NeedleXChange

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Deborah Simon. Deborah is a Brooklyn-based sculptor and embroiderer known for her hauntingly beautiful bears and rabbits that blend faux fur, taxidermy and anatomy.

We talk about her early influences, how she went from painting to sculpture, and why she’s so fascinated by the tension between the cuddly teddy bear and the deadly wild bear - plus how camping trips and natural history books shaped her work.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:30 – The Evolution of Needlework in Contemporary Art

00:04:27 – The Intersection of Art and Science

00:09:34 – Balancing Accuracy and Aesthetic in Art

00:12:10 – The Value of Artistic Process and Rejection

00:17:32 – Resistance as a Path to Creativity

00:24:55 – Creative Challenges in Sculpture

00:26:41 – Audiobooks and Their Influence on Art

00:28:54 – Exploring Literature and History

00:31:31 – Music Preferences in the Studio

00:35:04 – Television and Film Recommendations

00:39:45 – The Art of Set Design

Links:

Website: deborahsimon.net

Instagram: deborahasimon

Intro music is Looking Like Me 1 by David Björk 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

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