listen to the podcast, you’ll learn that his theme is “Carpe Diem,” and you’ll understand that he not only seizes the moment he embraces each and every one of them. (35:20-37:14) To keep the inspiration going, visit rickytims.com, or check out his Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Leah’s passion for fashion began when she was a young girl. When she was in the fifth grade, her mother enrolled her in a summer sewing class. Leah loved it and begged her mom to enroll her in another class. Unfortunately, none were available, so her grandmother became her teacher. Her first major creations were three hand-sewn A-Line dresses for herself, her sister, and their friend. Once they all had their dresses on, they decided to try them out on a friend’s trampoline. According to Leah, “One jump and a toe touch and them suckers split all the way down the side.” She laughs, saying that from that moment on it was, “game on.” (4:44-9:11) Leah’s grandpa used to say to her, “Baby, you’re only as good as your tools.” After buying a very cheap machine when she was just starting out, Leah learned firsthand that having the right equipment can make a world of difference. She admits to being a perfectionist and says that now she always makes sure she has the right tools to ensure that what she creates looks professional. ( 13:45 – 16:18)Leah started out sewing and doing pattern testing for several leading pattern companies. After about five years, she became a designer for Violet Field Threads. Soon, however, she knew it was time to dive in and follow her dream of designing her own patterns and opening her own company. The company’s name, Vintage Little Lady came from her telling her little girls, “You look like a vintage little lady,” every time one of her daughters put on one of her creations. She talks a lot about the ins and outs of starting a company and her process of making her dream come true. “When a dream is written down with a date, it becomes a goal, then it’s broken down into steps which becomes a plan, then it’s backed up by action, which becomes a reality. And the action for me is diving in.” (17:45 – 21:30)Leah talks in-depth about the process of creating a pattern: the vision, the research, the designing, drafting, checking, re-designing, re-drafting, re-checking, and doing it all again until everything is perfect. Then she explains that you have to fit the models, style their hair, and do the fashion shoot. The process she says, takes 6 to 8 weeks of very long days, with a lot of back and forth. A lot of trial and error. (24:30 – 34:26) The Vintage Little Ladies store has been up for over two years, and Leah has no plans for slowing down. When you listen to the podcast, you’ll be engaged, uplifted, and 100% inspired. If you have questions or would like to share your inspiration, you can reach out to Leah and her team at vintagelittlelady.com Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Deanna’s love for all things sewing began when she was a young girl when she was nurtured by her mom, her grandmothers, and 4H. She talks fondly of the many memories she has of growing up among sewists, including how, every Christmas Eve she and her three sisters would listen to the hum of the sewing machine from the other room, and awaken Christmas morning to find new robes hanging on their doors. These priceless memories of creating and sharing gifts from the heart played an important role in her career choice. In 2007 Nancy Zieman and Deanna started Nancy Zieman Productions (NZP), where they worked side by side for 10 years. After launching NZP, they launched a new blog, social media channels, and over 40 sewing and quilting products, including tools, patterns, and books. The NZP team also produced 12 seasons of “Sewing with Nancy” with Wisconsin Public Television.Upon Nancy’s passing in 2017, Deanna continued to carry her legacy forward through a variety of venues, including the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, and the spring travel circuit. As Deanna puts it, “It’s a way to share our love of sewing with the world.” Another way, she and her sisters share that love is the Stitch It! Sisters video series. Part of the Nancy Zieman production blog, Stitch it! Sisters also has its own YouTube channel. (7:30-12:55)Now in its 17th year, Deanna talks about how the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show began, and how it continues to be a great opportunity for people to share their love of quilting. She is also in charge of the Annual sewing event, Sew Quilt Create. Throughout our conversation, Deanna is passionate about celebrating her craft and her mentor. (18:55 – 22:47)As the conversation wraps up, Deanna talks about the many barriers Nancy broke through in the ’70s and ’80s, and how she really changed the industry. It’s evident that Deanna shares many of her friend’s traits as well as her drive and vision. (30:41-37:30) Case in point: this fall, Deanna will be opening the Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio in Beaver Dam, WI. You can reach Deanna at stitchitsisters.com, nancyzieman.com or at her many social sites. And of course, you can stop by the new store when it opens. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Amanda Carita began her sewing adventures at age 5 on her grandmother’s hand-crank sewing machine, and although she prefers the modern technology of her BERNINA 850, she still has her grandmother’s machine. She talks about her those early years; her family’s history in textiles, and what it was like growing up with four generations of women in the same house, and how it created such a strong bond between them. She shares a similar bond with her current sewing community.Amanda talks about going to Los Angeles with both her sewist friends and by herself in search of fabrics. She’d find a couple of yards of this fabric or a couple of yards of another, but never enough for what she needed. Then she’d find patterns she liked, but she didn’t like the fabric they were printed on. Not one to give up, Amanda was determined to find a way to get what she wanted. And thus, So Sew English was born. Today, she has fabric sources and printers in multiple countries as well as talented designers she can rely on. “I come up with the ideas for prints on the fabric and then I find the right people who can bring it to life.” (6:00-10:53) When asked about sewing every day, her response is delightful. “I regularly get up and sew what I’m going to wear that day… I’ll come down and make myself a cup of tea, and make myself a top while I’m drinking my tea… I don’t like to have idle hands.” For Amanda, there’s no such thing as a typical day. After sharing some wonderful examples of her daily adventures and demands, she ends with, “There’s never a dull moment. I love the fact that every day is different. I love flying by the seat of my pants.” (15:49-17:36)Another thing she loves is her community of sewists. As she talks about how it’s grown and evolved, there’s a sense of pride in her voice. The community and her company embody her love of sewing. “Sewing is healing. Just being able to pull out your machine can be very tranquil, and a time for reflection or letting the mind wander. Mentally, it’s great. It keeps you on your toes.” (20:12 -24:25) In listening to Amanda’s story unfold, it’s evident that she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. If you’d like to reach out to Amanda after listening to her uplifting podcast, you can reach her at sosewenglish.com, and her Facebook page. