Threads of Sustainability

Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Hunter, the inspiring force behind Long Way Homestead , a small-scale farm and mill in Manitoba that’s redefining what it means to work with wool in Canada. Anna is a farmer, fibre artist, and regenerative agriculture advocate who is changing the game when it comes to sustainable textile production. We dive deep into regenerative farming, the role of...

Send a text In Episode 46 of Threads of Sustainability, we sit down with Kate Hay of Quilt with Miss Kate, who brings over 15 years of experience in the quilt industry. Kate’s journey has taken her from working the cutting table to managing Virginia’s largest quilt shop, Patchwork Plus, and serving as the Moda/Ruby Star Society representative for the southeast. Her extensive background provides a...

Send a text In this episode of Threads of Sustainability, we delve into the innovative world of FeelGood Fibers with founder Kim Soper. The concept of FeelGood Fibers emerged from a simple observation: the lack of a centralized marketplace for buying and selling secondhand fabrics within the sewing community. Kim shares the journey behind FeelGood Fibers, which was sparked by the abundance of dest...

Send a text In the diverse landscape of quilting, finding your tribe can be a transformative experience. Join us for an insightful conversation with Maddie Kertay, the driving force behind BadAss Quilter Society, a digital haven for liberal quilters seeking solidarity and community. Maddie shares her inspiring journey, from advocating for reproductive justice to her bold quilting projects that cha...

Send a text In this episode, we delve into the vibrant world of quilting and sustainability with Sherri Lynn Wood, a leader in the modern improv quilting movement. Sherri Lynn's creative journey began with a simple sundress that defied a sexist dress code, marking sewing as a source of expression and empowerment. Inspired by the abstract quilts of black makers, she embarked on a trajectory as...

Send a text Embark on an enchanting journey with Carolyn Playdon, a dedicated quilter whose Instagram unveils a vibrant tapestry of #quiltinthewild images. Based in Edmonton, AB, Carolyn seamlessly blends her passion for the great outdoors with her creative brilliance in quilting. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about her transition to zero-waste quilting and an intimate exploration of how te...

Send a text This summer, I had the privilege of conducting interviews at Twist, a unique convergence of fibre enthusiasts, artisans, and experts in rural Quebec. In this exclusive live interview series from Twist 2023, we explore the heart of sustainability and celebrate locally sourced fibres. Interview 1: Navigating Sustainability Through Conscious Choices with Kathleen Vaughan Dive into the com...

Send a text Carole Lyles Shaw is on a mission to infuse modern quilts with creativity, individualism, and freedom of expression. Her journey into quilting began as a heartfelt endeavor to create beautiful quilts for her nieces and nephews. This creative exploration led her to the African American Quilters of Baltimore, where she honed her skills and learned the art of quilting. Modern quilting is...

Send a text In this episode, we sit down with Kristian Hansen, the visionary force behind Slø, a brand that's redefining denim as we know it. Slø creates timeless, genderless denim garments, handcrafted ethically and sustainably, with each piece made to order in Italy. But Slø isn't just about jeans; it's about fostering a community and a movement. Kristian shares with us the ethos...

Send a text In this episode of the Threads of Sustainability podcast, we're delving into the world of sustainable textiles with Kathryn Swanson, the passionate founder of Swanson's Fabrics. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey from community thrift store to a thriving hub for fabric enthusiasts. Kathryn Swanson, the driving force behind Swanson's Fabrics, is on a mission to s...

Send a text In this episode, we delve into the remarkable world of artisanal baskets and the profound impact of fair trade support. Our guest, Karie Wylie, the driving force behind Big Blue Moma, takes us on a journey into the heart of communities that are nurturing age-old traditions through their craft. Big Blue Moma stands as a conscious business partner, working hand-in-hand with skilled baske...

Send a text In Episode 36, we are thrilled to welcome Amari Thomsen of Next Gen Quilting to the podcast! Amari is a modern, millennial quilter based in San Francisco, CA, who has a passion for creating sustainable and budget-friendly quilts that not only benefit the planet but also your wallet. As a talented quilter, Amari specializes in using up-cycled and zero-waste sewing solutions, infusing he...

