In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Owen Kelly.

Owen is a fifth-generation embroiderer whose vivid, hand-stitched works blend folk art, cultural symbolism, and personal narrative — all anchored by a lifelong love of textiles and storytelling. In this first part of our conversation, Owen shares his early love of stitching, memories stitched into denim, and how his family history shaped his lifelong relationship with embroidery. It's a journey through punk rock, biker jackets, and the moving legacy of his 'memory skirt'.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:30 – Growing up stitching: why his creative world never felt tedious

00:06:55 – Flow stitching and creative improvisation

00:09:00 – Custom denim jackets and symbolic commissions

00:13:40 – Craft vs. art: perspectives from punk to Persia

00:16:55 – Denim as a material and a personal statement

00:21:10 – The origin of Owen’s “memory skirt” and stitched life events

00:30:10 – Reflections on masculinity, textiles, and reclaiming space

Links:

Instagram: slavetothestitch

Intro music is Silly Simon by TAGE 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/

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If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.com

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