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Born and raised in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, Mary Margaret is a third-generation quilter. She says that it didn’t matter if you were a boy or a girl: If your mother was a quilter you were going to learn how to quilt. What they did was a way of life and a necessity. They didn’t know what they were doing would be considered art. All that changed in the late 1990s and early 2000s when a man by the name of William Arnett came and bought quilts from everyone in town. It is because of Arnett and the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, which he founded, that the quilts of Gee’s Bend are now in museums. (4:00 – 7:18) A trustee of Souls Grown Deep since 2017, Mary Margaret spearheaded efforts to locate living Gees Bend quilters with works in the collection or their heirs to help them get representation for the copyrights through a partnership with the Artists Rights Society. “I would rather sew than do anything,” says Mary Margaret, “and making quilts is my favorite thing to create.” One of her favorite Gee’s Bend quilts is hanging in the High Museum of Art in Alabama and was the inspiration for the skirt worn by First Lady Michelle Obama in her official portrait. (14:47-16:40) Mary Margaret continues to advocate for the citizens of Gee’s Bend. She was instrumental in establishing the Gee’s Bend Resource Center and is dedicated to helping quilters get access to the marketplace. She tells them, “Show the world what you can do. It’s one thing to say yes, I can quilt. Yes, I can sew. But it’s another to show me.” (17:55-20:22) Quilting America, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal showcases the rich history of quilting and talks about a new exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. This exhibit features pieces from Gee’s Bend quilters. A teacher at the Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, Mary Margaret loves what she does. Whether she’s teaching children how to sew an apron or a pillow, or teaching women how to sew or hand quilt, she takes them through the process, step by step. Her commitment to her craft and her community is inspiring. According to her, “Gee’s Bend is a 17- or 19-mile ride from Alberta down a road that looks like it leads to nowhere, when actually it leads to paradise.” (23:39-24:20) After listening to our candid conversation about life, quilting, and the power of community, you’ll likely want to connect with Mary Margaret to learn more. You can reach her at [email protected] Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

As we begin our casual conversation with Lindsey and Stacey, we learn that Lindsey has four full-time jobs, which doesn’t leave much time for sewing. Lucky for her, Lindsey’s mom Stacey comes from a long line of sewists and has been an avid quilter since 1991. The two share a charming story about an heirloom quilt Stacey made Lindsay for her 30th birthday; a quilt her dog soon discovered. After taking a few deep breaths, Stacey patched the corner and embroidered, “Finn was here,” creating an additional layer of fond memories.As the conversation continues, we learn that Lindsey took her life savings to buy an abandoned lodge and renovate it. Her friend Mark, a TV developer, made a reel about it; that one reel caught the attention of Chip and Joanna Gaines, which is how she ended up with a show on Magnolia Network. She talks about the fun and the challenges of renovation TV and attributes her success to her amazing team, which she brought with her from Knotty Pine. (15:19-22:00) Lindsey places a high value on aesthetics and customization, which is why she also reached out to her mom. Stacey shares that when she got the call, she and her husband drove their 30-foot RV, “Elvira” out to California. Thinking she’d just be there to make one set of curtains for one show, she only brought along a few clothes, her BERNINA® 550, and a handful of supplies. The director was so impressed with her work, he asked her to stay on for the remaining five episodes. (24:25-28:19) She’ll also be bringing her expertise to season two of Inn the Works. In addition to working on the show, Stacey is part of an active quilting community in Texas, where she is doing some amazing work and educating people about the true monetary value of quilts. She also shares some surprising statistics about the quilting industry. ( 31:04 -38:30) As the conversation continues, Lindsey reflects, “I’m just trying to take a moment like Ferris Bueller and take a look around, because it all happens fast.” As Lindsey and Stacey head off to renovate an abandoned 42-room motel in the Berkshires, you can kick back and tune into the podcast to hear more about their fascinating adventures. You can contact Lindsey via Instagram @lindseykurowski, and at knottypine.co; you’ll find Stacey on Instagram @stazzinaro or by emailing [email protected] Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

From his dorm room to his mom’s garage to a storefront workshop at the Platform in Culver City, Tristan continues to pursue his passion, with surfing and travel as his inspiration. According to Tristan, “After an hour in the water, I get out and I’m ready to create.” Tristan launched STAN in 2019, and In March of 2020 Rowing Blazers wanted to add his designs on their website. His 18 one-of-a-kind blazers sold out the same morning they debuted. A month later, he was invited to show a spring/summer collection at New York Men’s Day. The story of how he found fabrics, created 20 jackets in two weeks and rented a 1972 VW Bus to create a video for his Fashion Week debut is delightful. His runway collection was a hit, and he was invited back to present a fall/winter collection. (5:00 – 11:20)Tristan talks about the happenstance meetings that have informed his work. One example he gives is meeting his friend Claire at a sewing shop in Encinitas, San Diego. “This lady came up to me and said, 'What’s a good-looking young surfer dude like you doing in a sewing shop?'” They became fast friends, and before long he was a member of the Bumann Quilters of Olivenhain. As it turns out, one of the member's husband’s great-grandfathers was an original founder of the Olivenhain Colony founded in 1886. The story of the quilting group and the multi-generational 450-acre homestead created the backdrop for his latest collection. (11:46-16:30)A modern storyteller of ancient textiles, Tristan’s favorite part of his sustainable brand is discovering unknown places around the world and unveiling their cultural textile stories for a new generation. Known for his originality and authenticity, Tristan currently has several collections in the works. One of his creations will be featured next to a look by Ralph Lauren at the upcoming Met Gala. When asked what his dream for the future is, he replied, “I feel like I’m living the dream. If I can keep doing this, I can be happy for a long time.” (31:00-39:43) Once you listen to this riveting podcast, you’ll want to follow the career of this amazing, authentic talent. To reach Tristan and to stay in the know about his creations, visit @stansclothing on Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Early in our conversation, Gail shares that after one class at the Manchester Sewing Machine Center in Connecticut, she was hooked. She describes it as being a transformative experience for her. “Honestly,” she says, “it was like someone pulled back a curtain on a whole new world.” She took the class right after buying a new mid-range machine that had about 50 built-in decorative stitches. It was then that she realized there were a lot of techniques she could do on a home sewing machine; things she’d seen on ready-to-wear clothes and home décor items that she had previously thought you had to have some kind of fancy industrial machine to do. [ 10:18-12:32]Gail continued to learn and pull back the curtain, and after a short while, she started working at the Center. Until then, she didn’t really know there was such a thing as a sewing world or people who did “fancy” sewing. After she’d been teaching about a year and seeing all the incredible things people were doing, she decided she had to have an embroidery machine. Over the years, Gail has taught at a number of American Sewing Guild national conferences, as well various chapters around the country. She talks fondly about the people and the conferences, and the amazing community of sewists. [16:32- 18:45]Gail loves experimenting and embellishing and shares how her first attempt at creating her acclaimed windows technique fell way short of her expectations. According to Gail, “…the fabric looked like it was wounded with band-aids all over it.” When she shared her disappointment with her husband, he told her to think about how to do it differently. She shares that if he hadn’t given her that advice, she probably would have just thrown in the towel. It was fascinating to hear her talk about what she did originally, how she changed it to make it better, and how that basic windows technique became a jumping-off point for creating more elaborate designs. [18:49-21:45]Gail reflects on seeing people