Stitchery Stories

Latest Episodes:

Jessica Aldred: Designing Her Life Through Embroidery May 13, 2020

Show notes

Today we meet Jessica Aldred, a former Royal School of Needlework graduate and tutor, who combines her love of embroidery with her love of all things vintage! Jessica shares some fabulous career highlights with us as she is close to the new adventure of motherhood.

With big changes coming along in her life, Jessica has been investigating different ways of working and extending how she can support other embroidery artists. She loves to help others 'know where to start' in developing their embroidery career, and develop the confidence to move forward.

An interesting aspect of Jessica's business is her love of vintage clothing and styling, and we chat about how she has combined the 2 aspects to create her own unique brand and business.

Susan Weeks chats with Jessica about:

Using lockdown time to investigate different ways of working online
Conserving an embroidery from 1715
Passionate about helping people who want to generate income from their embroidery skills
Consultation around producing embroidery kits
The feeling of fear when you start working on vulnerable antique embroideries
Keen to support artists 'know where to start' and develop the confidence to move forward
Always loved buttons & beads
Her route into the Royal School of Needlework
The delights of Pinterest
Including her love of vintage styling into her business
Embroidery for royalty
Embroidery for prisoners

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Jessica's work at https://www.stitcherystories.com/jessicaaldred

Look: https://www.instagram.com/houseofheydayembroidery/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/houseofheydayvintage/

View: http://houseofheyday.co.uk/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/houseofheydayltd/

Send: houseofheyday@outlook.com

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/tracyafranklin/

https://www.stitcherystories.com/saradennis/

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

The History Wardrobe with Lucy Adlington http://www.historywardrobe.com/

Bright Star (movie 2009)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810784/

Bankfield Museum, Halifax https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/visit/bankfield-museum

Elstob & Elstob Auctioneers

https://www.elstobandelstob.co.uk/

Susan Weeks: Some Thoughts and Questions around Stitchery Stories Podcast May 06, 2020

Show notes

Today we hear from Susan Weeks, the host of Stitchery Stories. Susan shares her thoughts around the future direction for this globally popular textile art podcast. She also unveils a Listener Survey that she would love everyone to complete. It's anonymous, only takes a minute and will really help her understand and serve all you lovely listeners in a more powerful way.

And a key change is that Susan intends to put this podcast at the heart of her business, and focus on helping professional textile artists and embroidery artists with their quest and challenges around getting their businesses online, creating online courses and membership schemes, as well as selling stuff online too.

This is a perfect example where professional skills and years of experience meet a much loved hobby. Sue is very excited about how this can develop!

Susan chats about:

She loves to see what you are stitching and working on
How her online business skills and courses can support professional textile artists
Why she started this podcast
The 'Free' way vs the 'headache-free' way to develop your business
Is textile art & embroidery your hobby OR your business?
Please take part in the Stitchery Stories Listener Survey
Also watch out for a survey for professional embroidery & textile artists
Exploring sponsorship and other revenue generation opportunities

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & fill out the survey at https://www.stitcherystories.com/may2020update

Look: https://www.instagram.com/stitcherystories_podcast

Like: https://www.facebook.com/stitcherystories/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/TheMissingTraining/

View: https://www.stitcherystories.com

Survey: https://forms.gle/rJwqdmZqwmat1Yms7

Early Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/susiemartin/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/tracyafranklin/

Claire Mort: Powerful Pop Art in Hand Embroidery Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Today we meet Claire Mort, an award-winning British textile artist who creates colourful and powerful pop art using hand embroidery. And if you read 'Be Creative With Workbox' magazine, then you will already know her from her column, 'Morts Thoughts'.

Claire has an inspiring story and we discuss how opportunities come from the most extraordinary situations, and really that we need a mixture of joy and hope to carry us through the exciting adventure of life. Although we did cover some rather serious topics, we did it with humour and joy.

Susan Weeks chats with Claire about:

Stitching into bras
Inspiring women and their stories
The impact of the Corona virus 'lockdown'
Assessing all aspects of her art business and to continue and adapt
Developing self-reliance and sustainability
The shortest exhibition in history!
Embroidery is an incredibly powerful tool
The influence of graphic design and the skills needed for online work
Opportunities come from extraordinary situations
Writing a magazine column
The delight of Instagram
Inspired by 70's and 80's UK kids cartoons
The joy of the handmade item - in all mediums
So much to be learnt from playing
The battle with our inner critic
Courage and hope
Wondering how to start creating an online course

For this episode...

