Check Your Thread

Zoe Edwards
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Check Your Thread

Hello! Welcome to Check Your Thread, a podcast about sewing more sustainably. Each episode we enjoy nerding out about sewing, whilst picking up ideas and useful tips for how to reduce our impact on the environment. My aim is always to approach topics with a sense of curiosity and fun, and hope to leave our listeners feeling inspired by the end of each episode. Examples of topics that we cover include sourcing second hand textiles, zero waste sewing patterns, mending, upcycling, scrap-busting and alternative and surprising sources for fabric. If there are any topics you’d like CYT to cover, anyone you’d like me to get on the podcast to chat to or you’d just like to say hi, please email me at zoe@checkyourthread.com or message me via Instagram @checkyourthread.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #159: Small and Shared Space Sewing, Part 2

    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

  2. 4 NOV

    #158: Small and Shared Space Sewing, Part 1

    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:

  3. 28 OCT

    #157: The challenges and joys of micro business with Bevan O’Daly

    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

  4. 21 OCT

    #156: How to Run an Ethical Textiles Shop with Bevan O’Daly

    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.

  5. 14 OCT

    #155: Make it Your Own with Elisalex Jewell

    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.

  6. 7 OCT

    #154: Clothing Self-Sufficiency

    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):

  7. 23 SEPT

    #153: The Provenance of Materials and Techniques – Shams with Allie Davis

    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:

  8. 16 SEPT

    #152: Sewing for Stillness and Community with Mel Keane

    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.

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About

Hello! Welcome to Check Your Thread, a podcast about sewing more sustainably. Each episode we enjoy nerding out about sewing, whilst picking up ideas and useful tips for how to reduce our impact on the environment. My aim is always to approach topics with a sense of curiosity and fun, and hope to leave our listeners feeling inspired by the end of each episode. Examples of topics that we cover include sourcing second hand textiles, zero waste sewing patterns, mending, upcycling, scrap-busting and alternative and surprising sources for fabric. If there are any topics you’d like CYT to cover, anyone you’d like me to get on the podcast to chat to or you’d just like to say hi, please email me at zoe@checkyourthread.com or message me via Instagram @checkyourthread.

Information

  • Creator
    Zoe Edwards
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Check Your Thread
  • Show Website
    Check Your Thread

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