Stitch Please

Welcome back stitchers! Happy 2024! Today we celebrate in the spirit of Sankofa. Sankofa is a word of the Akan people of Ghana, meaning "to go back and get it" in the Twi language. The retrieval concept is symbolized by interlocking hearts or a bird with her feet facing forward but her head turned backward and carrying an egg in her beak. What is the core concept of 2024? Plus what is Lisa's first make of 2024?

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration! Episode Art is January by Karina Cruz Ortiz.

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Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

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Celebrate! Vote! Share! The Black Women Stitch Sew Black at QuiltCon is a finalist for an Anthem Award in the category of Community Engagement in Education Arts and Culture. Please vote for us here and share widely! Voting ends 12/21 .

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available  NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

Welcome back stitchers! We are sew excited to bring you a new tradition to the Stitch Please Podcast: Holiday Swatches. A fabric swatch is a small sample of fabric that allows you to visualize a project before cutting into yardage. Swatches are useful for sewing because they help us match fabrics, guide fabric prep, and prevent waste. Most importantly, if cultivated, swatches can become an archive of your creativity. This swatch series is here to celebrate the stitch please community by hearing from you all. For the month of December we will be sharing Holiday Sewing Traditions. In the final edition of 2023 we hear all about New Years Eve dresses, some adorable ideas for advent calendars (it's never to early to start!), the importance of a thoughtful gift and Eid! A special thank you to Ashley Chapman, Kya Lee, Ellie L, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Zahiyya Abdul-Karim for sharing their stories this week!

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Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

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Ashley Chapman

Instagram: @madebybertha

Kya Lee

Website: kyaarts.com

Ellie L

Instagram: @sallieandsamstyle

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Instagram:@olugbemisolarhudayperkovich

Website:https://www.olugbemisolabooks.com/

Zahiyya Abdul-Karim

Instagram : @covermechic

Youtube: @covermechic

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

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Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

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Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

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Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Celebrate! Vote! Share! The Black Women Stitch Sew Black at QuiltCon is a finalist for an Anthem Award in the category of Community Engagement in Education Arts and Culture. Please vote for us here and share widely! Voting ends 12/21 .

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available  NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

Welcome back stitchers! We are sew excited to bring you a new tradition to the Stitch Please Podcast: Holiday Swatches. A fabric swatch is a small sample of fabric that allows you to visualize a project before cutting into yardage. Swatches are useful for sewing because they help us match fabrics, guide fabric prep, and prevent waste. Most importantly, if cultivated, swatches can become an archive of your creativity. This swatch series is here to celebrate the stitch please community by hearing from you all. For the month of December we will be sharing Holiday Sewing Traditions. From dance moms who are on the emergency stitch team (raise your hand if you've been there) to family sweaters, we have a great series of traditions this week.  A special thank you to Neci Harmon, Aaronica Cole, Kristin Taylor, Tanisha Robertson and Jaszmine Howard for sharing their stories this week!

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Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

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Neci Harmon

Instagram: @whatsshecreating 

Shop: What's She Creating

TikTok: @whatsshecreating

Aaronica Cole

Instagram: Aaronica B. Cole

Youtube: Aaronica B. Cole

AudaSEWtea Podcast

Simplicity

Kristen Taylor

Instagram: @unsewcial

Website:www.unsewcial.com

Tanisha Robertson

Instagram:@yimicrafts

Website:yimicrafts.com

Jaszmine Howard

TikTok : @jaszminehoward

Instagram: @jaszminehoward

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

Check out our Amazon Store

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Celebrate! Vote! Share! The Black Women Stitch Sew Black at QuiltCon is a finalist for an Anthem Award in the category of Community Engagement in Education Arts and Culture. Please vote for us here and share widely! Voting ends 12/21 .

SHIPPING 12/14...

