Handicraft and Stitch - The Podcast!

Season One Finale: Craftivism — Craft as Activism We’re closing out season one of Handicraft and Stitch with a big conversation: craftivism — the idea that craft can be activism. In this episode we wander through stories, history, and present-day moments where craft has carried meaning far beyond the stitches. We talk about quilts and the stories connected to the Underground Railroad, the cultural power of hair and head coverings, the symbolism of hats, the way craft has shown up around presidents, and how making still intersects with current politics today. But we want to be clear — we are not historians. We’re makers. We’re curious. And we’re talking honestly about what these stories bring up for us and how they live in our bodies as people who craft. For us, crafting has always been about more than just making something pretty. It’s about identity, resistance, community, care, and connection. It’s about the ways people have always used what they had — thread, fabric, yarn, hands — to communicate, protect each other, and stand together. This episode is an open, thoughtful conversation about what it means to craft with intention and how making can bring people together. Because at the end of the day, crafting may start with one pair of hands… But united we craft! Thank you for being part of our first season. 🧵     Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!   Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 16: Yarn + One Hook = Crochet 🧶✨   Welcome back to our Yarn Series — this is Part Two, and we’re trading in two needles for one powerful little hook. This week on Handicraft and Stitch, we’re sitting down with official bestie-of-the-podcast Brittany — certified crochet baddie and hook-wielding queen — to chat all things crochet. From how she got started to why crochet hits different, we’re breaking down what makes this craft so addictive, expressive, and deeply rooted in community. We talk granny squares, garments, thrifted yarn finds, and the quiet rebellion of making something beautiful with your own two hands. Crochet has always been about resourcefulness, resilience, and radical creativity — and Brittany brings that energy in full color. Whether you’re brand new to yarn or you’ve got three WIPs living in tote bags around your house, this episode will make you want to grab a hook and stitch your way into the lineage of makers who built warmth, art, and power from a single strand. Part Two. One hook. Let’s get into it. Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!   Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 15: Yarn + Two Needles = Knitting What happens when you hand someone yarn, two needles, and a whole lot of curiosity? You get knitting—plus a few dropped stitches and a good story or two. In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Rachael and Nikki sit down to talk all things beginner knitting. Nikki shares how she learned to knit as a kid (spoiler: it’s never too early and never too late), and together they break down the very basics of getting started—what you actually need, what you don’t, and why knitting has always been about more than just making stuff. This is a cozy, low-pressure intro to knitting from a feminist, community-first point of view—because historically, yarn work has always been power disguised as a pastime. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to knit but don’t know where to start,” this one’s for you. Grab your yarn. We’re starting at the beginning. 🧶   Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!   Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 14: Handmade Holiday Gifts with Nikki & Rachael  This week on Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki and Rachael are unwrapping a real treat: the top handmade holiday gifts from every decade starting in the 1950s. We dive into the evolution of handmade holiday gifts—from post-war practicality to modern-day creativity. Nikki and Rachael explore how each decade shaped the crafts we gave and received, reflecting the culture, materials, and values of the time. Whether you’re planning your own handmade gifts or simply love maker history, this episode is a cozy, insightful listen. What will you make after listening to this episode?    Follow us on social media! - for updates and more content!   Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 13: The Many Stories of Unhinged Sewing   Sewing isn’t always serene — sometimes it’s a little… unhinged or is it? In this episode, we’re lifting the seams on our most chaotic crafting moments, along with stories from the community. Whether it’s a project gone sideways or a hilarious recovery, these are the moments that remind us why we keep stitching — even when the bobbin runs out again. The special guest spotlight on this episode is our dear friend Jodi, who shares her insightful take on Unhinged Sewing. Please make sure to check out our IG for a post all about her sewing projects.    Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 12: Crafters of the Night - Handmade Halloween Costumes    This Halloween, we’re skipping the store-bought look and getting stitched in the spirit—not shopping at Spirit Halloween! In this episode, we dive into the creative magic of making your own costume, from brainstorming ideas to bringing spooky (or sparkly) visions to life with what you already have. We’ll share tips for transforming thrifted finds, talk about the joy of standing out in something handmade, and celebrate the creativity that comes from doing it yourself. Plus, we’ve got an extra special guest spotlight joining us to share their costume-making story and what handmade Halloween means to them. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or just picking up a needle for the first time, this episode will have you ready to craft into the night!   