Seamwork Radio: Sewing and Creativity

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 migh...

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 buildin...

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...

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...

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...

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-ep...

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 mult...

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 episod...

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...

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 e...

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 S...

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 facto...

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 V...

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 f...

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...

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 iso...

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 T...

Sadie Roberts and her partner started their label, Tradlands, without a lot of money or experience. They produce menswear-inspired shirting for women, and they believe strongly in what they make and how they serve their customers. But starting a US-made fashion label isn't easy. In this episode, Sadie shares how she got through some harrowing moments, why she didn't quit, and what she'd recommend...

Growing up in Oklahoma, Matthew always had the sense that he wasn't "normal." As he grew up, he began to ask questions. What's wrong with being interested in "feminine" things? And what does it say about how we view women? Links from this episode: The Thorn and Thread , Matthew's blog Matthew also recommends: Male Pattern Boldness TaylorTailor  

Charlie Wensley learned the hard way that trying to fit a pre-existing mold can have devastating effects. Charlie is the blogger behind nobleanddaughter.com . But before she rediscovered her love of making clothes, she struggled to meet her own expectations about the kind of person she thought she was supposed to be. This culminated in a battle with post-natal depression that left her questioning...

Jenny Rushmore is the blogger behind Cashmerette and a founder of The Curvy Sewing Collective . She's a woman who exudes warmth and confidence in everything she does. But it wasn't always this way. Learn how Jenny overcame childhood bullying and found her voice in the sewing community. Links from this episode: Cashmerette , Jenny's sewing blog The Curvy Sewing Collective The Ginger jeans pattern f...