come into class with their sergers and their four cones of thread on the top and thinking she could never master that machine. But then she thought, “Well they are made for the home sewing market, so they can’t be impossible to learn.” So she went to the store with the intention of buying a mid-range serger and walked out with a top-of-the-line model. Shortly after that, her husband went out of town for a conference and she used those four to five days to play with the serger from morning until night. With each day, her confidence grew. As she talks about the nuances of needle position and tension settings and types of thread her expertise is matched only by her enthusiasm—especially when she embellishes on the numbers and types of decorative threads, and all the amazing things you can do on a serger. [20:00 – 34:00]At Gail Patrice Design, she’s recently been gearing her pattern development towards teaching serger techniques on bags, placemats, table runners, and other decorative pieces. Her focus is on designing things that are good not only for sophisticated and very knowledgeable sewists but also designs that will grow and expand a newer person’s skill level. Gail is continuing to teach and is starting to book more in-person events again, while also growing her YouTube channel, and leading more sew-alongs and virtual classes. You can reach Gail at [email protected], on YouTube, or by visiting her website, gailpatrice.com Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

In our casual conversation, Shelancia shares that her first-born, Elijah, is on the spectrum, and that much of her work since his birth has been trying to find ways to connect and create with children—especially those who are not within the standard deviation. Located in Houston, Texas, and Rochester, New York, Creativity Shell teaches classes in sewing, textile arts, cooking, building, and other trades. These classes are held in their private studios, as well as libraries, ABA Therapy Centers, the Juvenile Justice System, and homeless shelters that have rescued children from human trafficking. Shelancia talks about her family’s time in Nigeria. While her son Elijah didn’t do well in the British education system, he seemed to thrive in hot humid environments and he loved chasing crabs. She used this outdoor activity to teach her son mathematics and how to count. One day, when the students in Elijah’s class were sharing what they loved most, he stood up and said, “My name is Elijah and I like chasing crabs.” This defining moment was the catalyst for Creativity Shell and its unconventional, outside-the-box, hands-on approach to learning. [6:55 – 9:45]Based on the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education, Creativity Shell has four pillars that it works from. They are a sense of possibility, mutual responsibility, creative learning, and positive interaction. Shelancia shares that it’s been her experience that one of the greatest challenges children face is that they are completely addicted to instant gratification. If something doesn’t happen quickly, fast, here, and now, they don’t believe it’s possible, so they lose hope and focus. The team at Creativity Shell weans children off their addiction by having them start with an instant gratification 10-minute project where they actually complete something. As their confidence builds, they work up to a 10-hour-plus project like making a quilt or something more involved. [9:52 - 11:53 ]“When children come into our group they’re learning how to sew, and how to cook and do crafts, but the most important thing of all is that they’re learning about themselves. At the end of the hour, a kid who may have never sewn anything before is like, 'Wow, I made something.' As they start making bigger and better things, they start feeling better about themselves." Shelancia and her team are always looking for and creating opportunities outside the studio where children can continue to grow and learn.At the annual Munchkin Market, kids get to sell things they’ve made and keep the money from their sales, which teaches them about business, crafting, selling, and value. Another great event is the Creativity Rocks Fashion Show. Shelancia lights up when she talks about how excited the kids are about it, and how they are already thinking about what they’re going to make for next year’s show. “This,” she says, “is their Olympics.” They’ve worked really hard, they’ve made their outfits, and they get to rock it down the runway with hundreds of people cheering them on. Talk about a confidence builder! [17:35-18:49] Giving kids a sense of community and belonging is especially important for kids that are homeless, or victims of sex trafficking who often feel like they’re all alone, or the “only one.” In this podcast, Shelancia shares many heart-warming and eye-opening stories that drive home the importance of community, of being there for children in need, and of providing a place where children can feel safe, accepted, and free to create. Creativity Shell not only provides that space, it also teaches kids the elemental skills they need to survive. [26:25- 30:12] Shelancia attributes the amazing success of Creativity Shell to her passionate and committed team. In just five years, they’ve grown to the level of a 10-year-old organization. And their aspirations don’t stop there. Tune in to hear these inspiring stories, and to learn more about Shelancia’s plans for the future.If you’d like to connect with Shelancia and her team, learn more about the Love Bug campaign, or donate money, fabric, or craft items, visit creativityshell.org. In Rochester, visit creativityshellroc.org. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Kristina started the “Auntie-Sewing Squad” as a way to connect with friends during the pandemic. Today it’s a national network with more than 800 volunteers doing their part to help vulnerable communities. Like Kristina, many members of the Sewing Aunties are of Asian descent, and their families’ involvement in the garment industry played a role in their passage to America. Although sewing has been a part of Kristina’s life since she was young, she shares that she only took it up seriously when she started sewing props for her shows. Whatever the performance—whether it’s her current show, “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord,” “The Wong Street Journal”, or “Kristina Wong for Public Office”, Kristina discovered that using props made it easier for the audience to relate to her and to the stories she’s sharing. One of her favorite examples was when she created hundreds of felt hashtags as props to demonstrate the rise of the cancel culture. Whether she was throwing hashtags at the audience or they at her, it was a very tactile way to describe a culture that’s very digital. (6:30 -11:08)When her tour of “Kristina Wong for Public Office” was canceled due to the pandemic, Kristina saw an article that hospitals were looking for cloth face masks, and so she made one. Then she posted on social media that she’d make masks for anyone who was immunocompromised or a frontline worker. For every 30 masks she sent out, a request for 90 more would come in. Her passion builds as she talks about the impact this effort had on her, the mask recipients, and the volunteers. When a neighbor who was helping her said that aunties are being called on to fix this, Kristina was struck by the image of aunties because it made her think of a non-threatening immigrant lady who’s just kind of caring and sweet and doing the work of a soldier. And so, the group became the Auntie Sewing Squad. (13:12- 17:50 )Before long, the group shifted its focus from medical workers to farmworkers, indigenous reservations, migrants at the borders, incarcerated people, and poor communities that were impacted and that had no other source of support. The fact that many of these people were victims of systemic racism was not lost on the Auntie Sewing Squad. To provide support for The Auntie Sewing Squad volunteers, the group has started “Auntie Care.” It has partnered with Hollaback for bystander intervention training and is also providing self-defense training for many of its volunteers. Kristina explains that while the actual pandemic is winding down, the racial pandemic continues. She and the Auntie Sewing Squad are committed to helping fight it through labor