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 10: What to Consider When Building Your Capsule Wardrobe   In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the art of creating a capsule wardrobe—one that’s intentional, versatile, and sustainable. We walk through the key things to consider when building your own capsule, from choosing timeless pieces to making sure your clothes fit your lifestyle (not the other way around). We also explore the Capsule Wardrobe chapter of Sustainable Minimalism by Stephanie Maria Seferian, unpacking her insights and adding our own thoughts on how to keep fashion simple, practical, and planet-friendly. If you’ve ever wanted a closet that feels less overwhelming and more empowering, this episode is for you.     Episode Resources:  Book - Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits That Last, and Become a Minimalist Without Sacrificing the Planet Book - Color Me Beautiful's Looking Your Best - Color, Makeup and Style   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 11: The Story Behind Nikki's Handmade Wedding Dress   In this heartfelt episode of Handicraft and Stitch, Nikki shares all about designing and sewing her very own wedding dress—from the first sketch to the final stitch. Both Nikki and Rachael share about their time working in the alterations room at David’s Bridal. Yes, they have another previous employer in common. This experience shaped how Nikki approached creating a gown that honored tradition while embracing her modern, DIY spirit. We dive into the highs and hiccups along the way—like choosing the perfect fabric (and a few not-so-perfect ones), balancing creativity with practicality, and what it’s really like to walk down the aisle in something made by your own hands. Plus, congratulations to Nikki and Sage on their one-year anniversary on October 6th! This episode's special spotlight interview is with Nikki’s maid of honor, who gives us an inside look at what it’s like to stand by a DIY bride through all the threads, fittings, and joyful chaos. This episode is a love letter to handmade artistry, meaningful traditions, and the beauty of making something truly your own.   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 9: Mending and Making Do In this episode of Handicraft and Stitch, we dive into the roots of the “Mend and Make Do” movement that began in Britain during wartime—when creativity, thrift, and necessity came together in powerful ways. We’ll connect those historic lessons to today’s growing movement of mending as an act of rebellion against fast fashion and throwaway culture. Rachael and Nikki also share a peek into their own mending piles (yes, those baskets overflowing with projects we keep putting off!)—what they’re stitching, patching, and breathing new life into right now. Tune in for a conversation that blends history, sustainability, and the simple joy of making the most of what we have.   Episode Resources:  https://celiapym.com/ 10 Top Tips For Winning At World War 2 'Make Do And Mend' 8 Facts about Clothes Rationing in Britain During the Second World War   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 8: Fabric Care for All! Confession time: we’ve all let fabric sit a little too long in a bin or wondered if we can really throw that delicate textile in the wash. In this episode, we’re tackling the mysteries of fabric care with easy, down-to-earth tips. Because when you care for your fabric, your fabric takes care of your making. Nikki, our fabric care expert, discusses the journey of fabric care- where to start, how to identify fabric, and what to avoid along the way.    Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 7: Her Story - Ancient Egypt Linen & Knitted Socks of Ancient Egypt We’re kicking off our brand-new Her Story mini-series, where we explore the women, hands, and histories behind the textiles throughout time. In this first installment, we travel back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt to uncover how linen was grown, spun, and woven into the fabric of daily life — and how a pair of surprisingly stylish knitted socks tells us more than you’d expect about craft, culture, and connection. Join Nikki and Rachael for a journey through time, stitches, and stories that remind us why handmade matters. Nal Binding Socks Linen Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 6: “Where the F*ck Did Home Economics Go?!?” Home Ec isn’t just about sewing aprons and baking casseroles—and it never was. In this fiery episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real roots of Home Economics and asking why it disappeared from classrooms (and our lives). Spoiler: it has everything to do with power, gender, and who gets to decide what's considered "serious education." We spotlight the story of Ellen Swallow Richards, the unsung science badass and first female student at MIT who practically invented the field of Home Economics. She believed women deserved access to science and viewed the home as a site of innovation and empowerment, rather than drudgery. We’re talking kitchen chemistry, class dynamics, and the slow erasure of skills that should’ve never gone out of style. So grab your embroidery, your grocery list, or just your curiosity, and let’s reclaim the radical roots of “women’s work.” Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 5: Curating Your Sewing Toolkit – Hand Sewing Edition Ready to thread the needle on your sewing journey? In this episode, we’re going back to basics—and making them beautiful. Rachael and Nikki break down the essential tools every hand-sewist should have in their starter kit (spoiler alert: it’s less than you think!), plus a few fun extras if you’re ready to level up. We’re also spilling the tea on the biggest beginner mistakes we’ve seen (and made!) and sharing our favorite dos and don’ts to keep your stitches strong and your spirits high. Whether you’re mending jeans, sewing a patch, or just starting from scratch, this episode is your warm, no-judgment invitation to start building a toolkit that works for you. Let’s stitch slow, stitch proud, and stitch together. 💛✂️ Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

