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. 6 hr ago ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Peter Frederiksen - Tension In His Stitches Part 2 [NX064]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #64. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Peter Frederiksen. Peter Frederiksen is a Chicago-based artist whose machine embroidered cartoon vignettes are filled with tension and dark humour. In this second part of our NeedleXChange we talk about the craft of old school animation, the joys of living in Chicago and why Peter's titles are in important part of his work. Oh, and he confesses a secret that you'll want to listen to the end for! If you like machine embroidery, then be sure to check out Julie Heaton's episode. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - The Formulaic Nature of Cartoons 00:03:06 - Open-Ended Narratives in Art 00:05:09 - The Impact of Chicago on Artistic Expression 00:13:45 - The Importance of Titles in Art 00:20:03 - Reflections on Furniture and Emotional Spaces 00:24:45 - Peter’s Favourite Band 00:31:09 - Peter’s Favourite Films 00:37:46 - Literary Preferences and Influential Books 00:43:15 - A fact (or two) that not many people know about Peter Frederiksen Links: Website: pefrederiksen.com Instagram: pefrederiksen Intro music is 222 by Sarah the Illstrumentalist 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

    REPLAY: Peter Frederiksen - Tension In His Stitches Part 2 [NX064]
  2. 2 days ago ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Peter Frederiksen - Tension In His Stitches [NX063]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #63. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Peter Frederiksen. Peter Frederiksen is a Chicago-based artist whose machine embroidered cartoon vignettes are filled with tension and dark humour. In this first part of our NeedleXChange we talk about how this particular combination of form and content has become Peter's signature style and how he shines a light on a culture we take for granted. If you like machine embroidery, then be sure to check out Julie Heaton's episode. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - Exploring Motion and Action in Art 00:07:59 - The Evolution of Peter's Artistic Style 00:10:58 - The Journey into Stitching and Embroidery 00:13:58 - Early Experiences and Influences in Art 00:17:08 - The Shift to Machine Embroidery 00:19:55 - Themes of Violence and Nostalgia in Animation 00:34:34 - Exploring the Humour in Classic Cartoons 00:38:12 - The Evolution of Animation Styles Links: Website: pefrederiksen.com Instagram: pefrederiksen Intro music is 222 by Sarah the Illstrumentalist 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

    REPLAY: Peter Frederiksen - Tension In His Stitches [NX063]
  3. 19 Aug ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art Part 2 [NX087]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #87. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Stephanie Kelly Clark. Stephanie is a contemporary embroidery artist whose work transforms humble homes and everyday moments into rich visual stories stitched with painterly precision. In this first part of our conversation, we explore her creative upbringing, the role of art in parenting, and her evolving relationship with embroidery as a medium. From homemade Halloween costumes to thread-based storytelling, Stephanie shares how her domestic life and artistic journey are deeply intertwined. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:30 – Exploring Storytelling Through Art 00:11:45 – The Journey into 3D Embroidery 00:15:43 – Nature as Inspiration: The Life Cycle in Art 00:20:02 – The Intersection of Art and Music 00:26:31 – Nostalgia and Personal Connections in Film 00:31:06 – Comedy: A Reflection of Life and Art 00:35:51 – The Challenge of Reading and Learning 00:37:49 – Unexpected Talents and Personal Stories Links: Website: stephaniekclark Instagram: artiststephaniekellyclark Intro music is Sunset by OTE 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

    REPLAY: Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art Part 2 [NX087]
  4. 17 Aug ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art [NX086]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #86. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Stephanie Kelly Clark. Stephanie is a contemporary embroidery artist whose work transforms humble homes and everyday moments into rich visual stories stitched with painterly precision. In this first part of our conversation, we explore her creative upbringing, the role of art in parenting, and her evolving relationship with embroidery as a medium. From homemade Halloween costumes to thread-based storytelling, Stephanie shares how her domestic life and artistic journey are deeply intertwined. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:29 – Life as Art: Parenting and Creativity 00:10:25 – Artistic Process: From Painting to Embroidery 00:13:34 – The Evolution of an Artist: Finding One's Voice 00:16:18 – Contemporary Art vs. Craft: Defining the Medium 00:19:27 – Conceptualising Art: The Role of Medium in Storytelling 00:22:39 – The Journey of an Artist: Embracing Change and Growth 00:25:42 – Creating with Intention: The Importance of Composition Links: Website: stephaniekclark Instagram: artiststephaniekellyclark Intro music is Sunset by OTE 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

    REPLAY: Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art [NX086]
  5. 12 Aug ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Orly Cogan - Modern Fictions Part 2 [NX034]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #[]. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Orly Cogan. Orly Cogan is a New York-based textile artist whose embroidered fabrics contain other-worldly images of modern concepts with a dream-like twist. In this second part of our NeedleXChange we discover Orly's creative process, how she explores power dynamics in her work, as well as her favourite music/podcasts/books and a heartfelt interesting fact. Come back next week an interview with a new artist and if you enjoy NeedleXChange, a review on your favourite podcast platform would be wonderful. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:39 Change in Artwork after Motherhood 00:09:15 Depicting Intimate Relationships in Art 00:13:01 Exploring Feminine Archetypes in Art 00:16:42 Orly Cogan's Creative Process 00:19:29 Experimentation with Different Mediums 00:22:09 Orly Cogan's Musical Preferences 00:23:44 Orly’s Favourite Podcasts and Listening Habits 00:27:09 Orly’s Dyslexia 00:30:41 The last good film Orly Cogan watched 00:41:18 An interesting fact that no one knows about Orly Cogan Links: Website: orlycogan.com Instagram: orlycogan Intro music is Her Name is Edith by OTE 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

    REPLAY: Orly Cogan -  Modern Fictions Part 2 [NX034]
  6. 5 Aug ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Diana Weymar - Pricks of Inspiration Part 2 [NX056]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #56. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Diana Weymar. Diana Weymar is an embroidery artist and curator, and founder of the Tiny Pricks project, a collaborative needlework project that immortalises quotes from Donald Trump as a crowdsourced documentary of an unusual part of American history. Diana is the author of Crafting A Better World, a book focusing on collaborative craftivism which is a great addition to your craft library and one of the topics in this second part of our XChange!. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:45 - How Inspiration Strikes 00:09:17 - Navigating the Challenges of Social Media 00:23:45 - Crafting a Better World: How Diana’s Book Came To Be 00:35:45 - Lessons Learned From Making Her Book 00:39:01 - Craftivism as a Time Capsule: Care and Maintenance in Challenging Times 00:45:45 - Favourite Album/Book/Film 00:58:05 - An interesting fact that not a lot of people know about Diana Weymar Links: Website: tinypricksproject.com Instagram: tinypricksproject Intro music is Her Name Is Edith by OTE 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

    REPLAY: Diana Weymar - Pricks of Inspiration Part 2 [NX056]
  7. 3 Aug ·  Bonus

    REPLAY: Diana Weymar - Pricks of Inspiration [NX055]

    It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #55. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Diana Weymar. Diana Weymar is an embroidery artist and curator, and founder of the Tiny Pricks project, a collaborative needlework project that immortalises quotes from Donald Trump as a crowdsourced documentary of an unusual part of American history. Diana is the author of Crafting A Better World, a book focusing on collaborative craftivism which is a great addition to your craft library. In this first part of our NeedleXChange we talk about how the Tiny Pricks project came to be, evolving from a personal project to a collective form of embroidered therapy for many people, and the surprise of it being a project that continues to this day. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:10 - The Tiny Pricks Project: From Fun to Momentum 00:11:32 - Stitching That Which Resonates 00:18:12 - “I Am A Very Stable Genius” - How Tiny Pricks began 00:35:56 - Building a Safe and Supportive Community Links: Website: tinypricksproject.com Instagram: tinypricksproject Intro music is Her Name Is Edith by OTE 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

    REPLAY: Diana Weymar - Pricks of Inspiration [NX055]

About

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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