View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Claire's work at https://www.stitcherystories.com/clairemort

Look: https://www.instagram.com/clairemortartist/

View: https://www.clairemortartist.com/

Shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/clairemortarty/shop

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like:

https://www.stitcherystories.com/juilatriston

https://www.stitcherystories.com/janesanders

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

The Embroiderers' Guild

https://embroiderersguild.com/

The Society For Embroidered Work (S.E.W.) https://www.societyforembroideredwork.com/

A Mighty Girl

https://www.facebook.com/amightygirl/

Being Bold: Finding Myself When Everything Changed Susan Weeks on International Womens Day 2017 https://youtu.be/qqHDevdVg2g

'Be Creative With Workbox' magazine

https://www.creativewithworkbox.com/

Ilke Cochrane: Delightful Hardanger Embroidery Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

Today we meet Ilke Cochrane, a Dutch ex-pat living in the UK witha delightfully quirky sense of humour! Ilke has a great story, particularly around the name of her business brand... Mabel Figworthy's Fancies.

As well as designing 'what she fancies' for kits and charts, Ilke runs workshops and is very eager for anyone to 'have a go' at embroidery. She shares a great story about her neighbour, and also shares wise advice about treating ourselves kindly and admiring what we have created without comparing to others.

Susan Weeks chats with Ilke about:

Stitch-A-Longs (SAL)
Working on the RSN Certificate of Technical Hand Embroidery
The self-imposed pressure of 'falling behind' when joining a SAL and then giving up
Creating uniqueness with colours, styles and threads
"not hampered by any knowledge"
Discovering The Cross Stitch Forum
Who is Mabel Figworthy?
The unpredictability of whether a design will sell, or not!
It's OK to NOT want 'world domination' in your niche
Be happy where you are
What is Hardanger embroidery
Use short affordable workshops to try out a new technique
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
The story of the gold thread...
It might work, so 'have a go'
From a painted pebble to an enthusiastic embroiderer
Introducing Hengist The Medieval Unicorn
Get Blogging!

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Ilke's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/ilkecochrane

Like: https://www.facebook.com/mabelsfancies

View: http://mabelfigworthy.co.uk/

Shop: http://mabelfigworthy.co.uk/

Read: http://mabelfigworthy.co.uk/fof/

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/tracyafranklin/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/liannevanleyen/

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

The Knitting & Stitching Show https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/

Ami James Returns : Soothing Anxiety With Mindful Sewing Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Ami James returns to Stitchery Stories today with a very positive message to share with us as we adjust to life 'under lockdown'. Ami was an early guest on Stitchery Stories back in October 2017 when we chatted about how textile art had changed her life after her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It's been a very busy couple of years for Ami since then, with, sadly, several painful, personal situations to deal with. Yet here she is, pushing forward and helping others deal with anxiety through mindful stitching, as well as an interesting collaboration with a life coach.

Our chat turns to what Ami has been doing online to stay connected with her in-person classes and to encourage those who are suffering from anxiety caused by our global situation of fear, isolation and financial worries too.

Susan Weeks chats with Ami about:

Keeping anxiety at bay with quilting
Ami's mental health journey from bipolar diagnosis to her recent discharge from mental health services
Being brave and doing live videos on Facebook
Stepping up and helping others deal with their anxiety through mindful crafts
Doing Facebook live tutorials
Getting round to running courses online
Sue talks about Zoom video conferencing
Taking part in an online 'Zoom' class is easy - honestly!
Collaborating with a friend who is a life coach
Is the secret to all of this 'hand eye coordination'?
"... an internet sensation..."
Planning for a more resilient future
Should we be giving away our knowledge for free at the moment?

