Check Your Thread

Many of us sew in a small space, or in an area of our home that’s also used for other activities and by other people. If that’s you, how’s the space working for you? Whatever the constraints of your space, there are tons of changes you can make and heaps of tips that you can deploy to make things work more smoothly. Today’s episode is a guide that collates all the awesome ideas from last week’s episode, with a whole bunch more thrown in as well. We’ll cover furniture and storage solutions, organising and orienting your space, managing what comes into your space and the stuff that’s already there, and how to develop processes and methods of working that will reduce frustration and increase your sewing enjoyment. Support the podcast over on Patreon!(image source: Darling Arias via Unsplash) This episode is the second part in a mini-series. Listen to Part 1:Ep. #158: Small and Shared Space Sewing, Part 1Craft storage trolley (this one is from Hobbycraft):Small, table top ironing board (the classic one by Ikea):Wool pressing mat (this one is for sale in the UK from Love Sew)Buy or make a pocket organiser that can hang on a wall or the back of a door (Closet Core patterns have a tutorial):Thread Pegs make amazing thread, cone and bobbin peg organisers:Under shelf storage baskets (I found some that are very cheap on eBay):Listen to:Ep. #145: 5 Simple Tactics to Save on Sewing Ep. #11: Sewing Vs Kids Ep. #101: How to Prioritise Sewing with Jenny Drew

Is the space you have for sewing pretty small? Or maybe you sew in a space that is shared with other people and also used for other activities? Or perhaps your sewing space is both small AND shared? We’re spending this week’s and next week’s episodes finding out how we can make these situations work better for ourselves, so that we can have successful and fulfilling sewing lives, no matter the configuration. Today we’re going to hear from lots of sewers about their small or shared sewing spaces: what’s working well and what frustrates them about it, and they’ll be sharing useful tips that you can apply today!Support the podcast over on Patreon!(image source: Lucas Favre via Unsplash) Caro organises their sewing resources using the Stash Hub app:

How does a small business advertise the products it sells so it can stay afloat without encouraging over consumption? In the second part of my conversation with Bevan O’Daly,  owner of Bawn Textiles, we hear how she navigates this conundrum. Bevan also explains the difference between a small business and a micro business, and the additional challenges faced by the latter. Plus we get a fascinating view into her other world: textile conservation. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Bawn Textiles in a bricks and mortar shop in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as an online shop. You can also follow them on Instagram (@bawntextiles). Listen to the first part of the conversation:Ep. #156: How to Run an Ethical Textiles Shop with Bevan O’DalyThe Govanhill Baths Community Trust run an endeavour called Rags to Riches where you can learn skills including sewing. Another option for in-person sewing classes in Glasgow is Sew Confident. Listen to the pep talk that owner Jenny Drew gave us previously:Ep. #101: How to Prioritise Sewing with Jenny DrewSwedish fashion and sewing pattern designer, Ann Ringstrand, elicited feedback from Bawn customers before writing her second book. Bawn Textiles also stock sewing patterns by:The Assembly Line Merchant and Mills  And others…Two popular books are:Zero Waste Patterns by Birgitta Helmersson Creative Visible Mending for Knitwear by Flora Collingwood-Norris

If you ran a shop that supported makers to create more sustainably, what would it look like, and what would you stock? Bevan O’Daly is the owner of Glasgow-based Bawn Textiles and her goal is to provide responsibly sourced fabric, yarn and haberdashery for ethically minded makers. In this episode, Bevan tells us about the criteria for the items she stocks, why she sometimes talks customers out of purchasing, and the ingenious solution she’s devised to help makers pass on their unwanted me-mades.Support the podcast over on Patreon!Bawn Textiles in a bricks and mortar shop in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as an online shop. You can also follow them on Instagram (@bawntextiles). If you haven’t already, listen to the initial episode that initiated our conversation:Ep. #143: No Small Business on a Dead PlanetRead about Bawn Textiles’ commitment to Net Zero.Bevan’s next step is to research B Corp Certification as a possible future option. Much of the fabric Bawn stocks is compliant with one of the following:GOTS certification Soil association Better Cotton initiativeThere are multiple Oeko Tex certifications, learn about them all on their website.Bawn donates the unsold, unwanted me-mades to the Glasgow-based charity, Refuweegee. Bawn Textiles stock fantastic thread storage by Thread Pegs from Cornwall. Glasgow-native, Jen Hogg, creates amazing tools for makers via her brand Jenerates. I spoke to Jen at last year’s Knitting & Stitching show:Ep. #110: Knitting & Stitching Show 2023Second Cashmere mending yarn is reclaimed from unsalvageable cashmere garments.The Bawn spotify playlist can be enjoyed by all!Maria, AKA @wildknitsglasgow, is a knitwear pattern designer who designed a gorgeous hat pattern and is donating the sales to the charity Refuweegee until March 2025. 

