Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking. With a background in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Micah blends fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design to create one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture. In 2019 Micah was formally trained as an Oxford Punch Needle Instructor at the Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont, and in 2020 she launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history, and making high quality supplies and training accessible around the world.   Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion, comes out next month, in June 2025 from Quadrille and brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion through 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium.

Punch Needle Fashion pre-order link

Web: www.micahclasper-torch.com

IG: @claspertorch & @punchneedle.world

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Kelsey founded Sew Pittsburg with the vision of creating a sewing community in the Pittsburgh area. As the Instagram account quickly gained traction, Sarah stepped in to help foster the group’s growing sense of community. https://www.instagram.com/sewpgh/

Together, they built a welcoming space for sewists to connect, share inspiration, and support one another.

Their efforts transformed Sew Pittsburg into more than just an online presence—it became a thriving hub for makers, encouraging creativity and friendships.

Through meetups, collaborations, and shared enthusiasm, Kelsey and Sarah have cultivated a vibrant sewing culture, proving that community flourishes when passion meets dedication.

Find out how Discord allows their community to also run regular interest meetups!

Photo credits: Kitoko Chargois. https://www.instagram.com/photo_by_kitoko/ 

Kelsey founded Sew Pittsburg with the vision of creating a sewing community in the Pittsburgh area. As the Instagram account quickly gained traction, Sarah stepped in to help foster the group’s growing sense of community. https://www.instagram.com/sewpgh/

Together, they built a welcoming space for sewists to connect, share inspiration, and support one another.

Their efforts transformed Sew Pittsburg into more than just an online presence—it became a thriving hub for makers, encouraging creativity and friendships.

Through meetups, collaborations, and shared enthusiasm, Kelsey and Sarah have cultivated a vibrant sewing culture, proving that community flourishes when passion meets dedication.

Find out how Discord allows their community to also run regular interest meetups!

Photo credits: Kitoko Chargois. https://www.instagram.com/photo_by_kitoko/ 

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Alison Smith, MBE, is a visionary in the world of sewing and couture techniques.

As the UK’s leading sewing educator, she has revolutionized garment construction, corsetry, and tailoring, making intricate skills accessible to all.

Founder of the School of Sewing, Alison teaches hands-on workshops that empower sewists of all levels. She’s also a celebrated author, with books like The Sewing Book and Dressmaking selling over 500,000 copies worldwide. Her expertise extends to online courses and the Members Club, where she shares advanced techniques, pattern hacks, and professional finishing methods.

Alison discusses the updates to the recent edition of The Sewing Book. It's now available as Kindle version.

Alison made history as the first person to receive an MBE for services to sewing and corsetry, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the industry. Whether through her books, workshops, or online resources, she continues to inspire sewists worldwide, transforming sewing from a skill into an art.

For those seeking to master dressmaking, Alison Smith, MBE, is the ultimate mentor.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Natalie or @Nataliecsews is never seen on her Instagram account until now. On the video version of this podcast, you’ll both hear and see Natalie Chim.

She has been industry trained and has sewn commercially for over 40 years.

While Natalie's mother taught her how to sew, it was her father who showed her how to fit clothes properly.

In this podcast Natalie refers to a number of good resources and ways to build your own sewing skills.

You'll only find Natalie on Instagram and she's always available to answer your questions in direct messages.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

In this podcast, you'll see Mirjam's textile art journey in full colour on YouTube. She does describe her journey so if you want to simply see her textile art, pop on the podcast website.

All of Mirjam's links are there. You can find her on Instagram, her website and just googling Mirjam will show you how extensive her workshops are.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Duane MacLeod is Hold Fast Bespoke.

You can find Duane at Mainely Menswear.com

In this podcast Duane discusses how he's progressed from completing not 1 but 2 qualifications from The Tailoring Academy.

Through some investigation, Duane is really excited and invested in his tailoring business - Hold Fast Bespoke.

Also in this podcast, I've used a new sound track so the YouTube version meets YouTube's copyright rules.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Maaike sees everyone as a maker that she's always willing to give them a good customer experience.

Maaike created Maaidesign when she thought, having a fabric store would give her more time to sew. Her other reason for creating Maaidesign was to have access to fabrics she wanted to sew for her daughter.

Maaike is a trained designer so you can understand why the fabrics Maiike provides us are collaborations with designers. As she says, when you have a business there are many more tasks to do that cut into your sewing time. Maaike gives us some behind the scenes info about how she sources fabrics and patterns. Modern Makers is her latest online sewing space that will open again to new subscribers in May 2025. https://www.modernmakers.com.au/

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast.

Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

Mary Connelly-Gale is back to tell us about Days for Girls Australia. https://seworganisedstylepodcast.com/2025/03/29/days-for-girls-aust/

Days for Girls is an international organisation who’s mission is to shatter the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation for improved health, education and livelihoods. 

The topics discussed in this podcast are very sensitive.

Days for Girls Australia is a registered Australian not for profit and is a Country Affiliate with Days for Girls International. Volunteers across Australia mobilise to increase access to menstrual products and vital health information for women and girls around the world. https://www.daysforgirls.org/australia/ The education aspect provided by Days for Girls Australia is aimed at all parts of the community.

Basic information about menstruation, reproduction and also sexually transmitted diseases. In the reusable menstruation kits given to girls and women reusable menstruation pants and liners sewn by the volunteers in teams around Australia.

Information about menstruation is also provided in these kits that help girls and women learn about their cycles.

Mary tells a story about how a father needed to help his daughters with their periods through his regular need to go to his local food bank. 

Mary references the Bloody Big Survey conducted by Share the Dignity to show that period poverty exists in Australia. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/

The first Days for Girls Australia was only audio. I am very thankful to Mary for giving her time to record this video version.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh realised menopause snuck up on them and they shared a few projects to help deal with the effects of menopause.

Menopause Makes is their second book containing sewing projects but they're all about helping ease the various effects of menopause.

The 'What is the Menopause?' foreward by Dr Hannah Davies is very insightful, and provides the perfect starting point for the projects in this book. Dr Davies establishes the facts around Menopause clearly and in enough detail that you can share with others.

Did you know the first book authored by Jenni Smith involved 15 quilt projects using archived Liberty prints through the decades - Quilting with Liberty Fabrics.

Their Liberty connections helped Jenni and Kay include two designers who also love Liberty fabrics - Sally Kelly and Alice Garret. If you're a Ruby Star fabric enthusiast, Rashia Coleman-Hale provided her design within their 10 projects for Menopause Makes. 

And it's brilliant Jenni and Kay included Kylie and the Machine labels for their projects. A bit of an Australian connection there.

Photo styling credit goes to Stacey Grant with Mark Davison and Becky Robbins for their photos.

Thanks to Midas Group and Search Press for contacting me about this very useful publication.

If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel.

Sound with permission by bensound.com

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. 

Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist.

Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.