Send a text Join us in this episode of Threads of Sustainability as we sit down with the multi-talented Sam Hunter. An award-winning fiber artist, quilt pattern designer (Hunter's Design Studio), European textile tour host (The Embroidered Journey), and small business project management coach (Creatively Sorted). Sam is more than just a creative force – she's a passionate advocate for fa...

Send a text In this episode, we're diving into the world of natural dyeing with Winona Quigly from Green Matters Dye Co. Join us as we unravel the fascinating process of transforming plants and natural materials into eco-friendly dyes. Winona is a passionate advocate for sustainability in the textile industry. She shares her journey of falling in love with natural dyeing and how it led her to...

Send a text In this episode, we are thrilled to have Our Social Fabric as our special guest. Our Social Fabric is a remarkable non-profit fabric recycling initiative dedicated to creating a future where no usable fabric ends up in Canadian landfills. Their mission is truly inspiring! As a fabric recycling initiative, Our Social Fabric collects donated fabric and sewing-related materials from a var...

Send a text In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Crispina ffrench, an environmental optimist and textile alchemist who helps recycled textile artists become successful entrepreneurs. Since the 80s, Crispina has been upcycling discarded clothing and manufacturers' waste, turning them into magical creations. Her journey began during art school, driven by her love for crafting and re...

Send a text In this special episode, we have a heartfelt conversation between Threads of Sustainability host Bridget O'Flaherty and her son Jasper. Bridget shares how sustainability is an integral part of her life and the growth of the podcast over the past year. Join us as Bridget reflects on her personal journey of embracing sustainability in her everyday life. From making conscious choices...

Send a text In this episode, we delve into the world of organic textiles and specifically focus on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Our guest sheds light on the challenges and realities of meeting organic textile standards and emphasizes the importance of not dismissing organic textiles due to the presence of certain chemicals. We discuss the historical impact of synthetic dyes on texti...

Send a text In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the talented Radha Weaver, the creative force behind Sewing Through Fog. Radha's extensive background in the apparel and textile industry, spanning over 15 years, gives her a unique perspective on the world of quilting and sustainability. We kick off our conversation by delving into Radha's career journey and what led...

Send a text Join us for this episode with the lovely Krista Hennebury- prolific quilter and teacher who lives on Bowen Island, BC.  Our conversation gets into how  Krista started quilting, and then how her approach and practice has evolved and expanded to explore sustainability in different ways, such as by using retired clothing in quilts and creating useable objects out of scraps like jeans. We...

Send a text This episode features Graham Stewart, a textile production expert whose company Fibre52 is breaking new ground in sustainable cotton processing.  Our discussion explores the evolution of sustainable dying practices,  different types of dyes and their environmental impacts. Join us for this fascinating  conversation that touches on everything from the circular economy to the intricacies...

Send a text Join us for this episode with the wonderful Zoe Edwards - sewing teacher, podcaster, and blogger, who works mostly in the garment sphere.  Our conversation jumps into all sorts of different topics. Zoe has lots of interesting insights into the fast fashion industry, having worked there earlier in her career. We dive into the complexities of what it really means to make your own clothes...

Send a text Join us for this wonderful meandering conversation that takes us through Zak's journey into and within quilting,  finding his artist status, his drive to create meaningful quilts and stories of special projects along the way. Zak has an intimate storytelling ability that draws you in and places you right alongside him. The community he engages with and his exploration of self and...

Send a text This episode features Sonya Oblak, a thrifty, improvisational quilter who recently built her dream home with an ideal quilt studio in northern Canada. Sonya shares her must-haves for a quilt studio and reflects on her 25 years of thrifting and quilting, offering tips on how to thrift for fabric for quilts and sharing her favourite thrift store finds. Did you know it only takes 6-7 shir...

Send a text Bill Stearman and I are friends and colleagues. We both quilt, we both teach, we are both passionate about our journey and feel strongly about telling our stories. I met Bill at a quilt conference 4 years ago, where I was speaking about sustainability and he was speaking about his journey as a gay man, expressing his stories through his modern quilts. That pivotal meeting is where Bill...