SEAMSIDE: Exploring the Inner Work of Textiles

A few weeks ago, I caught up with quilt researcher and author Janneken Smucker to thumb through her new book together. If you haven’t heard our conversation yet on A New Deal for Quilts, I recommend you go back and catch that episode first, and then come join me for this conversation.

Because today we’re going behind the scenes, behind the book, and into the International Quilt Museum itself. I’m joined by the curator of International collections at IQM, Marin Hanson, to hear what it was like to put together the exhibition for A New Deal for Quilts. I know very little about how curators pull off such a quilt feat, so I had all kinds of questions.

In this conversation Marin and I discuss:
① a curators calculus for choosing the perfect quilts
② the significance of feed sacks in quilt-making
③ the impact of quilts on the human experience

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Listeners interested in textiles, history, or art will find this episode particularly engaging. Marin's insights provide a unique perspective on the curation process and the deep connections between quilts and cultural narratives.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Textiles in Personal Life: Think about a textile (like a quilt, blanket, or garment) that holds special meaning in your life. What story does it tell, and how does it connect you to your personal or cultural history?

Art as a Historical Lens: How can art forms like quilting offer unique insights into historical events and societal changes? Reflect on the role of everyday objects in shaping and preserving our understanding of the past.

Sustainability in Textiles: The use of feed sacks in quilting is a testament to resourcefulness and sustainability. How can we apply similar principles of reuse and creativity in our current approach to textiles and fashion?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

For most of my life, I had a tough time wrapping my head around the idea of privilege. But as I started researching my own family, something became crystal clear: the two branches of my family tree had two different experiences here in this country. On my dad's line, they are all subsistence farmers. They barely had enough money to get it registered on the census. On my mom's side of the family, however, where all the enslaving happened, they were wealthier in ways that my dad's folks could've never even imagined, and it was this wealth that set up generations of my family for a life of privilege and access.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, we reflect on how this one quilt contains:
① the magical alchemy of cheap fabric
② the convergent story of two White American families
③ how the mechanism of intergenerational wealth works

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/silverdollar

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
This episode is a profound exploration of how personal and family histories intersect with larger societal issues like privilege, race, and the lasting impact of slavery. Zak’s use of a quilt to narrate his family's lineage and its implications on his life offers a unique and tangible connection to broader themes of inheritance, memory, and responsibility. His approach encourages listeners to reflect on their own histories and the legacies they carry forward.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Exploring Personal Legacy: Consider your own family history. What stories, values, or legacies have been passed down through generations, and how do they shape your identity and worldview?

Art as a Medium for Social Commentary: Think about the role of art and storytelling in unpacking complex social issues. How can creative expressions foster dialogue around topics that are often difficult to discuss?

Active Responsibility: This quilt serves as a form of reparation and acknowledgment of a family's past. What actions can individuals take to acknowledge and address the injustices and legacies of the past in a constructive and forward-looking manner?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/

→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp

→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/

→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/

→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE 👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

By now you’ve probably heard that our good friend Heidi Parkes is the 15th Artist in Residence at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. I talk about Heidi like everyone knows her, and if you’ve been in my world for very long, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about her.

We are both former public school educators turned professional artists and have been friends for almost a decade now. If you’re not familiar with Heidi’s work, she documents her life in her quilts, tracking days, places, and memories through applique and embroidery.

In this conversation, Heidi gives us an inside glimpse to this new residency. It’s something she’s tried out for 3 times before and never got it. She decided she’d take a break for a while, and just when she did, something unexpected happened: they reached out to her.

*WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?*
Listen to this conversation if you ever:
① applied for something and didn’t get it
② have an interest in setting up a public studio, or
③ are looking for a creative transition in your own life

*CONVERSATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS*
04:04 Heidi's Studio Practice
05:03 Transition to Public Studio
05:29 The Pfister Hotel Residency
06:55 Previous Artists in Residence
09:30 Reflections on Rejection and Persistence
15:52 The Studio Space at Pfister
22:04 Interacting with the Public
27:06 Expectations for the Residency
30:00 Preparing for the First Public Event

*REFLECTION PROMPTS*
1. *Perseverance in Art:* Reflect on a time when you faced rejection in your creative endeavors. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
2. *Public vs Private Creative Spaces:* Consider the differences between creating in a private space versus a public one. How do you think each environment would affect your creativity and interaction with your art?
3. *Artistic Community Engagement:* How important is it for artists to embed themselves in their local community? What are some effective ways to do this?

