Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably
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| #242: Quiet Care from Loose Ends – Kat Camfield with Masey Kaplan | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:00:58 | |
As crafters, we usually develop a personal bond with our creative projects. But we might not consider the value and importance our crafting projects have for those close to us. And what do you do if a half finished project started by someone close to you falls into your possession that you are unable to finish? Amazing guest host, Kat Camfield, talks to Masey Kaplan, the co-creator of Loose Ends: a non-profit that matches volunteer handwork finishers with projects that have been left behind by people who have passed away, or are no longer able to craft due to illness or disability. Loose Ends is a truly incredible enterprise that is responsible for facilitating so much care and healing for families who are then able to honour and treasure their loved one’s creativity and passion. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Listen to Episode #72: The Return of Canada’s Forgotten Wartime Quilts of the Haptic & Hue podcast. Masey Kaplan officially co-founded Loose Ends (@thelooseendsproject on IG) in May 2023: Photo credit: Michala Rueter Ravelry is sometimes used to view a potential finisher’s work. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @gatherandstitch.ca.
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| #241: Teatowel Treasures and a Charity Shop Crawl with Ros Williams | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:49:18 | |
Do you enjoy the challenge of making new things out of old? My guest for this week’s episode, Ros Williams, reconnected with her sewing machine during lockdown and has been transforming existing textiles in incredibly creative ways ever since. She even co-organised a charity shop crawl around her area in Edinburgh to help others access and give new life to what already exists in the world. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Follow Ros Williams’s creativity on Instagram @williamsrosamund. Ros initially connected with the online sewing community through the @sewover50 account. Ros also volunteers with previous-guests Judith Staley and Mary Morton as part of the Edinburgh Street Stitchers and through the Shrub Coop. Learn more about the Edinburgh Spiders who weave camouflage nets to send to Ukraine. Ros’s Teatowel jacket making obsession began with the first one she made for her son using teatowels she found in her parents’ home: Ros uses the Ilford Jacket pattern by Friday Pattern Co. as the basis for her jacket creations. More textiles reclaimed from her parents’ home became this yellow and blue tablecloth dress: The Morningside Charity Shop Crawl was organised to promote shopping for second hand clothing, and the poster/leaflet/map was designed by Ros’s son, Jack (@jack_stamp_art): Psychomoda is the organiser of the ReFashion Edinburgh event that Ros will be exhibiting in this year (2026). As part of her HND costume course Ros made a 17thC outfit for her husband John: ….and a Japanese inspired Burlesque outfit: | |||
| #240: Haptic & Hue – Stories Through a Textile Lens with Jo Andrews | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:01:06 | |
Jo Andrews is the creator of Haptic & Hue, the podcast through which she uncovers fascinating stories always through the lens of textiles, many of which might otherwise have been lost. A professional reporter and correspondent, Jo leaves me awe with her incredible story telling skills. I got to ask her tons of questions about the creation and impact of Haptic and Hue, all posed by the amazing patrons of CYT. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Jo Andrews is the creator of the Haptic & Hue podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram @hapticandhue. Jo and her partner Bill create an additional podcast called Travels with Textiles for those who choose to support their work as a ‘friend of Haptic & Hue’. Specific episodes mentioned in the conversation include:
Jo shows me her self-made cordage bag WIP: Jo shared some images of the Canadian Quilts mentioned in the conversation, including a close of the label tracing one of the quilt’s origin: | |||
| #239: Replay – Explaining Deadstock Fabric with The New Craft House | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:46:12 | |
Many of us sewers feel confused and even wary of the term deadstock fabric. Does buying fabric labelled ‘deadstock' really save it from landfill or incineration? Or are we enabling fabric producers and fashion brands to get away with overproduction, incentivising it even? And what’s the difference between ‘deadstock’ and ‘overstock’, and how, as consumers, can we tell the difference? This week, you’ll hear my conversation with Hannah and Rosie from London-based The New Craft House as they unpick this topic for us, leaving us all with a greater understanding. From school friends, to craft bloggers, to workshop facilitators to fabric purveyors, the current incarnation of their business is made possible by navigating the excesses and waste of the fashion industry. In this conversation Hannah and Rosie are super open and candid about how their business runs, and their plans and hopes for its more sustainable future. Support the podcast over on Patreon! This episode was originally released in September 2024 as Ep. #151 Find The New Craft House online, via Instagram (@newcrafthouse) and IRL at their London studio. They explain the nature of deadstock fabric on their website. #sewyourselfsustainable is the hashtag they created to encourage the sewing community to explore more sustainable practices during September. It also coincides with other sustainability-related endeavours, including Oxfam´s Secondhand September campaign. | |||
| #238: Replay – 5 Ways to Update Unworn Me-Mades | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:24:00 | |
Right now, the weather is shifting from one season to another, and the clothing items we’re reaching for are altering accordingly. But it’s most likely you’ll find that some of those items, for whatever reason, just aren’t pieces you want to wear these days. So what can be done about that, aside from donating them and starting a ton of new sewing projects? In this week’s solo replay episode, I’ll share my method for diagnosing WHY you’re not wearing them. I’ll then be suggesting five different ways you can update those garments so that you’re excited to wear them again! Support the podcast over on Patreon! This episode was originally released in June 2024 as Ep. #137 Image source: Sarah Brown via Unsplash If you want to learn more about the Me-Made-May challenge, listen to: The Clothehorse podcast is a great place to learn more about the life of second hand clothing, including what happens to donated items. The three questions to ask of each item of clothing:
My five suggested approaches for updated unworn garments (including me-mades):
