Explore every episode of the podcast Sew What?
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodian Textiles: An Interview with Dr Magali Berthon | 18 Jul 2024 | 01:01:15 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Magali Berthon about Cambodian silk weaving and how textiles were affected by the Khmer Rouge regime. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| The History of Crochet: An Interview with Eleanor Gilchrist | 23 May 2024 | 00:48:14 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Eleanor Gilchrist about her fascinating and surprising research into the history of crochet. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| Women's Work: An Interview with Ferren Gipson | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:38:53 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Ferren Gipson about her new book, Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art. The book tells the story of more than 30 modern and contemporary textile and ceramic artists. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| Threads of Power: An Interview with Michele Majer and Emma Cormack | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:56:46 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Michele Majer and Emma Cormack, two of the three curators of the exhibition Threads of Power: Lace from the Textilmuseum St. Gallen, which is on display at the Bard Graduate Center until 1 January 2023. The trio discuss the exhibition, the history of lace, and anonymous lacemakers. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| The Early Years of the RSN: An Interview with Dr Lynn Hulse | 24 Nov 2022 | 01:11:08 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Lynn Hulse about the early years of the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), which was founded in November 1872. This episode is being released the exact month of its 150th anniversary. | |||
| Hmong Embroidery: Paj Ntaub and Story Cloths | 27 Oct 2022 | 00:28:20 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses Hmong embroidery. She focuses most on Paj Ntaub ("flower cloth") and Hmong story cloths, discussing their materials, colours, imagery, and uses. | |||
| Mary Linwood's Art of Stitchery: An Interview with Dr Heidi Strobel | 01 Sep 2022 | 01:04:01 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Heidi Strobel about the celebrated 18th-century needlewoman Mary Linwood. The two discuss Mary Linwood's art and that of her contemporaries, as well as the anachronistic divide between art and craft, genre bending with stitching, and the formation of British artistic identity. | |||
| The World of Erica Wilson, Part 2: An Interview with Dr Anne Hilker and Vanessa Diserio | 23 Jun 2022 | 00:56:44 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Anne Hilker and Vanessa Diserio. Anne is the co-author and co-curator of the book and exhibition Erica Wilson: A Life in Stitches. Vanessa is one of Erica Wilson's children and the owner of the Erica Wilson shop on the island of Nantucket. Isabella, Anne, and Vanessa discuss Erica's legacy. | |||
| The World of Erica Wilson, Part 1: An Interview with Edith Bouriez | 09 Jun 2022 | 00:42:40 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Edith Bouriez, embroidery entrepreneur Erica Wilson’s right-hand woman. Edith served as master teacher for Erica, as well as her store, seminar, and tour manager. Isabella and Edith discuss Erica's embroidery empire. | |||
| All About Egyptian Textiles: An Interview with Seif El Rashidi | 26 May 2022 | 00:49:18 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews art historian Seif El Rashidi about Egyptian textiles, spanning from ancient weaving to modern appliqué work. | |||
| RSN at the Fashion and Textile Museum: An Interview with Dennis Nothdruft | 12 May 2022 | 00:42:50 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dennis Nothdruft, Head of Exhibitions at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The two discuss the museum's current exhibition, "150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk." | |||
| New London Needlework Reexamined: An Interview with Lynne Zacek Bassett | 24 Mar 2022 | 00:57:54 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews independent fashion and textile scholar and curator Lynne Zacek Bassett. The two discuss Lynne's current exhibition, "New London County Quilts & Bed Covers, 1750‒1825," and the exciting needlework discoveries to have come out of the research and display of the show. | |||
| Women in Stitches: An Interview with Marcia Goldenstein | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:39:51 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist Marcia Goldenstein about her series "Women in Stitches," consisting of tiny embroidered portraits of women past and present. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| Stitching A Better World: An Interview with Stephanie Valencia of the Social Justice Sewing Academy | 17 Feb 2022 | 00:55:24 | |
In the final episode of season 3, Isabella chats with Stephanie Valencia, Program Director of the Social Justice Sewing Academy. The Social Justice Sewing Academy, or SJSA, is an organisation that empowers individuals and works to create social change through textile production. | |||
| Flax and Finger Weaving: Māori Woven Textiles | 10 Feb 2022 | 00:17:35 | |
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses hand weaving crafted by the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), focusing on its history, techniques, and many designs. | |||
| Resilient Stitching, Then and Now: An Interview with Claire Wellesley-Smith | 03 Feb 2022 | 00:48:25 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews embroidery artist, author, and researcher, Claire Wellesley-Smith. The two discuss everything from Claire's community engagement textile projects and her new book Resilient Stitch to Louisa Pesel and the Bradford Khaki Handicrafts Club. | |||
