Seamwork Radio

In this episode, we’ll hear stories from the Seamwork team about how past and future generations of sewists have impacted our sewing stories. As a podcast listener, you get half off an unlimited membership to Seamwork. Just go to https://www.seamwork.com/go/podcast50 and sign up

Folkwear has been creating patterns for nearly 50 years. Despite four changes in ownership and two recessions, this women-owned business is still making patterns today.   As a podcast listener, you get half off an unlimited membership to Seamwork. Just go to https://www.seamwork.com/go/podcast50 and sign up

In this episode, we’ll hear stories about sharing, and how we share our craft with our loved ones. We asked you about a time that you sewed for someone else. Did it go as planned? Did they love it? How did they react?   As a podcast listener, you get half off an unlimited membership to Seamwork. Just go to https://www.seamwork.com/go/podcast50 and sign up.

Maggie Crisler stands 6’1” tall, is plus-sized, and feels like her accent isn’t quite Southern enough for her small Alabama town, but it’s too Southern for the rest of the world. After a tumor on her pituitary gland caused her to rapidly gain over 90 pounds in one year, she thought she was locked out of clothing that fits. And she quit sewing. Why should she bother making clothing if her body might be totally different in a few months? “I didn’t know what was gonna happen, and I still honestly don’t know what’s gonna happen with my health and my body. I don’t know if once we get all of the stuff sorted, if I’m going to drop 30 pounds or if I’m going to stay the same size or what. “ Maggie is a force. She plays a bright red vintage organ in a rock ‘n roll band, quilts, has long, wavy red hair, sews her clothes by hand, and has a cool job at Alabama Chanin. When you talk to her, she exudes confidence. She’s matter of fact. She has a kind tone in her voice, she’s a great storyteller, and you can’t help but want

In this episode, we’ll hear stories about how sewing connects us. We asked you the question, when has sewing helped you form unexpected connections? Adrienne finds a sense of connection through the online community but also with previous generations of sewers and makers in her own family. Megan finds a sewing pattern in her grandmother’s sewing stash with a special note. We also talk about building our own communities. Carmela Zabala, one of the founders of Sew Tampa Bay, shares some tips for cultivating your very own sewing meet-up. Don’t forget to share your stories with us! Next month (October 2020), we’re looking for stories about sharing handmade gifts. You can share your story at http://www.seamwork.com/go/answer. Building a Local Sewing Community Sewing Heals: An interview with Tabitha Sewer Sewing Heals T-shirt Smart Closet Read the latest issue of Seamwork   Check out the latest patterns the Milo cardigan and the Sawyer skirt.

It’s unlikely that you’ve met a father and daughter with a bond like that of Michael and Ava. Ava is 9 years old, and absolutely loves her dad, Michael. Not only does she feel comfortable discussing her life with him and letting him in on what’s bothering her as she grows up, but they collaborate together on custom-sewn outfits just for her. Years ago, Michael made the decision to be there for his daughter. Sometimes that’s meant listening to her when she faces a problem at school, and other times it’s meant learning to do her hair or paint her nails. And it’s also meant using his creativity to learn to sew for her. As a single Black father who works every day to empower his daughter to become the person she’s meant to be, he’s breaking stereotypes. As a male in a traditionally female-dominated hobby space, he’s used his creativity to empower others to be vulnerable, empathetic, and share what they create with pride. "One of my biggest goals was for her to be able to express herself. That was a struggle fo

In this episode, we’ll hear stories about sewing projects gone awry, and how failures can become opportunities. Marjorie thought she had ruined the dress she was sewing to wear to her son's wedding when she burned a hole in it. After literally throwing the dress in the trash, she decided to turn the flaw into a feature and added hand embellishment to cover the burn. Tiffanie wanted to give up on a ruffled dress for a student showcase, but when she finally finished the dress, she felt proud of how she executed her vision. Tiffanie says the when you are frustrated, take a break from the project to get some perspective. Munirah was frustrated when a bra project just didn’t fit the way she wanted it to. She was ready to just move on to the next project, but after an epiphany one night, she was able to salvage the project. Maressa was ready to give up on a knitting project after repeatedly ripping out a sleeve she could get quite right. After deciding to pivot and make the sweater sleeveless, she created one of he

Ashley grew up in British Columbia, Canada and had a freewheeling, happy childhood. Her mother was confident, creative, and charismatic. Everyone seemed to adore her, especially Ashley. She was full of energy and seemed able to do anything. But as Ashley got older, a different picture emerged. She learned that her mom had a secret, and over time it would destroy their relationship – and her mom’s life. But somehow, for some reason, the experience of sewing with her mom remained one of the few bright spots. “I just feel like, you know, that was sort of one of the one of the activities that we shared where she wasn't she wasn't so critical. She wasn't hard on me. She was competitive with me. You know, she coached me. She gave me some space. She gave me, like, access to her tools.” “I'm pretty sure my mom made the shirt she's wearing, plus the sweater my toddler brother was wearing, and she definitely made the pink corduroy overalls I'm wearing, plus the booties. I used to ask her about those overalls all the ti

Welcome to Season 3 of Seamwork Radio! After a long hiatus, we're back with a brand new season of stories. We'll bring you a new full-length story on the first of the month this fall, along with a mini-episode on the 15th. You'll hear stories from the lives of people like you, and how sewing has impacted them. We're so happy to be back! Enjoy the first episode with Ashley, and look for our mini-episode in mid-August 2020.

