Jamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers talks with contemporary embroidery, cross stitch, textile art, and mixed media art creators about how they design their work, build sustainable creative businesses, and stay inspired with a needle and thread.
NeedleXChange shares in‑depth conversations with fiber artists, stitchers, and makers so you can discover new techniques, creative journeys, and the modern needlework scene.
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In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Manuela Caniato.
Manuela is an Italian-born textile artist and educator now based in Belgium, with a background in linguistics and fashion history.
In this first half we talk about her journey from advertising to academia, her teaching in both Italy and Belgium, and how fashion functions as a language of identity. She reflects on the symbolic power of clothing, heirlooms, and shoes, as well as visible mending and the ongoing challenge of fast fashion.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – The Intersection of Linguistics and Fashion
00:05:45 – The Language of Fashion and Identity
00:10:17 – Fashion's Symbolic Power and Social Commentary
00:14:42 – The Impact of Fast Fashion and Sustainability
00:19:11 – Decadence and the Transience of Beauty
00:28:07 – Anarchy in Art: The Evolution of a Textile Artist
00:33:46 – Fashion Perspectives: Italy vs. Belgium
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Kirstie McLeod.
Kirstie is a textile artist whose career has spanned performance installations, couture wedding dresses, and large-scale garments that test the limits of fabric and endurance.
Kirstie is the artist behind the Red Dress, a 13-year global collaboration of 380 embroiderers from 51 countries.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - The Stories Behind the Wearers
00:07:48 - The Calico Garment Initiative
00:18:13 - The Emotional Journey of Art and Connection
00:23:26 - Navigating Vulnerability: Holding Space for Others
00:31:11 - The Trifecta of the Red Dress Project
00:39:03 - Reflections on Life: Love, Service, and Growth
Intro music is Meant to Love by William Benckert via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website:
Melissa English Campbell - Warping Reality [NX104]
Episode 104
Monday, September 1, 2025 • Duration 37:28
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Melissa English Campbell.
Melissa is a textile artist whose weaving combines painting, double-layer structures, and found objects to create works that shift between glitch-like distortion and serene beauty.
In this first half of our conversation, Melissa talks about her upbringing across Europe and the US, how dyslexia shaped her way of thinking, and how she discovered weaving as a language of memory, disruption, and resilience.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Introduction to Melissa's Artistry
00:04:14 – The Weaving Process Explained
00:07:10 – Complex Dimensional Thinking
00:09:43 – The Role of Dyslexia in Creativity
00:12:22 – Exploring Uncertainty in Art
00:15:16 – The Interplay of Painting and Weaving
00:17:56 – Disruption and Recognition in Art
00:20:50 – The Balance of Tension and Grace
00:23:34 – Themes of Stress and Calm in Fiber Art
00:26:20 – The Influence of Mood on Artistic Expression
00:30:03 – Journey into Textiles: A Late Start
00:34:19 – Overcoming Challenges: The Weaving Experience
Sally Wilson | Mixed Media Sculptor Part 2 [NX014]
Episode 14
Monday, November 13, 2023 • Duration 44:57
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Sally Wilson.
Sally Wilson is a UK-based Mixed Media artist whose work has to be seen to be believed. Her background in sculpture and years as an art teacher underpin her creative output, which is diverse and exciting, Sally's life was transformed after a head injury which has fundamentally altered how she thinks, but her artwork evolved with these changes and her Royal Cloak art piece won third place in The Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize Mixed Media category.
Sally is a true creative force whose work is fearless - I think you'll enjoy listening to her!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:50 - Reflecting on an alternative creative path
00:09:40 - Pearls of wisdom from Sally’s teaching career
00:13:10 - The value of being an art teacher
00:16:50 - Other artists Sally admires
00:25:20 - Favourite Band
00:27:50 - Favourite Book
00:30:50 - Favourite Film
00:32:20 - An interesting fact that no one knows about Sally Wilson
Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun by Sarah the Illstrumentalist via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Sally Wilson | Mixed Media Sculptor [NX013]
Episode 13
Sunday, November 5, 2023 • Duration 36:18
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Sally Wilson.
Sally Wilson is a UK-based Mixed Media artist whose work has to be seen to be believed. Her background in sculpture and years as an art teacher underpin her creative output, which is diverse and exciting, Sally's life was transformed after a head injury which has fundamentally altered how she thinks, but her artwork evolved with these changes and her Royal Cloak art piece won third place in The Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize Mixed Media category.
