Are you, like me, fascinated by people who have been able to express themselves in a variety of disciplines? My guest, Heidi Parkes, is an improvisational quilt artist, mending expert, garment sewist, and so many more things, living in Wisconsin, USA. Heidi explains how developing a habit of curiosity has allowed her to explore her interests whilst moving through different, but connected, creative worlds. This episode contains the first half of our conversation, make sure to listen to the second half next week. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Show notes: Check out my chat with Yvette from Stash Hub app on YouTube. Photo by by Tiffany Talbott @frontstreetimages You can explore Heidi Parkes’ work via her website. Heidi also posts on Instagram @heidi.parkes, and has a YouTube channel. I thoroughly recommend that you listen to Heidi’s latest appearance on Zak Foster’s podcast Seamside. Photo by by Tiffany Talbott @frontstreetimages Check out the wonderful Soft Bulk lecture series of videos on YouTube. Listen to my conversation with Heidi’s friend and fellow quilter, Eliu Hernandez: Ep #26: Harvesting Materials with Eliu Hernandez Heidi references Brené Brown’s book ‘Atlas of the Heart’, which explores eighty seven emotions as outlined by Brown. Photo by by Tiffany Talbott @frontstreetimages Heidi is inspired by (among many others, no doubt!): Luke Haynes Pauline Boyd (@counterpane) Maura Grace Ambrose / Folk Fibres The small quilts (as well as the large quilts!) are available through the shop on Heidi’s website See the Vignettes Quilt no. 2.

Have you ever bought a second-hand sewing machine and it turned out to be a dud? It didn’t work properly or perhaps it didn’t do the things you needed it to. If so, it may have discouraged you from getting a second hand machine again. And if you haven’t bought a second hand machine before, maybe you have some fears that’s put you off? In this solo episode, I’m going to share some key tips that will help you find a second-hand sewing machine that you’ll love. I’ll also share some tips for getting a machine for free! Support the podcast over on Patreon! My scrap-busting undies! Tencel/elastane jersey for the backs, pieced together cotton/elastane jerseys for the front. The pattern used is my FREE SoZo Undies pattern: Image credit: Alicia Cristin Gerald via Unsplash The London-based Library of Things has lots location across London, and has now spread to Brighton & Hove. You can borrow a sewing machine for £5 per day or £20 per week. If you are in the UK, you can probably find your local sewing machine servicing and repairs person via the Yellow Pages. Closet Core Patterns have a great free pattern and tutorial to make a sewing machine or overlocker/serger cover.

What do you do when you’re swimming in a sea of fabric and yarn scraps? Previous guest Meg Grandstaff has recently been concerning herself with just this question! This week’s episode is a highly unstructured conversation between myself and Meg, who is currently hosting the #ScrapBustingSeptember challenge. We talk about scraps, of course, but also storms, stashes, shirt dresses and much more. Support the podcast over on Patreon! I am THRILLED to be able to share with you that I was a guest on Clotheshorse podcast! You can hear Part 1 of our conversation here and Part 2 here, or find them in your podcast app-of-choice. You can follow Meg’s sewing and knitting endeavours via IG @the_grand_stash. Listen to Meg’s previous appearances on CYT: Ep #22: Mending Workshops with Carla & Meg / Community Glue Ep #37: Pledges and Participants #1 with Rebecca & Meg Meg is currently hosting the #ScrapBustingSeptember challenge, which encourages us all to make projects using our scraps and leftovers of fabric and yarn. I mentioned how I use both the Trello app and the Stash Hub App (both on my phone) to organise my sewing plans and projects. Learn more about the amazing enterprise, Community Glue, where Meg regularly volunteers. Meg is a repeat participant of Me-Made-May. She enjoyed using the Me-Made-May Workbook this year to get more from her participation. Meg discovered the ‘Stitched Sewing Organizers’ by Annela Hoey (link goes to a British vendor’s website): This is the project Meg wants to make form the book: Sewing patterns Meg recommends for using scraps and leftovers of knit fabric: Stevie Knickers pattern by Paper Theory Watson Bra pattern by Cloth Habit Blomma Tank pattern by Paradise Patterns (see one of Meg’s versions) Image source: Meg Grandstaff - undies made using the Stevie Knickers pattern by Paper Theory. Meg has been hoovering up yarn leftovers by making socks and knitted scrunchies: Meg and I are both massively inspired by clothing creator Zero Waste Daniel, also @zerowastedaniel on IG. Meg’s scrap studio tunic from denim: Image source: Meg Grandstaff - tunic made using the Studio Tunic pattern by Sew Liberated. Find all my Free Pattern Friday blog posts which review free sewing patterns and tutorials.

What is the right choice when buying produce, the loose items, or the organic versions that are wrapped in plastic? Should we be worried about soil degradation and our ability to feed a growing global population? What are the trade-offs we need to make to increase crop yields whilst also protecting biodiversity? We all wear clothes and we all eat food, so if you’re interested in the sustainability of one, it’s likely you have questions relating to the other. In this episode, agricultural scientist and sewist Helen Metcalfe patiently answers all of mine! Support the podcast over on Patreon! Check out the fun new challenge/hashtag #scrapbustingseptember created by previous-guest Meg Grandstaff (@the_grand_stash). Find and follow Helen Metcalfe on Instagram @helenlivesslow Helen works at Rothamsted Research. My IG post that kicked off the whole debate over the validity and purpose of the ‘dirty dozen’. The Royal Horticultural Society website is a great source of information for those wanted to grow some of their own fruit and vegetables. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has heaps of information if you wish to learn more about food security across the globe.

Jenny Drew wants you to make sewing a priority, and she’s not going to take no for an answer! This is the pep talk that you might not have known you needed. From feminist and mental health perspectives, Jenny explains why we need sewing in our lives. She then tells us how to make sure we actually do it, even when you think you’re too busy. Support the podcast over on Patreon! Jenny Drew is the owner of Sew Confident, a sewing school and shop in Glasgow, with franchises in Chorley and Dundee. You can follow the @sewconfident goings on via Instagram, and keep and eye on Jenny @sewconfidentjenny. Jenny is passionate about supporting and encouraging women and creatives in business. She’s turned everything she’s learnt into a book: ‘Stop Playing Small: Turn obstacles into advantages and enjoy unapologetic success whilst building a creative business to be proud of!’ Sign up to their waiting list for more info on the next round of their Confident Capsule Collection class series.