Fiber Talk Canvas #8: Starting a New Needlepoint Project
Jun 25, 2026
The June Canvas video focuses on the various things Beth, Cindy, and Gary do when starting a new needlepoint project. This is a very long video that covers a number of topics. Below is a timeline so you can jump around to listen to the topics that interest you. As always, leave your thoughts and suggestions for future topics in the comments section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary Timeline: –2:30: Kits –23:00: Canvas –34:00: Instructions –45:00: Tools and “infrastructure” –48:00: Insurance (we welcome your thoughts on this one) –57:00: Stitching stands –1:07:00: Stretcher bars –1:20:00: Cindy’s painted canvas
How Teaching Transformed Her Goldwork Designs — Clara Warschauer
Jun 21, 2026
This Kingfisher is Clara’s latest design. Kingfisher classes will begin in August 2026.This little goldwork frog is one of Clara’s most popular projects.Goldwork embroidery artist Clara Warschauer of Clara Stitching joins Gary to talk about her creative journey–how her design work has evolved over time, the surprising way teaching has made her a better designer, and the influences that shape her intricate goldwork pieces. In this episode: –How Clara’s goldwork designs have evolved over her career –Why teaching others has sharpened and transformed her own work –The influences and inspirations behind her designs –Tips for needleworkers who are new to goldwork embroidery –How she approaches online teaching and what students can expect –Upcoming classes and how to find them.
Join Clara’s mailing list so you’ll learn of upcoming classes such as this Queen Bee project.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Clara Warschauer. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Midweek Chat: What Sermon?, Stanton, and Perez
Jun 10, 2026
Mid-Century Plant, designed and stitched by Judy Coates Perez.Gary’s progress on Summer Logs by Kathy Rees.It’s time for another Midweek Chat. In this show, we gush about Judy Coates Perez and her creativity, learn what Gary does during sermons, applaud Yvette Stanton, remember Pam Mertes, and talk about some of the projects we’re stitching. Leave your thoughts/questions in the comment section. Sunday: No show so an opportunity to catch up on previous podcasts. Please consider supporting Fiber Talk by becoming a Patreon subscriber at patreon.com/FiberTalk—Beth and Gary
Become a Fiber Talk Patreon member at patreon.com/FiberTalk.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy the show. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Judy Coates Perez Practices “What if?” at the Highest Level
Jun 07, 2026
Resist by Judy Coates Perez.For this week’s show, sponsored by EGA, we had the privilege of spending time with textile artist Judy Coates Perez. Her textile arts career started with an extended family car trip when Judy was in 8th grade. In Guatemala, she learned how to do backstrap (not backstop ;)) weaving. That triggered a lifelong love of multimedia textile art creation. We spent a delightful hour learning about how she creates. Today, in addition to her own art and teaching, Judy has likely the best day job an artist could imagine. We’re confident you’ll enjoy the show and urge you to follow Judy so you can keep up with her work.–Beth and Gary
Visit the EGA website at egausa.org and consider joining.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Judy Coates Perez. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Ruth O’Leary Thread Paints Impressive Needleart
May 31, 2026
Plumage by Ruth O’Leary.Artemis by Ruth O’Leary.Our May 31 guest is Ruth O’Leary from Rostara. Ruth is a thread painting artist who uses her own version of the technique. Her stitching approach creates a different texture than “conventional” thread painting and provides Ruth with the color-transition flexibility she desires in her art. Equally interesting is Ruth’s design process. To make the art that’s in her head happen, she combines internet archive art, her own sketches, and AI technology. Those sources provide the parts that Ruth combines in the Procreate app to generate the designs that become her needle art. It’s an interesting process that relies, in part, on using the positive benefits of AI. Be sure to visit her website and Instagram channel to enjoy her work.–Gary
Vedra by Ruth O’Leary.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Ruth O’Leary. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Embroider Felt Bowls and Ogle Laura Wasilowski’s Art Quilts
May 25, 2026
Felt bowls embroidered by Laura Wasilowski.Bridge House quilt created by Laura Wasilowski.EGA is sponsoring our conversation with versatile textile artist Laura Wasilowski. After a short stint in theater, Laura built a career dyeing fabrics and threads while raising her children. That led to her captivating art quilts. These days she still creates quilts, but on the much smaller side of the art form and with a good deal more embroidery. She also teaches a large number of classes through C&T publishing. One of those classes involves her newest canvas, felt bowls produced by Fibres of Life. These bowls are a terrific, high-quality, affordable product and Laura’s class shows you how to bring them to life with thread, ribbon, and other embellishments. We explore stitching these bowls at some length and encourage you to give them a try. Also, make your way to Laura’s website to enjoy her outstanding quilts.–Cindy and Gary
Visit the EGA website at egausa.org and consider joining.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Laura Wasilowski We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Canvas #7: Match Master Painter Threads with Master Painter Designs
May 20, 2026
Kick Back and Stitch Cassatt, stitched by Robin Rossignol.Kick Back and Stitch Matisse, stitched by Robin Rossignol.After listening to our show with Jane Garrison of Threadnuts/The Painter’s Threads Collection (https://wetalkfiber.com/2023/08/19/fiber-talk-with-jane-garrison/), Robin Rossignol was inspired to purchase some of those threads and match them with some of the Kick Back and Stitch designs she owned. In this video, we talk about 10 of those pieces and explore the threads and design features. Robin’s work is an excellent example of how you can try counted-canvas needlepoint by stitching a small, inexpensive, design using stash threads or by making a small investment in new threads. See the links below for sources.—Robin & Gary
Robin frequently refers to the book, “Twisty Stitches.” There are actually two volumes of “Twisty Stitches.” They were written by Carole Lake and Michael Boren. Their website is: https://stitchplay.com. You’ll have to purchase the books from a LNS or an online book seller as they’re no longer sold on the Stitch Play Designs website.
The Finishing Fairy Helps You Learn to Finish Needlepoint
May 17, 2026
The Finishing Fairy finished the needlepoint piece..A scissor case finished by Amanda Metes.Amanda Metes, The Needlepoint Finishing Fairy, joins us to talk about her journey from stitcher to finisher to finishing educator. She’s accomplished a lot in a short time and the result is a terrific resource that will help you “get your ornaments to the tree” and eventually tackle bigger, more complex projects. During the conversation, we also get some tips from Amanda about what you can do while stitching to make quality finishing possible, along with a discussion of the pros and cons of using glue. Note that hot glue is basically all con. We hope you enjoy the conversation and then visit her website to join her community of needlepointers who finish.—Cindy and Gary
Cartonnage piece made by Amanda Metes.You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Amanda Metes. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Cindy’s nearly finished with Land of the Free.Michelle Agnew, our May 10 guest, does stunning goldwork.We’re chatting late this Wednesday, but still chatting. Cindy and Gary talk about needlepoint finishing, making cord, Michelle Agnew’s goldwork, mounting linen on Rolaframe scroll frames, felt bowls, “Piecework” magazine’s International Needlework Museum Directory, and shops equipping new stitchers with the tools they need to succeed. Sunday’s guest: Amanda Metes, The Needlepoint Finishing Fairy—Cindy & Gary
You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
We hope you enjoy the show. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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Michelle Agnew Sculpts with Gold Thread
May 10, 2026
Creating this octopus started Michelle Agnew’s needle art journey.Learn the story behind Michelle’s Hand & Lock Prize winning art.Michelle Agnew wanted more for her designs than traditional gold work and stump work techniques could provide. So, using those techniques as a foundation, she developed (and is still developing) her own approaches. The result is gold work sculpture that adds a new dimension to the gold-thread world of needle arts. Her efforts have earned her a Hand & Lock prize and resulted in a full-time needlework business that, in addition to her own art, involves teaching, working in the fashion industry, exhibiting, and creating commissioned pieces. After you hear her story, take some time to visit her website and social-media channels and absorb her terrific art.—Gary
You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses.
This piece is one of the 15 in Michelle’s entomology collection.Here are some links:
We hope you enjoy this conversation with Michelle Agnew. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show.
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