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available  NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

Welcome back stitchers! We are sew excited to bring you a new tradition to the Stitch Please Podcast: Holiday Swatches. A fabric swatch is a small sample of fabric that allows you to visualize a project before cutting into yardage. Swatches are useful for sewing because they help us match fabrics, guide fabric prep, and prevent waste. Most importantly, if cultivated, swatches can become an archive of your creativity. This swatch series is here to celebrate the stitch please community by hearing from you all. For the month of December we will be sharing Holiday Sewing Traditions. From ugly sweater ornaments to full christmas rooms, we have a great series of traditions this week. Plus! some great gift ideas at the very end if you're scrambling for a last minute idea (thanks Nikki!) A special thank you to Bianca Springer,  Dr. Jennifer Hale, Tiffany Turner, Johanna Ali and Nikki Digulis for sharing their stories this week!

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Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork
Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

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Bianca Springer

Instagram: @thanksimadethem

Website: biancaspringer.com

Dr. Jennifer Hale

Instagram: @jennygee06

TikTok: @jennygee066

Tiffany Turner

Blog: TipStitched
Instagram: TipStitched
Facebook: TipStitched
TikTok: TipStitched
Pinterest: TipStitched

Johanna Ali

Instagram:@soveryjo

YouTube: SoVeryJo

Nikki Digulis

TikTok : NikkiD

Instagram:@seamsnsuchboutique

Website: seamsnsuchboutique.com

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

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Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.
Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon
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Stay Connected:
YouTube: Black Women Stitch
Instagram: Black Women Stitch
Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here
Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.
Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon
Check out our Amazon Store

Stay Connected:
YouTube: Black Women Stitch
Instagram: Black Women Stitch
Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available for preorder NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

Welcome back stitchers! We are sew excited to bring you a new tradition to the Stitch Please Podcast: Holiday Swatches. A fabric swatch is a small sample of fabric that allows you to visualize a project before cutting into yardage. Swatches are useful for sewing because they help us match fabrics, guide fabric prep, and prevent waste. Most importantly, if cultivated, swatches can become an archive of your creativity. This swatch series is here to celebrate the stitch please community by hearing from you all. For the month of December we will be sharing Holiday Sewing Traditions. From handbags to to scrap projects, new stitchers to the most skilled knitters, we have a great series of traditions this week. A special thank you to Jonelle Dawkins,  Byrd Wadhams, Jamara Alexander, Stacie Sturdivant and DeJanee Kletke for sharing their stories this week!

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Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

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Jonelle Dawkins

Instagram: @scrapatl

TikTok: @scraplanta

Scraplanta

Byrd Wadhams

Instagram: @yogabyrdsews

Facebook: Yoga Byrd

Jamara Alexander

Instagram: sewsewjam

Stacie Sturdivant

Instagram: @sewsewstacie

TikTok: @sewsewstacie

Shop

DeJanee Kletke

Instagram: deja_made _it

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The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available for preorder NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

In this episode of the Stitch Please podcast, Lisa welcomes Tiffany Turned, a talented sewist, to share her transformative journey into sewing. Initially skeptical, she discovered her passion through a 30-minute skirt tutorial. With a background in civil engineering, Tiffany approaches sewing with precision and relishes in its step-by-step nature, appreciating the nuances that make a garment special. She champions cost-effective sewing, laying the foundation for her blog and vibrant social media presence where she shares valuable insights and reviews.

Tiffany praises the sense of community in live sewing sessions, crediting the Black Sewing Network for fostering camaraderie. She discusses setting ambitious goals, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Tiffany's digital sketches in Adobe Photoshop serve as a visual guide for her projects, especially in intricate color-blocking. Recognizing the strengths of different platforms, Tiffany adapts her content creation process, emphasizing the visual appeal of sewing on Instagram. Her sewing journey is a testament to analytical thinking, creativity, and an enduring love for the craft, evident in her carefully crafted content and active engagement in live sessions.

This episode showcases how Tiffany's sewing journey is a tapestry woven with threads of analytical thinking, boundless creativity, adaptability, and an unwavering love for her craft. Her dedication to enriching the sewing community is palpable in her meticulously crafted content and enthusiastic participation in live sewing sessions.

