NeedleXChange

Jamie Chalmers

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Visual Arts
Updated weekly

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 day ago · Bonus

REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings Part 2 [NX012]

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 #12. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso. John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years. Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doilies to mask the graphic parts of his subjects, John’s work treads the line between pornography and personal portraiture. His art is unapologetic in its openness and his expressions of the passion of gay love are both sensitive and sensational. In our NeedleXChange we talk about how John’s artistic career has run alongside the timeline of the HIV pandemic, the value in re-appropriating homophobic slurs, and how his art has defined his own queer identity. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:38 - How John’s subjects come into being 00:04:00 - Why John hand quilts his work 00:08:00 - The challenge of entering into quilt shows 00:16:00 - How John honours his feminine side and strives for masculinity 00:21:00 - Reflecting on his earlier work 00:23:00 - John’s definition of success 00:25:15 - Favourite Album 00:26:55 - Favourite Book 00:29:26 - Favourite Film 00:33:00 - John’s reflections on working in the care sector Links: Website: john-paradiso.com Instagram: john_paradiso_artist Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun 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
3 days ago · Bonus

REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings [NX011]

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 #11. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso. John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years. Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doilies to mask the graphic parts of his subjects, John’s work treads the line between pornography and personal portraiture. His art is unapologetic in its openness and his expressions of the passion of gay love are both sensitive and sensational. In our NeedleXChange we talk about how John’s artistic career has run alongside the timeline of the HIV pandemic, the value in re-appropriating homophobic slurs, and how his art has defined his own queer identity. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:38 - John’s award winning piece- The Prince of Pansies 00:07:00 - John’s early photography work 00:10:20 - How John’s work ran alongside the AIDS epidemic 00:13:00 - The current state of HIV & AIDS 00:15:24 - John’s transition into textiles 00:20:24 - The power of pansies 00:22:00 - Reclaiming slurs 00:26:45 - How textiles makes graphic work easier to consume Links: Website: john-paradiso.com Instagram: john_paradiso_artist Intro music is Let's Go Find The Sun 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
22 Jul · Bonus

REPLAY: Emma McKee - On Becoming a StitchGawd in Chicago Part 2 [NX052]

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 #52. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Emma McKee. Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons. This is the second part of our NeedleXChange and we explore Emma's relationship with Chicago, her love of her Dad, how she has evolved as a designer and we check out her cultural recommendations! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on your podcast platform so more people can share the love! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:00 - The Barter System and Artistic Integrity 00:05:54 - The Trade-Off of Being a Full-Time Artist 00:08:19 - Evolution as a Cross-Stitch Designer 00:12:28 - Finding Inspiration in Cities 00:20:43 - The Qualities of a Great Dad 00:28:00 - The Impact of Boredom and Politics 00:31:15 - Favourite Albums and Films 00:41:03 - Emma's Fascination with North Korea 00:44:06 - From Opera Singer to Cross-Stitcher 00:46:05 - Creating Large-Scale Cross-Stitch Projects for Interiors Links: Website: stitchgawd.com Instagram: thestitchgawd Intro music is Loopty Loops by Pandaraps 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
20 Jul · Bonus

REPLAY: Emma McKee - On Becoming a StitchGawd in Chicago [NX051]

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 #51. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Emma McKee. Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons. This is the first part of our NeedleXChange and we talk about how Emma came into cross stitch and the circumstances in which her work came to the attention of the hip-hop community. I love chatting with Emma and this conversation flows in all kinds of directions. Tune in next week for the second part of our XChange and if you enjoyed the show, share it with a friend! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:00 - Emma's Background 00:09:02 - Community Engagement Through Fibre Arts 00:12:12 - The Therapeutic Benefits of Stitching 00:16:09 - Emma's Unique Stitching Technique 00:27:23 - Creating Cross-Stitch Jackets for Chance the Rapper 00:29:02 - Opportunities in the Music Industry 00:30:36 - Learning and Growing in Real Time 00:35:10 - The Impact of Music and Cross-Stitch 00:38:42 - Breaking Stereotypes in Cross-Stitch 00:42:08 - Navigating Corporate Commissions Links: Website: stitchgawd.com Instagram: thestitchgawd Intro music is Loopty Loops by Pandaraps 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
15 Jul · Bonus

