NeedleXChange

Jamie Chalmers

Jamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers talks with contemporary embroidery, cross stitch, textile art, and mixed media art creators about how they design their work, build sustainable creative businesses, and stay inspired with a needle and thread. NeedleXChange shares in‑depth conversations with fiber artists, stitchers, and makers so you can discover new techniques, creative journeys, and the modern needlework scene.

  1. Robert Ossant & Jessica Pile - The Art of Couture Embroidery Part 2 [NX137]

    20. APR.

    Robert Ossant & Jessica Pile - The Art of Couture Embroidery Part 2 [NX137]

    In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Jessica Pile and Robert Ossant. Jessica Pile and Robert Ossant are researchers and authors focused on couture embroidery, combining technical analysis with historical and creative context to better understand how and why these works are made. In this second half of the conversation, we move beyond the garments themselves into the wider landscape of fashion. Topics include the economics of clothing, sustainability, and the tension between high fashion and everyday wear. The discussion also turns to education, skill development, and the personal journeys that led Jessica and Robert into embroidery and fashion history, offering insight into what it takes to build a creative career in this field. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:15 - Historical Influences: Icons of Fashion 00:06:06 - The Business of Fashion: Balancing Art and Commerce 00:12:03 - Personal Journeys: From Passion to Profession 00:25:43 - Exploring Emotional Literature 00:27:42 - Musical Favorites and Nostalgia 00:30:20 - Cinematic Classics and Personal Connections 00:32:40 - Parenting and Children's Entertainment 00:39:06 - Unexpected Insights and Future Projects Links: Instagram: houseofossant & jessicajane_pile Intro music is Lost Lover Undercover by Ryan James Carr via Epidemic Sound. About NeedleXChange An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers. Stay Connected needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

    38 min.
  2. Robert Ossant & Jessica Pile - The Art of Couture Embroidery [NX136]

    13. APR.

    Robert Ossant & Jessica Pile - The Art of Couture Embroidery [NX136]

    In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Jessica Pile and Robert Ossant. Jessica Pile and Robert Ossant are researchers and authors focused on couture embroidery, combining technical analysis with historical and creative context to better understand how and why these works are made. In this conversation, we explore their approach to breaking down couture garments - examining not just the stitches, but the ideas behind them. The discussion moves through fashion history, the role of inspiration versus technique, and how couture functions as both a creative laboratory and a cultural statement. Along the way, we consider the relationship between fashion and art, and how embroidery sits at the centre of that dialogue. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:15 - Introduction to Fashion Embroidery 00:02:31 - Overview of the Book's Purpose 00:04:19 - Deep Dives into Designers 00:09:36 - Selecting Designers for the Book 00:11:18 - Gaining Respect for Italian Designers 00:19:17 - Inspiration vs. Intimidation in Embroidery 00:27:16 - The Disconnect Between Runway and Reality 00:35:10 - Economic Disparities in Fashion 00:37:02 - The Art of Fashion: A Complex Relationship 00:38:25 - Sustainability in Couture: A New Era Links: Instagram: houseofossant & jessicajane_pile Intro music is Lost Lover Undercover by Ryan James Carr via Epidemic Sound. About NeedleXChange An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers. Stay Connected needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

    44 min.
  3. Helen Adams - Textile Curator Part 2 [NX135]

    6. APR.

    Helen Adams - Textile Curator Part 2 [NX135]

    In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Helen Adams. Helen is the Textile Curator who has been shining a light on contemporary textile art on her terrific blog since 2014. Her fantastic book, Textile Fine Art was published in September 2025. In this second part of our XChange, Helen shares how she became the Textile Curator. We talk about starting a website to “wake up the world”, what it’s like building something as a team of one, and the practical realities of monetising a niche platform. We also get into why social media can feel like finding “your little tribe”, and we finish with Helen's cultural touchpoints. Helen is curating a show at Saatchi Gallery! Textile Art Redefined runs from April 10th - May 10th which is a must-see if you're in the vicinity. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:30 - Navigating social media for artists and curators 00:10:20 - The future of textile art and building a legacy in communities 00:15:20 - Helen's upcoming exhibitions and festival plans 00:19:50 - The role of mentorship in the textile art community 00:24:20 - Exploring innovative textile techniques and materials 00:29:35 - Engaging with textile art enthusiasts 00:36:05 - Helen's advice for aspiring textile artists Links: Instagram: textilecurator Website: textilecurator.com You can get a 20% discount on Helen's book with free shipping from the Lawrence King website until April 9th using the code MRXSTITCH at checkout. Intro music is U Dirty Dawg by Def Lev via Epidemic Sound. About NeedleXChange An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers. Stay Connected needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

    54 min.
  4. Helen Adams - Textile Curator [NX134]

    30. MAR.

    Helen Adams - Textile Curator [NX134]

    In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Helen Adams. Helen is the Textile Curator who has been shining a light on contemporary textile art on her terrific blog since 2014. Her fantastic book, Textile Fine Art was published in September 2025. In this first part of our chat we talk about making a textile art book that lasts longer than algorithms, how you choose artists when everyone is good, and what kinds of work genuinely “buzz your buttons”. We also get into exhibitions and the pressure of doing textile art justice in major spaces, including Saatchi, plus the practical logistics of hanging work properly. Helen is curating a show at Saatchi Gallery! Textile Art Redefined runs from April 10th - May 10th which is a must-see if you're in the vicinity. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:03:40 - Helen’s career shift from fashion to textile curation 00:05:45 - The inspiration behind her publication and showcasing textile artists 00:08:06 - Curating at Saatchi Art: the process and challenges 00:13:41 - The importance of art galleries and Helen's vision for a textile hub 00:17:45 - The recognition of textile art in the mainstream art scene 00:21:50 - Challenges of managing art spaces and exhibition logistics 00:25:46 - The significance of personal relationships with artists 00:30:05 - The creative process and inspiration behind textile projects Links: Instagram: textilecurator Website: textilecurator.com You can get a 20% discount on Helen's book with free shipping from the Lawrence King website until April 9th using the code MRXSTITCH at checkout. Intro music is U Dirty Dawg by Def Lev via Epidemic Sound. About NeedleXChange An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers. Stay Connected needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

    33 min.

Om

Jamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers talks with contemporary embroidery, cross stitch, textile art, and mixed media art creators about how they design their work, build sustainable creative businesses, and stay inspired with a needle and thread. NeedleXChange shares in‑depth conversations with fiber artists, stitchers, and makers so you can discover new techniques, creative journeys, and the modern needlework scene.

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