Sally is a true creative force whose work is fearless - I think you'll enjoy listening to her!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:50 - Sally’s Sculpture Degree
00:08:00 - Sally’s life after her head injury
00:12:15 - The variety of Sally’s creative output
00:17:35 - How Sally’s work documents life
00:22:00 - The Royal Cloak, Sally’s award winning artwork
00:32:00 - Sally’s fearless approach to making work
Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun by Sarah the Illstrumentalist via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings Part 2 [NX012]
Episode 12
Monday, October 30, 2023 • Duration 39:32
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso.
John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years.
Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doilies to mask the graphic parts of his subjects, John’s work treads the line between pornography and personal portraiture. His art is unapologetic in its openness and his expressions of the passion of gay love are both sensitive and sensational.
In our NeedleXChange we talk about how John’s artistic career has run alongside the timeline of the HIV pandemic, the value in re-appropriating homophobic slurs, and how his art has defined his own queer identity.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:38 - How John’s subjects come into being
00:04:00 - Why John hand quilts his work
00:08:00 - The challenge of entering into quilt shows
00:16:00 - How John honours his feminine side and strives for masculinity
00:21:00 - Reflecting on his earlier work
00:23:00 - John’s definition of success
00:25:15 - Favourite Album
00:26:55 - Favourite Book
00:29:26 - Favourite Film
00:33:00 - John’s reflections on working in the care sector
John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings [NX011]
Episode 11
Monday, October 23, 2023 • Duration 33:29
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso.
John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years.
Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doilies to mask the graphic parts of his subjects, John’s work treads the line between pornography and personal portraiture. His art is unapologetic in its openness and his expressions of the passion of gay love are both sensitive and sensational.
In our NeedleXChange we talk about how John’s artistic career has run alongside the timeline of the HIV pandemic, the value in re-appropriating homophobic slurs, and how his art has defined his own queer identity.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:38 - John’s award winning piece- The Prince of Pansies
00:07:00 - John’s early photography work
00:10:20 - How John’s work ran alongside the AIDS epidemic
00:13:00 - The current state of HIV & AIDS
00:15:24 - John’s transition into textiles
00:20:24 - The power of pansies
00:22:00 - Reclaiming slurs
00:26:45 - How textiles makes graphic work easier to consume
Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun by Sarah the Illstrumentalist via .
Niki McDonald | Street Art Needlepoint Part 2 [NX010]
Episode 10
Monday, October 16, 2023 • Duration 58:04
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Niki McDonald.
Niki McDonald, also known as TapestryGirl, is an Australian needlework artist whose urban pop art portraits use modern street art styles to tell stories of iconic characters she has created.
In this second part of our interview, we talk about how Niki’s work fits within the art ecosystem, her local art scene in Sydney, and she shares a regal fact about a previous job that you’re going to love.
Timestamps:
00:01:10 - How Niki manages projects
00:07:30 - How needlepoint gives street art another chance
00:08:10 - Bob Girl - The Urban Explorer
00:16:30 - The benefits of an alter-ego
00:19:45 - How Niki’s work fits within the broader artistic ecosystem
00:27:00 - The Australiana project
00:34:00 - Earworms…
00:39:10 - Favourite Podcast
00:41:10 - Favourite Book
00:43:10 - Favourite Album
00:44:10 - Favourite Film
00:46:10 - Favourite outdoor space for stitching
00:48:55 - Interesting fact that no one knows about Niki McDonald
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Niki McDonald.
Niki McDonald, also known as TapestryGirl, is an Australian needlework artist whose urban pop art portraits use modern street art styles to tell stories of iconic characters she has created.
In this first part of our interview we talk about how Niki juggles the artistic path while also working in special needs education and being a modern mother.
Timestamps:
00:01:11 - Niki’s day job and the value of hands-on activities for mental health
00:04:20 - The benefits of moving away from digital to analog forms of making
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Meredith Woolnough.
Meredith Woolnough is an Australian machine embroidery artist whose organic creations are instantly recognisable and simply stunning. Meredith’s art pieces are celebration of the beauty of nature and at the same time, a technical marvel. We talk about her passion for science and nature, the pleasure she gets from teaching, and how her work is much like darning.
Timestamps:
00:00:15 - Start
00:03:30 - How her artistic journey began
00:07:15 - How Meredith’s technique is like darning
00:12:00 - Her involvement in scientific realms
00:21:00 - The 100 Embroideries Project
00:24:10 - How Meredith juggles art/life/children
00:27:00 - Meredith’s toolset
00:32:00 - Teaching embroidery online
00:42:00 - Favourite Band
00:43:00 - Favourite Podcast
00:45:30 - Favourite Film
00:46:15 - Favourite Book
00:48:00 - Interesting fact that no one knows about Meredith Woolonough
Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun by Sarah the Illstrumentalist via .
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Intro music is Losing Track of Time by Gabriel Kelley via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