In 1999, Kristine Vejar took her first trip to India. There, she met the Rabari, a small community that changed her perspective and direction for the future. In this story told by contributor Jessica Yen, Kristine shares what she learned, and how that informed the direction of her growing business, A Verb for Keeping Warm. Related links from this episode: A Verb for Keeping Warm, Kristine’s multi-faceted business. The Modern Natural Dyer, Kristine’s book    

In 2008, sewing blogger Melissa Fehr revealed something on her blog: she’d been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. Soon, she’d need a complete bone marrow transplant. In this episode, Melissa shares how her relationship with her body changed before and after this life-changing experience – and how this relationship eventually led her to designing her own patterns. Related links from this episode: Fehr Trade, Melissa’s blog and patterns Be The Match, the US National Marrow Donation Program British Bone Marrow Registry  

In September 2015, Marie wrote a post on her sewing blog called “Loving a Person, Not Their Gender.” In that post, she talked about the experience of having her partner come out as transgender. In today’s story, we talk to Marie and her girlfriend Charlotte about that experience, and what came after. Editor’s note: At the end of this episode, the name of Marie’s blog is misidentified as Diary of a Sewing Fanatic, another lovely sewing blog. Marie’s blog is called A Stitching Odyssey. We apologize for the error. Related links from this episode: Loving a Person, Not Their Gender, Marie’s blog post from September 2015. A Stitching Odyssey, Marie’s blog Marie on twitter Marie on Instagram Charlotte on Instagram  

Have you ever wished for a way to just punch in your measurements somewhere and get a pattern that’s drafted just for you? That’s the idea behind makemypattern.com, a menswear-focused website created by Belgian sewist Joost De Cock. Joost went from only sewing a few curtains and pillows to making his own wardrobe to creating this incredible online service in the span of just a few years. In this episode, we talk about his learning process and resources he recommends to improve your own sewing. Related links from this episode: Make My Pattern, Joost’s pattern site All Things Joost Joost on twitter  

Felicia Semple is the creator of The Craft Sessions, an incredible sewing retreat she created to help teach women to find joy and meaning – not perfection – in the practice of craft. In this episode, I talk to Felicia about her path to creating the sewing retreat she dreamed of, and how the "head stuff" around sewing and creating has affected her life. Related links from this episode: The Craft Sessions, Felicia’s blog The Craft Sessions Retreat, where you can learn more about attending the event The Craft Sessions Manifesto offers an overview of Felicia’s philosophy  

Talking publicly about money is a little bit taboo for most of us. And yet, it motivates and influences much of what we do with our lives, how we spend our time, and how we cope with feelings. In today’s episode, designer Heather Lewenza of Closet Case Files opens up about how money and spending have shaped her life and career, and led her to the world of home sewing. From working in an auto factory to designing shopping centers to running her own business, see how Heather’s relationship with money has transformed her thinking over time. Related links from this episode: Closet Case Files, Heather’s company The Bombshell Swimsuit The Ginger Jeans The Clare Coat The Morgan Jeans  

Jacqui Palhegyi is the blogger behind Birds of a Thread, a sewing and ethical fashion blog. She’s always been passionate about issues of social justice. But it was on a trip to Egypt with her husband that an encounter forever shifted the way she thought about how her clothing was made – and what she could do about it. Related links from this episode: Birds of a Thread, Jacqui’s blog The Colette Violet blouse  

Jennifer Wiese had a dream. The founder of Brooklyn sewing studio Workroom Social wanted to create a weekend-long sewing event that brought a spirit of play and fun to sewing. In 2015, she hosted Camp Workroom Social, an overnight sewing camp for adults. She talks about why being present and open to imperfection is always better than fretting over mistakes – in sewing and in life. Related links from this episode: Workroom Social Camp Workroom Social  

Gretchen Jones is the controversial winner of season 8 of Project Runway. Her singular style won the show, but her bold and ambitious personality led her to be cast as the season’s villain. In this interview with contributor Heather Lewenza, Gretchen talks about what led her to put herself out there on television, what life was like after sudden fame, and how she’s discovered her true career path through it all. Just a note, this recording does have several words that you may not find appropriate for young listeners. Related links from this episode: Follow Gretchen on Instagram Follow Gretchen on Pinterest A Closet Tour with Gretchen Jones by Heather Lewenza, in this month’s issue of Seamwork Magazine Project Runway Season 8 The Neutral Territory, an experiment in dressing within a focused palette Heather Lewenza of Closet Case Files, our intrepid reporter!  

Many of us are familiar with writer’s block, that creative emptiness that hits you when you have all the freedom in the world and a blank page. But what about the opposite: when you face tough times and a lack of freedom, but discover in that an unstoppable will to create? Creating something from nothing is Leah Price’s passion. After spending ten years in what she describes as almost complete isolation, caring for her two children with special needs, Leah discovered a deep and abiding creative energy in repurposing what is unloved and wasted. Related links from this episode: Other Boxes, Leah’s blog Our Social Fabric, the textile recycling initiative in Vancouver, where Leah is a board member. Our article on Our Social Fabric in Seamwork Magazine. Copying Complex Garments, an article by Blossom Jenab in Threads Magazine  

Morgan Meredith is the designer and creator of Thread Theory, a menswear sewing pattern line. From the time she was little, Morgan knew she wanted a life that she could control. But when her husband decided to join the military, she thought those dreams might be shattered. Listen to Morgan’s story of dramatic changes and rediscovering what really makes her happy. Links from this episode: Thread Theory, Morgan’s sewing pattern line