For repair, consider signing up to the Winter of Care and Repair challenge for motivation. For advice on how to proceed with a repair, this episode might help: For refitting assistance, check out this episode: The Bernie Belt Bag pattern by Friday Pattern Co. might solve the dilemma of a pocket-free garment. The free Oversized Detachable Collar pattern by Tilly and the Buttons would really jazz up a plain garment: If you’re interested in trying your hand at natural dyeing, these episodes provide a ton of information: | |||
| #237: Replay – Activism in Real Life with Beedy Parker | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:54:47 | |
Do the climate and ecological crises just feel too massive to deal with sometimes? When it all feels so overwhelming, it can be tempting to tap out completely and disengage. That’s totally understandable. However, my guest for this episode, Beedy Parker, shows us that it is entirely possible to participate in climate related activism and action, whilst continuing to lead a happy and exciting life. From attempting to influence legislation to hemming her neighbours' trousers, Beedy has been getting stuck in since 1970. Sadly, we can’t all be Beedy, but we can all take heart and inspiration from her example. Support the podcast over on Patreon! This episode was originally released in May 2024 as Ep. #136 Beedy Parker is a committed naturalist and social and environmental activist living in Maine, USA. Read more about Beedy (unfortunately this link doesn’t seem to work in Europe, frustrating I know!). This is another piece about Beedy. Beedy recommends sourcing a copy of ‘The Needleworker's Constant Companion’, first published in 1978. I referred to an article by Christina Garton called Weaving While Neurodivergent on the Handwoven Magazine website that is a fascinating read. | |||
| #236: Replay – Sewing When Your Wardrobe is Full | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:21:57 | |
Is your wardrobe stuffed with me-mades? Whatever role garment sewing plays in your life, after a while, the clothes can really start to pile up. So how can we continue to take pleasure in sewing, without adding to your problem of too many clothes? Image source: Megan Lee via UnSplash This episode was originally released in February 2024 as Ep. #123 Idea No. 1: Challenging ourselves. Hear more about hand stitching clothing:
Learn more about improving fit: Options for online courses to learn and develop new skills: Idea No. 2: Sewing things that aren’t clothes. My favourite bag pattern designers: Start your sew making journey at I Can Make Shoes. Get inspired to make a quilt more sustainably by listening to the following previous episodes:
Idea No. 3: Sewing clothes for other people Idea No. 4: Sewing for charity Make washable menstrual pads for: Make reusable tote bags for Boomerang Bags. Make dresses and other children’s garments from pillowcases for Little Dresses for Africa. Idea No. 5: Mending Hear from super creative mending expert, Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald: Get her book Modern Mending. Consider the spectrum of mending possibility: | |||
| #235: Make Quilts Political Again Kat Camfield with Lorraine Woodruff-Long | 27 Jul 2026 | 01:16:02 | |
Textiles have a long history of being used for political discourse and protest. Lorraine Woodruff-Long is a self-taught and now award-winning quilt artist who is continuing that tradition today by creating exciting and powerful work on political and social issues that are important to her. Legendary guest-host Kat Camfield talks to Lorraine about her journey from marketing professional to artist and teacher, her inspiration, her use of reclaimed materials, the Forbidden Words project, and her tips for those wanting to dip their toe into protest quilt making. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Lorraine can be found through her website, ‘Quilting in the Fog’, and via Instagram @quiltinginthefog: Lorraine’s first quilt, ‘American Patriot: Words Matter’ (2017), was shown at the de Young Gallery in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco: Check out Lorraine’s Mosaic quilts. Kat and Lorraine mentioned both the Haptic & Hue podcast and the Gees Bend Quilters. Listen to an episode about the Gees Bend Quilters on the Haptic & Hue podcast! Lorraine’s incredible ‘Quilt Melt’ was made in 2017: ‘You’re getting warmer: Rising Global Temperatures 1850 - 2022’ quilt (2023): ‘The Number of Holes’ quilt: Read more about the Forbidden Words Project: Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @gatherandstitch.ca.
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| #234: Making Sewing Accessible for All Genders with Tony Rea | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:56:34 | |
Can a stereotypically female activity such as sewing be an appropriate medium through which to tackle male loneliness and isolation? This is a question that return-guest and GBSB finalist, Tony Rea, has been tasked to help answer. In this episode, Tony tells us all about the pilot of an awesome endeavor he’s involved in called Thread Brothers. We also get into the weeds about traditionally gendered crafts and spaces, and explore how sewing can help push us back against ageism. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Listen to my previous conversation with Tony: Find out more about Tony on his website, and see his latest projects on Instagram @tonyr.maker. Follow the Thread Brothers on Instagram (@threadbrothers.makers) and learn more about the project on the Wellmoor website. Check out Tobit Emmens’ Substack. I took a palette bench making workshop with The Salvage Sister. Tony (and myself) will be at this year’s Knit + Stitch show at Alexandra Palace, London, in October. | |||
| 233: No Stupid Sewing Questions with Julia Hincks | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:50:57 | |
I’m a firm believer that there are NO stupid questions when it comes to sewing. If you need to ask it, even if it’s something you think you should probably already know, then it’s valid. But it’s not always easy to find the answers you’re looking for. So I’ve asked my guest, sewing author and expert dressmaking teacher, Julia Hincks, on the podcast to talk about her new beginner’s guide to dressmaking book AND to answer some burning questions from members of the CYT community. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Julia Hincks and her website is House of Miss Sew and you can find her at @juliahincks and @houseofmisssew on Instagram. Listen to Julia on previous episodes:
You can sponsor Julia’s cycling to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Julia’s first book is The Overlocker Technique Manual, there is also a US version entitled The Serger’s Technique Bible. The book has also been translated into Dutch, French, Spanish and Italian. Her second book is The Coverstitch Technique Manual. Julia’s third book is The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking. Signed copies are available via her website. It is also available in the US and in Australia. There are additional resources on Search Press’s The Bookmarked Hub. Julia recommended Maraflex thread which is stretchy (link to buy it in UK via Fabric Godmother, but is sold elsewhere). I like using Tencel thread from James Tailoring. Julia’s pattern recommendations for garments that are adjustable in their finished form:
The Garden Dress and Blouse by Frux Studio is the pattern with lots of pin tucks. Julia recommends FriXion pens by Pilot for marking. They contain ink that disappears with the heat from an iron. | |||
| #232: Magic and Movement for Makers – Kat Camfield with Justice McNeil | 06 Jul 2026 | ||
Have you ever consciously infused your handmade garments with personal magic? And how can we create clothing that feels like emotionally protective armour? This is the second part of guest-host Kat Camfield’s amazing conversation with textile artist Justice McNeil from Thread + Sprout. They touch on so many topics, including pattern instructions that work better for some neurodivergent brains, and the importance of physical movement within a sewing practice. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Listen to Part 1 of Kat and Justice’s conversation: Justice McNeil’s multi-faceted and evolving company is Thread + Sprout (@threadandsprout on Instagram): Purchase the Soft Armor sewing pattern: You can see many examples of the Magic vest in the galleries, and keep your eyes peeled for future Magic vest classes like the one Kat took part in. Learn more about Justice’s Movement for Makers offering. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @gatherandstitch.ca. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
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| #231: A Business Based on Scraps – Kat Camfield with Justice McNeil | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:25:49 | |
Is it possible to create a successful sewing business making desirable products using scraps that allows you to leave your corporate job? Spoiler alert: Yes! Amazing guest-host Kat Camfield talks to Justice McNeil about the origin story of her inspiring business, Thread + Sprout, and how it’s evolved into something quite different, but equally inspiring. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Justice McNeil’s multi-faceted and evolving company is Thread + Sprout (@threadandsprout on Instagram) Justice’s ‘breakout hit’ was the Nature dress which is now available as a tutorial for you to make your own: The launching of the Nature top tutorial was a significant step in the evolution of Thread + Sprout. You can see many examples of the Magic vest in the galleries, and keep your eyes peeled for future Magic vest classes like the one Kat took part in. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @gatherandstitch.ca. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
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| #230: How to Teach Repair Skills with Jeanna & Mary | 22 Jun 2026 | 01:02:00 | |
Are you ready to share mending skills with others? Mary Morton and Jeanna Wigger, authors of the excellent book, ‘Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It’, have a ton of practical advice learned through hosting lots of in-person mending events. We discuss the different event formats for sharing skills, how to coordinate with venues and the best free resources available to support your efforts. Plus, there’s audio from the last event I attended with Jeanna and Mary on their tour of the North of England taken at Left Bank Leeds, a truly awesome creative and inclusive space that serves and supports its diverse community. Leah Anderson is the Arts and Community Manager at Left Bank Leeds (@leftbankleeds on Instagram). Jeanna Wigger can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack. Mary Morton can be found @edinburghstreetstitchers and @mvm13 on Instagram. Mary volunteers at the Shrub Coop, a ZW charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland (@shrubcoop on Instagram). Listen to my previous conversations with Jeanna and Mary:
Find their awesome book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. | |||
| #229: Further Fabric Confessions with Lise Bauer | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:46:44 | |
To be honest, this episode’s link to sustainability is very tenuous, but when repeat-guest Lise Bauer hits you up saying she needs to talk - you drop everything and talk. The main topic of conversation is where we’re both at with the latest round of the Last Sewist Standing challenge. I wonder if our statuses will surprise you…. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Lise and the Last Sewist Standing challenge updates at @the.craft.camp on Instagram. Check out Lise’s personal account @miss.taeschli on Instagram. Listen to my previous conversations with Lise: | |||
| #228: Crafting with Neurodivergence with Kim Witten | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:49:54 | |
Whether or not you identify as neurodivergent, you’re going to want to hear this episode. In Episode 222, Kim Witten and I requested submissions about people’s experiences of neurodivergence and craft. My goodness did we receive a fascinating selection of submissions. If you are at all interested in people, how they think and move through the world, you’re going to love this episode. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kim Witten (@witten.kim on IG) is a transformational coach and writer: She has appeared on the following previous episodes:
We thoroughly recommend that you sign up to Kim’s excellent fortnightly newsletter, ‘Hold That Thought’. | |||
| #227: Threading Change – Kat Camfield with Sophia Yang | 26 May 2026 | 00:59:31 | |
Those of us who make some or all of our own clothes ourselves might feel like we’ve opted out of the fashion industry. However, as citizens of this planet and feminists, we can’t ignore the problems caused by clothing and fabric production. And, in fact, us home sewers might be well placed to have a huge positive impact. Because, as Sophia Yang, the founder of the world’s leading youth-led ethical fashion NGO, Threading Change, discusses with guest-host Kat Camfield, we know that clothes aren’t just commodities: they are creations that contain stories. And that concept is potentially powerful enough to disrupt the perception that clothing is disposable. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Sophia Yang is the founder of Threading Change. You can also find them on Instagram @threadingchange. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
Learn more about The Shoe Project. Engaging people by making community quilts is one aspect of Threading Change’s many actions: | |||
| #226: Sashiko, The Untold Story with Atsushi Futatsuya | 19 May 2026 | 00:57:23 | |
Most of us think of sashiko as a type of visible mending that we discovered via Instagram or Pinterest. But what actually is sashiko, and how should we engage with it? Is it an artform to be revered and put on display? A common household practice borne out of necessity, used for survival? Is it a form of meditation? Or some lovely hand stitching patterns we can emulate to fix and customise our jeans? Atsushi Futatsuya, is a sashiko practitioner and story teller who helps fill in the blanks in our knowledge about this fascinating and multilayered practice. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Photo by Kim Lightbody. Atsushi Futatsuya has a website and can be followed on Instagram @sashikostory. You can also watch his videos on YouTube. There are three ways to take a class with Atsushi:
Check out where to order Atsushi’s new book, ‘Sashiko: The Untold Story’, around the world. | |||
| #225: Destashing Online with Caroline from Destasher | 11 May 2026 | 00:43:47 | |
