Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably

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Zoe Edwards
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3.5K - 5.8K listeners Female 4.9 rating 230 reviews 178 episodes United Kingdom
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- Do you love sewing, AND are passionate about fighting the climate and ecological crises? - Are you wondering if your sewing could be made more sustainable? - Do you want to enjoy your creative passion in a way that really reflects your values?

Join Zoe Edwards, a sewing nerd and creator of Me-Made-May, on her journey to explore how to sew (and live!) more sustainably. In this podcast we discover ways to sew with sustainability in mind, by flexing our creativity and resourcefulness in new and exciting ways. Check Your Thread’s goal is to show that sewing more sustainably can be fun and fulfilling, (HOLD the side order of guilt, eco-snobbery and FOMO.)

Topics covered include: -Mending and garment repair -Upcycling and refashioning -Natural fabric dyeing -Fibre and fabric selection -Slow stitching -Zero Waste sewing patterns -The social and political dimensions of sewing -Craft as activism

Find out more... checkyourthread.com

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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably.

Hosts

Zoe Edwards

Previous Guests

Kate Roberts
Kate Roberts is a drafting and fitting expert known for her work with Project Patterns. She specializes in helping sewists understand the intricacies of fitting garments to their bodies, emphasizing the importance of making toiles and muslins for better fitting. Kate has appeared on multiple episodes of the Check Your Thread podcast, sharing her expertise and answering common questions about pattern fitting and alterations. She is active on social media, including Instagram and YouTube, where she engages with the sewing community and offers insights into her fitting techniques.
Cal Patch
Cal Patch is a renowned sewing and craft teacher known for her expertise in pattern making and garment design. She is the author of 'Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified' and has a strong presence in the crafting community through her teaching and online classes. Cal is also active on social media, sharing her insights and projects, and is known for her engaging workshops that encourage creativity and personal expression in sewing.
Deb McGuire
Deb McGuire is a historian specializing in the history of quilt making, particularly in the British Isles. She conducts research alongside Dr. Jess Bailey, focusing on the historical practices and influences that shaped quilt designs. Deb is also known for her work at plainstitch.co.uk, where she shares insights into sustainable quilt making. Additionally, she contributes to The Quilter magazine, a publication for members of the Quilters Guild, and actively engages with the quilting community on Instagram under the handle @plainstitchdeb.
Cassandra Ellis
Cassandra Ellis is a renowned quilt designer and author known for her innovative approach to quilting. She has published several books on the subject, including 'World of Quilts', which showcases a variety of quilt designs and techniques. Her work emphasizes sustainability and creativity in quilt making.
Sara Larson Buscaglia
Sara Larson Buscaglia is a quilt maker and author of 'Quilt Alchemy', a book that focuses on dyeing fabrics for quilting. She is known for her expertise in fabric manipulation and sustainable quilting practices, providing resources and inspiration for quilters looking to reduce their environmental impact.
David Butler
David Butler is a fabric designer and author known for his work in the quilting community. He has written 'Trade Quilts', which explores the intersection of fabric design and quilting. His contributions to the field emphasize the importance of quality materials and sustainable practices.
Anna Hergert
Anna Hergert is a quilt artist and educator recognized for her work in Kantha quilting. She teaches workshops and shares her knowledge on sustainable quilting techniques, encouraging quilters to explore traditional methods with a modern twist.
Kaffe Fassett
Kaffe Fassett is a celebrated textile designer and author known for his vibrant fabric collections and quilting designs. His work has inspired countless quilters around the world, and he emphasizes the use of color and creativity in sustainable quilting.
Brandon Mably
Brandon Mably is a fabric designer and quilter who collaborates with Kaffe Fassett. He is known for his bold patterns and colors, and he promotes sustainable practices in quilting through his designs and workshops.

Topics Discussed

fitting toile muslin sewing patterns drafting Project Patterns confidence altering patterns Me-Made-May wardrobe challenge sustainability sewing participation embellishment connection craft wardrobe personality style tips tricks quilt making historical practices fabric economy sewing machine Deb McGuire scraps dyeing fabrics improvisational quilting

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Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably.

0:00 0:00

#178 What you should know about fitting with Kate Roberts

Hosts
Zoe Edwards
Guests
Kate Roberts
Keywords
fitting toile muslin sewing patterns drafting Project Patterns confidence altering patterns

Those of us who make our own clothes know that taking the time to make a toile or muslin, and altering our sewing patterns to fit our own bodies are steps we ought to take. We know that they’ll result in better fitting garments that we’ll want to wear more often. But these steps can feel like huge hurdles when you don’t know what to do with a toile or muslin once you’ve made it. Drafting and fitting expert, Kate Roberts from Project Patterns, joins us again to answer a ton of questions that will lift the lid on the whole process. By the end of this episode, I all but guarantee that you will have the confidence to give fitting a go. 

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

Find Kate’s business, Project Patterns, via her website, on Instagram @projectpatterns and also on YouTube.

Listen to Kate’s previous episode on CYT, 

Kate’s preferred ruler for drafting and pattern alteration is a pattern master:

Mine is a large set square!

Kate would describe a tracing wheel as a ‘nice to have’ piece of equipment.

Dot and cross / spot and cross pattern paper can be bought on large rolls making it pretty inexpensive per metre. 

Bella Loves Patterns is a brand that offers two height options for all styles, which might be a handy starting point for those who always have to alter the length of the sewing patterns they wish to make. 

For tall sewers, Sew DIY offers patterns drafted to fit a 5ft 10” body. 

Find out everything about Kate’s community Membership options!

0:00 0:00

#177: Me-Made-May Explained in Under 5 Minutes

Hosts
Zoe Edwards
Keywords
Me-Made-May wardrobe challenge sustainability sewing participation

Once again, it’s time to consider participating in Me-Made-May, the annual wardrobe challenge I accidentally started 16 years ago. This episode is a super quick explainer, or refresher, on what the challenge is all about and how you can participate. 

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

For a lengthier, fuller explanation of the challenge, what it is, what it isn’t, how to participate and why you might want to, listen to:

Visit this page if you’d like to learn more about the Me-Made-May workbook:

0:00 0:00

#176: Creating Connection Through Embellishment with Cal Patch

Hosts
Zoe Edwards
Guests
Cal Patch
Keywords
embellishment connection sewing craft wardrobe personality style tips tricks

I’m guessing that there are at least a few garments in your wardrobe that fit you ok, but you’ve kind of fallen out of love with. Or maybe you fancy injecting even more of your personality and style into your handmade wardrobe. This week I’m bringing you a conversation with legendary sewing and craft teacher, Cal Patch. Cal shares heaps of tips, tricks and info on how you could go about embellishing your clothes to create a deeper connection to the items you own. 

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

Find out more about Cal via her website and on Instagram (@hodgepodgefarm)

One of my first encounters with Cal was via her book, ‘Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified’:

I thoroughly recommend you listen to these other episodes of podcasts that feature Cal:

New for 2025 is Cal’s year-long virtual class, the Artful Garment.

Learn more about the Print Gocco home-printing set.

Unfortunately not currently available, a screen printing kit by Bobbinhood is what I occasionally use to embellish sewing projects. 

Watch the ‘One Stitch, Every Size’ videos by The Stitchery on the different effects you can get using different embroidery threads and thicknesses. 

If you haven’t already, listen to:

Find Radha’s Thrift Your Fabric map on her website.

Check out Cal´s Hack Club.

0:00 0:00

#175: The Secret History of Quilt Making with Deb McGuire

Hosts
Zoe Edwards
Guests
Deb McGuire
Keywords
quilt making sustainability historical practices fabric economy sewing machine Deb McGuire

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been looking at how to make quilts more sustainable, but what do you know about the quilt makers that came before us? What motivated their practices and influenced their designs? What techniques were deployed to be as economical with their fabric and fibres as possible? Did they make their quilts alone? And how did quilt making change with the introduction of the sewing machine? We hear from historian Deb McGuire who lifts the lid on all these questions and explains how we can reintroduce some of these practices into our making future. 

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

Discover Deb’s work at her website plainstitch.co.uk. 

Read more about Deb’s research with Dr Jess Bailey into the history of quilt making in the British Isles at withintheframe.co.uk

An example of a quilted petticoat from the V&A’s collection, made approx. 1750-1770 and later altered approx. 1870-1910:

You can also follow Deb on Instagram (@plainstitchdeb) to see what she’s working on. 

Deb also writes a column for The Quilter magazine, a quarterly publication for members of the Quilter’s Guild.  

The Within The Frame website provides a resource on where to source small flock fibre in the UK, as well as where you can buy an actual quilt frame (they start from just £160!). 

You can check out all Deb’s quilts in her gallery, including the Waste Not Want Not quilt:

0:00 0:00

#174: How to Make Quilts More Sustainably

Hosts
Zoe Edwards
Guests
Cassandra Ellis Sara Larson Buscaglia David Butler Anna Hergert Kaffe Fassett Brandon Mably
Keywords
quilt making sustainability tips scraps dyeing fabrics improvisational quilting

Do you dabble in quilt making? Or are you curious to give it a go someday? Well this episode is PACKED full of amazing tips submitted by CYT listeners on how to do so more sustainably. So you can get maximum enjoyment from the process and finished item, whilst knowing that the negative impact it had on the environment is just about as low as it could get.

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

(image source: Dinh Pham via Unsplash)

Quilt top made by Katie from scraps:

Hannah made a quilt from her dad’s shirts:

Another amazing scrap quilt, this one by Kathryn:

Andrea was inspired to try quilt making after visiting the American Museum in Bath, UK. 

Andrea’s quilting related book suggestions:

Books

World of Quilts - Cassandra Ellis

Farm & Folk Quilt Alchemy - Sara Larson Buscaglia 

Parson Gray Trade Quilts - David Butler  

Inspiration Kantha - Anna Hergert

Countless ones by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, but these use their fabric collections. 

Some free and pay-what-you-can resources, also suggested by Andrea:

Matchy Matchy quilt patterns (one is free)

Cedar Quilt Co (free pattern available)

Farm & Folk  I have Sara's amazing book, 'Quilt Alchemy' which focuses on dyeing fabrics to then use in quilts; her blog also has lots of useful information on how to quilt. 

Sew Diy - Beth has a pay-what-you-can course on improvisational quilting. I haven't purchased the course but I basically stole the idea to make various bags as gifts. I think I've posted some photos in the Patreon group. 

Watch the YouTube video by Mary B about sorting scraps that Louise found inspiring. 

Here’s some of the strips and 5” blocks that Louise has been creating from her scraps:

The mini quilt and the Wild Star quilt from Plains and Pine made by Kat:

Ratings

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4.9 rating 230 reviews

UK

4.8 ratings 83 reviews

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