NeedleXChange

By Jamie Chalmers

Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers interviews needlework and textile artists to find out how they make their art, how they build their business and why they love working with a needle and thread.

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· Arts

5

44 ratings

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FAQs about NeedleXChange:

How many episodes does NeedleXChange have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

NeedleXChange episodes:

October 06, 2025Lesley Wheeler - Textilia Arcana Part 2 [NX109]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Lesley Wheeler.
Lesley is a poet, quilter, and textile artist whose work merges narrative, symbolism, and stitch.
In this second half we discuss her development as a maker — from trusting her intuition with complex textile projects to learning embroidery, lace, and machine techniques. Lesley talks about fabric collecting, playful side projects that keep her creativity flowing, and how pop culture and music filter into her practice, from Busta Rhymes back patches to Beatles-inspired tarot cards. We also cover her favorite books, films, and poets, and the broader inspirations that shape her artistic life.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Exploring Textile Arts and Techniques
00:05:18 – The Journey of Creating Art and Reflection
00:08:36 – Balancing Projects and Creative Flow
00:11:51 – Influences of Music and Culture on Art
00:16:12 – Literary Inspirations and Personal Connections
00:21:09 – Personal Insights and Vegetarian Lifestyle
Links:
Website: lannwheeler.com
Instagram: major_arcana_textiles
Intro music is Summer of Love by Roy Edwin Williams via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
28min
September 29, 2025Lesley Wheeler - Textilia Arcana [NX108]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Lesley Wheeler.
Lesley is a poet, quilter, and textile artist who brings tarot symbolism to life through fabric and thread.
In this first half of our conversation we explore how she approaches tarot as both a meditative tool and a form of visual storytelling, her PhD in confessional poetry, and the ways writing and textiles draw from the same creative well. Lesley shares how quilting became a sustaining practice during lockdown, the historical tarot decks that inspire her, and her ideas about liminality, accessibility, and making art that exists beyond traditional institutions.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Exploring Tarot: A Tool for Understanding
00:04:15 – The Intersection of Poetry and Textiles
00:07:06 – The Journey into Quilt Making
00:09:48 – The Role of Art in Communication
00:12:44 – The Creative Process Behind Tarot Cards
00:15:37 – The Influence of Historical Art on Modern Creations
00:18:17 – The Balance of Art and Functionality
00:20:52 – The Personal Connection to Art and Poetry
00:23:55 – The Evolution of Craft and Artistic Expression
00:34:03 – Embracing Creativity and Trusting Oneself
Links:
Website: lannwheeler.com
Instagram: major_arcana_textiles
Intro music is Summer of Love by Roy Edwin Williams via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
34min
September 22, 2025Tal Fitzpatrick - The Doctor of Craftivism Part 2 [NX107]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I continue my interview with Tal Fitzpatrick.
Tal is a socially engaged artist and craftivist whose practice explores how making can give people agency and foster connection.
We explore the philosophy underpinning her work, from dissensus and the importance of tension in activism to the pitfalls of toxic positivity. Tal reflects on the ripple effects of collaborative projects, how making can empower people to find their voices, and the role of connection in socially engaged textile practice.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Navigating Opposing Viewpoints
00:03:40 – The Complexity of Closure
00:05:23 – Craftivism and Humanity
00:07:14 – The Power of Small Actions
00:09:28 – Connection Through Craft
00:12:42 – Finding Your Voice in Activism
00:16:11 – Starting Your Craftivist Journey
00:18:14 – The Impact of Personal Change
00:19:39 – Quietly Seething: Exploring Feminine Rage
00:24:31 – The Role of Anger in Activism
00:27:46 – Cultural Constructs of Emotion
00:30:53 – The Power of Shared Stories
00:34:47 – Art as a Catalyst for Change
00:37:23 – Music and Its Influence
00:49:05 – The Secret Band: Y Tho
Links:
Website: talfitzpatrick.com