There are lots of online marketplaces out there through which you can sell or give away your unwanted crafting materials, but they all have their drawbacks. Destasher is a new UK -based platform JUST for sewists and yarn crafters wanting to buy, sell, giveaway or claim materials and supplies within the maker community. Its creator, Caroline, tells me what makes Destasher such a great option for those of us trying to make more sustainably and affordably. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Check out and sign up to the Destasher website and follow them on Instagram @destasher_uk. Makers’ accounts that Caroline is inspired by: She's just so fun and inventive. And I really loved her YouTube video where she talks about sewing being a form of rebellion. Creates gorgeous jackets from old sleeping bags, blankets, and pre-owned materials, also offers the Boxy Jacket pattern. Revolutionising children's fashion by recycling fabrics to create gorgeous gender neutral clothing as unique and fun as little ones. Sustainable sewing and creative workshops for all ages in Walthamstow. Handmade, one-of-a kind garments, all made by Nancy in Suffolk from vintage and rescued fabrics that have had a previous life. Specialising in making bags and accessories using vintage fabrics. | |||
| #224: Sewing When You’re Skint | 04 May 2026 | 00:19:48 | |
I love hearing and reading practical tips for how to stay creative when your budget is tight. But what is rarely acknowledged in those types of content is how rubbish and frustrating trying to maintain a creative hobby when you’re skint actually feels. In this episode, we acknowledge and gently challenge some of those negative feelings, so that applying those practical tips feels positive and rewarding. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Sasun Bughdaryanvia Unsplash Other episodes to listen to related to this topic include:
Download the free Seasonal Stash Guide. Check out my Free Pattern Friday blog post series. | |||
| #223: An Alternative Fashion Future with Charlotte from Stitched Up | 27 Apr 2026 | ||
The next installment of the SIDDI tour with Jeanna and Mary. I speak to Charlotte from Stitched Up - a Manchester-based not-for-profit with the goal of building an alternative fashion future by sharing sewing, mending and upcycling skills, and facilitating clothing swaps and textile recycling. I spoke to Charlotte Vinsen who freelances with Stitched Up, about what Stitched Up do, how it works and who it’s for. I also catch up with Jeanna and Mary after they deliver their first interactive talk, and we debrief on what went down and what went well. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Charlotte Vinsen freelances at Stitched Up. Follow Stitched Up on Instagram @stitchedupcoop and Charlotte @charlottevinsen. The Stitched Up team are (l-r) Winona, Sarah, Charlotte, Katy & Bryony: Jeanna Wigger can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack. Mary Morton can be found @edinburghstreetstitchers and @mvm13 on Instagram. Mary volunteers at the Shrub Coop, a ZW charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland (@shrubcoop on Instagram). Listen to my previous conversations with Jeanna and Mary:
Find their awesome book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. Mary and Jeanna giving their interactive talk and triaging the damaged items brought by attendees: | |||
| #222: Neurodiversity and Craft with Kim Witten | 20 Apr 2026 | ||
In recent years there’s been a growing amount of research and understanding around neurodiversity: the variety of ways in which different people’s brains and nervous systems work. With more and more people getting formerly diagnosed, or at least identifying as being neurospicy to some degree, regular guest, Kim Witten, who is a coach, writer and one of my cleverest friends, is back on the podcast to explore what it means to be neurodivergent, and how neurodivergence intersects with craft. We consider if and how neurodiversity might affect someone’s engagement with craft, and also the role that craft might have in functioning well as a neurodivergent person. Support the podcast over on Patreon! You can find my other podcast, ‘Can I Dig It? Food Growing for Busy People’, wherever you listen to podcasts. Kim Witten (@witten.kim on IG) is a transformational coach and writer: She has appeared on the following previous episodes:
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| #221: Upcycling Secrets – Kat Camfield with Brynn, Emily & Meagan | 13 Apr 2026 | ||
What are the biggest challenges AND the biggest joys of running a business making products from upcycled textiles? Legendary guest interviewer, Kat Camfield, has rounded up three intensely talented Canadian upcyclers: Brynn from B-Bot Clothing, Emily from Woodbrick and Meagan from Salt Legacy. We hear how they each started their businesses and their different approaches to the same problem: trying to divert textile waste from landfill. They all share tips and advice, including sourcing secrets for others wanting to get into upcycling, either for themselves or to start a business. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Want to learn more about the Me-Made-May challenge? Check out:
You can also find the very-optional-but-very-helpful Me-Made-May Workbook. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
Meagan’s business is Salt Legacy. You can follow them on Instagram @saltlegacy: Brynn’s business is B-Bot Clothing. You can follow them on Instagram @bbotclothing: Emily’s business is Woodbrick. You can follow them on Instagram @woodbrick: Brynn creates incredible upcycled sweaters (for example) with their ‘schtick’ being adding denim sleeves. Brynn also makes pouffe shells that can be stuffed with textile waste, and also sells the sewing pattern so you can make one yourself: Woodbrick’s core products are crescent bags and fanny packs (for example) for kids and adults. Jackets made from upcycled textiles, including quilts, have also become very popular with their clients: Meagan’s business, Salt Legacy, creates a range of durable bags and accessories from unwanted boat sails. Popular items include their signature tote bag design: Listen to the previous episode about sizing adaptive and inclusive sewing patterns: | |||
| #220: How to Save and Make Money with Sewing | 23 Mar 2026 | ||
No one should feel obligated to use their sewing skills and free time for anything they don’t want to use them for. However, if funds are tight, you might decide to look into how sewing can save, or even make, some money. In this episode you’ll hear from some members of the CYT Patreon community and subscribers to the CYT newsletter, about how they save money, and also make money, with sewing. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, this episode is bound to provide inspiration. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Pierre Bamin via Unsplash Also listen to the following related episodes: Sandra recommended the @sparklesewing YouTube channel on YT for advice on wedding dress alterations. Learn to draft sewing patterns to sell via:
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| #219: Flux-Friendly Sewing Patterns with Sasha Starlight | 16 Mar 2026 | ||
It is inevitable that our body’s shape and size will fluctuate over time, be that over the course of a day, a week, a month or a number of years. As more-sustainable sewists who want to get a lot of use from the items we make, we should be factoring in these body changes when planning our projects. So does that mean that everything we make should look like a potato sack? Pattern designer, Sasha Starlight, explains why the answer is NO! In this episode, Sasha describes some of the different attributes a sewing project can have to be flux friendly, and talks us through some unexpected benefits of using adjustable, adaptable, flexibly sized sewing patterns. By the end of this episode I’m sure you’re going to be super inspired to get making with your future comfort in mind. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Full descriptions of Sasha’s patterns can be found on her website and bought through her Etsy shop. Follow Sasha on Instagram (@sasha__starlight) and enjoy her video content on YouTube channel (@sashastarlight). I made the Palazzo Pants pattern: Listen to the previous episodes discussing sewing with shape and size fluctuation in mind: The Rhapsody Dress pattern is Sasha’s most recent release: The Burnside Bibs pattern by Sew House Seven offers adaptability for both size and style. Sasha and I were discussing pants waist tightener pins. | |||
| #218: Fabric Confessions with Lise Bauer | 09 Mar 2026 | ||
Do you fancy a fun catch up with repeat guest Lise Bauer? Of course you do! In this episode we find out what has changed with Lise’s relationship with her fabric stash, and we both make confessions regarding recent fabric purchases. Lise also makes a strong case for attending a Frocktails event, and suggests a different way to engage with social media. Support the podcast over on Patreon! The costumes made by my big kid: Find Lise and the Last Sewist Standing challenge updates at @the.craft.camp on Instagram. You can sign up to this year’s round of Last Sewist Standing via the sign-up post on Instagram. Check out Lise’s personal account @miss.taeschli on Instagram. Listen to Lise discuss the challenge in the previous episode:
Other episodes of CYT mentioned in this episode:
The dress I made with the sleeves from the synthetic fabric from Walthamstow: Find out about The Swiss Frocktails event via Instagram @swiss.frocktails and get tickets via Eventbrite. Lise is organising Swiss Frocktails with Rebekka @gemeine_wildrebe and Benja @onweekends. Maker Alexandria Arnold @alexandria_arnold hosts a regular knit night in London. | |||
| #217: Mending for Mental Wellbeing with Rebecca from The Big Fandango | 02 Mar 2026 | ||
All of us are aware of and enjoy many of the mental health benefits of crafting, making and mending. Rebecca Jackson understands this better than most, having experienced one of the worst things someone can go through. It led her to set up The Big Fandango five years ago in Bury, just outside Manchester in the UK. The Big Fandango is a social enterprise with workshop space that creates and nurtures community and positive mental health through learning sewing and textiles craft skills, whilst also delivering suicide prevention training to businesses and organisations. You will also hear from Jeanna Wigger and Mary Morton, authors of the awesome mending book, ‘Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It’, who were delivering a mending workshop as part of their North of England book tour a couple of weeks ago. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Rebecca Jackson founded The Big Fandango, a social enterprise based in Bury, Manchester, UK. Listen to my episode with Jeanna and Mary about their amazing book: Jeanna Wigger can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack. Mary Morton can be found @edinburghstreetstitchers and @mvm13 on Instagram Listen to my other previous conversations with Jeanna:
Mary volunteers at the Shrub Coop, a ZW charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland (@shrubcoop on Instagram). Find their book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. Mary and Jeanna regularly recommend the ‘Repair What You Wear’ website to would-be menders. Also @RepairWhatYouWear on YouTube, and in this episode mentioned their videos on how to thread a needle easily for right handed people and for left handed people. | |||
| #216 : Replay – No Small Business on a Dead Planet | 16 Feb 2026 | ||
It seems like every day, another small craft business announces that it’s closing down. In this solo episode I’m looking at the causes. What can we do to both support small businesses AND buy less new stuff for the sake of our planet? Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Tim Mossholder via Unsplash Find out more about the Last Sewist Standing challenge: This Forbes article, ‘The Benefits Of Shopping Small All Year Long’ by Jim Granat, was really interesting. The shoplocaluk.org website has some more useful information. I used the definition of the cost of living crisis from this fuelgenie.co.uk article. Enjoy Gina Ferrari’s Substack. | |||
| #215: How to Dress Kids More Sustainably with Izzie from ApparelXchange | 09 Feb 2026 | ||
You’ll have heard me say it a ton of times before: sewing clothes yourself isn’t necessarily the most sustainable way to clothe yourself or your family. But obviously, you’ll be prizing my sewing machine out of my cold, dead hands. However, with literal mountains of existing garments already in the world, there are plenty of other ways to source clothing with a reduced environmental and social impact. In this episode, I speak with Izzie Eriksen, founding director of a Glasgow-based social enterprise called ApparelXchange, about the various ways we can clothe our young people more sustainably. We also hear what ApparelXchange is doing to tackle child poverty AND nurture their local community. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Izzie Eriksen is the founding director of Glasgow-based social enterprise ApparelXchange. Follow them on Instagram @apparelxchange. This episode is the sister to: Photos from the ApparelXchange shop and warehouse: | |||
| #214: Is Inclusivity Enough? – Kat Camfield with Frances from Sincere Studio | 02 Feb 2026 | ||
Many of us experience the sewing and crafting communities as a welcoming haven in which we find self expression, safety and belonging. But just how inclusive are sewing spaces, both virtual and IRL? And how can we build them better? Guest host Kat Camfield is back with an incredible conversation with Frances Andonopoulos, the visionary behind a different kind of sewing school, Sincere Studio in Portland, Oregon. They discuss how Sincere Studio was built from the ground up with everybody and every body in mind, and why only the social enterprise model can work when creating a space that truly serves all members of a community. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
Frances Andonopoulos is the founder of Sincere Studio in Portland, Oregon. You can follow them on Instagram @sincerestudiopdx. | |||
| #213: A Self-Sufficient Maker with Shams el-Din Rogers | 26 Jan 2026 | ||
What does it take to be a self-sufficient maker? How do we acquire our knowledge? And to what extent are we subject to crafting influencers and advertising? This is the second part of my most recent conversation with return guest Shams el-Din Rogers, in which we explore this idea. We also share what’s giving us hope as we push into 2026. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Shams el-Din Rogers @sepia_textiles on Instagram. Listen to her on previous episodes of CYT:
Shams is on the board at the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto. Shams regularly recommended the seminal book ‘Affluenza’ by Oliver James to her students. Watch the trailer for the Japanese film Rashomon, directed by Akira Kurosawa. Follow Works In Progress Toronto, the collective Shams is a member of, on Instagram (@works.in.progress.to) During our conversation we references the following previous CYT episodes: | |||
| Episode 212: Creativity, Craft and Clutter with Shams el-Din Rogers | 19 Jan 2026 | ||
I’m guessing that most of us find that a cluttered crafting space affects our creativity. It can also lead to over buying when you repurchase something you already own but weren’t able to locate. Very good friend of the podcast, Shams el-Din Rogers, is back to talk to me about the tactics she’s been using to get her space and her in check, and the impact that’s having on her creativity. Maybe these are tactics that would work for you…. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Shams el-Din Rogers @sepia_textiles on Instagram. Listen to her on previous episodes of CYT:
Shams is on the board at the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto. Shams’s favourite embroidery designers:
Listen to Shams on the Black Women Stitch’s podcast, Stitch Please: | |||
| #211: More Sewing, Less Overwhelm with Sew Hayley Jane | 12 Jan 2026 | ||
Whether or not you’re a New Year’s Resolutions kind of person, setting some intentions about what you’d like more or less of in your life as you head into a new year can feel really positive. All of us want to spend more time making and being creative, and less time being sold to. My guest, Hayley from Sew Hayley Jane, and I discuss the issues faced by makers and small business owners when it comes to navigating social media, and Hayley makes some great suggestions that we can all apply today to spend more of 2026 doing the things that bring us joy. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Read more about Puff and Pencil’s ‘Hands First January’ challenge. Find Hayley on Instagram @sewhayleyjane and discover the Thready Set Go community that she runs. Hayley loves the Fold Line, especially their ‘New In’ section, for discovering new potential sewing projects. A recent project that helped Hayley level up her skills was the Falconer Pants by Helen’s Closet Patterns: | |||
| #210: How Frugality Builds Community with Mariel Davies | 22 Dec 2025 | ||
Do you want to feel more connected to the place you live and the people who also live there? Then consider not buying new fabric. My guest, Berlin-based Mariel Davies, chooses to live a frugal lifestyle, both to reduce waste, and to create and deepen her connections with others. We also discuss the gamification of resource acquisition, and her radical approach to gift giving. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Follow Mariel on Instagram (@a_to_zerowaste) Learn more about Holly McQuillan’s Spiral trousers on the Zero Waste Design Collective’s website. ZW designer Liz Haywood has explored historical pattern making and tessellating sleeves. All the ‘A Year of Zero Waste’ zines and book are available on Liz’s Etsy shop, and January’s FREE instalment can be downloaded via her ‘The Craft of Clothes’ blog. Learn more about writer Mark Boyle, AKA The Moneyless Man. Bea Johnson is the author of ‘Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste’. Follow green-living activist Robin Greenfield on Instagram (@robin.greenfield). The @destash4palestine account is a great source for genuinely pre-loved dressmaking fabric. Edinburgh-based mending legend, Mary Morton, can be found @edinburghstreetstitchers and @mvm13 on Instagram. Learn about the Lutterloh pattern system. | |||
| #209: Mending ideas you never thought of | 15 Dec 2025 | ||
Whether or not you plan to participate in the Winter of Care and Repair challenge, we all have items we’re responsible for maintaining. Although, if you’re anything like me, there might be things you don’t even notice that are well within your control to improve, and will make your life better as a result. In this episode, we hear from a bunch of amazing CYT Patrons about what items they intend to fix over the coming season and how they plan to do it, to provide inspiration for the rest of us. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Kwon Junho via Unsplash Access and download the FREE WOCAR tracker sheet. The Winter of Care and Repair challenge was invented by Jeanna Wigger. Jeanna can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack which includes this explainer about WOCAR. Listen to my previous conversations with Jeanna:
Find and order Jeanna’s book written with Mary Morton, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. Watch the tutorial by Arkdefo for the reusable party hats that Mary Morton mentioned. Addams Family Stitches by Yonah and Rebecca: | |||
| #208: Challenging Consumption and Perfectionism with Jeanna Wigger | 08 Dec 2025 | ||
PSA: The Winter of Care and Repair challenge is kicking off on 21st December! I used its imminence as an excuse to talk to the challenge’s creator, mending expert and author Jeanna Wigger, about the wider impact participating has had for her. Jeanna tells me how it’s helped her shift her consumption habits, challenge her perfectionism and reframe her ideas around productivity. Maybe it will do something similar for you! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Access and download the FREE WOCAR tracker sheet. Photo credit: Elaine Pieczonka. Jeanna Wigger can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack which includes this explainer about WOCAR. Listen to my previous conversations with Jeanna:
Find and order Jeanna and Mary’s book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’: Katrina Rodabaugh, author of ‘Mending Matters’, played a key role in Jeanna’s mending journey. Jeanna’s men(D)iagram! Click through to read her explanation. | |||
| #207: Style Shifts and Sustainability with Lindsay Ashworth Fraser | 01 Dec 2025 | ||
We all experience shifts in our personal style. Usually, those shifts are gradual, but occasionally they can happen rapidly. My friend, freelance musician and singer, Lindsay Ashworth Fraser and I are both at a style crossroads ourselves. In this episode, we talk about where we’ve found ourselves stylistically, what brought us here, what’s next and how to ethically pass on the items that are no longer serving us. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Lindsay Ashworth Fraser can be found @lindsayashworthfraser on Instagram. You might have heard Lindsay in the previous episodes:
Check out the episode of Love to Sew podcast that got Lindsay thinking about the three-word method of definition your personal style: The green jumpsuit Lindsay wore to the cinema to watch Wicked with her choir: A pattern that was a key turning point in a previous style shift I had was the Luna Pants pattern by Made by Rae: | |||
| #206: How to Sew More Sustainably for Kids | 24 Nov 2025 | ||
Is there any point in trying to sew more sustainably for kids when they’re just going to grow out of their clothes in five minutes? Of course there is! And there are a TON of ways to do it. From pattern and fabric selection, to ensuring durability and repairability, in this solo episode we cover ways to create clothes that the kids you’re sewing for will love to wear, for as long as possible. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Check out related episodes:
Apple Tree Pattern Co. has a ton of ‘Grow With Me’ styles, including this cool Dolman hoodie pattern: Check out the ‘outgrown’ extend system by Columbia clothing company: Buttonhole elastic is great for making adjustable waistbands: My son’s ‘Pig from Bunny Vs Monkey’ World Book Day costume with leggings that he now uses as PJ bottoms: The ‘Looshkin’ costume that became a regular sweatshirt when the white tummy was removed: No shame in buying a ready made patch to make a garment more wearable to a child! | |||
| #205: Selling Fabric More Sustainably with Tanya Brooman | 17 Nov 2025 | ||
Does shopping for natural fibres and more sustainable fabrics mean that you’re limited to solid colours in muted tones? Do you have to ignore your love of vibrant colour and bold prints? My guest today would answer “NO!” to both these questions. Tanya Brooman from Bornella Fabrics tells me about the sustainability ethos that underpins her fabric business, and what most frustrates her about the fabric industry today. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Tanya Brooman is the owner of Bornella Fabrics. You can also follow them on Instagram @bornellafabrics. Tanya appeared in the previous episodes:
Tanya has a useful webpage on ‘Sustainable Fabric Lowdown’. If developments in fabric production interest you, check out this episode: | |||
| #204: The Sewing Machine, A Novel – Kat Camfield with Natalie Fergie | 10 Nov 2025 | ||
Guest interviewer, Kat Camfield, is talking to author Natalie Fergie about Natalie’s incredible historical novel, The Sewing Machine. Based on real, historical events that took place at the Singer Sewing Machine factory in Scotland, the novel follows two families: one belonging to a worker at the factory who went on strike, the other belonging to the owner of one of the sewing machines that the striker helped make. If you’re interested in sewing as a lens through which to look at social history, then you’re going to find this conversation fascinating. Natalie and Kat also geek out over vintage sewing machines and their sizable collections! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
Learn more about author Natalie Fergie and her books: The Sewing Machine and 25 Library Terrace: Watch the silent film ‘Birth of a Sewing Machine’ from 1934. Look up the model and age of vintage sewing machines via the International Sewing Machine Collectors’ Society website. | |||
| #203: Sewing with Scraps with Birgitta Helmersson & Sam Grose | 27 Oct 2025 | ||
As a garment sewer conscious of waste, you know how quickly fabric scraps leftover from your projects can build up. But imagine you run an entire clothing brand range committed to saving and using up every piece of scrap. Designers Birgitta Helmersson and Sam Grose tell me about their brand, Helgrose, that operates in precisely this way. Plus, they’ve just written an awesome new book that shares the main three methods they use for turning fabric scraps into desirable, wearable pieces, so you can do the same at home. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Birgitta Helmersson and Sam Grose design and make clothing and accessories for their joint brand, Helgrose. Birgitta is, of course, best known in the sewing community for her Zero Waste sewing patterns. Listen to Birgitta’s previous episodes:
Birgitta and Sam have written a new book, ‘Sewing with Scraps’, buy it online here. This is Birgitta’s second book, her first is ‘Zero Waste Patterns’. Zero Waste pattern designer, Liz Haywood, has an excellent blog where she often reviews ZW sewing patterns created by other designers. Check out the amazing sofa they recovered using fabric scraps: The Cloth Lab is Birgitta and Sam’s creative hub where they host workshops. As well as Liz Haywood, Birgitta is also a fan of ZW clothing design company, Decode. Birgitta and Sam love both Sway based in LA (including their community dye bath) Studio 234+ in Malmö. Other CYT episodes about scraps: | |||
| #202: London Fabric Swap 2025 | 20 Oct 2025 | ||
Do you fancy coming with me on a little vicarious trip to a fabric swap? A couple of weeks ago I attended the London fabric swap organised by Yvette from Stash Hub app and Tanya from Bornella fabrics. I recorded a bunch of little conversations with both of them and lots of the attendees, so you can get the skinny on what it was like to organise the event and to attend and swap sewing supplies there. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Organised by Tanya from Bornella Fabrics and Yvette from Stash Hub App: Listen to previous episodes about fabric swaps: Here my previous conversation with attendee Mel Keane: The fabric swap organised by Surrey Sews (@surreysews on Instagram) is taking place on 8th November. | |||
| #201: Making Check Your Thread – with Zoe & Kat, Part 2 | 13 Oct 2025 | ||
Are you ready for a second dose of behind the scenes podcast and sewing chat? Guest interviewer Kat Camfield and I continue our conversation. We get into the joys of Patreon and how it’s evolved for creators, what my own favourite podcasts to listen to are (none of which are about sewing!) and what my favourite sewing snack is (spoiler: it’s actually a liquid!). Plus! Kat has a surprise for me… Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT:
Author Mary Morton got in touch with her co-author Jeanna Wigger after hearing her on an episode of CYT. Together they wrote the amazing book ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. Hear them talk to me about the experience here: You can find Check Your Thread on Instagram, @checkyourthread. Please head over and say hi! Podcasts I listen to regularly: The sewing machine I have is a Janome DKS30 (in orange): The previous guests who kindly submitted a comment to celebrate the 200th episode milestone are: | |||
| #200: Making CYT with Zoe & Kat, Part 1 | 06 Oct 2025 | ||
This week’s episode is the 200th episode! To mark this podcasting milestone, I had the honour of being quizzed by previous-guest interviewer, Kat Camfield. This week’s and next week’s episodes are basically a full-on behind the scenes chat about how this podcast gets made and what it's taught me. Today you’ll hear about what I’ve deliberately changed about the podcast since I started it, what I would have been unable to predict four years ago, and what has surprised me about life as a podcaster. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Kat did an incredible job interviewing eco printer Carly: Hear more about the underlying manifesto of this podcast: | |||
| #199: Wardrobe Curation and Care | 29 Sep 2025 | ||
We're talking about the curation of a successful, handmade wardrobe and how to select sewing projects with care so that you’re creating items that reflect who you are and that say what you want them to say. We’ll also consider how style trends factor into creating a more sustainable wardrobe, and how to make sure your garment projects will be suitable for the life you really lead. This episode has been taken for the talk I gave at the Fold Line’s Sewing Weekender earlier this year, and it aligns so well with the goal of this podcast that I wanted to give it an airing here too. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash For more guidance on garment fitting, please listen to the following episodes:
If you’ve somehow missed what the wardrobe challenge Me-Made-May is all about, here’s a super quick explainer: You can access Love to Sew Podcast’s free Design Your Dream Wardrobe Worksheet when you sign up to their newsletter. Hear about Judith Staley’s discoveries when she tracked her wardrobe for an entire year: Clothing tracking apps include:
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| #198: Shopping Strategically with Numba Pinkerton | 22 Sep 2025 | ||
You probably think that working with a stylist, particularly once you’ve had your colours analysed, would involve them then trying to convince you to buy, or in our case make, a load of new clothes. That’s what I’ve always assumed. But over the summer I got to catch up with previous guest, stylist Numba Pinkerton, in real life in her home in Scotland. Our conversation proved that my assumption, at least as far as she’s concerned, is wrong. We start our conversation back where we left off previously, talking about colour analysis. Numba offers something of a cheat sheet for working with your colours, including how and when to ignore them. We then move on to talking about shopping strategically, and all her advice translates so well to sewing strategically; it’s super useful stuff. Her ultimate message: it’s ok to pass! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find out more about Numba’s work at her website, and you can follow her on Instagram (@stylemeflawless). Learn more about Numba’s community, The Style Circle. Hear Numba’s previous previous appearance on CYT: | |||
| #197: Can I Dig It? Podcast – Glut Management Tactics | 15 Sep 2025 | ||
This episode is from Zoe’s other podcast: Can I Dig It? - Food Growing for Busy People. If you’ve grown, foraged, bought or received a large amount of fresh produce, here’s how to deal with it and not let it go to waste! Check out the Can I Dig It Podcast's Patreon page! Can I Dig It? is made by:
If you’re in the UK and have a TV licence, you can see Pippa’s appearance on Gardener’s World via iPlayer. Pippa uses an Excalibur dehydrator, specifically the Excalibur 9-tray Dehydrator With Timer In Black Fermentation expert, Sam Cooper, is @chef.sam.black on Instagram. His book, The Fermentation Kitchen, is on Zoe’s Christmas list. ‘Slow Bolt’ AKA ‘Long-Standing’ and ‘Santos’ are coriander varieties that are slower to go to seed. ‘Green Aroma’ is Pippa´s favourite variety of coriander Great sources for fruit trees are: | |||
| #196: Eco Printing – Kat Camfield with Carly from Lorelei Textile Design | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:01:06 | |
You are probably aware of natural dyeing, but have you heard of eco printing? As we’ll hear in this episode, eco printing comes under the umbrella of natural dyeing but the process involves taking botanicals in the original form and using them to print onto fabric in patterns created according to how they’re arranged. This episode has been made for CYT by friend of the podcast, Kat Camfield, who is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. Kat spoke to Carly, an eco printer and natural dyer who creates amazing handmade garments and accessories using secondhand textiles. They talk about the hows and whys of eco printing, its role in more sustainable clothing communities and lots more. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kat and Carly. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews. Kat interviewed Carly from Lorelei Textile Design. You can follow Carly on Instagram @loreleitextiledesign. Carly with her stunning market stall. Maiwa is a source for dye stuffs and printing supplies based in Vancouver, Canada. Carly teaches workshops at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific in Victoria, Canada. Carly’s book recommendations:
Botanica Tinctoria sell natural dyed trims and threads: Green Matters Natural Dye Co. is a US-based dye house that has scaled up the process. | |||
| #195: Replay – Introduction to Pattern Hacking | 01 Sep 2025 | ||
Have you ever tried pattern hacking? By which I mean, making changes to a sewing pattern to create a garment that looks slightly, or wildly, different to the original design. This episode is a wide ranging introduction to the topic. Whether you are new to this practice, or are a more seasoned ‘hacker’, by the end of this you should feel emboldened by the infinite possibilities! Support the podcast over on Patreon! One way of thinking about pattern hacking is by breaking it down into these three approaches:
My Fibre Mood Ermine/Norma Franken-garment is an example of taking the sleeve piece from one pattern and the bodice from another to create a new look. Suggested equipment for pattern hacking:
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| #194: Replay – Fabric First with Rachel Kirby | 26 Aug 2025 | ||
Could you sew only with second hand fabric? No more fabric shopping, only thrifting and receiving donations. Would that feel frustrating, or would it unlock some inner creativity and resourcefulness? Space scientist and passionate maker, Rachel Kirby, sews almost exclusively within this limitation, and she shares how and why it works for her. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Rachel Kirby can be found on her website, @fibre.and.space on Instagram and @GeoPlaneteer on Twitter. Rachel’s self-designed Solar System jumper went viral! Rachel was inspired by Samantha @pippy_eve on Instagram to try her hand at sewing her first garment by using the Justine skirt pattern by Ready to Sew and some cotton fabric she found at an op shop. The only piece of from-the-bolt fabric Rachel has used for herself was to make some Arenite pants, pattern by Sew Liberated. Image source: Rachel Kirby Listen to Episode 69: Making Mindfully with Judy Williment-Ross. Rachel’s TNT (‘tried and tested’, or ‘tried and true’) patterns:
Image source: Rachel Kirby | |||
| #193: Replay – Introduction to Garment Fabrics | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:35:54 | |
A garment project that fails because it’s made from unsuitable fabric is both heartbreaking and costly. But navigating the selection available in fabric shops and online can feel overwhelming, particularly if you’re new to garment sewing, or have recently returned after some years. So in this solo episode, we’re going back to the basics of fabric. We’ll be laying the foundations on which to build our knowledge of fabric types, and what garment styles each fabric is suitable for. Support the podcast over on Patreon! The downloadable PDF version of this episode, which includes lots of additional information, tips and images, can be found in the CYT online shop. | |||