*HELPFUL RESOURCES*
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/
→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/
→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

*ABOUT SEAMSIDE*
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show *the inner work of textiles.* Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

*DON’T MISS AN EPISODE* 👇 
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

I’m convinced that Roderick Kiracofe is one part human being and one part guardian angel. He’s been a huge support both of me and many other quilters out there, generously lending his experience and insight that only come from the decades he’s spent as an advocate for quilts.

On a recent trip to NYC, he and I caught up at Tatter’s Blue Library to immerse ourselves in Brooklyn’s beautiful textile research space and the all the shades of blueness. We cozy up on a big blue couch in the corner of the library for this conversation and we had to pass the mic back and forth, so you may notice some scuffles from time to time, but to me it all adds to the intimacy of the conversation you’re about to hear.

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Dive into the captivating world of quilts and anonymous photography with quilt advocate Roderick Kiracofe. Discover the intriguing connections between these art forms and how they capture history and personal narratives.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Reflect on the concept of anonymity in art and textiles. How does the mystery of not knowing the creator or the subjects in photographs and quilts add depth or change your perception of these pieces? Consider why anonymous art can be intriguing or emotionally resonant.

Consider the role of textiles and quilts in your personal history or your community's cultural heritage. How do these items serve as connectors to the past, and what stories or memories do they evoke for you?

Roderick Kiracofe's interest in the intersection of photography and quilting offers a unique perspective on storytelling. Reflect on how different mediums like photography and quilting can complement each other in telling a more comprehensive or nuanced story. Can you think of other artistic mediums that, when combined, offer a richer narrative?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

In this quilt talk, I share the KNIFEMAN quilt: a story-driven project shaped by an encounter I had while purchasing a foraging knife, exploring themes of identity and how each one of us living our best lives gives permission to everyone around us to the same.

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/knifeman

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
There’s a rich narrative in this KNIFEMAN project that blends quilting with personal reflection and societal observations. I share with you my quilt-making process, from the conceptualization to the physical crafting, while delving into the deeper meanings and root behind the quilt. The episode is a compelling mix of artistic insight and personal introspection, helpful for anyone who wants to transform life experiences into creative expression.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Have you ever had a creative project influenced by a personal encounter or experience? Reflect on how this interaction shaped your work.

Consider the impact of using textiles as a medium for social commentary. What are the special properties of textiles that make them such a powerful tool for addressing societal issues?

Reflect on the idea of "non-attachment" to outcomes in creative work, as mentioned by Zak. How can this concept be applied to other areas of life?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/

→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp

→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/

→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/

→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

To get 2024 started right, I thought I would pull together some of my favorite moments out of the last year as a way of not only reflecting, but mining it again for the wisdom, the advice, the perspective and experience that my guests have offered, and hopes of setting all of us up for a more creative, more fulfilling, more satisfying 2024.

When I sat down to begin thinking who would I pull in from the last year of SEAMSIDE, it was a lot more challenging than I thought. I tried to pick a wide variety of folks who were sharing stories that inspired, motivated, or offered some kind of insight I thought you’d find helpful. So I hope that no matter where you are on your quilty journey right now, no matter where you are in your creative practice, whether you're feeling full of inspiration or maybe a little bit unmotivated, I hope you find some good medicine here to get you started on the right foot in 2024.

In this episode, we hear from: Alice Gabb, Judy Martin, Amanda Nadig, Paolo Arao, Julian Jamal Jones, Michael Sylvan Robinson, Jennifer Mao, and Lou Gardiner

You can learn more at the episode website here

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
It's a curated mix of inspiring stories and advice from SEAMSIDE guests, providing a diverse range of viewpoints on creativity, overcoming challenges, and embracing growth, perfect for setting the tone for a fulfilling 2024.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Embracing Diverse Perspectives: How can you cultivate relationships with people whose views differ from yours, finding common ground in unexpected places?

Navigating Disappointment: Reflect on a recent setback or rejection. How can you reframe this experience to focus on growth and resilience?

Finding Inspiration in the Unseen: Like the concept of the mycelium network, what unseen processes or thoughts contribute to your creativity, even when not actively producing work?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/
→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/
→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

The Great Depression wasn’t something we talked much about in my family. I do know it’s what made my grandfather quit school in the eighth grade to go work in his father’s grocery store. When we think of this time in international history, which lasted roughly from the Stock Market crash in 1929 until the lead-up to World War 2, we often think of the photographs of Dorothea Lange and the New Deal which funded large public works proejcts like the TVA and Hoover Dam.

But quilt historian Janneken Smucker has uncovered a softer side the New Deal, one that until now, has received scant attention: the role of quilts as a of domestic stream of income.

In this conversation, Janneken and I explore:
① how the New Deal may have changed quilting for a generation
② how quilts can be containers of hope and resilience
③ how quilts were used as American propaganda

I hope you enjoy HOW TO SOFTEN HARD TIMES with my good friend, Janneken Smucker

HELPFUL RESOURCES
⤷ New Deal for Quilts by Janneken Smucker
⤷ International Quilt Museum exhibit website
⤷ Farm Security Administration Photo Archives
⤷ Soft Covers for Hard Times by Merikay Waldvogel
⤷ Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts by Cuesta Benberry

SEAMSIDE host Zak foster co-explores the inner work of textiles with various textile artists. In each episode, we seek to understand how working with cloth makes us more human.

⤷ Looking for a supportive textile community online? Check out the NOOK!
⤷ I also send weekly email goodies
⤷ New to SEAMSIDE? Check out THE TOP TEN FAN FAVORITE EPISODES
⤷ Here’s my website with lots of pretty quilts
⤷ And of course you can see more on Instagram
⤷ Enter here for your chance to win a FREE YEAR on the NOOK!

I take you behind the scenes with one of my most recent finishes, a quilt I’m calling the Beach Shirt quilt. I found the shirt walking down along Brighton Beach on a cool gray morning about six weeks ago.

We walked to the far end of the beach beyond Coney Island where things turn more residential, and that’s where I found it: this clump of sand-colored fabric.

When I picked it up and shook it clean, I knew immediately that this was going to be the starring feature for my next quilt.

Click here to see more images of this quilt

⤷ Learn more about THE QUILTY NOOK here
⤷ Get your free NOOK trial here
⤷ Enter here for your chance to win a FREE YEAR on the NOOK!

Last week when Paolo Arao talked about our textile practices, we mentioned that one of the things that we have in common is our shared love of taro. So in this special SEAMSIDE bonus episode, you'll hear us share about our own personal tarot practice and how it plays into our creative practice. If you have a tarot practice, I hope you pick up some new nuggets. And if you don't have a tarot practice, maybe you want to give it a try?

⤷ Get your free TINY QUILT tutorial video I mention in this episode
⤷Learn more about the Radical Tarot book by Charlie Claire Burgess
⤷ Learn more about THE QUILTY NOOK here
⤷ Get your free NOOK trial here

The fact that Paolo Arao and I both showed up to the podcast studio wearing orange winter hats and navy hoodies should tell you something of the kindred connection I feel with Paolo. After years of being online friends, we met up for breakfast about a month ago before going to see his most recent show that was about to close. Over a massive (and truly delicious) breakfast sandwich, we kept discovering commonalities: the way we think about color, how we navigate creative hiccups, our shared love of tarot. I knew right away that I wanted to invite him to SEAMSIDE so you could get a chance to meet him:

In this conversation, we discuss:
① how painting, music, and textiles can all weave together in a creative practice
② how our bodies can sense the power of textiles
③ how working with textiles can increase our tolerance for the unknown

Learn more about Paolo Arao

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Listen to this episode with Paolo Arao for a deep dive into the interconnected world of textiles, painting, and music, exploring how these artistic forms can blend together into one practice. This episode offers listeners not only a glimpse into Paolo's vibrant creative journey but also valuable perspectives on the broader impact of textiles in art and life.

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show *the inner work of textiles.* Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE👇 
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram
→ Enter here for your chance to win a FREE YEAR on the NOOK