Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably

Zoe Edwards
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- Do you love sewing, AND are passionate about fighting the climate and ecological crises? - Are you wondering if your sewing could be made more sustainable? - Do you want to enjoy your creative passion in a way that really reflects your values? Join Zoe Edwards, a sewing nerd and creator of Me-Made-May, on her journey to explore how to sew (and live!) more sustainably. In this podcast we discover ways to sew with sustainability in mind, by flexing our creativity and resourcefulness in new and exciting ways. Check Your Thread’s goal is to show that sewing more sustainably can be fun and fulfilling, (HOLD the side order of guilt, eco-snobbery and FOMO.) Topics covered include: -Mending and garment repair -Upcycling and refashioning -Natural fabric dyeing -Fibre and fabric selection -Slow stitching -Zero Waste sewing patterns -The social and political dimensions of sewing -Craft as activism Find out more... checkyourthread.com

  1. 3 hr ago

    #231: A Business Based on Scraps – Kat Camfield with Justice McNeil

    Is it possible to create a successful sewing business making desirable products using scraps that allows you to leave your corporate job? Spoiler alert: Yes! Amazing guest-host Kat Camfield talks to Justice McNeil about the origin story of her inspiring business, Thread + Sprout, and how it’s evolved into something quite different, but equally inspiring.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Justice McNeil’s multi-faceted and evolving company is Thread + Sprout (@threadandsprout on Instagram) Justice’s ‘breakout hit’ was the Nature dress which is now available as a tutorial for you to make your own: The launching of the Nature top tutorial was a significant step in the evolution of Thread + Sprout.  You can see many examples of the Magic vest in the galleries, and keep your eyes peeled for future Magic vest classes like the one Kat took part in. Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews.  Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT: Ep. #196: Eco Printing - Kat Camfield with Carly from Lorelei Textile Design Ep. #200: Making Check Your Thread - with Zoe & Kat, Part 1 Ep. #201: Making Check Your Thread - with Zoe & Kat, Part 2 Ep. #204: The Sewing Machine, A Novel - Kat Camfield with Natalie Fergie  Ep. #214: Is Inclusivity Enough? - Kat Camfield with Frances from Sincere Studio  Ep. #221: Upcycling Secrets - Kat Camfield with Brynn, Emily & Meagan Ep. #227: Threading Change - Kat Camfield with Sophia Yang

    26 min

  2. 22 Jun

    #230: How to Teach Repair Skills with Jeanna & Mary 

    Are you ready to share mending skills with others? Mary Morton and Jeanna W****r, authors of the excellent book, ‘Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It’, have a ton of practical advice learned through hosting lots of in-person mending events. We discuss the different event formats for sharing skills, how to coordinate with venues and the best free resources available to support your efforts.  Plus, there’s audio from the last event I attended with Jeanna and Mary on their tour of the North of England taken at Left Bank Leeds, a truly awesome creative and inclusive space that serves and supports its diverse community.  Leah Anderson is the Arts and Community Manager at Left Bank Leeds (@leftbankleeds on Instagram).  Jeanna W****r can be found @thepeoplesmending on Instagram. Jeanna also has an excellent Substack.  Mary Morton can be found @edinburghstreetstitchers and @mvm13 on Instagram. Mary volunteers at the Shrub Coop, a ZW charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland (@shrubcoop on Instagram).  Listen to my previous conversations with Jeanna and Mary: Ep. #115: Winter of Care and Repair with Jeanna W****r Ep. #132: A Season of Mending with Jeanna W****r Ep. #135: How to Triage Your Mends with Jeanna W****r Ep. #163: How to Effect Change This Winter with Jeanna W****r Ep. #190: The Four Tendencies and Sewing with Jeanna, Kim & Lise  Ep. #191: Stitch it, Don’t Ditch it with Mary Morton & Jeanna W****r Ep. #208: Challenging Consumption and Perfectionism with Jeanna W****r Ep. #217: Mending for Mental Wellbeing with Rebecca from The Big Fandango Ep. #223: An Alternative Fashion Future with Chalotte from Stitched Up Find their awesome book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’.

