Handmade History

Sonia & Alicia
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Two crafty sisters dig up stories and bust myths about people, materials, and practices related to all your favorite handcrafts. Listen to us while you craft! Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com and or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com. New episodes every other week!

  1. -13 H

    Episode 32: A Select History of Early Knitting Machines

    This episode is sponsored by our Patreon Patrons. Thank you! And a special thank you to Emily for supporting the show! We invite you to sign up to our Patreon at any level. Free members get a blog post with links and photos from each episode. Paid members get special discounts to crafty businesses as well as access to our Discord. You probably have heard of sewing machines...but did you know that there are also knitting machines? Knitting machines are used to make accessories and garments at home and in factories. They can be very simple--a cardboard tube and some popiscle sticks--or extremely complex. In this episode, we share the early history of knitting looms, including... A simple knitting machine you can make at home The earliest knitting machine, which peacefully coexisted with handknitters The true story of the Luddites (they actually used knitting machines!) The connection between knitting machines and the first computers, as well as Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, and Joseph-Marie Jacquard, early computer/knitting programmers The story of knitting machine inventor Masahiro Shima, who invented the first glove knitting machine after a week of no sleep! Grab your favorite handcraft and listen in for fun facts to text to your crafting bestie. Show notes and sources: https://tinyurl.com/y8hwefyp Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information.

    21 min

  2. 16 MARS

    Episode 31: Brown Lung and Blow Outs: The First Mills and Millworkers in New England

    Thank you to our sponsor, Quiltfolk! Visit Quiltfolk.com and use code HandmadeHistory for 20% off your first order. When Francis Cabot Lowell built the first end-to-end cotton mill in Waltham, MA, he needed workers. Instead of hiring children, like many other factory workers (horrifying), he hired women. The farmers' daughters of New England flocked to mill towns and for the first time ever, made their own money. A decade or so later, many of the New England natives worked alongside Irish immigrants--the first immigrant labor force to work in sizeable numbers in the mills. As you gear up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, listen in to learn about: What it was really like to work in a mill: Poetry pasted on windows--nailed shut What the women who worked in the mills had to say about their days in letters home and poetry of their own Libraries and Lyceum halls: How mill workers spent their free time (reading!!!) The first mill worker-edited and owned magazine The Great Famine in Ireland and the harrowing journey many Irish emigrants took to New England towns The origin of the word "blow out" to mean a really big party--and what it was celebrating We think we've uncovered our funnest facts yet in this one, so grab your handcraft of choice and tune in! Show notes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/4wy52zze Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information.

    30 min

  3. 2 MARS

    Episode 30: Stumpwork

    Have you listened to our latest episode yet? Here's the description: Stumpwork Embroidery from West to East: Birds, Bees, and Byzantine Icons! Ever seen a piece of embroidery where the petals literally popped off the fabric? Welcome to the decadent, dimensional world of stumpwork embroidery. Today, stumpwork artists love to stitch flowers, bees, berries, and birds. But stumpwork has a long history, stretching all the way back to the Byzantine Empire. If you love a craft that combines high-level skill with a bit of historical drama, this episode is for you. This episode also marks the start of our first ever stitch along! Grab our collaboration kit or PDF pattern from MCreativeJ and join us as we bring Handmade History to life with the Wild Pansy Stumpwork Stitch Along! Share your progress with #stumpworkstitchalong on social media! Here's a look at what we're unravelling: 👑 The Stuart Obsession: In 17th-century England, noblewomen weren't just stitching flat patterns. They were building entire 3-D worlds on mirrors and jewelry boxes. We're talking about tiny doors that actually open and curtains you could push aside to peek into castles. 🌸 The First "Pansy": Did you know the very first time the word "pansy" appeared in the English language (way back in 1450!), it was being used to describe an embroidered flower on a cloak? 🌍 A Global Journey: Stumpwork's history crisscrosses Europe, the Americas, and the eastern Roman Empire. We explore: Byzantine Icons: Where gold thread and pearls made religious figures glow. Spanish & Mexican Traditions: The beautiful "alto relieve" elements found in colonial-era clothing. The Brazilian Revolution: How "Madame Maia" changed the game in the 1960s with high-shine rayon thread and bold, variegated colors. 🛠️ The Original "Craft Kit": Think embroidery kits are a new invention? Think again! 17th-century crafters could buy pre-drawn kits for mirrors and boxes that came with all the silks, beads, and mica they needed. The struggle to find the perfect supplies is truly timeless. Whether you're a master of the bullion knot or you've never picked up a needle in your life, the history of how humans have used thread to create 3-D art is absolutely fascinating. Show notes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/mx5czk9c Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information.