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Ami's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/amijamesreturns

Like: https://www.facebook.com/simplyneedlecraft/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/Social-Isolation-Mindset-Focus-102718361388766/

Look: https://instagram.com/simply_needlecraft/

View: https://simplyneedlecraft.com/

Shop: https://simplyneedlecraft.com/

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like:

https://www.stitcherystories.com/amijames/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/yvonnefuchs/

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

Harry Perfors Life Coach https://www.facebook.com/LifestyleUpgradeSpecialist/

Newspaper article https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/swadlincote-seamstress-battling-mental-health-3969388

Ruth Cereceda: Asking about local groups making face masks

https://www.instagram.com/cerecedastudio/

https://ruthcereceda.wixsite.com/studio/contact

"Learn How To Use Zoom Video Conferencing So You Can Take Your Business Online" by Susan Weeks from The Missing Training

https://www.facebook.com/TheMissingTraining/

Jane Austen Embroidery: The Stories Behind The Words And Stitches Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Jane Austen Embroidery, the newly published book from Pavilion Books, created by Jennie Batchelor and Alison Larkin is the subject of this episode of the Stitchery Stories embroidery podcast. Both of these talented ladies are my friends and I have followed this book project closely over the last 3 years! Alison was my first ever (brave) guest on Stitchery Stories, and Jennie was guest number six.

This is a truly gorgeous book, and will attract stitchers of all levels, as well as fans of Jane Austen. It brings together 18th century embroidery patterns, re-imagined into modern embroidery projects. A delightful addition is the quotes from Jane Austen's novels and letters, as well as illustrations and beautiful photography.

So I dig behind the stitches and words to highlight the interesting stories shared by Alison and Jennie.

Susan Weeks chats with Jennie and Alison about:

The Lady's Magazine and the embroidery patterns within
The story of how Jane Austen Embroidery was 'born'
A friendship started on Twitter
"we should write a book!!!"
Connecting Jane Austen, The Lady's Magazine and 18th century embroidery
You did WHAT with those patterns, Sue!
The range of creativity the patterns have sparked
The typical stitches used in the book projects
What level of skill is needed for the book projects
Building a community of stitching friends around the world
Bringing together research, writing, quotes, illustrations, photography... and of course, embroidery!
Book launch plans

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Images from Jane Austen Embroidery at http://www.stitcherystories.com/janeaustenembroidery

Like: https://www.facebook.com/alisonlarkinembroidery

Like: https://www.facebook.com/ladysmagproject/

Look: https://instagram.com/ladysmagproject/

Look: https://instagram.com/alisonlarkinstitcher

Tweet: https://twitter.com/larkinstitcher

Tweet: https://twitter.com/ladysmagproject

View: https://www.jenniebatchelor.net/

Shop: https://amzn.to/2IVMv1h

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like:

https://www.stitcherystories.com/alisonlarkin/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/drjenniebatchelor/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/liannevanleyen/

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

Pavilion Books https://pavilionbooks.com

Lianne Van Leyen : Creating cross stitch patterns from antique schoolgirl samplers Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Lianne Van Leyen is the guest today on the Stitchery Stories podcast, where she shares how she re-creates antique schoolgirl samplers into patterns for the modern cross stitch enthusiast. Lianne is the founder of 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers and is an avid collector of antique schoolgirl samplers.

After many years of dreaming and planning, she escaped her corporate career and landed her dream job as a historic cook and historical domestic interpreter at the Upper Canada Village living history museum, located in Eastern Ontario, Canada. This also gave her the opportunity to focus on launching her business: 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers.

Susan Weeks chats with Lianne about:

Taking 10 to 15 years to move from "I think I can do this" to "I know I can do this" to "I am doing it!"
Decisions around how to scale, at a relevant price point, at desired quality level
Learning to let go of what we thought would work
Getting out of our own way
Using PCStitch to map out cross stitch antique sampler patterns
The challenges and processes involved in interpreting antique schoolgirl samplers
A growing collection of antique schoolgirl samplers
How did the sampler collection start?
Juggling a corporate career and finding the headspace to think about creative endeavours
Designing a way to have the dream job and have a creative business based around cross stitch
Being brave, reaching out to strangers and developing strong creative relationships, friends and connections
Learning to trust your decisions
Having a variety of tasks in the pipeline to work on to cope with overwhelm and tricky decisions

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Lianne's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/liannevanleyen

Like: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolhouseSamplers/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/1897schoolhousesamplers/

Shop: Etsy 1897Schoolhouse

Email: lianne@1897schoolhousesamplers.ca

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/alisonlarkin/ https://www.stitcherystories.com/drjenniebatchelor/

Other people, places & things we mentioned:

Upper Canada Village

https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/

PCStitch popular design software for counted cross stitch pattern making

http://www.pcstitch.com/

Kate Tume: powerful textile art to highlight species loss Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Kate Tume is the guest today on the Stitchery Stories podcast, where she shares how she creates powerful art from embroidery and textile art techniques to highlight the devastation of species loss and the destruction of our natural world.

Susan Weeks chats with Kate about:

What is an artists residency
The luxury of focusing on art and nothing else
Toucans, scorpions, iguanas, halloween crabs
The stories behind endangered creatures
Developing a distinctive style to highlight the impact of species loss
What is special, revered, hallowed?
Corona virus in a chat about embroidery?
School art squashing the desire to be artistic
Another corporate escapee desperate for creativity
When do you 'own' that you ARE an artist?
Where did 'Mother Eagle' come from?
Pushing boundaries with materials
Collecting rejections

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Kate's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/katetume

Visit: https://madebymothereagle.com/

Like: https://www.facebook.com/MadeByMotherEagle/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/mother_eagle_arts/

Shop: https://mothereagle.bigcartel.com/

Learn: https://www.skillshare.com/user/mothereagle

Email: mothereagle@hotmail.com

Related Stitchery Stories episodes you might like: https://www.stitcherystories.com/janineheschl/

Other people, places & things we mentioned: https://www.gmccullochportraits.com/ https://taliapeckel.format.com/

The Mauser Foundation http://mauserfoundation.org/

Jane's Addiction - Wrong Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6nbvS7LcOI

Eva Kitok: Textile artist making the most of spare minutes Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

Eva Kitok lives in the north of Sweden and has organised her life and career so she can make the most of her time and spend as much time as possible doing embroidery and creating textile art. She loves to embroider whilst watching TV on long winter evenings and also whilst cooking!

Susan Weeks chats with Eva about:

Music and embroidery
The challenges of embroidering The Cure album covers
Creating applique portraits
A new enthusiasm for traditional Swedish wool embroidery
Don't be bored. Plan embroidery in your head instead!
Being an enthusiastic teenage embroidery fan
Pinterest & Instagram - the gateway drugs for creativity
Can embroidery yet again solve a mid-life crisis?
Going to classes or experimenting yourself?
Enjoying success at prestigious art shows
Keeping success private from work colleagues
The trials of embroidering Michael Jackson
Hmmmmm the evolution of politicians
Making the most of all of those 'spare' minutes
The excitement of holding her first solo exhibitions

For this episode... View Show Notes, Links & Examples of Eva's work at http://www.stitcherystories.com/evakitok

Visit: https://www.evakitok.com/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/kitokeva/

Email: evakitok@gmail.com

Other Episodes You might like to listen to:

More music themed textile art: https://www.stitcherystories.com/janesanders/

2019 Listener Highlights: https://www.stitcherystories.com/2019highlights/

Sharing 2019 Stitchery Stories Global Listener Highlights Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

This week we celebrate our stitching, embroidery, textile art highlights from 2019.

Susan Weeks, as the host of this popular textile art podcast, shares some lovely stories and highlights sent in by listeners from around the world.

We hear from some previous guests, from new listeners, from long-time listeners.

What fabulous and inspiring messages have been received - these will cheer you up.

And in this season of goodwill, Sue also appeals for a mentor for a young woman in Russia. Let's make 2020 a fabulous year for Daria! Who can help her dreams come true?

For this episode... and to see images from our contributors, links to them all, and related past episodes, then go visit https://www.stitcherystories.com/2019highlights

Like: https://www.facebook.com/stitcherystories/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/stitcherystories_podcast/

Our contributors:

Saima Kaur

@sewsaima on Instagram

Jane Cook

'Stitch To Enrich'

Annie Taylor

@whitstabletail on Instagram

#hasshenothingbettertodo

https://whitstabletail.wordpress.com

Tim Buchheim