    1hr 2min

  3. 15 Jun

    #229: Further Fabric Confessions with Lise Bauer

    To be honest, this episode’s link to sustainability is very tenuous, but when repeat-guest Lise Bauer hits you up saying she needs to talk - you drop everything and talk. The main topic of conversation is where we’re both at with the latest round of the Last Sewist Standing challenge. I wonder if our statuses will surprise you…. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Lise and the Last Sewist Standing challenge updates at @the.craft.camp on Instagram.  Check out Lise’s personal account @miss.taeschli on Instagram. Listen to my previous conversations with Lise: Ep. #118: Last Sewist Standing with Lise Bauer Ep. #164: Sewing Wins and Fails with Lise & Meg Ep. #189: Are Zoe & Lise Still in Last Sewist Standing? Ep. #190: Sewing and the Four Tendencies with Jeanna, Kim & Lise Ep. #218: Fabric Confessions with Lise Bauer

    47 min

  4. 8 Jun

    #228: Crafting with Neurodivergence with Kim Witten

    Whether or not you identify as neurodivergent, you’re going to want to hear this episode. In Episode 222, Kim Witten and I requested submissions about people’s experiences of neurodivergence and craft. My goodness did we receive a fascinating selection of submissions. If you are at all interested in people, how they think and move through the world, you’re going to love this episode.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Kim Witten (@witten.kim on IG) is a transformational coach and writer: She has appeared on the following previous episodes: Ep. #71: Making Personal Manifestos with Kim Witten Ep. #91: Self Knowledge for Sewing Success with Kim Witten Ep. #92: Self Coaching for Sewing Success with Kim Witten Ep. #110: Zoe & Kim go to the Stitch Festival Ep. #162: How to Solve Your Next Sewing Problem with Kim Witten Ep. #190: Sewing and the Four Tendencies with Jeanna, Kim & Lise Ep. #222: Neurodiversity and Craft with Kim Witten We thoroughly recommend that you sign up to Kim’s excellent fortnightly newsletter, ‘Hold That Thought’.

    50 min

  5. 26 May

    #227: Threading Change – Kat Camfield with Sophia Yang 

    Those of us who make some or all of our own clothes ourselves might feel like we’ve opted out of the fashion industry. However, as citizens of this planet and feminists, we can’t ignore the problems caused by clothing and fabric production. And, in fact, us home sewers might be well placed to have a huge positive impact. Because, as Sophia Yang, the founder of the world’s leading youth-led ethical fashion NGO, Threading Change, discusses with guest-host Kat Camfield, we know that clothes aren’t just commodities: they are creations that contain stories. And that concept is potentially powerful enough to disrupt the perception that clothing is disposable.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Sophia Yang is the founder of Threading Change. You can also find them on Instagram @threadingchange.   Kat Camfield is a sewing teacher and sewing retreat organiser living in Victoria, Canada. You can follow Kat on Instagram @cooperativekatsews.  Hear Kat on previous episodes of CYT: Ep. #196: Eco Printing - Kat Camfield with Carly from Lorelei Textile Design Ep. #200: Making Check Your Thread - with Zoe & Kat, Part 1 Ep. #201: Making Check Your Thread - with Zoe & Kat, Part 2 Ep. #204: The Sewing Machine, A Novel - Kat Camfield with Natalie Fergie  Ep. #214: Is Inclusivity Enough? - Kat Camfield with Frances from Sincere Studio  Ep. #221: Upcycling Secrets - Kat Camfield with Brynn, Emily & Meagan Learn more about The Shoe Project. Engaging people by making community quilts is one aspect of Threading Change’s many actions:

    1 hr

  6. 19 May

    #226: Sashiko, The Untold Story with Atsushi Futatsuya

    Most of us think of sashiko as a type of visible mending that we discovered via Instagram or Pinterest. But what actually is sashiko, and how should we engage with it? Is it an artform to be revered and put on display? A common household practice borne out of necessity, used for survival? Is it a form of meditation? Or some lovely hand stitching patterns we can emulate to fix and customise our jeans? Atsushi Futatsuya, is a sashiko practitioner and story teller who helps fill in the blanks in our knowledge about this fascinating and multilayered practice.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Photo by Kim Lightbody. Atsushi Futatsuya has a website and can be followed on Instagram @sashikostory.  You can also watch his videos on YouTube.  There are three ways to take a class with Atsushi: In-person in the US.  Online as a mix of recorded and live sessions.  Recorded online introductory course via Domestika.   Check out where to order Atsushi’s new book, ‘Sashiko: The Untold Story’, around the world.

    57 min

  7. 11 May

    #225: Destashing Online with Caroline from Destasher

    There are lots of online marketplaces out there through which you can sell or give away your unwanted crafting materials, but they all have their drawbacks. Destasher is a new UK -based platform JUST for sewists and yarn crafters wanting to buy, sell, giveaway or claim materials and supplies within the maker community. Its creator, Caroline, tells me what makes Destasher such a great option for those of us trying to make more sustainably and affordably. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Check out and sign up to the Destasher website and follow them on Instagram @destasher_uk.  Makers’ accounts that Caroline is inspired by: @madebysjp @afrayedupcycling She's just so fun and inventive. And I really loved her YouTube video where she talks about sewing being a form of rebellion. @_lostfabric Creates gorgeous jackets from old sleeping bags, blankets, and pre-owned materials, also offers the Boxy Jacket pattern. @sleepyrabbitdesigns Revolutionising children's fashion by recycling fabrics to create gorgeous gender neutral clothing as unique and fun as little ones. @oneofsixdesign Sustainable sewing and creative workshops for all ages in Walthamstow. @littlebrowndogvintage Handmade, one-of-a kind garments, all made by Nancy in Suffolk from vintage and rescued fabrics that have had a previous life. @mcbeebags Specialising in making bags and accessories using vintage fabrics.

    44 min

  8. 4 May

    #224: Sewing When You’re Skint

    I love hearing and reading practical tips for how to stay creative when your budget is tight. But what is rarely acknowledged in those types of content is how rubbish and frustrating trying to maintain a creative hobby when you’re skint actually feels. In this episode, we acknowledge and gently challenge some of those negative feelings, so that applying those practical tips feels positive and rewarding.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Sasun Bughdaryanvia Unsplash Other episodes to listen to related to this topic include: Ep. #58: Sewing On a Budget Ep. #64: Sewing Trends More Sustainably Ep. #145: 5 Simple Tactics to Save on Sewing Ep. #173: Quilting Through Burnout with Radha Weaver Ep. #183: Get Your Stash Sorted! Ep. #195: Introduction to Pattern Hacking Download the free Seasonal Stash Guide. Check out my Free Pattern Friday blog post series.

    20 min
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About

- Do you love sewing, AND are passionate about fighting the climate and ecological crises? - Are you wondering if your sewing could be made more sustainable? - Do you want to enjoy your creative passion in a way that really reflects your values? Join Zoe Edwards, a sewing nerd and creator of Me-Made-May, on her journey to explore how to sew (and live!) more sustainably. In this podcast we discover ways to sew with sustainability in mind, by flexing our creativity and resourcefulness in new and exciting ways. Check Your Thread’s goal is to show that sewing more sustainably can be fun and fulfilling, (HOLD the side order of guilt, eco-snobbery and FOMO.) Topics covered include: -Mending and garment repair -Upcycling and refashioning -Natural fabric dyeing -Fibre and fabric selection -Slow stitching -Zero Waste sewing patterns -The social and political dimensions of sewing -Craft as activism Find out more... checkyourthread.com

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