Fiber Talk

Avlea Folk Embroidery is sponsoring this week’s conversation with longtime Fiber Talk follower, Deb De Crane. When you visit avleafolkembroidery.com, use the code FT10 to get 10% off of your order. Deb De Crane connected with recent guest Kris Andrews when she was working at Knox College in Illinois. That meeting introduced Deb much of what the embroidery world has to offer. Today, she enjoys...

Beth’s sore stitching hands launched us into an unplanned fitness section. The conclusion: Sitting and stitching for long periods is not a good thing. We also talked about finishing a journal cover (link below), Jessica Grimm, needlepoint canvas from Avlea Folk Embroidery, and Gary stitching without thinking. The message: Read and follow the instructions. We’re taking a break after this show,...

Long-time Fiber Talk listener Edna Sanabia grew up on a farm in a creative household where idle-time activities focused on embroidery and other forms of needlework. That childhood enjoyment of needlework became a love when her children started going to school. Edna is the first listener in a new intermittent series in which we interview Fiber Talk listeners to learn how they came to enjoy...

In this episode, sponsored by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (egausa.org), Gary Parr talks with needlework teacher and designer Kris Andrews about a career spent mastering — and teaching — an impressive range of techniques, from surface embroidery and goldwork to Japanese embroidery and rug hooking. Kris traces her path back to teaching Hardanger at Tea Time Stitchery, and shares what’s kept...

In this episode, Beth Ellicott and Gary Parr sit down with embroidery artist and researcher Gimena Romero to explore her journey from university studies and a career in haute couture to becoming a devoted preservationist of traditional Mexican needlework. Gimena shares the story behind her book, The Embroidery of Mexico: A Vibrant Celebration of Traditional and Modern Designs, and the years she...

Cindy and Gary have gathered once again to discuss stitching topics we’ve encountered in recent weeks/days. This week’s topics include, the Tour de Broderie, eating while stitching, removing stains, whether wool is making a comeback, state fair entries and the techniques that are still alive, and the new Colour & Cotton store. They got it right. Sunday: Gimena Romero. Please consider...

Lorna Bateman of Lorna Bateman Embroidery returns to Fiber Talk to talk about her flourishing embroidery design business — from her beautiful “Embroidered Country Gardens” book to stitching on Converse trainer shoes. In this episode: – Her book “Embroidered Country Gardens” and the inspiration behind it – Silk ribbon embroidery techniques and design – How her business has grown and outgrown her...

Tammy McBean, the Needle Lady of Helvetia joins Gary to explore the beautiful world of Appenzeller whitework — a traditional Swiss embroidery style — and shares her experience with the Royal School of Needlework certificate program. This show is sponsored by Avlea Folk Embroidery at avleafolkembroidery.com. In this episode: —What Appenzeller whitework is and its Swiss cultural roots —Tammy’s...

Goldwork embroidery artist Clara Warschauer of Clara Stitching joins Gary to talk about her creative journey–how her design work has evolved over time, the surprising way teaching has made her a better designer, and the influences that shape her intricate goldwork pieces. In this episode: –How Clara’s goldwork designs have evolved over her career –Why teaching others has sharpened and transformed...