and fabric. Because of assimilation and loss of her native language, Kristina feels that she lost connection to her heritage. She re-discovered that connection through sewing. When she was with her grandmother, and her grandmother started adding stitches to what she was working on, Kristina realized that sewing was a language they shared — a language that can provide a bridge to the past and the future. (40:00 -43:19)Kristina shares how the group has taught everyone to be generous with each other, and she talks about the power of generosity. Her book, The Auntie Sewing Squad Guide to Mask Making, Radical Care, and Racial Justice will be released in the fall and chronicles the evolution of The Auntie Sewing Squad. A cross between anthology, memoir, and visual record, it shines a light on the power of community. In addition to the book, she’s also re-working “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord” for the stage. It will be premiering in New York this coming fall. Kristina’s generous spirit, and her belief that giving more to others is a way to create more power for yourself, are both brought to life in her work and in this interview. As you listen, you’ll find yourself thinking about ways you can create a better world. If you’d like to reach out to Kristina or find ways to support the Auntie Sewing Squad’s efforts, visit auntiesewingsquad.com Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

In this enlightening and aspirational conversation with Dr. Karen Nyberg, we learn how she combines her experience in space with her passion for textile art and design—especially as it relates to conservation and sustainability. Karen’s mom taught her to sew at the age of six, and she made her first shirt complete with interfacing before she was 10. When she wasn’t making her own clothes, Karen was drawing with pencil and charcoal. Eventually, she started mixing her art with fabric. When she got into college, she stopped sewing clothes and started using her artistic talent to make gifts for people, including blankets, quilts, and pillows. By college, Karen knew she wanted to be an astronaut, and she knew engineering was the best route to get her there. Why she decided to choose mechanical engineering as her discipline is fascinating. One of the reasons is because of the drawing. The whole design process appealed to her, and she believes that the things she learned as a young girl would prove to be beneficial to her in mechanical engineering: learning to use a pattern, following directions, understanding how tolerance is built up in sewing, and learning patience. Like sewing, mechanical engineering is the coming together of the left brain and right brain. (4:46- 6:46) After her first trip to space in the space shuttle Discovery in 2008, she launched on the Soyuz Spacecraft in 2013 and lived on the International Space Station for 166 days. Only a small allotment of personal stuff was allowed: she brought a little fabric, needles, a magnetic needle case, and some thread. Although she really didn’t have a plan for them at the time, when the International Quilt Festival put a call out around the world for people to submit star-theme quilt blocks, she created a 9-inch quilt block. It was one of 2400 quilt blocks submitted from around the world that were sewn into king-size quilts and showcased at the Festival. They are currently being housed at the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. (7:05 -8:27). While she was on the International Space Station, Karen made things out of upcycled things that were already on the space station. Her first creation was a dinosaur for her son, made from fabric that lined the food containers, and an old t-shirt she cut into strips and used as filler. This dinosaur later became the inspiration for the fabric she designed for SVAHA USA, a STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art & Math) inspired clothing company. Being on the Space Station sparked a new level of creativity for Karen. She says, “Seeing the earth from space forever changed how I look at the earth and think about how we live on the planet.” She talks about seeing the earth from that unique vantage point, and how you see that there are no borders on the countries, everything is interconnected, and how it’s evident even in the cloud patterns. She uses the analogy that Earth is our spaceship, we are all crewmates, and our primary focus is to maintain the health of the spaceship because that’s how we survive. She describes seeing Earth from space as the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen. She shares how her creative process evolved while there, and why she is committed to sharing her experience with others through her art, which is based on photos she took while in space. (11:56-14:43)Karen talks about the creative process of working with the designers at Robert Kauffmann Fabrics to create a signature line of fabric; with Aurafil Threads to design “Earth Views,” a line of curated threads that will be released this summer; with Svaha USA on her “Dinos in Space” collection. Karen has also started a new online store for her artwork, which can be accessed via her website, karennyberg.com (15:30-21:05)Karen’s perspective on sewing is fascinating, and her description of how sewing is different in space can be seen on YouTube and heard in this spellbinding interview, that’s rich in discovery.You can connect with Karen at: karennyberg.com, and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

This fascinating podcast features the individual and shared journeys of two exceptionally talented sewists who learned to sew through watching videos, reading, and attending “YouTube University.” Both love bold fabrics and prints that echo their heritage. Both create from the heart. With roots in Ghana, South Africa, Monica was born and raised in New York City and currently lives in Dallas, Texas. She took up sewing on the tenth Mother’s Day after her mother’s death as a way to feel more connected to her. Although her mother was an avid sewist, Monica never thought she’d be bitten by the sewing bug. Her passion for fashion proved otherwise. She’s the founder of Project Sew, an in-person, all-day sewing meetup inspired by Project Runway. She’s also the host of a monthly sew-along on Instagram called, Sew your View. Julian’s passion for sewing is also on full display. A public health worker in Cincinnati, Ohio he brings joy to the world through his colorful menswear creations. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including Sewn Magazine and Sew News. Julian is a BERNINA® Ambassador and a Laurastar Ambassador. When he’s not sewing, he loves connecting with people throughout the sewing community. His Facebook group Sew Manly addresses men’s inclusion in the sewing space, including sis gender and transgender. Although he’s done a little bit of everything, Julian loves to focus on classic menswear with a bold take of fabrics and prints—especially Ankara fabrics and other African textiles. With her strong roots in Africa, Monica is also drawn to its bold and vibrant prints. She started out creating long cascading dresses and what she refers to as “fun glam.” Today, she’s focused on creating women’s fashion and resort-style wear. Their shared affinity for Ankara fabrics and other African textiles isn’t the only thing Monica and Julian have in common. (4:46 – 6:20)Monica shares how the death of George Floyd made her realize the need for action. She put together a Zoom call of black makers in a show of solidarity. They shared their own stories and discussed ways they could highlight the voices and talents of black makers and ensure they got credit for their creations. Monica and Julian marvel at how a three-hour call ended up becoming a full-blown coalition with a mission to bring about cultural transformation in the sewing and crafting industry. As a result of their work, change is starting to occur. Machine companies, like BERNINA and Janome, are open to having discussions on building diversity. Craft and fabric stores are beginning to show different genders, body shapes, and ethnicities in their advertising. Thousands of creators are joining the movement and using their energy to create a crafting world that is inclusive of all people, all races, all nationalities, all bodies, and all genders. (13:49- 19:31) In their words, “This is a movement, not a moment.” Companies looking for makers that are willing to go out and speak or get involved in other ways can visit [email protected] or they can go to the @blkmakersmatter Instagram page, where there’s a link to a makers’ list of allies and businesses who support the initiative. (24:50-25:50)During the conversation, Monica and Julian explore what it means to truly be an ally; how it’s getting involved in the work, having a conversation with your circle of influence, building connections, and working for social justice. In their words, “This is a movement, not a moment.” Each person needs to realize that there are multiple roads in this journey, not everyone is on the same road, and that we all need to be respectful of that. Even in our discomfort, we all need to move together in unity. To really appreciate the depth and breadth of the commitment and passion of these two amazing artists and activists, you need to tune in and catch this casual conversation. To learn more or to reach out to Monica and/or Julian, go to: [email protected] To connect with Monica, visit [email protected], Thatssewmonica at YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy To connect with Julian, go to Julian Creates on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, and “Sew Manly” on Facebook Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Pam grew up watching her mother sew dresses for her and her sister and was in fifth grade when she started taking sewing seriously. She recounts going to a sewing class with her mother where the teacher was a manager of a French design workshop in France, and how exciting it was to learn about the evolution of sewing. But wasn’t until Pam graduated high school and attended the MATC program that she fell in love with the serger. Pam describes the MATC program as an intense, well-rounded program that not only taught her about sewing, but also how to develop professional skills and hone them for business. She still keeps in touch with one of her professors who was instrumental in helping her and several other students get into the sewing industry. She fondly recalls going into her first classroom in 1982, and seeing this funny little machine sitting on a table. It was there that her love of serging began. (5:18-7:35) Pam calls her sewing room her happy place. One of her favorite things to sew is christening gowns or baptismal gowns. She shares the story of the time when a friend of her mother’s asked her to create a christening dress for her granddaughter using her wedding dress. As she was taking the dress apart, a piece of rice from her wedding dress fell out. This inspired Pam to also make a pillow for the grandmother, using the rice and the colors of her wedding. As she points out, this is just one of the many stories of how you can use your talent to truly bless other people. (11:09 – 13:10)Pam is passionate about teaching others, and it shows. She shares the joy she feels in helping someone go from eyes growing wide with fear at the mere mention of sergers to the exhilaration of discovering a whole new level of creativity. She talks about the many ways the new generation of sergers, like the BERNINA L Series, simplifies and expands the creative process with things like off-the-edge stitching, the use decorative threads, piping, inserting lace in an heirloom piece, and countless other techniques and processes. What used to take three or four different steps can now be done in one, like sewing and stitching and overcasting. She equates people learning to sew using new technologies to how it was when we went from hand sewing to sewing on a machine. The lesson she says, is that there are always new ways of learning and new opportunities that we need to keep our minds open to. (15:02-17:57)Talk about thinking outside the box: In April, Pam created a raincoat for Earth Day using recycled shopping bags from neighborhood shops. When word got out in the neighborhood that she was looking for colorful bags from a certain children’s clothing stores, young girls in the neighborhood started bringing them to her. She describes the process of cutting blocks of color, fusing interfacing on the back side of the plastic bags, and using black garbage bags from her garage for the sashing, and lining the coat with cotton fabric. She describes the finished product as cute and comfortable and way to help preserve the earth. (22:05-24:54).According to Pam, “When you do something you love to do it comes from within. which is why I feel I’ve never worked a day in my life.” To learn more about serging or Pam, simply stop by her Instagram and Facebook pages. But first, be sure to listen to our podcast with Pam. It could open up a whole new world of sewing possibilities. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

As we begin our conversation we learn about Michael’s early years and his realization that, for him, quilting isn’t about following a prescribed pattern, but rather about envisioning unlimited possibilities—the same possibilities he sees in life.Having received his degree in photojournalism from Emerson University, Michael started using photography as reference materials for his creations and later moved onto figurative works, which led him to create quilts that were quite different from the mainstream. In Michael’s words, “Photography taught me how to see the world.” (3:45-5:20)Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence are two artists Michael identifies with aesthetically. It was their abstract depictions of African American life that inspired him to continue to create abstracts of his daily life. He talks about how portraying everyday mundane scenes in an abstract way can capture the feeling and beauty of the moment. Michael goes on to explains how the freedom of not saying no guides him in his life and his art. He doesn’t want his creations to be stalled by questioning whether he should do x or y or z. Instead, he wants to go with the flow of the moment. Looking down the road, he wants to be able to look back and say, “Wow, I tried it all, I did it all.” (7:20 -8:34)Everything in his life up to this moment has impacted him in some way and he takes that into every part of his quilting. That includes all the pieces of fabric fans send to him for his art. According to Michael, “Each fabric I get, I can think of the person who gave it to me and how without that fabric the work wouldn’t have come together.” One of Michael’s favorite techniques is meandering quilting, where the stitching never overlaps. As he quilts, he thinks about the word meandering and how it applies to traveling and exploring with no pre-determined destination. He quilts in broad “brush strokes, with the fabric being the paint and the stitching the paintbrush that creates very fine detail work. He calls it painting with fabric and thread, which for him is a meditative and therapeutic process. As he approaches his first solo gallery show, Michael still can’t wrap his head around the fact that he can make a living off his art and fully support himself doing what he loves. “I can’t lie,” he says, “it’s super fun.” (13:53-14:32) As he started preparing for his upcoming show, he stepped back and thought about how being a working artist living in NYC was something that was beyond his wildest dreams. Each piece in his new show will speak to the theme of wildest dreams. At the precipice of his career, Michael knows that his love of quilting will always be with him. He’s also ready to expand his art practice into other mediums. Like Picasso, he wants to excel in them all. His goal is to create a show that represents all different disciplines, and that feels like there are fifteen artists represented when in reality, it all him. We’ve no doubt he’ll accomplish it. If you want to be inspired, you won’t want to miss this podcast.To learn more about Michael or to reach out to him personally, simply stop by michaelcthorpe.com Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Corin’s love of sewing began as a teenager when she enrolled in her high school’s fashion textiles program. It was here that she learned how to drape, draft and sew on an industrial machine. Knowing she wanted to be a fashion designer, Corin received a BA in Fashion Design at Norfolk State University. Unable to find work in the industry when she went to New York, where she went on to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology for Fashion Styling. Corin’s first internship was with the trade publication DNR, where she was afforded the opportunity to actually do work an assistant stylist would do. It was through this internship that she got her first freelance styling job for a trade show. Although sewing always came naturally for Corin, and she excelled at it, she used to say she hated sewing. Once she discovered tailoring, however, she realized it wasn’t sewing she hated, but the type of sewing she had been doing. “What I do love is tailoring. It’s fast. It challenges my brain. I do it. I’m done with it, and then I can move onto something else. [8:12 – 10:10]. The joy comes in not knowing what challenge each tailoring assignment will present. Corin shares that when she’s tailoring on set for a Broadway show, she feels like she’s walking into something new every day. She likes not knowing what kind of fabric she’ll be working with or what type of tailoring she’ll be doing. Once she discovered the thrill of tailoring and re-constructing garments, she knew she’d found her niche. Her story of how she originally got into Broadway and TV is fascinating; how she managed to get into the wardrobe union, and then tour with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey Dance Company. After 9 years of touring domestically and internationally with Alvin Ailey, she was ready to be home. (13:50 16:34) After returning to New York, she started stitching and dressing on Broadway, and then became an on-set tailor. Because she excelled at what she did, she continued to be referred for jobs. She was on an e-commerce job when a stylist asked her to take her place working with a celebrity performer. Then that stylist referred her. And then another. And another. “That’s how it works,” says Corin, “whether it’s Broadway or TV on on-set tailoring, it’s showing up and being the best person you can be. (19:05 -20:18). Speaking of celebrity, Corin’s story about some unexpected on-set tailoring for Maria Carey’s Christmas show. “All I Want for Christmas,” is not to be missed. Armed only with two safety pins, she was able to fix an outfit malfunction, and do a little free-styling with Mariah. You can hear the delightful and amusing story on the podcast (29:13-33:55), and then watch the actual event on Instagram. Styling for Broadway isn’t the only thing Corin excels at. Her passion for dressing women from all walks of life is evident as she talks about the Style Haven experience: an online store, brick and mortar fashion and accessory boutique, and a 24-ft. traveling boutique truck that provides women with an immersive styling experience. How does she successfully juggle being a swing dresser on Broadway, taking on tailoring gigs, and running a successful retail operation? Planning. Lots of planning. You can learn more about Corin on Instagram @Stylehaven, shopstylehaven.com, or by emailing her at [email protected] Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

During a casual conversation, Margaret shares that on a Saturday morning in 2005, she happened upon an article that was the genesis of The Sewing Machine Project. The article, written by a BBC reporter, was about three women returning to their village in Southeast Asia after the Tsunami of 2004. When asked what they hoped to find when they returned to her village, one woman’s answer really struck her. She simply said, “My sewing machine.” As Margaret recounts this story, she shares her realization that while she could survive without her sewing machine, this woman, and many others like her, could not. She read the story again and again. Realizing the inequity of things, she decided to collect sewing machines to give to those less fortunate. And so begins her journey of mending lives through sewing. (2:21-5:00)When Katrina hit New Orleans, Margaret and her team of volunteers shifted their focus from Sri Lanka to the Gulf. In March of 2006, she headed to New Orleans with a van full of sewing machines. And it just kept growing from there. While other people questioned if the effort would work, she never doubted it. According to Margaret, “There was always just some voice in me that said, just keep going. It’ll work. And it did.” A perfect example of this is when Margaret was wondering how she was going to get five machines that were similar and in good working order to take to a woman and husband team who were creating a community center in New Orleans. Unable to find a solution, she stepped away from the warehouse of the store where she worked. When she came back about three hours later, five identical machines, all in perfect working order, were lined just inside the customer door – which was odd because nobody ever left machines there. She found out that a local teacher had donated them. It was one of those moments when she knew she was doing the right thing. (8:15-12:42)Margaret’s passion for sewing and her belief that it can give people the space they need to plan forward is undeniable. “When I sew,” she says, “it’s almost like I’m entering a room and the piece I want to create is hovering in that room and I can walk around it and figure out how to create it by looking at the dimensions.” From there she asks herself what steps she needs to take to create the piece; what she needs to do first, second and third. By passing along the opportunity for people to learn to sew, Margaret believes she is also helping them to learn how to free their minds so they can problem-solve, one step at a time. She talks about working with women in shelters who have experienced extreme trauma, and how they live in a fight or flight world. Sewing gives them the opportunity to relearn what they have to do first, second, third to get to where they need to be. By learning how to construct a garment, they regain the ability to plan forward. (15:15-17:55) The Sewing Machine Project has been growing and evolving for 16 years. The organization helps groups locally, nationally and internationally. Locally, the organization partners with community leaders in Madison, Wisconsin to create classrooms, secure grant funding for teachers, and provide machines for classes. At the end of each class, students are gifted the machines they learned on. All that’s asked in return is that they pay it forward. Some sew flannel caps and donate them, others share their machines, or teach a friend to sew. A few years ago, the organization also started a mending site, where people can come and get things mended for free. It was so successful, a second site was opened, and then a third. And now, the mending program has taken off nationally. A primary tenant of The Sewing Machine Project is paying it forward, and groups are always asked how they intend to use the machines to help others in the community. While it has physically handed out 3200 machines, Margaret knows they’ve influenced many more lives because of the little ripples that go out from each machine they give. (21:00-27:38). Looking forward, Margaret intends to expand the outreach of her non-profit organization and is currently writing a book about the Sewing Machine Project. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Although Craig’s love of sewing began in his 8th grade Home Economics class, it came to the forefront when, a few years ago, he and his girlfriend broke up and the only thing he was left with was his sewing machine. It was then that he taught himself to make pillows, describing it as a newly found lost hobby. Although it took him years to realize it, Craig has an inherent drive to create. Not only does it help him decompress, it helps him stay true to himself. According to him, “When I sit at my machine, the rest of the world goes away. The fact that I have a finished product at the end, justifies that I’m not wasting my time. Sewing opened the lid to a whole new world.” (3:00 – 3:55) As the conversation with Craig unfolds, you soon realize that he is a man who lives life on his terms, who is not influenced by naysayers and bullies, and who can accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. Not only did he ignore the cajoling from fellow cast members about his love of sewing, he ultimately had the last laugh when his company Sewing Down South was featured on Home Shopping Network, and he secured a partnership with Thomasville Furniture to create a series of seasonal pillows. Craig was bullied and teased a lot as a kid, and he attributes his loving, supportive home environment as the reason he was able to overlook the bullying and to self-validate. That loving foundation has informed one of his primary missions in life, which is anti-bullying. He uses his success as a platform to encourage others to pursue their passions, and to not let anyone dissuade them from doing what they love. (8:38-11:22) He realizes that not everyone had the healthy influence he did growing up, and he wants to be that influence for others now. Another one of Craig’s passions is the Pillow Party. It began as a desire to get pillows into area boutiques and to make personal appearances at their stores. First there was a launch party for a store that was reopening in Camden, South Carolina, and from there, the Pillow Party Tour was born. They find stores that are a little outside main cities, and have catered events, complete with tons of pillows, special merchandise, live music, and hundreds of guests. These events give Craig the opportunity to share his personal journey, and for others to share theirs. “What I started to find is that way more people, way more males especially, sew than you think. Way more kids sew than you think.” He learned that it’s just something people don’t talk about—whether it’s the high school quarterback who came to one of his first events and revealed that he’d been sewing for a long time, or the slew of other guys that come to the parties with wives or partners or alone and share their passion for sewing. The Pillow Parties are a way for Craig to reach these people and give them voice, which helps put an end to gender stereotypes and outdated rules. (16:00 -18:32)His company, Sewing Down South started with five simple lines based on his time in the Bahamas. It has since grown into multiple lines, available on the Sewing Down South online store. On May 1st, Sewing Down South will open its flagship retail store in Charleston, South Carolina. The store, like the Pillow Parties, will provide an outlet for people to share their stories, their love of sewing, and to build community. There is so much to Craig’s story—from his many entrepreneurial adventures to the Pillows and Beer and Pillow Talk podcasts, to his soon-to-be-released memoirs. When the publisher first approached him about the possibility, Craig didn’t think he had enough stuff to share. Turns out he did.There are so many inspiring and insightful and engaging moments in this podcast with Craig, you won’t want to miss a single minute of it. You can connect with Craig at either of his Instagram sites: @caconover or @Sewingdownsouth. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

A mother of three and grandmother of four, Jinny starts this casual conversation by talking about how her love of family runs deep. Whether it’s her own family stories that remind her of her roots, biblical stories that help ground her in her faith, or stories of quilters that affirm her creativity, the common thread that runs through all of her families is the power of shared stories. When woven together, these stories create a new fabric of life.Jinny’s mom taught her to sew on an old Singer treadle sewing machine. What began out of necessity became a passionate calling. She shares her memories of learning how to sew and quilt, and how her art evolved over time. She talks about how each machine has its own song that it sings, its own tenor that tells you when something is going right and when it isn’t. Every stitch has its own story. (3:38-4:29)Like many quilters, Jinny finds comfort and warmth in the quilting community. Although she moves frequently, the quilting community keeps her connected. She says, “When you go into a quilting shop with something you’ve created, it always sparks a connection.” For her, this connection runs deep. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, she went from running a family and working full time to being on a journey of healing. When she shared that she had cancer with her watercolor quilting group, she started receiving cards from women sharing their own healing journeys. Often, the cards also contained scraps of fabric that were part of their personal stories. Ginny took those scraps and created a quilt about her own journey with cancer. When she shared the finished quilt with her husband, he asked if she had intentionally made a cross in the center of it. She had not. The fact that it organically happened affirmed Ginny’s belief that quilting creates its own kind of spiritual connection. The quilt was also a reminder of the support Jinny received from each of her families, especially the quilters. You can see this wonderful quilt in the book With Sacred Threads: Quilting and the Spiritual Life by Susan Towner-Larson and Barbara Brewer Davis. (6:00 – 8:46) Jinny shares her love of quilting, all forms of quilting. From water color quilting where you paint with fabric by piecing together fabrics of different hues and shades, to bright modern quilts, to historical quilts that echo the history of the colonial era. Being in a quilting group that creates revolutionary quilts is particularly rewarding for her. She talks about the beauty of creating quilts from scraps of other women’s stories to create a new story. There is, as she explains quite eloquently, something warm and beautiful about telling stories with fabric. (8:55-11:17) As quilting groups have been pulled apart due to Covid, Jinny believes that looking back and remembering history is a way to look forward. As an example, she cites how people on the plains were separated, and yet they continued to create and piece quilts to stay warm. She encourages quilters who are feeling isolated to join a Zoom quilting group, to use the art of quilting as a way to stay connected while reaching out and helping those in need, whether it’s people in hospitals, or those living in shelters. Jinny deeply believes that quilting can help us express ourselves and share stories that uplift one another in a deep and meaningful way. Be sure to tune into Jinny’s podcast to learn more about telling stories through quilting. If you’d like to reach out to Jinny to share your journey or learn more about hers, feel free to email her at [email protected] Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

Julane began sewing in middle school and loved it. “A hobby that got out of control.” is how she describes her passion for sewing in this insightful podcast. It began when she was doing community theater; budgets were limited, so she sewed her own costumes as a hobby. Then she began to collect costumes. Before long, word of her talent spread, and she was sought out to create costumes for school theatrical productions. She then took over a theatrical costume company, while still working full time. 15 years ago Julane began doing costuming full time. Her company, All Dressed Up Costumes in Batavia Illinois, was 3,500 sq ft when she bought it. Now it’s over 10,000 sq ft.As Julane shares the process of costuming for an entire production, you hear the passion in her voice. “Inspiration,” she says, “can come from a lot of different sources.” But one thing we learn that the story is always the star. Before you start envisioning costumes, you have to immerse yourself in the play and familiarize yourself with place and mood, and motive and time period. After that, you dive into the characters: their temperament, their motives, their relationships. (4:20-7:46)After she’s thoroughly familiarized with a play, she gets together with the production team, and everyone bounces ideas off each other. The director’s feedback is especially important. If there are fairies in the piece and the director says he/she wants them to reflect a darker natural feeling, you may use the earth, and bark and leaves of the trees as inspiration. If the fairies need to be magical, glitter may be added to create a more ephemeral feel. The biggest challenge in working as a costume designer on a big production is, as you might imagine, communication. Because she loves things that are pretty, she said her favorite things to create are elaborate French Restoration ball gowns. She describes the process of creating a luxurious Regency ballgown for a client who needed a gown for a formal ball. They shopped for the plush fabric and embellishments together, and she compared the completed product to something out of Bridgeton, saying, “We don’t wear those gowns now. I wish we wore those gowns now. I think I was born in the wrong century.” (14:38 -16:35)When people tell Julane they can’t sew, she tells them that It’s not them, it’s the equipment. When discussing the importance of a quality sewing machine, she uses the analogy of a carpenter, saying that if they have the right hammer, the right wrench, and the right set of drills, they get their job done well and get it done efficiently. But with the wrong equipment, they struggle. Her advice is to invest in the best machine you can. She describes in fascinating detail what other tools and equipment one needs to create costumes. (28:22- 34:32) If you’re an aspiring sewist, interested in creating costumes, or just want to get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the wonderful world of costuming, you won’t want to miss this podcast. You can connect with Julane by calling 630-879-5130 or emailing [email protected] You can also follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pg/alldressedupcostumes/about/ ) and Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/alldresseduphfx/?hl=en) Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

This casual conversation with Amanda Murphy takes us on an inspired-filled journey, from her humble beginnings as an aspiring tween sewist to a professional graphic designer to the twist and turns that led her to the career she loves and excels at today. Although her parents weren’t in creative fields, Amanda considers them to be her greatest influencers as they were always supportive of her creative endeavors, and they instilled in her the belief that she could do and be whatever she wanted. It was her parents who time and time again encouraged her to dive into her passions and see where the journey took her. To this day, Amanda’s mother continues to show her unwavering support. Amanda’s love of fabric and working with her hands goes back to when she was in elementary school. It all began with what Amanda refers to as, “an atrocious pink lace dress” she made for her mother; although her mother saw the imperfections in the dress she never let on. Much to Amanda’s amazement, her mother actually wore the dress. Years later, when she brought the subject up in conversation, her mother admitted that she had only worn it once. Laughing, Amanda continues with her story, “But she faked it. She seemed pleased with it at the time. That’s what I mean about parents being important influencers.” (5:27-6:20)After she had kids herself, Amanda took a few years off from her industrial and graphic design career. During that time she created a book of designs and sent them to a fabric company on a whim. As it turns out, the company loved them and her career in quilting began. She didn’t realize, until years later, how influential her original career in graphic design had been until she started applying those skills when working on her website or drawing patterns. In our conversation, Amanda shares that for her, the experience of creating is far more important than the end product. It’s about the joy of making and creating. (7:25-8:10) She says the fact that her career allows her to do a broad range of things keeps her job interesting. Whether she’s buying fabric, writing patterns, sewing, acting in the capacity of a BERNINA Expert or Quilting and Longarm Spokesperson or teaching, Amanda’s heart and mind are consistently engaged.Amanda loves helping others stretch their boundaries, and to try new things that take them out of their comfort zone. (9:22-9:50) She shares how exciting it is when students try something they saw her do and didn’t think they could do, and then they accomplish it. She talks about her love of teaching and how it informs her design by helping her to think in a different way. She also reveals that when she began teaching, it was way out of her comfort zone, but now it is one of her greatest sources of inspiration. Another example of Amanda stepping outside of her comfort zone is when she created an exquisite all-gold quilt for Bernina’s 125th anniversary. Her 35-plus year journey in this profession, is rich in discovery and accomplishments.Her explanations and explorations of free motion and ruler work quilting and going from handwork to machine are both fascinating and enlightening. Amanda describes in detail how free motion and ruler work are the yin and yang of quilting, and how they work together to bring life to a piece. (11:08-15:15) As much as she loves the amazing things computerized quilting systems allow her to do, Amanda still loves the imperfection and look of hand touch. During our time together Amanda talks about the importance of community and of having mentors and people to bounce ideas off and who you trust for feedback, because sometimes people can see things in you that you can’t see yourself, (19:45-23:48). Her descriptions of the creative process during this podcast are poetry in motion; a poetry these words can’t do justice to. Be sure to tune in and listen to this amazing artisan as she shares her journey with us. You can learn more about Amanda at blog.amandamurhpydesign.com (https://blog.amandamurphydesign.com). You can also check out her Facebook group, Quilting With Amanda Murphy (https://www.facebook.com/groups/free.motion.quilting.idea.book/ ), her Pinterest page (https://www.pinterest.com/amdfabrics/amanda-murphy-design-quilts/), and numerous YouTube videos. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests. 

This episode explores Bisa Butler’s fascinating journey, which began with her getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting at Howard University. Realizing painting was not her passion, she went on to Montclair University to pursue a Master's in Teaching. It was there, while making a quilt in her first-ever fibers class, that she had an artistic epiphany; she realized she could do what she loved, express her creativity in a way that moved her deeply, and tell the countless untold stories of African Americans.Each pivotal step in her journey is described in fascinating detail. She talks about learning to sew from her grandmother; a black woman, and wife of an Emissary, who found herself transported to Morocco. She and her husband had to attend many formal events, and since they couldn’t afford to buy the refined clothing one was required to wear, her grandmother would pore through fashion magazines and create replicas of designer outfits. The scraps of fibers and fabrics from those outfits can be seen in Bisa’s portraits of her grandmother and grandfather. She explains how using little bits of their lives helped inform her work. Butler describes her work as “excavating the soul, where her own spirit has a conversation with someone who has long passed. The process begins with a portrait. By gazing into the eyes of her subject and really looking at the lines, creases, scars, and the expression in their eyes, she can ‘hear’ their unspoken story. She spoke of the improvisational nature of private quilts and their ability to tell the personal experiences of her people (21:20 – 24:21). As she details her journey through galleries and museums, Butler recounts the bias that was shown towards artists who use cloth in their art. But through all the rejections and dismissals, she kept at it, slow and steady, until her work was exhibited at the Seraleli Gallery in New York. From that moment, her work began getting accepted at more galleries and museums. Her latest fiber and fabric creation, The Storm, the Whirlwind, and the Earthquake features a life-sized representation of abolitionist and social reformer Fredrick Douglass whose magnetic gaze pulled her in. This piece is a powerful example of how Butler’s painterly textiles convey a sense of shared humanity. It is currently on exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art. Her textile creations are also being exhibited in the European Painting Gallery Space at the Art Institute of Chicago through September 6, 2021. This is the first time a living artist has been showcased in this space. Her work is also featured in Dress Up, Speak Up: Regalia and Resistance at the 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.