Sew & So...

Today on Sew & So, we’re talking with Anna Escher of Sew. Lala Patterns, whose creative journey has taken her from fine art and art history to sewing, pattern design, teaching, and a whole lot of other hands-on pursuits. Inspired by her father and grandmother, Anna began sewing around the age of ten, and she’s never stopped exploring what creativity can look like. From silversmithing and woodw...

Today, we’re talking about something many of us have tucked away in a drawer or closet—T-shirts that carry memories. Our guest, Andrea Funk, has spent more than 30 years finding a way to turn those memories into something you can actually see, use and enjoy. She’s the founder of Too Cool T-shirt Quilts and the creator of a multi-size block, puzzle-style approach to T-shirt quilting that grew out o...

Welcome to Sew & So…we’re excited to introduce you to someone whose work brings together so many of the things we talk about here on Sew & So—sewing, creativity, craftsmanship, and the incredible power of clothing to transform the way we see a person. Amanda Lifvendahl is the Costume Shop Supervisor and Lead Designer at Interlochen Center for the Arts, the internationally renowned arts edu...

This episode of Sew & So is a little different. Instead of one conversation, you're getting three! While recording at BERNINA University 2026 in New Orleans, we had the opportunity to sit down with three remarkable women who are each making an impact in very different ways. You'll meet Shelancia Daniel, founder of Creativity Shell, a nonprofit using sewing and other creative trades to build co...

What happens when sewing, cosplay, writing, teaching, natural history, horses, gaming, and a whole lot of curiosity come together? You get Annye Driscoll, better known online as Maker Fishmeal. Annye is a writer, teacher, software developer, cosplayer, and self-described “very slow crafter.” They’ve written books including The Ultimate Glue Guide, Finish Your Cosplay!, and Ultimate Encyclopedia of...

Welcome to a special edition of Sew & So, brought to you by BERNINA — Made to Create. While attending BERNINA University in New Orleans, the Sew & So team had the privilege of sitting down with Carl Mack—artist, musician, storyteller, preservationist, and founder of the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture. As Carl welcomed us into his world, every answer sparked another fascinating story abo...

:  In this episode of Sew & So , we’re joined by Dr. Cindie Husbands, founder of the American Tailors and Sewing Association. Few people can say they've been a professional mime at SeaWorld, designed award-winning bridal veils, produced performances at Carnegie Hall, Broadway Theatre, and the Sydney Olympics, built dance studios, manufactured casino uniforms in Las Vegas, launched a company that p...

New Orleans has long been a city where imagination comes to life. From the vibrant colors of the French Quarter and the rhythms of live jazz to the artistry behind Mardi Gras costumes, historic architecture, and unforgettable cuisine, creativity is woven into every corner of the city. It's the perfect backdrop for BERNINA University 2026, where this year's theme, "Imagine More," challenged dealers...

For nearly four decades, Becky Peelen has been helping people look and feel their best through the art of custom sewing. As the owner of Becky's Custom Sewing & Design Shoppe in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, she has created garments for weddings, graduations, performances, and countless milestone moments, becoming a trusted part of generations of families' lives. In this special episode of Se...

On this episode of Sew & So, we welcome Catherine Holbrook—garment sewist, Bernina Ambassador, former pattern designer, and the creative force behind Bringing Sewing Back. What began as a simple search for a hobby evolved into a thriving creative career built on garment sewing, thrift-store refashioning, pattern design, and a highly engaged online community. Catherine shares her journey from sewin...

If you've ever purchased a sewing machine, serger, embroidery machine, or any new piece of equipment and then felt completely intimidated by it, today's guest understands exactly how you feel. Sue O'Very—better known as Sookie of Sookie Sews—has made it her mission to help sewists move from fear to confidence. Since joining us for our 50th episode back in 2023, Sue has become one of the industry's...

What happens when thousands of makers, sewists, quilters, embroiderers, and creators gather under one roof for a brand-new event? In this episode of Sew & So, we take you directly to the inaugural Fiber & Fabric Craft Festival in Rosemont, Illinois, where creativity, community, and inspiration are everywhere you turn. From the organizers who brought the show to life, to exhibitors sharing their pa...

In this episode of Sew & So , we’re stepping into a powerful intersection of storytelling and sewing with filmmaker and artist Valerie Soe. Valerie is a fourth-generation Chinese American, born and raised in San Francisco, and like so many, her sewing journey started with a single machine—a 1970s Kenmore she still uses today. What began as a practical skill in high school, and later as a way to se...

In this episode of Sew & So , we’re joined by Cody Chenevert—BERNINA specialist, educator, and sales manager at Sew This! in Abita Springs, Louisiana. With more than 25 years of sewing experience, Cody has built a career that blends technical expertise, creative exploration, and a passion for teaching. From quilting and machine quilting for customers to designing his signature custom button-downs—...

Today on Sew & So , we welcome Cait Trantham whose creative path is as dynamic and unexpected as the life she’s lived. Born in Nebraska and raised in a military family, she grew up constantly on the move—an experience that shaped her adaptability, curiosity, and willingness to dive into something new. That sense of adventure carried into adulthood when she married a Marine, and together they’ve co...

Today we’re thrilled to welcome back Susan Khalje of Susan Khalje Couture. Susan first joined us on Sew & So in 2023 (Episode 75), where she shared her remarkable journey into couture sewing and her passion for teaching these refined techniques around the world. Since then, her work has continued to evolve—expanding her global reach through online education and immersive experiences abroad. Widely...

From a childhood surrounded by fabric and family to leading a team of talented sewists at Disney, Mary Lou Cox has stitched together a remarkable career in the entertainment industry. As Area Manager of the Creative Workroom at Disney, Mary Lou oversees the creation of magical garments and specialty pieces that help bring unforgettable guest experiences to life. Born in Mexico and raised in Califo...

Our guest today is Melanie Jasmine a costume designer and makeup artist based in Texas. With more than 10 years of experience in sewing and design, she began her involvement in the cosplay community at age 15. Within the community she hosts panels and crafting sessions, judges cosplay contests and is a brand ambassador. She represents a newer generation of professional cosplayers who combine costu...

Our guest today is Maelynn Wood, quilt pattern designer and owner of Mae Just Sew. Born and raised in Maine and now a West Coast transplant, Maelynn draws deep inspiration from the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest—a place that mirrors her design style: grounded, thoughtful, and quietly modern. She learned to hand sew in a high school home-ec class and honestly can’t remember a time when a n...

Our guest today is the incomparable Kenneth D. King, returning to the Sew & So Podcast after first joining us on Episode 72. Kenneth is a New York–based haute couturier renowned for his mastery of evening wear, couture technique, and design education. Born and raised in Salinas, Kansas, and later moving to Oklahoma, Kenneth’s path to fashion excellence led him to earn a degree in fashion merchandi...

Our guest today is Trixi Symonds, the founder of Sew a Softie, a global initiative that encourages adults—especially parents, teachers, and community leaders—to teach children how to sew. As Sew a Softie celebrates 10 years in 2026, the movement has grown into an international creative community that has helped tens of thousands of kids discover the joy of making something with their own hands. Tr...

Today on the Sew & So Podcast , we welcome Terrance Williams of Terrance Williams designs in Dallas, TX.   Born in Pennsylvania, he attended the University of Delaware and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in global studies and a triple minor in African Studies, Asian Studies and Women’s Studies. Considering law school, Terrance decided to pursue his drea...

Today on the Sew & So Podcast , we welcome Ingrid Alteneder, founder and CEO of Joe, June and Mae an online quilt pattern shop who is joining us from Frankfurt Germany.   Born and raised in Germany, she has travelled most of the world with her jobs and kids. Starting out in the fashion industry receiving her training through a combination of schooling and working at Peek & Cloppenburg. After learn...

Today on the Sew & So Podcast , we welcome Meg McElwee and Patrick McElwee—partners in life, work, and creativity. Together they are the co-founders of  Sew Liberated , a sewing education company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Their journey has taken them from the University of Notre Dame to the canyons of northern Mexico, where a combination of Montessori teaching, creativity, and a suitca...

In this episode of Sew & So we welcome costume designer and wardrobe freelancer Jessica Cronin, whose work spans film, television, theater, and fashion. Raised across the U.S., Singapore, and England, Jessica brings a globally shaped perspective to the way clothing communicates who we are. With a BA in Art History from Drew University and an MFA in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University, s...