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

Check out our Amazon Store

Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Tiffany Turner

Tiffany Turner is a passionate sewist who discovered her love for sewing in adulthood. Tiffany always admired the idea of creating her own garments to have the perfect fit and style. In 2014, she finally took the plunge, inspired by a tutorial from Mimi G. Over the past decade, sewing has become her unwavering hobby. Tiffany has a background in civil engineering and her analytical mindset is evident in her meticulous approach to sewing. She enjoys breaking down sewing projects step by step, much like her engineering work. Tiffany encourages others to embrace this creative outlet and is dedicated to sharing tips, tricks, and reviews reflecting her commitment to building a supportive sewing community. Embracing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Tiffany continues to inspire fellow sewists while maintaining her love for this fulfilling hobby.

Insights from this episode:

• How Tiffany, a seasoned influencer, leverages her engineering background for a meticulous and analytical approach to sewing, treating patterns as blueprints for her creations.
• Tiffany's journey started with a desire for custom-made clothing as an adult, overcoming initial challenges with support from her husband. Tiffany's engineering mindset seamlessly integrates into her projects, relying on templates and structured approaches for planning and organization.
• Employing tools like Adobe Photoshop as a strategy for strategic planning, especially for complex tasks like color-blocking, showcasing the importance of digital sketches.
• Flexibility is key in Tiffany's approach; she advocates for adapting patterns, emphasizing creativity and liberation in the sewing process.
• How strategically utilizing various platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her blog, tailoring content to each one's strengths and target audience can help to further reach.
• Actively participating in sew-alongs with the Black Sewing Network, Tiffany values the sense of community and shared experience these events offer.
• Tiffany encourages listeners to prioritize enjoyment and avoid unnecessary stress, highlighting the importance of finding joy in the process of sewing.
• Sharing knowledge and empowering fellow sewists is a core value for Tiffany, aiming to provide valuable information in her content.
• 
  
•  

Quotes from the show:

• “I think that's such a powerful claim in so many ways. The idea that you could look at clothes in a store and say I like this thing about it, but I don't like that thing about it. Instead of saying, let me see if I can buy another thing that looks like what I want, you said, let me see if I can make it.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “That's how I think I sort of look at sewing patterns, right? Like you have a pattern and you have this 2D piece of tissue or paper or 2D flat fabric and then you turn it into this three-dimensional object. And so I think that transfers very similarly to me. Like when we look at someone's outfit and we say, oh my God, that's so cute and we immediately start like deconstructing it in our heads so we can put it back together for us later. I think my engineering brain is just very attuned to doing that.” - Tiffany Turner, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “I feel like one of the contributions that I appreciate about your work, Tiffany is how you are. Like, it's like you're a big cheerleader for sewing and you're not, yeah, you're not just gonna say ra ra, I love sewing. You say all that, but then you also equip people for success. and I see that in your channel.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “I really love the way you think about structure and the way you think about planning. I love all of that. I love templates. I love like, OK, these are the three steps I know I have to do every single time, that just makes me, it just gives me a sense of confidence, you know, like I might not be able to get to the exact outcome as I might envision it right now. But I do know if I follow these steps, I'm gonna, it'd be much closer to it.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• "A plan is a set of guidelines. A plan is a set of possibilities. A plan is a set of actionable options.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• "I tend to see sewing as a laboratory practice something that's meant to be freeing and in some ways, patterns can absolutely be that." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• "You don't buy a pattern because you and your friends all want to look, exactly the same or exactly like the person on the envelope." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “It’s more of a guideline or a road map. But if I decide to take a detour, so be it.” - Tiffany Turner, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “It can be very solitary because typically it's you and your machine in your space, whether that's a whole floor, a loft, or a corner at the dining room table… The Black sewing network makes it like a group activity all of a sudden.” - Tiffany Turner, Stitch Please, Episode #208
• “Most people will say that you regret the things that you didn't do, not the things that you did… I agree. I feel like if it's something out there that you want to try and you in any way shape or form have the means to do it, do it. If you want to sew, learn to sew.” - Tiffany Turner, Stitch Please, Episode #208

Resources Mentioned:

• Black Sewing Network
• Youtube: TipStitched
• Adobe Photoshop Program
• Microsoft Paint Program
• Youtube: Mimi G Style
• Simplicity: Mimi G

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Lisa Woolfork

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

Tiffany Turner

Blog: TipStitched

Instagram: TipStitched

Facebook: TipStitched

TikTok: TipStitched

Pinterest: TipStitched

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by the Fermata Audio Collective

.

