The AudaSEWtea

On the latest episode of The AudaSEWtea, Aaronica and Julian spilled the tea on some real-life lessons, including a cautionary tale about the serious fallout of deceit in relationships sparked by the now viral TikTok of ReesaTeesa and the Who TF Did I Marry Series. They stressed the need to stay sharp and aware in matters of the heart. The chat took a deep dive into authenticity versus deception, the impact of colorism on beauty standards, and the urgent call to celebrate and take pride in darker skin tones.

Julian and Aaronica geeked out over the awesome work of Black pattern designers and tackled the sticky subject of imitation in the design world. They didn't hold back on discussing the frustrating lack of meaningful acknowledgment and support for Black History Month and the ongoing struggle for proper representation across different industries. Julian even shared his big dream of launching a Black-owned sewing machine brand, custom-made for garment sewers. Plus, they got into the nitty-gritty of sewing machine servicing, giving a shoutout to the unsung heroes—dealers and technicians—who keep our machines humming.

Switching gears, Aaronica and Julian dished about her game plan for whipping up some killer outfits for Sew Expo. They hashed out the essentials—comfort, style, and layers to combat those nerves and chilly fairgrounds. And speaking of costs, they didn't shy away from chatting about the hefty price tags attached to event catering and the financial hoops event planning and catering can throw your way.

Wrapping up, they got real about dealing with design rip-offs, personal clashes, and their exciting plans for future collaborations. Oh, and they didn't forget to vent about the headaches that sometimes come with sewing machines, tossing around ideas for future content along the way.

This episode featured a refreshingly honest chat between Aaronica and Julian, diving deep into the nitty-gritty of juggling the daily grind, unpacking childhood memories, navigating the quirky world of family life, and the art of standing up for oneself. They really got into the meat of living your truth, the journey of finding oneself, and the non-negotiables of setting boundaries in relationships and personal evolution. Plus, they tackled the ever-looming shadow of imposter syndrome, the weight of societal shoulds, and the deep-rooted beliefs that shape how we see ourselves, stressing the undeniable need for a hefty dose of self-love and acceptance.

The convo also breezed through their digital game plans, creative escapades, and what's on the horizon, showcasing their sheer zeal for sewing and a commitment to spill all their secrets and stories to the world. They were all buzzed about stuff like book signings, launching fresh patterns, and the art of crafting historical pieces with a twist, like insertion lace and those dreamy lingerie dresses. And yes, they even dished on Beyonce's latest ventures and the joys and jitters of pet parenting.

All in all, this episode was a cozy corner for Aaronica and Julian to share their life's tales and tidbits, underlining the essence of being genuine, the adventure of self-exploration, the power of advocating for oneself, and the bliss of self-affection in cruising through life and creative endeavours. It was a heart-to-heart that not only peeled back layers on their sewing passion but also underscored their drive to enrich their circle with wisdom and warmth.

Important episode links:

Julian's IG: https://www.instagram.com/juliancreates/

This chat was all kinds of fun and laughter, with Aaronica and Julian spilling the tea on everything from their quirky personal stories to the bigger stuff like breaking down masculinity myths, celebrating body love, and navigating the maze of money matters.

In this episode, they're all about cheering on self-love, unleashing creativity, and daring to be different. They get real about their love for standing out with funky fashion picks, retro patterns, and pops of color that shout "I do what I want!" against the same-old fashion scene. They chat about the quest for cool kids' sewing pattern testers and how we gotta get more guys into sewing to mix things up.

They didn't shy away from the gnarly bits either—like how social media can mess with your head, the struggle to not buy every sneaker or sewing machine in sight, and juggling the grind with keeping your sanity. Julian gets personal about his give-back vibes and his health kick journey, even when the going gets tough. And Aaronica's keeping it real about her grant dreams and her own battles with feeling good in her skin.

Basically, this episode with Aaronica and Julian is like hanging out with your two coolest friends who are all about embracing the extra in life, filling it with laughs, creativity, and a whole lot of self-care pep talks. They're sharing the good, the tough, and everything in between, reminding us to live our most colorful, fun-filled lives.

In today's podcast, Aaronica and Julian engaged in a deep discussion covering a range of topics centered around self-love, body image, and sewing. They generously shared their personal experiences and insights, delving into subjects like weight management, self-care, and the complexities of offering free information in the world of business. Their conversation also revolved around the significance of adhering to instructions, avoiding undue expectations of special treatment, setting healthy boundaries, and making deliberate choices about how one wishes to be treated as an expression of self-love.

The dialogue didn't stop there; it ventured into the intersection of fashion and comfort. Aaronica and Julian shared valuable perspectives on the potential of specific fabrics to create clothing that is not only stylish but also comfortable. They emphasized the importance of feeling at ease and unrestrained in one's choice of attire. Personal anecdotes and preferences related to dressing up and finding comfort in clothing added depth to their conversation.

Furthermore, Aaronica and Julian exhibited vulnerability by opening up about their personal journeys in self-love and self-discovery. They candidly shared intimate details about their challenges and coping strategies, shedding light on the difficulties of embracing vulnerability and navigating societal expectations, especially when it comes to men expressing their emotions. This part of the conversation underscored the importance of establishing a safe and welcoming environment for sharing personal experiences and the ongoing quest for self-acceptance.

On the latest episode of The AudaSEWtea, Aaronica and Julian engaged in a fascinating discussion. The conversation delved into the critical role of pattern testing and feedback in the design process. They emphasized the significance of testers providing comprehensive feedback on elements such as fit, grading, and construction. Julian, in his capacity as a designer, shared insights from his personal journey and his approach to receiving feedback on his designs. They both underscored the need for clear communication regarding the specific aspects that designers seek feedback on, recognizing its pivotal role in the creative process.

The episode concluded with updates on personal projects and forthcoming events within the sewing community. Aaronica discussed her progress in pattern drafting and hinted at an upcoming self-love sewing project for Valentine's Day. Julian provided information on the Black Sewing Network's upcoming activities, including an intriguing quilt project and various challenges planned for Black History Month. They encouraged the audience to stay informed about the Black Sewing Network's events and challenges.

Mentioned in this podcast:

You'd have to be living under a rock to never have heard the voice of Lisa Woolfork, the woman behind Black Women Stitch and the Stitch Please Podcast. 

It was important to both Julian and Aaronica to make sure that they kicked off their interviews with someone who has had both of them as guests on her podcast, their very own fairy podmother who has done nothing but support and encourage them on this podcasting journey. 

Lisa takes Julian and Aaronica on a journey that deep dives into creativity, resilience, advocacy and of course, audacity. 

You can find Lisa online in the following places:

Website: https://blackwomenstitch.org/ 

Julian and Aaronica kicked off the episode goal setting, where they discussed a gift-giving AITA where a friend received handmade items as a Secret Santa gift, despite the agreed budget being $250 for branded items. They also talked about the significance of personalizing handmade gifts and creating gifts with love and thoughtfulness, tailored to the recipient's preferences. They then discussed their upcoming creative projects, expressing enthusiasm for avant-garde pattern designs, crafting a Birkin-style bag, and experimenting with paper piecing for quilts.

Aaronica and Julian also discussed their plans for the upcoming year, highlighting their commitments to teaching, digital content creation, and community engagement. They expressed their passion for empowering others and making a positive impact through their creative endeavors. They also talked about their podcast, "The Audacity," and expressed gratitude for the support received during their break. Finally, they discussed their sewing projects, patterns, and testing, emphasizing the importance of commitment and time management in their creative endeavors.

The podcast began with Aaronica and Julian discussing their holiday projects, including Aaronica's use of sublimation prints and vinyls to create unique designs, and Julian's suggestion to embroider a BERNINA post. They also chatted about a Reddit post about buying a Cricut instead of a sewing machine for a girlfriend and wondered why the poster might be considered an asshole. The conversation highlighted their shared love of crafting and the importance of having the right tools for the job. They ended by introducing themselves and their podcast, The AudaSEWtea Podcast.

The podcast then moved on to a discussion of personal growth and parenting styles. Aaronica talked about how she has had to have hard conversations with her children about taking advantage of her easygoing nature and how she has grown as a parent over time. Julian reflected on his personal growth and how he has learned to value himself more and not compare himself to others. Both emphasized the importance of setting expectations and holding oneself accountable.

Julian and Aaronica shared their experiences with social media and how it can impact mental health. They stressed the need to focus on personal goals and not meet others' expectations.

This will be the final episode of the year so they will see you next year!

Today's conversation also touched on the importance of community support during the holiday season, with Julian and Aaronica encouraging listeners to participate in Black Soul Network's 12 Days of Blackness initiative. They discussed their plans for celebrating the New Year and reflected on the challenges and lessons of the previous year. They also shared their excitement for upcoming projects, including collaborations with BERNINA and discussed ways to make their sewing projects more unique and reflective of their styles.

Throughout the meeting, Aaronica and Julian emphasized the importance of self-care, setting personal goals, and supporting Black-owned businesses. They also discussed the challenges of work exhaustion and the need for an attitude adjustment to achieve personal and professional goals. The conversation was supportive and encouraging, with Aaronica and Julian offering advice and sharing their experiences to help each other and their listeners.

Link to the 12 Days of Blackmas: https://12daysofblackmas.blacksewingnetwork.com

Link for Vlogmas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLGsFRQ5W6eknIZKdD4xCJepNFc9wy5FR 

Julian Collins introduced a story about a woman who needs an industrial sewing machine for her work. Her father offers to buy it for her, but with conditions that she lose weight and accept a flat-packed delivery. The group discussed the situation, with Aaronica Cole expressing her dislike of conditional offers and Julian Collins suggesting the woman look for a vintage machine instead. They also touched on the woman's relationship with her father and the importance of setting boundaries.

Aaronica and Julian engaged in a discussion about parenting and health decisions. They expressed their disagreement with parents making health decisions for their adult children and using weight loss as a motivator. Aaronica shared a personal story about her father's health to illustrate that weight is not always a direct correlation to health.

They also discussed the importance of expertise in certain areas, such as sewing machines, to avoid wasted money. Overall, they emphasized the importance of autonomy and informed decision-making when it comes to health.

In the following sections, Julian and Aaronica shared their passion for buying secondhand sewing machines and projectors, provided valuable tips for finding good deals, and discussed the world of sewing and upcycling fabrics. They also provided a comprehensive guide to fabric sourcing and sustainable sewing practices, emphasizing the importance of using deadstock and upcycling fabric, as well as the importance of using scraps for various projects. Additionally, they discussed the concept of affordable luxury and the importance of maintaining a mindset of abundance, regardless of financial circumstances.