Have you ever made a sewing pattern straight out of the packet and been disappointed with the results? Pattern designer and fitting expert, Elisalex Jewell, gets us excited about the possibilities of pattern hacking and learning to fit clothes to your body. She also talks about how having Orsola de Castro, founder of Fashion Revolution, as a mum impacted her own relationship to fashion and sustainability.Support the podcast over on Patreon!Elisalex Jewell is the co-founder of sewing pattern brand By Hand London. You can also follow her on Instagram (@elisalex).Listen to my previous episode with Elisalex:Ep. #131: Self-Drafting for Fitting Success with Elisalex JewellIf you want to hear more about the possibilities of pattern hacking, listen to:Ep. #90: Introduction to Pattern Hacking Elisalex featured on Episode 30 of The New Craft House Podcast. Elisalex´s mum is Orsola de Castro (@orsoladecastro), the co-founder and creative director of Fashion Revolution, a not-for-profit activism movement which works towards a sustainable fashion industry.

Are you ‘clothing self-sufficient’? If that’s a goal you’re interested in working towards, what are the potential benefits of being on that journey? Inspired by gardening expert Huw Richards, in this solo episode I explore two approaches to clothing self-sufficiency.Support the podcast over on Patreon!(image source: Galina Kondratenko via Unsplash)Follow gardening expert, Huw Richards, on his YouTube channel.Huw wrote ‘The Self-Sufficiency Garden’ book with Sam Cooper (@chef.sam.black on Instagram): 

Are you ready for a bit of a shake up this week? We have a guest host for this episode: we’re in the safe hands of regular guest Shams el-Din Rogers, and of course she’s presented us with an incredible conversation. Shams is talking to Toronto-based textile artist and mending workshop facilitator, Allie Davis. They have a fascinating discussion about whether it’s cultural appropriation or appreciation to teach techniques from a culture that is not your own. Plus, they explore the benefits and joys of working with materials that have had another life before you got hold of them…Support the podcast over on Patreon!Find Shams el-Din Rogers on Instagram @shamseldinrogers.Follow Allie Davis on Instagram @witchdyes and check out their website for dates of upcoming workshops dates and locations. Listen to her on previous episodes of CYT:Ep. #32: Textile Activism with Shams el–Din Rogers  Ep. #49: Sewing as Art and Political Action with Shams el–Din Rogers Ep. #77: Stashes and Spaces with Shams el–Din Rogers Ep. #81: Travel, Sustainability and Sewing with Shams el-Din Rogers Ep. #142: Values Based Spending and Making with Shams el-Din RogersAllie took a Domestika class called Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching led by artist Atsushi Futatsuya (@sashikostory on Instagram).Allie also took a clone-your-clothes workshop with Camilla Salcedo (@lil_arepa on Instagram). Shams and Camilla are part of a creative re-use collective called Works in Progress Toronto.The Textile Museum of Canada, based in Toronto, host a reuse program through which you can purchase pre-owned fabric. Allie has also purchased pre-owned fabrics from Lucky Deluxe Fabrics.  ‘Wild Color’ is a book by Jenny Dean about natural dyeing:

I know that CYT listeners love to hear how sewing is being used to positively impact the lives of others, so I know you’re going to love today’s episode! For years, Mel Keane has been improving the lives of members of her community who are struggling through various types of volunteering. This has included setting up sewing workshops to help people clothe themselves and their families, as well as to build skills and confidence. The workshops Mel facilitated at a refugee centre helped forge a sense of community for people who found themselves isolated. And more recently, the sewing classes she runs help the participants find a sense of calm and stillness in otherwise very stressful lives. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Find Mel on Instagram (@melaniekeane).Visit The Lighthouse’s website to learn more about where Mel volunteers:The Stash Hub app helps Mel keep track of the donated fabrics. Mel starting (non-scrub) garment making using the PJs pattern in Tilly and the Buttons Love At First Stitch book.She then moved on to Closet Core Pattern’s Carolyn Pajamas pattern.Mel is active in the @SewOver50 community and helped start up @surreysews.You can help them raise money for Sewing Stillness by attending the SewFizzTeaCated fundraising event that is taking place on Saturday 19th October 2024:…or by participating in the #SewFizzTeaCated24 sewing challenge:Mel will be hosting a session at The Virtual Sewing Room on Wednesday 18th September. 

Many of us sewers feel confused and even wary of the term deadstock fabric. Does buying fabric labelled ‘deadstock' really save it from landfill or incineration? Or are we enabling fabric producers and fashion brands to get away with overproduction, incentivising it even? And what’s the difference between ‘deadstock’ and ‘overstock’, and how, as consumers, can we tell the difference?  This week, you’ll hear my conversation with Hannah and Rosie from London-based The New Craft House as they unpick this topic for us, leaving us all with a greater understanding. From school friends, to craft bloggers, to workshop facilitators to fabric purveyors, the current incarnation of their business is made possible by navigating the excesses and waste of the fashion industry. In this conversation Hannah and Rosie are super open and candid about how their business runs, and their plans and hopes for its more sustainable future.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find The New Craft House online, via Instagram (@newcrafthouse) and IRL at their London studio: They explain the nature of deadstock fabric on their website: #sewyourselfsustainable is the hashtag they created to encourage the sewing community to explore more sustainable practices during September.  It also coincides with other sustainability-related endeavours, including Oxfam´s Secondhand September campaign. 

Do you want to hang with me and regular guest Meg Grandstaff as we grill each other about sewing plans and goals, and cackle over basically everything? This episode is a chatty conversation in which we have a catch up about our current creative obsessions, projects and plans.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! You can follow Meg’s sewing and knitting endeavours, as well as learn more about #scrapbustingseptember via Instagram (@the_grand_stash). Previous episodes with Meg Grandstaff include: Ep #22: Mending Workshops with Carla & Meg / Community Glue Ep #37: Pledges and Participants #1 with Rebecca & Meg Ep. #103: Swimming in a Sea of Scraps with Meg Grandstaff Meg has been working on: The Ginger Jeans pattern by Closet Core Patterns The Gable Top pattern by Jennifer Lauren Handmade  The Granville Shirt pattern by Sewaholic  Meg tried the Seasonal Stash organisation system I came up with. You can hear about it and check out the FREE downloadable PDF version.  Meg took an alterations class at Sew On Central in Evanston, IL, USA Check out Meg’s incredible, reversible fabric: …and her Gingham with lobsters fabric!: Meg’s thinking of using pattern McCalls 6696 to make her shirtdress.  During Scrap Busting September last year, Meg pieced together scraps of black jersey to make a Lago Tank: My downloadable resource, How to Sew Clothes with Fabric Scraps, can help get creative and resourceful with scraps.  I highly recommend making a meditation cushion using this tutorial by The Daily Sew.  I made a yoga bolster with removable cover for my friend: My failed vest/gilet knitting project:

This week’s episode provides a window into the ideas and processes of quilt artist Eliu Hernandez. Much of Eliu’s practice focuses on the reuse of existing materials, and he’s taken this further than you might previously have thought possible! I loved nerding out about denim with him, and even if denim isn’t your jam, this conversation may help you take reusing garments to a whole new level. We also discuss the portability of hand stitching and unpicking, crafting as a new parent, and consider the likelihood of a pair of jeans having been worn to rob a bank!  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Eliu via his IG account @madeorremade.  Eliu has made a series of quilts entitled ‘Waist Not’, which are made almost entirely from reclaimed materials, including the backing and thread used for quilting (see below). ‘Cutting Up Jeans’ is a fabulous little zine that Eliu made in collaboration with quilt artist Zak Foster.  Find out more about Zak Foster.  Eliu is friends with fellow quilt artist, Heidi Parkes.  Listen to my subsequent episodes with Heidi: Ep. #105: A Habit of Curiosity with Heidi Parkes Ep. #106: Reframing a Relationship with Clothing with Heidi Parkes Eliu makes use of the reclaimed zips from deconstructed jeans by making these wonderful, and very useful, zippered pouches (see below): A selection of Eliu’s reclaimed, handmade, leather thimbles:

We can all agree that mending items when they break to keep them in use out of landfill for longer is important. Repair cafes and organisations have been popping up across the globe to help facilitate keeping stuff in use for longer. But how much do you know about the inner workings of these groups and how they operate? And how much fun is it to volunteer for them, or even start one from scratch? My third replay episode of the summer is my conversation with Carla Bruni and Meg Grandstaff from Community Glue Workshop in Chicago. It’s a fascinating sneaky peek, as well as informative discussion, with Community Glue’s founder Carla and resident textiles mender Meg.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Check out the Community Glue Workshop website and follow them on Instagram (@communityglue).  Photos from some of the Community Glue Workshops can be enjoyed in the show notes from the original episode.  Listen to my subsequent conversation with Meg: Ep. #103: Swimming in a Sea of Scraps with Meg Grandstaff You can follow Meg’s sewing and knitting endeavours, as well as learn more about #scrapbustingseptember via IG @the_grand_stash.

