In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Charlie Reeder aka Stitchsperation.

Charlie is a cross stitch designer with an unashamedly joyful aesthetic.

In this first part of our NeedleXChange, we talk imposter syndrome, naming the inner critic (“Brenda”), and how stitching can be a safe, meditative place to build confidence.

Charlie shares ideas around stitched affirmations and repetition, plus the beginnings of Stitchsperation: bold typographic work, painted backgrounds, and designing what they couldn’t find.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:47 - Imposter syndrome and “Brenda” (naming the inner critic)

00:06:07 - Stitching affirmations (repetition as reprogramming)

00:10:28 - Back from Canada, broke, and making a Sweden wedding gift

00:12:00 - Painting the fabric, then stitching the words

00:14:42 - Aesthetic in one phrase: “Typographic bright shit?”

00:15:41 - Positivity without going “toxic”

00:17:25 - Cross stitch as TV-time sanity (not doom scrolling)

Links:

Website: stitchsperation.com

Instagram: stitchsperation

Intro music is Easy Breezy by Boogie Wheel via Epidemic Sound.

About NeedleXChange

An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.

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