Sew What?

By Isabella Rosner

What's Sew What? about?

A podcast all about historic needlework and those who stitched it, hosted by your local historic needlework expert, Isabella Rosner.

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Sew What? episodes:

04.18.2024
Women in Stitches: An Interview with Marcia Goldenstein
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist Marcia Goldenstein about her series "Women in Stitches," consisting of tiny embroidered portraits of women past and present. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a...
03.29.2024
Naval Embroidery: An Interview with Maya Wassell Smith
In this episode, Isabella interviews Maya Wassell Smith, assistant curator of art at the National Maritime Museum and a PhD student at Cardiff University. The two discuss naval embroidery in all of its forms. Images and sources are available at...
02.29.2024
Men at (Needle)work: An Interview with Jamie Chalmers
In this episode, Isabella interviews Jamie Chalmers, AKA Mr X Stitch, the Kingpin of Contemporary Embroidery. The two discuss what's happening in the world of contemporary embroidery and what it's like to be a man who embroiders. Images and sources...
12.21.2023
The Modern Venus: An Interview with Dr Lis Gernerd
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Lis Gernerd about her new book, The Modern Venus: Dress, Underwear and Accessories in the late 18th Century Atlantic World. The two talk about all sorts of undergarments, embroidered muffs, networks of women, and...
12.14.2023
Fashion City: An Interview with Dr Lucie Whitmore and Dr Bethan Bide
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Lucie Whitmore and Dr Bethan Bide about the Museum of London's exhibition Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners shaped global style and the accompanying Bloomsbury exhibition catalogue. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on...
10.26.2023
Elizabeth Hall and Friends: An Interview with Rebecca Scott
In this episode, Isabella interviews English embroidery expert and Witney Antiques director Rebecca Scott. The pair talk about their new exhibition and accompanying catalogue, "Choice and Precious Work": Treasures from the Schoolroom, 1650-1750, centring on an embroidery suite made by...
04.20.2023
Stitching, Bright and Bold: An Interview with Danielle Clough
In this episode, Isabella interviews embroidery artist Danielle Clough. The pair talk about Danielle's embroidery practice, the transformation from photo to stitch, and the power of colour. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The...
03.30.2023
Weaving and Unweaving: An Interview with Raisa Kabir
In this episode, Isabella interviews interdisciplinary artist and weaver Raisa Kabir. The pair talk about Raisa's weaving practice, the tangled relationship between textiles and colonialism, and all sorts of looms. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram,...
12.08.2022
Women's Work: An Interview with Ferren Gipson
In this episode, Isabella interviews Ferren Gipson about her new book, Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art. The book tells the story of more than 30 modern and contemporary textile and ceramic artists. Images and sources are available...
12.01.2022
Threads of Power: An Interview with Michele Majer and Emma Cormack
In this episode, Isabella interviews Michele Majer and Emma Cormack, two of the three curators of the exhibition Threads of Power: Lace from the Textilmuseum St. Gallen, which is on display at the Bard Graduate Center until 1 January 2023. The...
11.24.2022
The Early Years of the RSN: An Interview with Dr Lynn Hulse
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Lynn Hulse about the early years of the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), which was founded in November 1872. This episode is being released the exact month of its 150th anniversary. Images and sources are...
10.27.2022
Hmong Embroidery: Paj Ntaub and Story Cloths
In this episode, Isabella discusses Hmong embroidery. She focuses most on Paj Ntaub ("flower cloth") and Hmong story cloths, discussing their materials, colours, imagery, and uses. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has...
09.01.2022
Mary Linwood's Art of Stitchery: An Interview with Dr Heidi Strobel
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Heidi Strobel about the celebrated 18th-century needlewoman Mary Linwood. The two discuss Mary Linwood's art and that of her contemporaries, as well as the anachronistic divide between art and craft, genre bending with stitching,...
06.23.2022
The World of Erica Wilson, Part 2: An Interview with Dr Anne Hilker and Vanessa Diserio
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Anne Hilker and Vanessa Diserio. Anne is the co-author and co-curator of the book and exhibition Erica Wilson: A Life in Stitches. Vanessa is one of Erica Wilson's children and the owner of the...
06.09.2022
The World of Erica Wilson, Part 1: An Interview with Edith Bouriez
In this episode, Isabella interviews Edith Bouriez, embroidery entrepreneur Erica Wilson’s right-hand woman. Edith served as master teacher for Erica, as well as her store, seminar, and tour manager. Isabella and Edith discuss Erica's embroidery empire. Images and sources are available...
05.26.2022
All About Egyptian Textiles: An Interview with Seif El Rashidi
In this episode, Isabella interviews art historian Seif El Rashidi about Egyptian textiles, spanning from ancient weaving to modern appliqué work. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
05.12.2022
RSN at the Fashion and Textile Museum: An Interview with Dennis Nothdruft