Living in a way that limits your negative impact on the planet gets a bad wrap. It’s often viewed as restrictive, limiting, frustrating, dull, even joyless. This week’s episode is a replay of my conversation with a maker who blows that whole notion completely out the water. Sarah Lancaster, AKA Sarah Sew Love, is a New Zealand based sewing teacher, maker and sustainability phenomenon with a vibrant aesthetic and buckets full of positive energy. We talk about lots of things, from the social enterprise she started to teach people sewing and mending skills at music festivals,, to her love of creating with reclaimed fabric to make her fantastic product range. Sarah explains how making more sustainable choices can bring your life extra layers of enjoyment rather than restricting it, and if you don’t feel uplifted and inspired by the end of this episode, then I’ll give up podcasting!  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Follow Sarah Sew Love and her joyful aesthetic via Instagram (@sewlovenz).   Sarah also has a website that brings together all aspects of her work and creativity.  Her Etsy shop where Sarah sells handmade bumbags and towel ponchos is called SarahSewLove.  Watch the amazing video of Sarah showing how to wear your bum bag depending on your dancing style. At the time of recording the conversation, Sarah worked for Xtreme Zero Waste in Raglan, New Zealand.  Other businesses and enterprises mentioned: Fabricabrac (fabric markets around NZ).  My Keeper (sells and rents dresses and collaborated with Sarah on a range of bumbags). DIY Daisy (colourful inspiration and garment tutorials). 

Have you ever sewn an entire garment by hand? Or even considered it? This week’s episode is a replay of a very popular conversation from the CYT archives with hand-stitching expert Louisa Owen Sonstroem. Louisa explains why you might want to do more stitching by hand rather than machine, and gives advice on how to start.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Louisa Owen Sonstroem has a website and can be followed on Instagram (@louisaowensonstroem).  Find out more about Louisa’s book.  Her book can be bought in PDF form via her Etsy shop.  In the UK, Louisa’s book can be bought in paper form from Beyond Measure. 

Sometimes sticking to a tight budget can feel really complicated, as well as frustrating. But if you’re looking to spend less on your sewing, then I have five super simple tactics for you that require very little effort to implement. AND, what is even more awesome is that each one will automatically help you reduce the environmental impact on your sewing!  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Tomáš Petz via Unsplash Check out related episode: Ep. #58: Sewing on a Budget Tactic #1: Finish a project before you start a new one.  Related listen: Ep. #92: Self Coaching for Sewing Success with Kim Witten Tactic #2: Sew from your fabric stash. Related listens: Ep. #118: Last Sewist Standing with Lise Bauer Ep. #119: Seasonal Stash Organisation  Tactic #3: Buy less fabric than you need. Tactic: #4 Remake a sewing pattern you made before.  Related listen: Ep. #90: Introduction to Pattern Hacking Tactic #5: When buying a sewing pattern, if it comes in both paper and digital PDF formats, go for the PDF. Related listen: Ep. #41: Using Sewing Patterns More Sustainably

Attending a fabric swap can be the most fun ever! It’s one of the most ethical ways to offload your unwanted fabric, plus it will also give you access to new-to-you fabric that you’re excited to sew with. AND you’ll get to meet other passionate sewers. In this episode you’ll be coming along with me and friend-of-the-podcast Catherine Weight as we attend the London Destash Fabric Swap. The event took place in January 2024 and was organised by Yvette from Stash Hub and Sarah from Olive Road London. Listen right to the end where Sarah shares some incredibly helpful tips on how you can organise a fabric swap of your own! Support the podcast over on Patreon! For a Covid-safer meet-up, check out these tips. The London Destash Fabric Swap was organised by Sarah from Olive Road London and Yvette from Stash Hub app. Sarah wrote an excellent post sharing heaps of tips on how to organise a successful fabric swap.  Catherine Weight (@kittyandthetiger on Instagram) came with me to the Knitting and Stitching show in 2023. Listen to what we got up to: Ep. #110: Knitting & Stitching Show 2023 Also attending the fabric swap was Tanya from Bornella Fabrics, who featured in the Knitting & Stitching Show episode also.  Here's what Catherine brought back, plus the two wonderful garments she's made so far from fabric from the swap: This the stack of fabric I took to the swap and the items I’ve made so far from my own fabric scores: Thanks again to Sarah and Yvette for organising this wonderful event. 

It seems like every day, another small craft business announces that it’s closing down. In this solo episode I’m looking at the causes. What can we do to both support small businesses AND buy less new stuff for the sake of our planet? Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Tim Mossholder via Unsplash Find out more about the Last Sewist Standing challenge: Ep. #118: Last Sewist Standing with Lise Bauer This Forbes article, ‘The Benefits Of Shopping Small All Year Long’ by Jim Granat, was really interesting.  The shoplocaluk.org website has some more useful information.  I used the definition of the cost of living crisis from this fuelgenie.co.uk article.  Enjoy Gina Ferrari’s Substack. 

Do you practice values-based spending? You probably do, but possibly never thought of it in such terms. In this episode, regular guest Shams el-Din Rogers and I discuss how to align your spending and your making with what’s really important to you. Plus, Shams and I share what we think, or rather hope, our wardrobes broadcast about ourselves! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Shams el-Din Rogers on Instagram @shamseldinrogers. Listen to her on previous episodes of CYT: Ep.#32: Textile Activism with Shams el–Din Rogers  Ep.#49: Sewing as Art and Political Action with Shams el–Din Rogers Ep.#77: Stashes and Spaces with Shams el–Din Rogers Ep. #81: Travel, Sustainability and Sewing with Shams el-Din Rogers Shams is part of a creative re-use collective called Works in Progress Toronto. Values based spending is a term coined by Jen and Jill from the Frugal Friends podcast. Listen to a one of their many awesome episodes on the topic: Ep. #325: Step by Step Guide to Values Based Spending Shams is a supporter of the Black Women Stitch podcast created by Lisa Woolfork.  Wawak is a US-based online sewing supplies shop where Shams buys her cotton thread. At time of recording, Shams had just dropped out of the Last Sewist Standing challenge, and I was still clinging on. Hear about the challenge in full detail: Ep. #118: Last Sewist Standing with Lise Bauer  Shams and I discussed the sustainability of Halloween costumes, including stats I learned whilst researching for: Ep. #108: A More Sustainable Halloween Shams and I touched on the subject of sewing when you already have enough clothes. This topic was expanded upon in: Ep. #123: Sewing When Your Wardrobe is Full One point that was made in this discussion is that the more sustainable option is often to buy or do less. This was an idea explored further in: Ep. #85: Everyday Activism with Rachel AKA The Crap Activist

Have you heard of the multiple forms of capital? It’s the theory  that there are numerous ways in which we can be wealthy, beyond our finances. This week’s guest, Laura Oldanie, is a green living and money coach who talks to me about the concepts and the practicalities related to living a rich and resilient life. As makers, we are used to flexing our creativity and resourcefulness. So let’s investigate how we can apply these skills more broadly to achieve abundance, resilience and wealth.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Laura Oldanie has many facets to her work, all of which can be explored via her website. Follow Laura on Instagram (@rich_resilient) and on YouTube (@lauraoldanie).   Laura co-authored a book ‘Growing FREE: Building the Life of Your Dreams Without Losing Your Soul or Destroying the Planet’: I first heard about Laura through The Frugal Friends podcast: Ep. #362: The Multiple Forms of Capital to Earn & Build Wealth with Laura Oldanie There are many platforms for sharing and acquiring unwanted items, including: Local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook Freecycle Freegle Olio app Check out Laura’s course: Towards Regenerative Investing - A Beginner’s Guide. Invest in regenerative farming in the US via the Go Steward platform. 

This week you will hear an episode of the Sew Organised Style podcast about a social enterprise based in Australia called The Nest Community. The Nest is an incredible charity that empowers women by fostering healing and connection. And they do this important work by keeping existing crafting materials in use and by sharing craft skills and knowledge. Support the podcast over on Patreon! I made my pallet bench at a workshop run by The Salvage Sister: In this episode you will hear founder and CEO of The Nest Community, Roz Holt: This episode was made by Sew Organised Style podcast and first aired 4/3/24. The second episode, focusing on the volunteers at The Nest Community, aired 1/4/24 and can be heard on the Sew Organised Style website: