Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably

Zoe Edwards
  • 4.8 (100)
  • CRAFTS
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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. 2D AGO

    #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

  2. MAY 19

    #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

  3. MAY 11

    #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

  4. MAY 4

    #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

  5. APR 27

    #223: An Alternative Fashion Future with Charlotte from Stitched Up

    The next installment of the SIDDI tour with Jeanna and Mary. I speak to Charlotte from Stitched Up - a Manchester-based not-for-profit with the goal of building an alternative fashion future by sharing sewing, mending and upcycling skills, and facilitating clothing swaps and textile recycling. I spoke to Charlotte Vinsen who freelances with Stitched Up, about what Stitched Up do, how it works and who it’s for. I also catch up with Jeanna and Mary after they deliver their first interactive talk, and we debrief on what went down and what went well.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Charlotte Vinsen freelances at Stitched Up. Follow Stitched Up on Instagram @stitchedupcoop and Charlotte @charlottevinsen.  The Stitched Up team are (l-r) Winona, Sarah, Charlotte, Katy & Bryony: Jeanna Wigger 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 Wigger Ep. #132: A Season of Mending with Jeanna Wigger Ep. #135: How to Triage Your Mends with Jeanna Wigger Ep. #163: How to Effect Change This Winter with Jeanna Wigger Ep. #190: The Four Tendencies and Sewing with Jeanna, Kim & Lise  Ep. #191: Stitch it, Don’t Ditch it with Mary Morton & Jeanna Wigger Ep. #208: Challenging Consumption and Perfectionism with Jeanna Wigger Ep. #217: Mending for Mental Wellbeing with Rebecca from The Big Fandango Find their awesome book, ‘Stitch it, Don't Ditch it’. Mary and Jeanna giving their interactive talk and triaging the damaged items brought by attendees:

  6. APR 20

    #222: Neurodiversity and Craft with Kim Witten

    In recent years there’s been a growing amount of research and understanding around neurodiversity: the variety of ways in which different people’s brains and nervous systems work. With more and more people getting formerly diagnosed, or at least identifying as being neurospicy to some degree, regular guest, Kim Witten, who is a coach, writer and one of my cleverest friends, is back on the podcast to explore what it means to be neurodivergent, and how neurodivergence intersects with craft. We consider if and how neurodiversity might affect someone’s engagement with craft, and also the role that craft might have in functioning well as a neurodivergent person.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! You can find my other podcast, ‘Can I Dig It? Food Growing for Busy People’, wherever you listen to podcasts.  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

  7. APR 13

    #221: Upcycling Secrets – Kat Camfield with Brynn, Emily & Meagan

    What are the biggest challenges AND the biggest joys of running a business making products from upcycled textiles? Legendary guest interviewer, Kat Camfield, has rounded up three intensely talented Canadian upcyclers: Brynn from B-Bot Clothing, Emily from Woodbrick and Meagan from Salt Legacy. We hear how they each started their businesses and their different approaches to the same problem: trying to divert textile waste from landfill. They all share tips and advice, including sourcing secrets for others wanting to get into upcycling, either for themselves or to start a business.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Want to learn more about the Me-Made-May challenge? Check out: Ep. #177: Me-Made-May Explained in Under 5 Minutes You can also find the very-optional-but-very-helpful Me-Made-May Workbook.  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  Meagan’s business is Salt Legacy. You can follow them on Instagram @saltlegacy:  Brynn’s business is B-Bot Clothing. You can follow them on Instagram @bbotclothing:  Emily’s business is Woodbrick. You can follow them on Instagram @woodbrick: Brynn creates incredible upcycled sweaters (for example) with their ‘schtick’ being adding denim sleeves. Brynn also makes pouffe shells that can be stuffed with textile waste, and also sells the sewing pattern so you can make one yourself: Woodbrick’s core products are crescent bags and fanny packs (for example) for kids and adults. Jackets made from upcycled textiles, including quilts, have also become very popular with their clients: Meagan’s business, Salt Legacy, creates a range of durable bags and accessories from unwanted boat sails. Popular items include their signature tote bag design: Listen to the previous episode about sizing adaptive and inclusive sewing patterns: Ep. #219: Flux-Friendly Sewing Patterns with Sasha Starlight

  8. MAR 23

    #220: How to Save and Make Money with Sewing

    No one should feel obligated to use their sewing skills and free time for anything they don’t want to use them for. However, if funds are tight, you might decide to look into how sewing can save, or even make, some money. In this episode you’ll hear from some members of the CYT Patreon community and subscribers to the CYT newsletter, about how they save money, and also make money, with sewing. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, this episode is bound to provide inspiration.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Image source: Pierre Bamin via Unsplash Also listen to the following related episodes: Ep. #57: Can Sewing Save You Money? Ep. #58: Sewing on a Budget Sandra recommended the @sparklesewing YouTube channel on YT for advice on wedding dress alterations. Learn to draft sewing patterns to sell via: Pattern Lab London (plus their YouTube channel) Lydia Sews Things

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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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