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dennis Nothdruft, Head of Exhibitions at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The two discuss the museum's current exhibition, "150 Years of the Royal School of Needlework: Crown to Catwalk." Images and sources are available...
03.24.2022
New London Needlework Reexamined: An Interview with Lynne Zacek Bassett
In this episode, Isabella interviews independent fashion and textile scholar and curator Lynne Zacek Bassett. The two discuss Lynne's current exhibition, "New London County Quilts & Bed Covers, 1750‒1825," and the exciting needlework discoveries to have come out of the...
02.17.2022
Stitching A Better World: An Interview with Stephanie Valencia of the Social Justice Sewing Academy
In the final episode of season 3, Isabella chats with Stephanie Valencia, Program Director of the Social Justice Sewing Academy. The Social Justice Sewing Academy, or SJSA, is an organisation that empowers individuals and works to create social change through...
02.10.2022
Flax and Finger Weaving: Māori Woven Textiles
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses hand weaving crafted by the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), focusing on its history, techniques, and many designs. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a...
02.03.2022
Resilient Stitching, Then and Now: An Interview with Claire Wellesley-Smith
In this episode, Isabella interviews embroidery artist, author, and researcher, Claire Wellesley-Smith. The two discuss everything from Claire's community engagement textile projects and her new book Resilient Stitch to Louisa Pesel and the Bradford Khaki Handicrafts Club. Images and sources are...
01.27.2022
Battle, Ritual, and Community: Asafo Flags of the Fante People
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses the Asafo flags of the Fante, who live in Ghana's coastal region. Asafo flags are vibrant, appliquéd flags that combine folklore, proverbs, and heraldry. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and...
01.20.2022
Embroidery and the Body: An Interview with Rowan Riley
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist and embroiderer Rowan Riley. The two discuss Rowan's artistic practice, stitching about and with one's body, and favourite contemporary textile artists. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast...
01.13.2022
Japanese Mending and Stitching: Sashiko and Boro
In this mini episode, Isabella discusses the Japanese stitching traditions of sashiko and boro. Each mini episode focuses on a single needlework technique from each continent, with this week's continent being Asia. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter,...
01.06.2022
Stitching Girls and Cup Noodles: An Interview with Jessica Tang
In this episode, Isabella interviews embroidery artist Jessica Tang, who explores her Asian-American identity through stitch. The two discuss Jessica's influences, artistic process, and the physical and emotional strength of stitch. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram,...
12.26.2021
Sew What? Holiday Special: Familial Needlework
In this special holiday episode, Isabella discusses studying family history through needlework. It's the perfect subject for a festive season focusing on friends, family, and community. Happy holidays to all!
12.23.2021
Curating Needlework at Regional Museums: An Interview with Claire McRee
In this episode, Isabella interviews Claire McRee, associate curator at the Allentown Art Museum, about curating needlework at smaller-scale, regional museums. This episode is a natural counterpart to the "Curating Needlework" episode of season 2. Images and sources are available at...
12.09.2021
Protecting Needlework from Pests: An Interview with Joel Voron
In this episode, Isabella interviews Joel Voron, the Integrated Pest Management Specialist at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The two discuss how historic properties and objects are checked for pests, which types of fibres are at risk, and what it was...
11.25.2021
Historic Rugs and Carpets: An Interview with Elisabeth Parker
In this episode, Isabella interviews historic rug and carpet specialist Elisabeth Parker. The two discuss the origins and international spread of rugs and carpets from the 17th century onwards. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook....
11.18.2021
Molas of the Kuna: A Central and South American Indigenous Textile Tradition
In the second mini episode of the season, Isabella discusses molas made by the Kuna, an indigenous people in Panama and Colombia. Molas are reverse appliquéd textiles central to Kuna women's clothing and the region's tourist industry. Images and sources are...
11.11.2021
Historic Embroidery in Mexico: An Interview with Mayela Flores
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Mayela Flores, who researches sampler making and embroidery practices in 18th- and 19th-century Mexico. The two discuss the origins of Aztec stitch, the use of cacti in needleworking, and the involvement of Mexican...
10.28.2021
Geography and Needlework in the American South: An Interview with Emily Wells
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Emily Wells about her research on the geography education of elite girls in the pre-Civil War American South. The two discuss map samplers, Westtown globes, and the involvement of southern needleworking girls in...
10.21.2021
That's All, Folk: Eastern European Folk Dress Traditions
In the first mini episode of season 3, Isabella explores traditional Eastern European needlework. She examines the stitched aspects of folk dress from Albania to Ukraine and everywhere in between. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and...