    21 min

  4. 16 FÉVR.

    Episode 29: The Wild World of Millinery: Hatmaking Across the Ages

    Sponsored by Folkwear Patterns! Visit Folkwear.com to explore our collection and join a community that's been stitching history for half a century. What do a 27,000-year-old figurine, a Bronze Age coil of horsehair, and King Henry VIII's "minions" have in common? They are all part of the wild, tangled, and surprisingly complex world of millinery. This week, we're diving into the history of how we cover our heads. While we think of "millinery" today as the art of the women's hat, it was once the "department store of the past," selling everything from jewelry and gloves to clocks and "certain stuff." We'll trace the evolution of the craft from ancient woven fragments found in the Czech Republic to the high-fashion millinery shops of Revolutionary Williamsburg. Along the way, we explore the incredible 40-hour reconstruction of a 3,000-year-old Scottish hat, the cultural significance of the Native American warbonnet, and the business savvy of Victorian women who dominated the trade long before they had the right to vote. In this episode, you'll learn about: The "Venus" Mystery: Why archaeologists now believe those ancient braided hairstyles might actually be the world's oldest hats. The 40-Hour Hat: A deep dive into the "wrapped twining" technique used to recreate a Bronze Age horsehair masterpiece. The King's Shopping List: How much Henry VIII paid for his "bonnetts" (and who his minions were). The Shopping Experience: What it was like to shop in an 18th-century millinery shop (spoiler alert: there were pastries!) The Millinery Class Boom: Why classes in millinery exploded in the late 1800s and early 1900s–and why they fell short in creating a career pathway for most women Whether you're a fiber artist curious about the special technique used to make a Bronze-age hat or a history buff interested in the economics of fashion, this episode is for you. Show notes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/2wrb74bb We shared the story of our family's immigration to the US and our views on ICE at the top of the episode. If you feel moved to call your representatives, you can find who to contact at this website: house.gov Know your rights if ICE agents confront you or your neighbors: https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/services/immigration-know-your-rights Support people who are in danger of detention and who have been detained in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/ Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information.

    26 min

  5. 9 FÉVR. ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode 1: Secret Societies and Silk Collars: A chat about heritage crafts and conservation with Willow Polson

    What does it mean to be a "custodian of craft"? 🧵✨ In our latest episode, Alicia sits down with the heritage crafter, conservationist, podcast host, and Odd Fellow Willow Polson for a journey through the hidden corners of history. From the secret symbolism of the Odd Fellows to the year-long process of weaving baskets, Willow shares what it's like to hold traditions in your hands. We're talking: The delicate art of restoring 100-year-old silk collars. The ethics and honor of holding traditions for other cultures. The essential Victorian tool modern sewists overlook   Grab your knitting bag, embroidery hoop, or spindle, and settle in for a relaxing conversation about crafts, history, and heritage.  Would you like to be interviewed on Handmade History? Know someone we should talk to? Send us an email at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com Sign up for our free blog posts at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast Visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com

    33 min

  6. 2 FÉVR.

