Seamwork Radio: Sewing and Creativity

Talking publicly about money is a little bit taboo for most of us. And yet, it motivates and influences much of what we do with our lives, how we spend our time, and how we cope with feelings.

In today's episode, designer Heather Lewenza of Closet Case Files opens up about how money and spending have shaped her life and career, and led her to the world of home sewing. From working in an auto factory to designing shopping centers to running her own business, see how Heather's relationship with money has transformed her thinking over time.

Related links from this episode:

• Closet Case Files, Heather's company
• The Bombshell Swimsuit
• The Ginger Jeans
• The Clare Coat
• The Morgan Jeans

Jacqui Palhegyi is the blogger behind Birds of a Thread, a sewing and ethical fashion blog. She's always been passionate about issues of social justice. But it was on a trip to Egypt with her husband that an encounter forever shifted the way she thought about how her clothing was made – and what she could do about it.

Related links from this episode:

• Birds of a Thread, Jacqui's blog
• The Colette Violet blouse

Jennifer Wiese had a dream. The founder of Brooklyn sewing studio Workroom Social wanted to create a weekend-long sewing event that brought a spirit of play and fun to sewing. In 2015, she hosted Camp Workroom Social, an overnight sewing camp for adults. She talks about why being present and open to imperfection is always better than fretting over mistakes – in sewing and in life.

Related links from this episode:

• Workroom Social
• Camp Workroom Social

Gretchen Jones is the controversial winner of season 8 of Project Runway. Her singular style won the show, but her bold and ambitious personality led her to be cast as the season's villain. In this interview with contributor Heather Lewenza, Gretchen talks about what led her to put herself out there on television, what life was like after sudden fame, and how she's discovered her true career path through it all.

Just a note, this recording does have several words that you may not find appropriate for young listeners.

Related links from this episode:

• Follow Gretchen on Instagram
• Follow Gretchen on Pinterest
• A Closet Tour with Gretchen Jones by Heather Lewenza, in this month's issue of Seamwork Magazine
• Project Runway Season 8
• The Neutral Territory, an experiment in dressing within a focused palette
• Heather Lewenza of Closet Case Files, our intrepid reporter!

Many of us are familiar with writer's block, that creative emptiness that hits you when you have all the freedom in the world and a blank page. But what about the opposite: when you face tough times and a lack of freedom, but discover in that an unstoppable will to create?

Creating something from nothing is Leah Price's passion. After spending ten years in what she describes as almost complete isolation, caring for her two children with special needs, Leah discovered a deep and abiding creative energy in repurposing what is unloved and wasted.

Related links from this episode:

• Other Boxes, Leah's blog
• Our Social Fabric, the textile recycling initiative in Vancouver, where Leah is a board member.
• Our article on Our Social Fabric in Seamwork Magazine.
• Copying Complex Garments, an article by Blossom Jenab in Threads Magazine

Morgan Meredith is the designer and creator of Thread Theory, a menswear sewing pattern line. From the time she was little, Morgan knew she wanted a life that she could control. But when her husband decided to join the military, she thought those dreams might be shattered.

Listen to Morgan's story of dramatic changes and rediscovering what really makes her happy.

Links from this episode:

• Thread Theory, Morgan's sewing pattern line

Sadie Roberts and her partner started their label, Tradlands, without a lot of money or experience. They produce menswear-inspired shirting for women, and they believe strongly in what they make and how they serve their customers. But starting a US-made fashion label isn't easy.

In this episode, Sadie shares how she got through some harrowing moments, why she didn't quit, and what she'd recommend to other aspiring designers.

"I'm really comfortable saying, we had no idea what we were doing." – Sadie Roberts

Links from this episode:

• Tradlands, Sadie and Jeremy's label

Sadie wanted to let you know that if you have any questions about starting a small fashion label, she would be happy to help. You can find her email address at the end of the episode

Growing up in Oklahoma, Matthew always had the sense that he wasn't "normal." As he grew up, he began to ask questions. What's wrong with being interested in "feminine" things? And what does it say about how we view women?

Links from this episode:

• The Thorn and Thread, Matthew's blog

Matthew also recommends:

• Male Pattern Boldness
• TaylorTailor

Charlie Wensley learned the hard way that trying to fit a pre-existing mold can have devastating effects. Charlie is the blogger behind nobleanddaughter.com. But before she rediscovered her love of making clothes, she struggled to meet her own expectations about the kind of person she thought she was supposed to be. This culminated in a battle with post-natal depression that left her questioning who she was.

Links from this episode:

• Noble & Daughter, Charlie's blog
• The Great British Sewing Bee
• Tilly & The Buttons

Jenny Rushmore is the blogger behind Cashmerette and a founder of The Curvy Sewing Collective. She's a woman who exudes warmth and confidence in everything she does. But it wasn't always this way. Learn how Jenny overcame childhood bullying and found her voice in the sewing community.

Links from this episode:

• Cashmerette, Jenny's sewing blog
• The Curvy Sewing Collective
• The Ginger jeans pattern from Closet Case Files
• The Moneta dress pattern from Colette
• Blogs Jenny mentions: Idle Fancy, Oonaballoona, Yoshimi the Flying Squirrel, Very Purple Person
• It Gets Better project to help LGBT youth