Instagram: talfitzpatrick
Intro music is Rockin' For Decades by A Minute of Fame via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
1h 1min
September 15, 2025Tal Fitzpatrick - The Doctor of Craftivism [NX106]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Tal Fitzpatrick.
Tal is a socially engaged artist and craftivist whose quilts and textile projects blend creativity with activism.
We talk about her artistic journey from early influences, including her grandmother’s politically charged textile works, through to her PhD in craftivism as DIY citizenship. Tal shares stories of working in disaster recovery communities, how that shaped her understanding of art’s power, and the origins of major projects like the PM Please Quilt and the global Universal Declaration of Human Rights Quilt Project.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Crafting Public Conversations: The City Speaks
00:03:58 – Textiles and Feminism: A Soft Approach to Activism
00:06:50 – The Power of Subversion in Craftivism
00:09:38 – Engaging the Audience: Craft as a Trojan Horse
00:12:33 – Community Engagement: Voices in Public Space
00:15:22 – The Journey to PhD: Craftivism and DIY Citizenship
00:18:11 – Art as a Tool for Recovery: Stories from Disaster
00:20:52 – The Impact of Craft: Agency and Empowerment
00:23:43 – Human Rights and Craftivism: The UDHR Quilt Project
00:26:19 – Legacy and Generational Influence in Art
00:29:09 – The Intersection of Craft and Activism
00:31:35 – Navigating the Complexities of Social Change
00:34:29 – The Role of Textiles in Political Discourse
00:36:57 – Crafting a Better Future: The Ripple Effect of Art
00:39:45 – The Future of Craftivism
Links:
Website: talfitzpatrick.com
Instagram: talfitzpatrick
UDHR Quilt Project: quilts.moadoph.gov.au
Intro music is Rockin' For Decades by A Minute of Fame via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
50min
September 08, 2025Melissa English Campbell - Warping Reality Part 2 [NX105]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Melissa English Campbell.
Melissa is a textile artist known for her experimental weaving practice that pushes the boundaries of pattern, structure, and meaning.
In this second half of our conversation, Melissa shares how her signature style emerged—from weaving mirrored fabrics and incorporating sticks to reflecting on cultural history and appropriation. We also explore her teaching experience, her influences, and how music and podcasts keep her company in the studio.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Embracing Artistic Freedom: Risk and Exploration
00:05:20 – The Role of Education in Artistic Development
00:07:06 – Disruption in Weaving: Incorporating Found Objects
00:10:36 – Artistic Influences: Nature and Personal Expression
00:16:42 – Weaving as a Historical and Cultural Medium
00:20:03 – Exploring Gold Work Techniques
00:21:32 – Musical Influences and Favorites
00:24:00 – The Role of Music in Creativity
00:28:58 – Podcasts and Learning
00:30:53 – Literary Inspirations and Dyslexia
00:34:38 – Television and Film Recommendations
00:36:16 – A Glimpse into the Past: Janis Joplin
Links:
Website: melissaenglishcampbell.com
Instagram: me_campbell
Intro music is Losing Track of Time by Gabriel Kelley via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
43min
September 01, 2025Melissa English Campbell - Warping Reality [NX104]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Melissa English Campbell.
Melissa is a textile artist whose weaving combines painting, double-layer structures, and found objects to create works that shift between glitch-like distortion and serene beauty.
In this first half of our conversation, Melissa talks about her upbringing across Europe and the US, how dyslexia shaped her way of thinking, and how she discovered weaving as a language of memory, disruption, and resilience.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 – Introduction to Melissa's Artistry
00:04:14 – The Weaving Process Explained
00:07:10 – Complex Dimensional Thinking
00:09:43 – The Role of Dyslexia in Creativity
00:12:22 – Exploring Uncertainty in Art
00:15:16 – The Interplay of Painting and Weaving
00:17:56 – Disruption and Recognition in Art
00:20:50 – The Balance of Tension and Grace
00:23:34 – Themes of Stress and Calm in Fiber Art
00:26:20 – The Influence of Mood on Artistic Expression
00:30:03 – Journey into Textiles: A Late Start
00:34:19 – Overcoming Challenges: The Weaving Experience
Links:
Website: melissaenglishcampbell.com
Instagram: me_campbell
Intro music is Losing Track of Time by Gabriel Kelley via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
38min
August 18, 2025Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir - Domestic Documentary Part 2 [NX103]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir.
Claire is a textile storyteller whose work transforms scraps of family life - old clothes, baby socks, even diaper cloth - into intimate quilts and stitched offerings.
We explore the second phase of her practice: community, upcycling, and the emotional weight textiles can carry. Claire shares how she’s embraced memory quilting, involved her children in the process, and honoured personal history through fabric. We also talk about the online communities that have shaped her artistic journey and the joy of letting go - by giving her stitched offerings away.
Links:
Website: clairevoelkel.com
Instagram: thread.yarn.paper
Intro music is Electric Kids by Falcon Dives via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
30min
August 11, 2025Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir - Domestic Documentary [NX102]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir.
Claire is a self-taught textile artist who uses embroidery as a storytelling tool to explore memory, motherhood, and creative discipline.
We discuss her two 52-week stitched story projects—how they emerged from a desire to carve out creative space amidst the chaos of parenting, and how small weekly acts of making became a powerful tool for self-discovery. Claire reflects on the freedom found in constraint, the messiness of memory, and what happens when we stitch the ordinary moments of our lives into fabric.
Links:
Website: clairevoelkel.com
Instagram: thread.yarn.paper
Intro music is Electric Kids by Falcon Dives via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
29min
August 04, 2025Fuzzy Mall - Having It Large Part 2 [NX101]
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Fuzzy Mall.
Fuzzy is a visionary textile artist who transforms reclaimed fabrics into playful, large-scale works that break the mould of traditional quilting.
We explore how he uses his art to resist digital doomscrolling, experiment with ‘analog AI’ and 3D forms, remix old portraits into new pieces, and why music, reclaimed chaos, and joy fuel his creative process.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:25 – How the ‘masking’ project came about
00:03:05 – Turning old portraits into new stories
00:05:15 – On creative freedom and joy in stitching
00:07:35 – Mimicking AI aesthetics with hand-sewn collages
00:09:50 – Reflections on absurdity, humour, and defiance in art
00:13:55 – Managing chaos in the studio
00:16:35 – Embracing systems that evolve over time
00:19:55 – Music as a constant companion in his creative flow
Links:
Website: quiltedportrait.net
Instagram: fuzzymallart
Intro music is Her Name Is Edith by OTE via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Find out more here: https://xstitchmag.com
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
42min
July 28, 2025Fuzzy Mall - Having It Large [NX100]
In this 100th episode of NeedleXChange I interview Fuzzy Mall.
Fuzzy is a self-taught textile artist celebrated for his huge, detail-rich portraits and installations made entirely from reclaimed fabrics.
We talk about how he evolved from painting to pushing the boundaries of quilting at an epic scale, the ideas behind his Faces of Hamilton project, and what draws him to go bigger and bigger with his joyful, community-focused work.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:20 – How Fuzzy stumbled into textiles after painting
00:06:10 – First experiments with quilting and thread as drawing
00:08:35 – The appeal of using reclaimed fabrics
00:12:20 – Working at large scale and dealing with detail
00:15:00 – The emotional impact of big textile portraits
00:19:10 – Beginning the Faces of Hamilton project
Links:
Website: quiltedportrait.net
Instagram: fuzzymallart
Intro music is Her Name Is Edith by OTE via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Find out more here: https://xstitchmag.com
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrxstitch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers
...more
31min

FAQs about NeedleXChange:

How many episodes does NeedleXChange have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

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