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

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YouTube: Black Women Stitch

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Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

The Black Women Stitch 2024 Wall Calendar is available for preorder NOW! Do not miss out on your chance to  and get your stitch together with a year of artistic inspiration!

In this episode of the Stitch Please podcast, Lisa interviews Grace Christopher, the creative genius behind African Zesty Couture. Grace shares her journey into sewing, which began as a way to keep her mind active after moving to the United States (US) with her one-year-old child. Growing up in Nigeria, Grace had been exposed to her mother's sewing, but it wasn't until later that she truly delved into the craft. 

Grace's sewing journey began with an old treadle machine but when she moved to the US, she acquired an electric sewing machine, making her sewing experience more accessible. Her early projects were primarily for herself and her son, driven by a desire to connect with her Nigerian heritage. 

As Grace's sewing skills grew, so did her interest in different types of fabrics. She now offers a wide range of fabrics on her website, including Knit Ankara, Silk Adire, and Kampala. Grace provides insights into the cultural significance and unique characteristics of each fabric type, shedding light on their origins and traditional uses. 

Grace's approach to designing garments is influenced by her desire to celebrate the diversity of African fashion. She emphasizes the importance of allowing the fabric to speak for itself and encourages people to experiment with different styles and fabric combinations. Grace actively builds a sense of community among her customers through sew-alongs and challenges. These events provide opportunities for individuals to explore their creativity and gain confidence in working with African fabrics. 

The podcast episode concludes with Grace expressing her aspiration to flood the streets with African prints and her dedication to empowering others to embrace and incorporate these fabrics into their own creations. The conversation exemplifies the rich cultural tapestry that sewing can encompass, and the potential for creativity to connect people across continents.

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Grace Christopher

Grace Christopher's journey is an extraordinary fusion of law and creative passion. Initially drawn to law, she devoted years to her legal career. However, her early exposure to her mother's sewing ignited a lasting passion. From her mother's vintage machine to crafting her own garments as a teenager, Grace's creativity found its roots. A move to the US and motherhood rekindled her love for sewing, inspiring her to blend her Nigerian heritage with her creative passion for sewing. Grace's designs breathe life into African fabrics, infusing them with modern flair. Through approachable teaching and challenges, she cultivates a community of creatives, aiming to saturate the streets with African fashion. As a mother, business owner, and designer, Grace exemplifies the transformative power of self-expression and celebrates the beauty of diversity.

Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Insights from this episode:

• How Grace’s experience with sewing was both a way to stay busy and to feel connected
• Grace’s transition from practicing law to pursuing a career in sewing, driven by a desire to keep her mind active and find joy in creativity
• African Zesty Couture, specializes in offering various types of fabrics that have cultural and regional significance, and she aims to provide a wide range of options to cater to different tastes and preferences
• The silk adire fabric, traditionally associated with the Yoruba people, is known for its tie-dye patterns and is now also produced in silk, giving it a unique texture.
• How Grace approaches design: sometimes starting with a specific fabric that inspires a creation, while other times she envisions a style and looks for a fabric to match
• TikTok as a strategy to connect with others through sew-alongs and challenges, encouraging others to explore their creativity with African fabrics
• Grace hosts live TikTok session primarily on Fridays at 12:30 PM Central Time
• Initiatives that aim to break down the perception that African prints are exclusive or difficult to work with
• The ultimate goal of Grace's business is to "flood the streets with Ankara," emphasizing the accessibility and versatility of African fabrics in everyday wear
• Grace's journey from practicing law to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the sewing industry reflects her passion for creativity, her cultural connection, and her dedication to empowering others to explore their own creative potential

Quotes from the show:

• “The growth of your son and the growth of your sewing skills seem to kind of come up at the same time, like they’re rising together.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “I always encourage people do not see African fabrics as something difficult to work with or exclusive.” - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “It just depends on how I’m feeling at the moment. I think as creatives, we tend to go back and forth based on how we are feeling and that’s part of the beautiful thing about being a creative.” - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “You also spend time building community among your customers and not just your customers but everybody, by having different sew-alongs, having different challenges... I think that's really encouraging because it shows that you really want to build a relationship between yourself and your clients and you want anyone who is consuming your fabric to feel confident that they can use it for something that would make them happy.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “The fundamental reason why I do that is I feel like I cannot spread this thing fast enough on my own because one of the goals of my business is I say it like a little catch phrase to to flood the streets with an Ankara.” - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “Your challenge is really more like an invitation for people to investigate their own creativity.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• “I think sometimes we stumble into great things when we don’t even plan on them.” - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• "Be kind to yourself... embrace the journey and learn as you go." - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207
• "Color your life with these beautiful prints." - Grace Christopher, Stitch Please, Episode #207

Resources Mentioned:

• Black Sewing Network
• Youtube: Zesty African Couture

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Lisa Woolfork

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

Grace Christopher

African Zesty Couture

Etsy: African Zesty Couture

Instagram: Zesty Couture

TikTok: @Africanzestycouture

Youtube: Zesty African Couture

Facebook: Zesty Couture

Pinterest: Zesty Couture

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Produced and Edited by the Fermata Audio Collective:

EP - Krystal Hill

Producer - Mike Bryant

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

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Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Preorder your 2024 BWS Wall Calendar TODAY! 

 Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

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Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

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Aaronica B. Cole

Aaronica B. Cole is a dynamic force in the world of sewing and creative expression. With a passion for using thread as a transformative tool, she's known for her audacious approach to style and fashion. Her journey has led her to embrace variegated threads, infusing her creations with unexpected contrasts and vibrant hues. Through her bold designs and unapologetic self-expression, Aaronica challenges norms and inspires others to do the same. Her recent venture into podcasting with the AudaSEWtea Podcast showcases her commitment to amplifying diverse voices and stories in the sewing community. With a genuine warmth and relatable charm, Aaronica brings a fresh perspective to the sewing world, proving that audacity and creativity go hand in hand.

Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Insights from this episode:

• How Aaronica's presence has grown and flourished with regards to her career since her last appearance on the podcast three years ago
• The episode focuses on three key aspects of Aaronica's work: her designing ventures, including the Aurifil thread collection and Know Me pattern collection pattern collection, her family sewing endeavors, and her new podcast project with Julian Collins
• Aaronica introduces her Rustic Chic Thread Collection
• The Know Me pattern collection is praised for its representation and inclusivity in fashion design, highlighting the need for more diverse perspectives in the industry
• Discussion of the historical lack of inclusivity in fashion design knowledge systems with an emphasis on the importance of creating designs that cater to a wide range of body types and backgrounds
• Aaronica's new podcast venture, AudaSEWtea co-hosted with Julian, is introduced
• The episode ends with Lisa extending an invitation for Aaronica and Julian to share their podcast journey on a future episode, showing support for their new endeavor
•  

Quotes from the show:

• “The notion that you don't have to be within one color scheme... You can mix and match these contrasting colors to create something that is so beautiful and uniquely you." - Aaronica B. Cole, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "People think of clothing as something superficial... They don't dig deeper and understand the psychology behind fashion and behind the clothing choices that we make. Imagine walking around and only feeling good enough to wear a sack... as opposed to being able to see your body as being beautiful enough to actually adorn it." - Aaronica B. Cole, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "I think what I've been thinking a lot about is a lot of the knowledge systems that have been developed for sewing in particular and for fashion by extension, were never made with black bodies in mind, period done. And it is, I think a flaw, a type of little flaw in the industry that started as something small in the 1940s but has never changed." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "And so it's become in my mind malignant. I find it malignant and I find it very negative, right? When we look at size charts, when we look at what proportions are supposed to be, but those were designed by, they looked only at the bodies of white women." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "Why should I look at this mainstream over here when, in fact, I am the mainstream." - Aaronica B. Cole, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "I think that for too long marginalized people, the process of marginalization requires that we set aside what feels good and right to us because it's not what the majority does but that it's ridiculous. It's kind of like trying to make sure that you can fit in somebody else's clothes, right? We, we make our own clothes because we want things to fit us." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #206
• "I'm always talking about possibility models. It is important. It is hard for you to become that which you have never seen and you are visible out in the world doing amazing things and the victory is in the visibility and you have absolutely every right to be." - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #206
•  