    Episode 28: Rhino Armor and Dog-Tooth Purses: Leather's Long History

    Did you know the world's oldest leather shoe is a right-footed size 7? In this episode, we talk all things leather. From the science of tanning (using everything from tree bark to animal brains) to the world's oldest right-footed shoe, we explore how humans have used animal skins for over 70,000 years. Join us and travel from an ancient cave in Armenia to the snowy Schniedejoch Pass in the Alps to see how our ancestors stayed warm, protected, and stylish. Highlights include: 🦴A 4,000-year-old purse flap made of 100 dog teeth. 🦏 Chinese warriors wearing 7 layers of rhinoceros skin. 🧵 The difference between Saddle and Saddler's Stitch.🎥 A shoutout to the impeccable style in Netflix's The Dig (Sutton Hoo fans, unite!). Whether you're a seasoned leatherworker or just love that "new leather" smell, this episode is for you. Sponsored by Folkwear Patterns. Visit Folkwear.com to explore our collection and join a community that's been stitching history for half a century. Shownotes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/t9xz8ubj Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information.

    22 min

  7. 19 JANV.

    Episode 27: Harriet Powers and Her Quilts

    This episode is brought to you by Quiltfolk, an ad-free magazine made for quilters like you! Visit quiltfolk.com and use code HandmadeHistory for 20% off your first order. Thank you, Quiltfolk! We are running a stumpwork stitch along this March and we would love to have you join us. Starting March 3, we are going to stitch a design created by Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ–a 3-dimensional wild pansy. We will post our progress each week on social media and on our Patreon page. If you would like to join us, you can pre-order the wild pansy stumpwork stitch along kit or PDF pattern here. Harriet Powers was a quilter and artist. She was born into slavery on a plantation in Athens, GA, and was emancipated after the Civil War. She created at least five quilts using applique and piecing techniques. Two of them are in museums, the Pictorial Quilt and the Bible Quilt. Join us and learn about the unique qualities of Powers' quilts; the connections between Powers' quilts and West African art traditions; Powers' life and the life of her quilts; and her legacy today. You'll also learn about the Dahomey Kingdom and Fon artists, who still make applique textiles in Benin. Shownotes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/fzs3ts2c Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Find links, images, and more on the free blog post for this episode; visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information. Visit quiltfolk.com and use code HandmadeHistory for 20% off your first order.

    26 min

  8. 15/12/2025

    Episode 26: Papercutting Around the World

    A quick reminder: if you'd like to join us for the Wild Pansy Stumpwork Stitch Along with MCreativeJ in March, please pre-order your kit or pattern today! You'll get everything you need (pattern, supplies, and a great Handmade History article) to make a beautiful hand-embroidered 3-D pansy & learn to do stumpwork! Get 15% off the kit or PDF pattern before 12/31/25. Want to share the Stitch Along as a gift? Just put a note in your order and we will send a cute e-card to your giftee to let them know they are in, and their kit/pattern is on the way! Visit https://www.patreon.com/posts/142281475 for more details. The art and craft of papercutting is as old as paper-- and in this episode, we cover both! Listen in to learn about the history of paper and paper-like materials such as papyrus and tapa. Then, follow us around the globe as we explore traditions of papercutting in several countries. We cover Chinese papercutting, Mexican papel picado, Indonesian shadow puppets, the tradition of Jewish papercutting, and scherenschnitte in Switzerland and the US--among others! We also talk about the variety of tools and supplies used by papercutters in different traditions, and the wide range of motifs that papercutters create. Finally, we profile two papercut artists from the early 1800s, Adele Schopenhauer and Martha Ann Honeywell. This is by no means a comprehensive survey of papercutting--but it's a great start! We will take a break for the holidays and be back in January with more Handmade History. Happy holidays, everyone! Shownotes and sources here: https://tinyurl.com/4jf5xncd Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode? Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. Sign up for our free posts on our Patreon page at patreon.com/handmadehistorypodcast. Visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com for more information. Listen in your favorite player, or in your browser at https://handmadehistorypodcast.com/#listen Quick note: If you'd like to join us for the Wild Pansy Stumpwork Stitch Along, grab your kit or pattern here! Pre-order before December 31 and get 15% off!

    26 min
Tout afficher (33)

À propos

Two crafty sisters dig up stories and bust myths about people, materials, and practices related to all your favorite handcrafts. Listen to us while you craft! Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com and or visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com. New episodes every other week!

Informations

  • Création
    Sonia & Alicia
  • Années d’activité
    2024 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    33
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Site web de l’émission
    Handmade History

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