| Battle, Ritual, and Community: Asafo Flags of the Fante People | 27 Jan 2022 | 00:18:30 | |
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses the Asafo flags of the Fante, who live in Ghana's coastal region. Asafo flags are vibrant, appliquéd flags that combine folklore, proverbs, and heraldry. | |||
| Embroidery and the Body: An Interview with Rowan Riley | 20 Jan 2022 | 00:58:49 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist and embroiderer Rowan Riley. The two discuss Rowan's artistic practice, stitching about and with one's body, and favourite contemporary textile artists. | |||
| Japanese Mending and Stitching: Sashiko and Boro | 13 Jan 2022 | 00:17:20 | |
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses the Japanese stitching traditions of sashiko and boro. Each mini episode focuses on a single needlework technique from each continent, with this week's continent being Asia. | |||
| Stitching Girls and Cup Noodles: An Interview with Jessica Tang | 06 Jan 2022 | 00:37:16 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews embroidery artist Jessica Tang, who explores her Asian-American identity through stitch. The two discuss Jessica's influences, artistic process, and the physical and emotional strength of stitch. | |||
| Sew What? Holiday Special: Familial Needlework | 26 Dec 2021 | 00:21:28 | |
In this special holiday episode, Isabella discusses studying family history through needlework. It's the perfect subject for a festive season focusing on friends, family, and community. Happy holidays to all! | |||
| Curating Needlework at Regional Museums: An Interview with Claire McRee | 23 Dec 2021 | 00:43:20 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Claire McRee, associate curator at the Allentown Art Museum, about curating needlework at smaller-scale, regional museums. This episode is a natural counterpart to the "Curating Needlework" episode of season 2. | |||
| Protecting Needlework from Pests: An Interview with Joel Voron | 09 Dec 2021 | 00:35:35 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Joel Voron, the Integrated Pest Management Specialist at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The two discuss how historic properties and objects are checked for pests, which types of fibres are at risk, and what it was like to protect textiles during the Coronavirus lockdown. | |||
| Naval Embroidery: An Interview with Maya Wassell Smith | 29 Mar 2024 | 00:55:21 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Maya Wassell Smith, assistant curator of art at the National Maritime Museum and a PhD student at Cardiff University. The two discuss naval embroidery in all of its forms. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| Historic Rugs and Carpets: An Interview with Elisabeth Parker | 25 Nov 2021 | 00:34:55 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews historic rug and carpet specialist Elisabeth Parker. The two discuss the origins and international spread of rugs and carpets from the 17th century onwards. | |||
| Molas of the Kuna: A Central and South American Indigenous Textile Tradition | 18 Nov 2021 | 00:17:21 | |
In the second mini episode of the season, Isabella discusses molas made by the Kuna, an indigenous people in Panama and Colombia. Molas are reverse appliquéd textiles central to Kuna women's clothing and the region's tourist industry. | |||
| Historic Embroidery in Mexico: An Interview with Mayela Flores | 11 Nov 2021 | 00:55:45 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Mayela Flores, who researches sampler making and embroidery practices in 18th- and 19th-century Mexico. The two discuss the origins of Aztec stitch, the use of cacti in needleworking, and the involvement of Mexican stitchers in world's fairs. | |||
| Geography and Needlework in the American South: An Interview with Emily Wells | 28 Oct 2021 | 00:41:08 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Emily Wells about her research on the geography education of elite girls in the pre-Civil War American South. The two discuss map samplers, Westtown globes, and the involvement of southern needleworking girls in the region's slavocracy. | |||
| That's All, Folk: Eastern European Folk Dress Traditions | 21 Oct 2021 | 00:20:36 | |
In the first mini episode of season 3, Isabella explores traditional Eastern European needlework. She examines the stitched aspects of folk dress from Albania to Ukraine and everywhere in between. | |||
| The British Textile Biennial and Beyond: An Interview with Amber Butchart | 14 Oct 2021 | 00:44:09 | |
In the first episode of season 3, Isabella interviews fashion historian Amber Butchart about her curating an exhibition at the British Textile Biennial, her TV show A Stitch in Time, and her work on forensic garment analysis. | |||
| Sew What? Season 3 Trailer | 23 Sep 2021 | 00:04:18 | |
Season 3 of Sew What? is (almost) back! This is a tiny sneak preview of season 3's episode structure and offerings. Yeehaw! | |||
| Conserving Historic Needlework: An Interview with Gretchen Guidess and Jackie Peterson-Grace | 17 Jun 2021 | 00:35:57 | |
In the final episode of the season, Isabella interview Gretchen Guidess and Jackie Peterson-Grace, the textile conservators of Colonial Williamsburg, about preserving and protecting historic needlework in museum collections. | |||
| Embroidering Portraits: An Interview with Cayce Zavaglia | 10 Jun 2021 | 00:34:45 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist Cayce Zavaglia, who uses embroidery to stitch hyperrealistic portraits of her family, friends, and fellow artists. The two discuss Cayce's process, her favourite parts of stitching, and groundbreaking contemporary textile artists. | |||
| The Needlework of Historic Boyz II Men | 03 Jun 2021 | 00:31:06 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses needlework made by boys and men in the 18th and 19th centuries. She focuses on professional embroideries, sailor woollies, trench art, and schoolboy samplers. | |||
| Men at (Needle)work: An Interview with Jamie Chalmers | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:47:36 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Jamie Chalmers, AKA Mr X Stitch, the Kingpin of Contemporary Embroidery. The two discuss what's happening in the world of contemporary embroidery and what it's like to be a man who embroiders. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| Paper Pieced Quilts and Crafting During COVID: An Interview with Naomi Clarke | 27 May 2021 | 00:39:28 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Naomi Clarke about her passion for quilting and her PhD work focusing on crafting during Coronavirus. The two discuss paper piecing, craft diaries, and signature quilts. | |||
| Alternative Embroideries: Tambour Work and Punch Needle | 20 May 2021 | 00:26:21 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses the technique and history of tambour work (including tambour embroidery, lace, and beading) and punch needle. She also spends time exploring American rug hooking. | |||
| Australian Schoolgirl Needlework: An Interview with Cat Gay | 13 May 2021 | 00:37:25 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Cat Gay about schoolgirl samplers and stitching in 19th-century Australia. | |||
| Stitching Among Friends: Early Quaker Needlework | 06 May 2021 | 00:35:10 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses the subject of her PhD, Quaker women's needlework before 1800. She explores the stitching aesthetic of Quakers, also known as Friends, in and around London in the 17th century. | |||
| Jewish Fashion Making and Stitching in 20th-Century London: An Interview with Dr Bethan Bide and Dr Lucie Whitmore | 29 Apr 2021 | 00:58:27 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews fashion historians Dr Bethan Bide and Dr Lucie Whitmore about 20th-century Jewish fashion makers in London. The trio discuss where Jewish Londoners got their stitching skills and the Museum of London's collection of extant clothes designed and made by Jewish fashion makers in the city. | |||
| Quilting and Exhibiting Black Life: An Interview with Bisa Butler and Dr Erica Warren | 22 Apr 2021 | 00:50:19 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Bisa Butler, famous American fibre artist known for her vibrant quilts celebrating Black life, and Dr Erica Warren, associate curator of textiles at the Art Institute of Chicago. The trio discuss Bisa's artistic practice, the curation of her work, and its current display at the Art Institute of Chicago. | |||
| Curating Needlework: An Interview with Amelia Peck and Melinda Watt | 15 Apr 2021 | 00:40:28 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Amelia Peck, curator of textiles and period rooms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and supervising curator of the Met's Antonio Ratti Textile Center, and Melinda Watt, the head of the textiles department at the Art Institute of Chicago. | |||
| The Embroideries and Lace of the Wiener Werkstätte | 08 Apr 2021 | 00:24:35 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses the embroideries and lace designs of Austria's Wiener Werkstätte, one of the longest-lived design movements of the twentieth century. | |||
| Early Medieval Embroidery: An Interview with Dr Alexandra Makin | 01 Apr 2021 | 00:32:50 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Alexandra Makin, a textile archaeologist and professional embroiderer who researches and recreates early medieval embroidery. | |||
| Travelling and Unravelling Indian Embroidery Techniques | 25 Mar 2021 | 00:23:21 | |
In this episode, Isabella covers a variety of Indian embroidery techniques from across the subcontinent. | |||
| The Modern Venus: An Interview with Dr Lis Gernerd | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:44:46 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Lis Gernerd about her new book, The Modern Venus: Dress, Underwear and Accessories in the late 18th Century Atlantic World. The two talk about all sorts of undergarments, embroidered muffs, networks of women, and how to build a fashionable woman's body in the late 18th century. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com. | |||
| May Morris and Arts and Crafts Embroidery: An Interview with Thomas Cooper | 18 Mar 2021 | 00:29:32 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Thomas Cooper, a PhD student who researches May Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. In the episode, the two discuss May Morris's embroidery designs and works, as well as what inspired and influenced the Arts and Crafts movement. | |||
| Embroidering Adversity in Charity and Orphan School Needlework | 11 Mar 2021 | 00:24:56 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses samplers and other needleworked items stitched at eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English charity and orphan schools. Special attention is given to the St Clements Danes school samplers and Bristol orphanage samplers. | |||
| Navajo Weaving: An Interview with Dr Kathy M'Closkey | 04 Mar 2021 | 00:33:29 | |
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Kathy M'Closkey, a scholar of Navajo weaving. The two discuss Navajo rug and blanket motifs, how economic and agricultural changes affected Navajo weaving, and Kathy's long career as a weaver and freelance curator. | |||
| The Long, Looping History of Nalbinding | 25 Feb 2021 | 00:21:39 | |
In this episode, Isabella discusses nalbinding, a stitching technique that predates both knitting and crocheting. Isabella examines the history and technique of over 8,500 years of nalbound goods. | |||