Resources Mentioned:

• Patterns for Pirates
• Bernina (Sewing machine brand)
• Afros & Audio (Organization)
• Black Podcasters Association
• Black Podcast Awards
• Women of Color Podcast (Organization)

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Lisa Woolfork

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

Aaronica B. Cole

Instagram: Aaronica B. Cole

Youtube: Aaronica B. Cole

AudaSEWtea Podcast

Simplicity

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This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry.

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Black Sewing Network

Black Sewing Network is a platform that celebrates and amplifies black voices in the sewing community. We host daily sewalongs on social media that encourage and motivate members of the sewing community to sew daily!

Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Insights from this episode:

• How the Garment Girlies got started with the Black Sewing Network
• How LaShuan originally connected with Carmen Green through instagram, where Carmen hosted “Sew Saturdays”
• Why TikTok is a more vibrant platform to host
• The Black Sewing Network provided guidance, explanations for sewing terminology, and strategies for community members
• How going live on social media platforms helps to strengthen the community of sewers by supporting each other through challenges
• The Black Sewing Network community encourages collaboration and mutual support, even helping each other to gain followers on social media
• Benefits of feeling safe and welcome in a community
• Emphasis on how the Black Sewing Network community feels encouraged to pursue their own sewing styles and interests without pressure to conform to specific aesthetics
• Expressions of gratitude for the Black Sewing Network’s positive impact on their unique sewing journeys
• Conversations surrounding garments include discussions about patterns used, various challenges faced during the sewing processes, and the significance of pieces created
• The Garment Girlies strategies to help us get our stitch together
•  

Quotes from the show:

• “BSN is really all about you being yourself and expressing yourself how you want to.” - Aiysha, Stitch Please, Episode # 205
• “It's just really that simple that you can be who you want to be and who you are and you can elevate that you could do it, how you want to do it, hack it, play around, I think with BSN it allows us to just play and have fun and try stuff out and seam rip a lot.” - Aiysha, Stitch Please, Episode #205
• “BSN is that environment where there are teachers, everybody's a teacher no matter what level you are… Whether you're in the role of the teacher or the role of the student, it's a safe place where we know that there's really an opportunity for everyone to learn.” - LaShuan, Stitch Please, Episode #205
• “I think that breaking down barriers can be one of the first steps to learning.” - Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #205
• “Just start. It doesn't matter where you're starting from. Like I said earlier, I started my Instagram and tiktok in March of this year and here I am a BSN host. I never would have thought I would have that even, no one would have even known who I was at this point in time.The community will meet you where you're at and just start, you never know who you're going to influence who you're gonna impact and what your story could do for somebody else, even if we're just sewing.” - DeJanee, Stitch Please, Episode #205
• “To those that are listening, those that are watching, to just simply be you. Like, I think when it comes to sewing, you have so many opportunities, so many ways to be able to express yourself. There was always a saying that I would say that style is the inner workings of you and fashion is the show for everyone to see.” - Aiysha, Stitch Please, Episode #205
•  

Resources Mentioned:

• Black Sewing Network

Stay Connected

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Lisa Woolfork

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

Black Sewing Network

Website: Black Sewing Network

Facebook: Black Sewing Network

Instagram: Black Sewing Network

Tiktok: Black Sewing Network

LinkTree: Black Sewing Network

Email: [email protected]

The BSN Garment Girlies

TikTok accounts

TyJari @mightysew

Aiysha @maloriadesigns

Byrd @yogabyrd (Instagram: @yogabyrdsews)

DeJanee @deja_made_it

LaShuan @sewphistocateddesigns

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry.

