Have you ever tried pattern hacking (making changes to a sewing pattern to create a different look)? This episode is a wide ranging introduction to the topic. Whether you are new to this practice, or are a more seasoned ‘hacker’, by the end of this you should feel emboldened by the infinite possibilities!   Support the podcast over on Patreon! The patchwork denim quilted jacket is finally finished! Read all about it on my blog.  One way of thinking about pattern hacking is by breaking it down into these three approaches: Pattern-first - that is Choosing a pattern you own and co ..read more

Do you have questions about natural dyeing? Like, what is the most accessible way to have a go? Return-guest and natural dye expert, Amy Taylor, breaks it all down and answers all the questions submitted by CYT listeners.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Ms Amy Taylor at her website and on Instagram @msamytaylor.  Listen to Amy’s first appearance on Check Your Thread: Episode #13: Natural Dyeing with Amy Taylor.  The naturally dye skeins I found at Seedy Sunday in Brighton in February 2023: Listen to Episode #52: Grow, Cook, Dye, Wear with Bella Gonshorovitz. Amy is a ..read more

Were you unable to attend the Sew Sustainable Fair in London last month? Would you have liked to have been there? Well, through the power of audio, in this episode you can come along with me to the event! Hear some of the awesome conversations I had with the organisers, helpers and businesses in attendance, plus my ramblings as I travel to and from the venue.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find some info about this year’s event, plus keep an eye on the details for next year’s as they are revealed, at the Sew Sustainable Fair website.  The event is organised by Sarah Richards ..read more

Do you have garments in your wardrobe, self-made or otherwise, that you really like but you never wear because they don’t fit you well? Could you use some advice on how to approach the alteration process, evaluate those garments and work out what’s possible? Alterations expert, Naomi Fata, talks with me about all this and more. We cover when it’s worth attempting an alteration, when it’s better to live with the issue, and when it’s time to find the garment a new owner. Plus, Naomi shares her hot takes on the best ways to make garments smaller and larger, and we even get stuck into the thorny i ..read more

Do you consider yourself a climate activist? If many of your everyday life decisions are made with the planet in mind, then you definitely should. Rachel, AKA The Crap Activist, chose to fast track her activism by making one positive change every single day for an entire year. She shares her surprising wins and fails, and gives tips on successfully bringing your family along for the ride… Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find and follow The Crap Activist on Instagram @thecrapactivist. Listen to Rachel speak to Jen Gale on Jen’s Sustainable(ish) podcast: Episode 87: The Crap Activist - A Ye ..read more

Could you sew only with second hand fabric? No more fabric shopping, only thrifting and receiving donations. Would that feel frustrating, or would it unlock some inner creativity and resourcefulness? Space scientist and passionate maker, Rachel Kirby, sews almost exclusively within this limitation, and spills the tea on how and why it works for her.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Rachel Kirby can be found on her website, @fibre.and.space on Instagram and @GeoPlaneteer on Twitter.  Rachel’s self-designed Solar System jumper went viral! Rachel was inspired by Samantha @pippy_eve ..read more

Will you be taking any trips this year? Are you a short, city-break kind of traveller, or do you have a more adventurous trip planned? There’s no denying that travel in any form has an environmental impact to some degree, but how can we travel more sustainably? And how can sewing help us to do that? CYT regular, Shams el-Din Rogers, and I discuss all this and more, and in the process offer up heaps of suggestions that you can apply to YOUR next trip! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Shams el-Din Rogers on Instagram @shamseldinrogers. Listen to her on previous episodes of CYT: Ep.#32 ..read more

This is the second episode with Seamwork owner, Sarai Mitnick. In this one Sarai shares the fascinating story of how Seamwork became B-corp certified, and her motivations for going through that challenging process. And Sarai offers up insights and ideas for making your sewing process more intentional that you can apply today. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Sarai is the founder and owner of the Seamwork community and pattern company.  You can download the Seamwork Wardrobe Planner for free.  Learn more about the B-corp certification process for businesses.  Sarai was inspir ..read more

This is the first of two episodes with Sarai Mitnick, a major influence in the sewing scene for over 15 years. Sarai chats with me about the birth and evolution of the online sewing community, and the role that her businesses, Colette Patterns and Seamwork, have played. Plus Sarai talks about how her own podcast, Seamwork Radio, has changed, from being a storytelling platform to a medium to spread a slow-sewing philosophy.   Support the podcast over on Patreon! Come along to the Sew Sustainable Fair in London on 22/4/23 Threads article about creating an elastic in ..read more