Handicraft and Stitch - The Podcast!

Why is the Big Box Store — aka “the wolf” — so bad? For this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael tackle a big question with tangled threads: Why is the Big Box Store — aka “the wolf” — so bad? How did giant craft and retail chains become so massive, convenient, and unavoidable since the 1990s? What happens when low prices and endless convenience come at the cost of local fabric sho...

Beth's Creative Stitchery - Interview with Laura In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael sit down with Laura, the current owner of Beth’s Creative Stitchery and one of the coolest creative shop owners in Columbus, Ohio. What unfolds is less of an interview and more of a real, honest conversation between three women living and working in the sewing world. Laura is a true Jackie...

We Definitely Podcast Now Season 2 is here, and we’re kicking things off the only way we know how—by sitting down together and catching up. In this episode, Nikki and Rachael reflect on the very first year of Handicraft and Stitch: how it started, what we’ve learned, and the moments that shaped us along the way. From personal health updates to showing up in our local creative community at the Colu...

Season One Finale: Craftivism — Craft as Activism We’re closing out season one of Handicraft and Stitch with a big conversation: craftivism — the idea that craft can be activism. In this episode we wander through stories, history, and present-day moments where craft has carried meaning far beyond the stitches. We talk about quilts and the stories connected to the Underground Railroad, the cultural...

Season 1 / Episode 16: Yarn + One Hook = Crochet 🧶✨   Welcome back to our Yarn Series — this is Part Two, and we’re trading in two needles for one powerful little hook. This week on Handicraft and Stitch, we’re sitting down with official bestie-of-the-podcast Brittany — certified crochet baddie and hook-wielding queen — to chat all things crochet. From how she got started to why crochet hits dif...

Season 1 / Episode 15: Yarn + Two Needles = Knitting What happens when you hand someone yarn, two needles, and a whole lot of curiosity? You get knitting—plus a few dropped stitches and a good story or two. In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Rachael and Nikki sit down to talk all things beginner knitting. Nikki shares how she learned to knit as a kid (spoiler: it’s never too early and never...

Season 1 / Episode 14: Handmade Holiday Gifts with Nikki & Rachael  This week on Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael are unwrapping a real treat: the top handmade holiday gifts from every decade starting in the 1950s. We dive into the evolution of handmade holiday gifts—from post-war practicality to modern-day creativity. Nikki and Rachael explore how each decade shaped the crafts we gave...

Season 1 / Episode 13: The Many Stories of Unhinged Sewing   Sewing isn’t always serene — sometimes it’s a little… unhinged or is it? In this episode, we’re lifting the seams on our most chaotic crafting moments, along with stories from the community. Whether it’s a project gone sideways or a hilarious recovery, these are the moments that remind us why we keep stitching — even when the bobbin runs...

Season 1 / Episode 12: Crafters of the Night - Handmade Halloween Costumes    This Halloween, we’re skipping the store-bought look and getting stitched in the spirit—not shopping at Spirit Halloween! In this episode, we dive into the creative magic of making your own costume, from brainstorming ideas to bringing spooky (or sparkly) visions to life with what you already have. We’ll share tips for t...

Season 1 / Episode 10: What to Consider When Building Your Capsule Wardrobe   In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the art of creating a capsule wardrobe—one that’s intentional, versatile, and sustainable. We walk through the key things to consider when building your own capsule, from choosing timeless pieces to making sure your clothes fit your lifestyle (not the other way aroun...

Season 1 / Episode 11: The Story Behind Nikki's Handmade Wedding Dress   In this heartfelt episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki shares all about designing and sewing her very own wedding dress—from the first sketch to the final stitch. Both Nikki and Rachael share about their time working in the alterations room at David’s Bridal. Yes, they have another previous employer in common. This experie...

Season 1 / Episode 9: Mending and Making Do In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the roots of the “Mend and Make Do” movement that began in Britain during wartime—when creativity, thrift, and necessity came together in powerful ways. We’ll connect those historic lessons to today’s growing movement of mending as an act of rebellion against fast fashion and throwaway culture. Racha...

Season 1 / Episode 8: Fabric Care for All! Confession time: we’ve all let fabric sit a little too long in a bin or wondered if we can really throw that delicate textile in the wash. In this episode, we’re tackling the mysteries of fabric care with easy, down-to-earth tips. Because when you care for your fabric, your fabric takes care of your making. Nikki, our fabric care expert, discusses the jou...

Season 1 / Episode 7: Her Story - Ancient Egypt Linen & Knitted Socks of Ancient Egypt We’re kicking off our brand-new Her Story mini-series, where we explore the women, hands, and histories behind the textiles throughout time. In this first installment, we travel back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt to uncover how linen was grown, spun, and woven into the fabric of daily life — and how a...

Season 1 / Episode 6: “Where the F*ck Did Home Economics Go?!?” Home Ec isn’t just about sewing aprons and baking casseroles—and it never was. In this fiery episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real roots of Home Economics and asking why it disappeared from classrooms (and our lives). Spoiler: it has everything to do with power, gender, and who gets to decide what's considered "serious e...

Season 1 / Episode 5: Curating Your Sewing Toolkit – Hand Sewing Edition Ready to thread the needle on your sewing journey? In this episode, we’re going back to basics—and making them beautiful. Rachael and Nikki break down the essential tools every hand-sewist should have in their starter kit (spoiler alert: it’s less than you think!), plus a few fun extras if you’re ready to level up. We’re also...

🧵Bonus Episode 1: Buzz Buzz...The Sewing Hive 🐝 In this sweet-as-honey episode, we sit down with Jamie, co-founder and owner of The Sewing Hive—a vibrant sewing school right here in Columbus, Ohio! 🧷✂️ Jamie (Nikki’s fabulous friend and fellow stitch sorceress) shares her sewing story, the spark that started The Sewing Hive, and how this buzzing community hub is helping people of all ages and s...

Season 1 / Episode 4: You're Sew Gay - Happy Pride 2025!   The Rainbow Was a Revolution: Gilbert Baker & the Original Pride Flag 🌈✂️ Pull up a chair and grab your favorite sparkly thread — this week, we're stitching a story that changed the world. In this special Pride episode, Rachael dives into the vibrant legacy of Gilbert Baker, the artist and activist behind the original rainbow flag. 💖...

Season 1 / Episode 3:  In this delightfully inky episode, Rachael and Nikki roll up their sleeves and dive into the wonderfully textured world of block printing. Whether you’re curious about carving your first lino block or you’ve admired the crisp charm of hand-pressed woodblock prints from afar, this is your cozy beginner’s guide. The duo chats through the basics—what makes wood and linoleum blo...

Season 1 / Episode 2: The Magic of Thrifting Your Supplies! Welcome back to Handicraft and Stitch! In this episode, we dive into the creative joy (and sweet surprises) of thrifting your sewing supplies. From unexpected fabric finds to secondhand scores that spark inspiration, we're sharing our favorite thrift shopping stories and tried-and-true tips for sourcing fabric and tools on a budget. Wheth...

Season 1 / Episode 1: Sew...I Guess We Podcast Now.   Meet Rachael and Nikki — Our Story, Our Why, and What We’re Stitching Today Welcome to the very first episode of Handicraft and Stitch: The Podcast! We’re Rachael and Nikki—two friends, makers, and big believers in the power of slow stitching, shared stories, and community care. In this kickoff episode, we’re sitting down (probably with a mug o...