REPLAY: Danielle Clough - Making a Racket Part 2 [NX046]

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 #46. Danielle is an South African artist known for her vibrant and expressive embroidery work, characterised by bold colours, movement, and layering, creating a visual impact that evokes joy. She believes in the inherent goodness of people and the power of support and validation in fostering self-confidence. This is the second part of our NeedleXChange and we explore Danielle's colour theory, discuss some of her other projects and meander through her cultural touchpoints. It's such a pleasure talking with Danielle and I hope you enjoy it! Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Introduction 0:01:52 - Unleashing Your Colour Language 0:07:57 - The Evolution of Colour Preferences 0:12:28 - The Power of Personal Colour Preference 0:15:52 - The Coda Collective and Collaborative Projects 0:18:41 - Procrastination and the Temptation of Commercial Projects 0:18:41 - Working with Friends and Building a Platform 0:31:18 - An interesting fact no one knows about Danielle Clough Links: Website: danielleclough.com Instagram: fiance_knowles Intro music is Rich People Dreaming by Siine & Superintendent McCupcakes 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
13 Jul · Bonus

REPLAY: Danielle Clough - Making a Racket [NX045]

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 #45. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Danielle Clough, aka Fiancé Knowles. Danielle is an South African artist known for her vibrant and expressive embroidery work, characterised by bold colours, movement, and layering, creating a visual impact that evokes joy. She believes in the inherent goodness of people and the power of support and validation in fostering self-confidence. This is the first part of our NeedleXChange and we discuss how Danielle became a stitcher, how she became a viral sensation and what it takes to be a commercial artist, among other things. Danielle is awesome and this is a great chat - you'll love it! Timestamps: 0:01:52 Introduction and Seasonal Conversation 00:10:58 Discovering Cape Town and Embracing Nature 00:13:53 The Beginnings of Danielle's Embroidery Journey 00:24:59 From Fashion Design to Thread Sketching 00:27:52 The Humble Origins of Danielle's Embroidery 00:29:30 Fashion vs. Freedom of Creativity 00:36:58 Aligning Brand Ethos with Personal Values 00:45:40 Balancing Commercial Work and Personal Artistic Pursuits Links: Website: danielleclough.com Instagram: fiance_knowles Intro music is Rich People Dreaming by Siine & Superintendent McCupcakes 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
6 Jul

Róisín Phelan - Making Light of Things Part 2 [NX148]

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Róisín Phelan, a contemporary embroidery and textile artist who has built her practice around punch needle. Part 2 opens with practical punch needle wisdom (use the flat "wrong" side for detail, match your needle to your cloth, and keep the fabric taut), then gets into how she taught herself to embroider water and people, why she leans into a blocky, illustrative style rather than photorealism, and where her signature blue figures came from (it started with a single blue felt tip). We range across the books she rereads, music and comfort telly, an Irish Catholic upbringing and a love of mythology, the fun fact that she had a painting in the Tate before she could read, and a generous case for why craft is art and everyone can draw. Links: Instagram: roisin_art Intro music is Heart & Soul by Roots and Recognition 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
29 Jun

Róisín Phelan - Making Light of Things [NX147]

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Róisín Phelan, a contemporary embroidery and textile artist who has built her practice around punch needle. We start on common ground (a shared love of squared notebooks and to-do lists) before getting into how she creates the visual identity for the family brewery, the cafe, and the Colours coffee company, and how building a whole visual "world" means a new design comes together in an afternoon rather than a fortnight. Róisín talks candidly about being at home with her baby, why making art is how she looks after herself, and how craft lets her switch off and tune in at the same time. We close on the writing behind her images and the story of her seagull piece "It's Never the Lettuce." Róisín is a lovely person whose practice keeps her grounded, and it was a pleasure to chat with her. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and tune back in next week for the second part of our NeedleXChange. Links: Instagram: roisin_art Intro music is Heart & Soul by Roots and Recognition 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

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.

Creator

Jamie Chalmers
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

154
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Jamie Chalmers
Show Website

NeedleXChange