10.14.2021
The British Textile Biennial and Beyond: An Interview with Amber Butchart
In the first episode of season 3, Isabella interviews fashion historian Amber Butchart about her curating an exhibition at the British Textile Biennial, her TV show A Stitch in Time, and her work on forensic garment analysis. Images and sources are...
09.23.2021
Sew What? Season 3 Trailer
Season 3 of Sew What? is (almost) back! This is a tiny sneak preview of season 3's episode structure and offerings. Yeehaw! As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website,...
06.17.2021
Conserving Historic Needlework: An Interview with Gretchen Guidess and Jackie Peterson-Grace
In the final episode of the season, Isabella interview Gretchen Guidess and Jackie Peterson-Grace, the textile conservators of Colonial Williamsburg, about preserving and protecting historic needlework in museum collections. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram,...
06.10.2021
Embroidering Portraits: An Interview with Cayce Zavaglia
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist Cayce Zavaglia, who uses embroidery to stitch hyperrealistic portraits of her family, friends, and fellow artists. The two discuss Cayce's process, her favourite parts of stitching, and groundbreaking contemporary textile artists. As always, images and...
06.03.2021
The Needlework of Historic Boyz II Men
In this episode, Isabella discusses needlework made by boys and men in the 18th and 19th centuries. She focuses on professional embroideries, sailor woollies, trench art, and schoolboy samplers. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram,...
05.27.2021
Paper Pieced Quilts and Crafting During COVID: An Interview with Naomi Clarke
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Naomi Clarke about her passion for quilting and her PhD work focusing on crafting during Coronavirus. The two discuss paper piecing, craft diaries, and signature quilts. As always, images and sources are available at...
05.20.2021
Alternative Embroideries: Tambour Work and Punch Needle
In this episode, Isabella discusses the technique and history of tambour work (including tambour embroidery, lace, and beading) and punch needle. She also spends time exploring American rug hooking. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram,...
05.13.2021
Australian Schoolgirl Needlework: An Interview with Cat Gay
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Cat Gay about schoolgirl samplers and stitching in 19th-century Australia. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com, and a Patreon, patreon.com/sewwhatpodcast.
05.06.2021
Stitching Among Friends: Early Quaker Needlework
In this episode, Isabella discusses the subject of her PhD, Quaker women's needlework before 1800. She explores the stitching aesthetic of Quakers, also known as Friends, in and around London in the 17th century. As always, images and sources are available...
04.29.2021
Jewish Fashion Making and Stitching in 20th-Century London: An Interview with Dr Bethan Bide and Dr Lucie Whitmore
In this episode, Isabella interviews fashion historians Dr Bethan Bide and Dr Lucie Whitmore about 20th-century Jewish fashion makers in London. The trio discuss where Jewish Londoners got their stitching skills and the Museum of London's collection of extant clothes...
04.22.2021
Quilting and Exhibiting Black Life: An Interview with Bisa Butler and Dr Erica Warren
In this episode, Isabella interviews Bisa Butler, famous American fibre artist known for her vibrant quilts celebrating Black life, and Dr Erica Warren, associate curator of textiles at the Art Institute of Chicago. The trio discuss Bisa's artistic practice, the...
04.15.2021
Curating Needlework: An Interview with Amelia Peck and Melinda Watt
In this episode, Isabella interviews Amelia Peck, curator of textiles and period rooms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and supervising curator of the Met's Antonio Ratti Textile Center, and Melinda Watt, the head of the textiles department at the...
04.08.2021
The Embroideries and Lace of the Wiener Werkstätte
In this episode, Isabella discusses the embroideries and lace designs of Austria's Wiener Werkstätte, one of the longest-lived design movements of the twentieth century. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has...
04.01.2021
Early Medieval Embroidery: An Interview with Dr Alexandra Makin
In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Alexandra Makin, a textile archaeologist and professional embroiderer who researches and recreates early medieval embroidery. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com,...
03.25.2021
Travelling and Unravelling Indian Embroidery Techniques
In this episode, Isabella covers a variety of Indian embroidery techniques from across the subcontinent. As always, images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a new website, sewwhatpodcast.com, and a Patreon, patreon.com/sewwhatpodcast.
03.18.2021
May Morris and Arts and Crafts Embroidery: An Interview with Thomas Cooper
In this episode, Isabella interviews Thomas Cooper, a PhD student who researches May Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. In the episode, the two discuss May Morris's embroidery designs and works, as well as what inspired and influenced the...
03.11.2021
Embroidering Adversity in Charity and Orphan School Needlework
In this episode, Isabella discusses samplers and other needleworked items stitched at eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English charity and orphan schools. Special attention is given to the St Clements Danes school samplers and Bristol orphanage samplers. As always, images and sources are...

What's Sew What? about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Sew What? episodes:

Women in Stitches: An Interview with Marcia Goldenstein

Naval Embroidery: An Interview with Maya Wassell Smith

Men at (Needle)work: An Interview with Jamie Chalmers

The Modern Venus: An Interview with Dr Lis Gernerd

Fashion City: An Interview with Dr Lucie Whitmore and Dr Bethan Bide

Elizabeth Hall and Friends: An Interview with Rebecca Scott

Stitching, Bright and Bold: An Interview with Danielle Clough

Weaving and Unweaving: An Interview with Raisa Kabir

Women's Work: An Interview with Ferren Gipson

Threads of Power: An Interview with Michele Majer and Emma Cormack

The Early Years of the RSN: An Interview with Dr Lynn Hulse

Hmong Embroidery: Paj Ntaub and Story Cloths

Mary Linwood's Art of Stitchery: An Interview with Dr Heidi Strobel

The World of Erica Wilson, Part 2: An Interview with Dr Anne Hilker and Vanessa Diserio

The World of Erica Wilson, Part 1: An Interview with Edith Bouriez

All About Egyptian Textiles: An Interview with Seif El Rashidi

RSN at the Fashion and Textile Museum: An Interview with Dennis Nothdruft

New London Needlework Reexamined: An Interview with Lynne Zacek Bassett

Stitching A Better World: An Interview with Stephanie Valencia of the Social Justice Sewing Academy

Flax and Finger Weaving: Māori Woven Textiles

Resilient Stitching, Then and Now: An Interview with Claire Wellesley-Smith

Battle, Ritual, and Community: Asafo Flags of the Fante People

Embroidery and the Body: An Interview with Rowan Riley

Japanese Mending and Stitching: Sashiko and Boro

Stitching Girls and Cup Noodles: An Interview with Jessica Tang

Sew What? Holiday Special: Familial Needlework

Curating Needlework at Regional Museums: An Interview with Claire McRee

Protecting Needlework from Pests: An Interview with Joel Voron

Historic Rugs and Carpets: An Interview with Elisabeth Parker

Molas of the Kuna: A Central and South American Indigenous Textile Tradition

Historic Embroidery in Mexico: An Interview with Mayela Flores

Geography and Needlework in the American South: An Interview with Emily Wells

That's All, Folk: Eastern European Folk Dress Traditions

The British Textile Biennial and Beyond: An Interview with Amber Butchart

Sew What? Season 3 Trailer

Conserving Historic Needlework: An Interview with Gretchen Guidess and Jackie Peterson-Grace

Embroidering Portraits: An Interview with Cayce Zavaglia

The Needlework of Historic Boyz II Men

Paper Pieced Quilts and Crafting During COVID: An Interview with Naomi Clarke

Alternative Embroideries: Tambour Work and Punch Needle

Australian Schoolgirl Needlework: An Interview with Cat Gay

Stitching Among Friends: Early Quaker Needlework

Jewish Fashion Making and Stitching in 20th-Century London: An Interview with Dr Bethan Bide and Dr Lucie Whitmore

Quilting and Exhibiting Black Life: An Interview with Bisa Butler and Dr Erica Warren

Curating Needlework: An Interview with Amelia Peck and Melinda Watt

The Embroideries and Lace of the Wiener Werkstätte

Early Medieval Embroidery: An Interview with Dr Alexandra Makin

Travelling and Unravelling Indian Embroidery Techniques

May Morris and Arts and Crafts Embroidery: An Interview with Thomas Cooper

Embroidering Adversity in Charity and Orphan School Needlework

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