🧵Bonus Episode 1: Buzz Buzz...The Sewing Hive 🐝 In this sweet-as-honey episode, we sit down with Jamie, co-founder and owner of The Sewing Hive—a vibrant sewing school right here in Columbus, Ohio! 🧷✂️ Jamie (Nikki’s fabulous friend and fellow stitch sorceress) shares her sewing story, the spark that started The Sewing Hive, and how this buzzing community hub is helping people of all ages and skill levels fall in love with the art of making. From teaching techniques to building confidence behind the machine, The Sewing Hive is more than a school—it’s a place where creativity swarms. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sewist, you’ll leave this convo inspired to stitch your heart out. 🎧 Tune in, thread up, and get ready to meet your new favorite sewing spot. Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com  

Season 1 / Episode 4: You're Sew Gay - Happy Pride 2025!   The Rainbow Was a Revolution: Gilbert Baker & the Original Pride Flag 🌈✂️ Pull up a chair and grab your favorite sparkly thread — this week, we're stitching a story that changed the world. In this special Pride episode, Rachael dives into the vibrant legacy of Gilbert Baker, the artist and activist behind the original rainbow flag. 💖🧵 After reading Baker’s unapologetically fabulous memoir Rainbow Warrior, we’re bringing you the radical, colorful, queer-as-heck history of how one sewing machine, a whole lot hand dyed fabric, and a dream of liberation created an icon of love and protest. 🌈✊ We talk drag nuns, sewing as resistance, why hot pink matters, and how Baker’s flag became the banner of a movement. This episode is a love letter to creativity, community, and the power of making something beautiful in the face of injustice. ✨ Whether you’re waving your rainbow flag high or just learning where it came from, you’re welcome in our stitch & bitch circle. Let’s honor the thread that binds us all.   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 3:  In this delightfully inky episode, Rachael and Nikki roll up their sleeves and dive into the wonderfully textured world of block printing. Whether you’re curious about carving your first lino block or you’ve admired the crisp charm of hand-pressed woodblock prints from afar, this is your cozy beginner’s guide. The duo chats through the basics—what makes wood and linoleum blocks different, the tools you’ll need to get started (hint: don’t skimp on the carving tools!), and their own trial-and-error stories from their earliest prints. Expect plenty of practical tips, a few chuckles over inky mishaps, and their favorite ways to use block prints in everyday crafting—from greeting cards to tea towels. Pull up a seat in the studio, pour yourself a cup of something yummy, and get ready to fall in love with the tactile magic of printmaking. 🎨✨   Links for the episode:  The Invention of Woodblock Printing in the Tang (618–906) and Song (960–1279) Dynasties - Education Woodblock Prints in the Ukiyo-e Style - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Woodcut | The Metropolitan Museum of Art Woodblock Printing | Brian P Coppola https://www.britannica.com/art/printmaking The History of Printmaking from Wood Blocks to the Digital Age : SNAP HIstory of Lino Printing The History of Lino Printing and its Artists The Evolution of Linoleum Linoleum cut | MoMA Woodcut Printmaking For Beginners – What You Need to Get Started - Jackson's Art Blog A Guide to Linocut Printmaking - Jackson's Art Blog #MetKids—How to Make a Potato Print   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 2: The Magic of Thrifting Your Supplies! Welcome back to Handicraft and Stitch! In this episode, we dive into the creative joy (and sweet surprises) of thrifting your sewing supplies. From unexpected fabric finds to secondhand scores that spark inspiration, we're sharing our favorite thrift shopping stories and tried-and-true tips for sourcing fabric and tools on a budget. Whether you're brand new to sewing or ready to shift into a more sustainable, wallet-friendly approach, this episode will help you build your stash without breaking the bank. Let’s make magic out of what others left behind.   This episode features a chat with Nikki's Dad about his sewing journey :)   Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com

Season 1 / Episode 1: Sew...I Guess We Podcast Now.   Meet Rachael and Nikki — Our Story, Our Why, and What We’re Stitching Today Welcome to the very first episode of Handicraft and Stitch: The Podcast! We’re Rachael and Nikki—two friends, makers, and big believers in the power of slow stitching, shared stories, and community care. In this kickoff episode, we’re sitting down (probably with a mug of something warm) to share how Handicraft and Stitch came to be. From the moment we met to the spark that started this whole thing, we talk about what brought us together and why this work feels so important. We unpack what Handicraft and Stitch really means to us—more than thread and fabric, it’s about making do, making together, and making change. And because it wouldn’t be a proper catch-up without it, we end with a peek at what we’re currently sewing on (spoiler: it’s never just one project). Whether you’ve been sewing for years or are just curious about getting started, you have a seat at this table. We’re so glad you’re here. Links to stuff we mentioned in the podcast: ⁠Rachael's new custom dress form ⁠ nfession time: we’ve all let fabric sit a little too long in a bin or wondered if we can really throw that delicate textile in the wash. In this episode, we’re tackling the mysteries of fabric care with easy, down-to-earth tips. Because when you care for your fabric, your fabric takes care of your making. Nikki, our fabric care expert, discusses the journey of fabric care- where to start, how to identify fabric, and what to avoid along the way.    Follow us on social media!     Support our season one podcast sponsor - The Sewing Hive.   Do you have ideas for future episodes, or would you like to send us a note? Contact us at handicraftandstitch@gmail.com