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

Check out our Amazon Store

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter!   Check out our merch here 

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

Amazon Store

Black Sewing Network

Black Sewing Network is a platform that celebrates and amplifies black voices in the sewing community. We host daily sewalongs on social media that encourage and motivate members of the sewing community to sew daily!

Black Sewing Network

Website: Black Sewing Network

Facebook: Black Sewing Network

Instagram: Black Sewing Network

Tiktok: Black Sewing Network

LinkTree: Black Sewing Network

Email: [email protected]

The BSN Bag Girlies

Tiktok: Nikki D

Tiktok: Lanae

Tiktok: Tanisha

Lisa Woolfork

Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

Insights from this episode:

• Why the Bag Girlies love bags and how they started their sewing journeys
• Nikki’s gorgeous bag sets and details behind each bag
• What NCW stands for and its different sizes and styles, as well as, the reason behind its popularity
• Different materials that the Bag Ladies use in making their bags
• The balance between functionality and form in bag-making
• The creative process behind the Bag Ladies
• The “Melesi Tote” sewing technique
• Insights about the “Could I Be Any Clearer?” stadium bag
• Sew Motivee’s design modifications that are being done by Tanisha
• Nikki and Tanisha’s collaboration on designs
• Details behind Lanae’s “Fiona Foldover” bag
• The Bag Girlie’s different styles and how they’re all connected with a strong line of creativity and clean sewing.
• Insights about the “T-Rex” bag style and why Nikki loves it
• The difference between zipper-sewing in a bag and zipper-sewing in a garment
• Some final words of wisdom

Quotes from the show:

• “I do love how you each have your own style, your own different origin story for coming to bags, but, the thing that I find so, just so remarkable about all of your work is the way that it’s kind of connected with this strong line of creativity, a clean sewing, they’re really ambitions, they encourage people to try something new” – Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #204
• “I think that it represents a really great aspect of the Black Sewing Network; that you all are Bag Girlies, but you are as different from one another, right, and you’re not all sewing the same things, you’re all doing different things. You’re using different fabrics and even if you use some of the same fabrics, it would be different outcomes. If you use some of the same shapes, it will look a bit different” – Lisa Woolfork, Stitch Please, Episode #204
• “Just do it! Just try it! Even if you are scared, like, I was scared to death to start bags, but I just did it. The first one, very questionable, but I did it. And the second part to that, is “Take your time!”. I am doing a bag right now and it’s taking me forever. I think Nikki asked about it on one of my Tiktoks. It’s fifty million pieces, but I’m not a quitter, so I’m gonna finish that bag. But take your time because you wanna make sure that you grasp whatever concept it is that’s telling you to do the bag or the process, and then you wanna make sure it sticks and then that will help you in the end, as far as other bag making.” – Lanae, Stitch Please, Episode #204
• “Give yourself grace! You’re not gonna be out the gate perfect at anything, you’re gonna have that first test run. So, give yourself grace and be patient.” – Nikki, Stitch Please, Episode #204
• “Enjoy the journey! I’ve been growing my hair for nineteen years, so, same rules apply with bag-making. Do not try to go from “brand new” to “professional” overnight, it ain’t gonna happen, plus you’re gonna skip learning so many amazing feels. Enjoy the journey, enjoy that first bag you make, enjoy that first wallet you make, enjoy that first hand-bag you make.” – Tanisha, Stitch Please, Episode #204

Resources Mentioned:

• Necessary Clutch Wallet
• The “Melesi Tote” sewing technique
• Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/
• Sew Your Bag https://sewyourbag.com/
• Etsy https://www.etsy.com/

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast

Lisa Woolfork

Instagram: Lisa Woolfork

Twitter: Lisa Woolfork

Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry.

Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter

Check out our merch here

Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.

Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon

Check out our Amazon Store

Stay Connected:

YouTube: Black Women Stitch

Instagram: Black Women Stitch

Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast