The Sewing Social
Gemma Daly (@thedalythread) hosts The Sewing Social Podcast - join her as she chats with passionate makers who sew their own clothes, small business owners and enthusiastic members of the sewing community.
This podcast discusses topics such as eco friendly fabrics, embracing slow fashion, the enjoyment of sewing, and the importance of a supportive community.
Episodes
62 episodes
Big Four Sewing Patterns Made Easy: Amy Scarr (Almond Rock Sews) on Pattern Hacking, Fit and Building a Handmade Wardrobe
In this episode, Amy Scarr (also known as Almond Rock Sews on Instagram) shares her inspiring journey into garment sewing, from discovering a love of making her own clothes to becoming a passionate advocate for "Big Four" sewing patterns and cr...
Life After Winning The Great British Sewing Bee: Sewing, Creativity and Community with Luke-Matthew Iveson
In this episode, Luke-Matthew Iveson, winner of The Great British Sewing Bee, shares his inspiring journey from learning to sew with his grandmother as a child to becoming one of the UK's best-known sewing personalities and content creators.
How Sewing Changed My Life: Creativity, Wellbeing and Building a Handmade Wardrobe with Dr Claire Ashley
In this episode, Dr Claire Ashley shares how she discovered sewing during a challenging period in her life and how it grew from a practical skill into a powerful source of creativity, confidence, and wellbeing. From teaching herself...
The Psychology of Sewing: Motivation, Identity and Wellbeing with Dr Claire Ashley
In this episode, Dr Claire Ashley explores the fascinating connection between sewing and mental wellbeing, uncovering the psychology behind why we sew and what keeps us coming back to our machines. From motivation and creativity to ...
ADHD and Sewing: How Creative Hobbies Support Focus, Calm and Self-Regulation with Dr Claire Ashley
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Claire Ashley to explore ADHD, how it really presents in adulthood, and why sewing can become a powerful tool for self-regulation.We discuss the core symptoms of ADHD, why so many women are misdiagnosed...
Understanding Anxiety with Dr Claire Ashley: Systems, Science and How Sewing Can Help
In this episode, Dr Claire Ashley explores anxiety - what it is, why it happens, and how it affects the body as well as the mind. Drawing on both her medical expertise and lived experience, she explains the physiological response be...
Burnout Symptoms and Recovery: Dr Claire Ashley on Stress, Sewing and Wellbeing
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Claire Ashley, (a GP and passionate sewist) for an honest and informative conversation about burnout, how to recognise the symptoms, and what recovery can really look like.Claire shares her personal expe...
Behind the Scenes of Guthrie and Ghani: Growth, Community and the Power of Sewing
In this episode, Lauren Guthrie shares the story behind her journey from working as a physiotherapist to founding Guthrie & Ghani, and how a love of sewing slowly grew into something much bigger than she ever expected.We talk about h...
The Art of Pattern Drafting, Fit and Slow Sewing with Lisa Wagner of Draft.ed
In this episode, Lisa Wagner shares her remarkable journey from learning to sew alongside her mother and grandmother in Australia to becoming a couture dressmaker, pattern drafting educator, and founder of Draft.ed.We explore the value o...
Matchy Matchy Sewing Club on Scrap Sewing, Creativity & Beginner-Friendly Patterns
This week, Amy and Theresa from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club share their journey from passionate sewists to successful sewing pattern designers, and how they’ve built a brand centred around creativity, sustainability, and approachable garment sewi...
How Sewing Shapes Confidence and Identity with Lucy from Sew Essential
In this episode, Lucy from Sew Essential shares her journey from passionate home sewist to running one of the UK’s best-known sewing businesses. We talk about confidence, creativity, and how sewing can quietly shape the way we see o...
How Sewing Became a Lifeline: Rebekah From The Gathered Seam, on Grief, Memory Keepsakes & Small Business
This week, Rebekah, also known as Sewno65 on Instagram, shares her journey from self-taught sewist to running her successful memory keepsake business, The Gathered Seam. In this episode, we talk about her creative process, balancing...
Made By Sally on Sewing, Self Confidence and Creating a Curated Me Made Wardrobe
This week, Sally, now known as Made by Sally on Instagram (and previously Secret Life of a Seamstress), shares her inspiring journey from early childhood creativity to confidently showing up on camera. She opens up about overcoming ...
Riddz POV On Sewing, Confidence And Finding Your Voice In The Community
In this episode, Riddz POV shares his journey from self-taught fashion enthusiast to emerging designer, exploring how customisation and upcycling became the foundation for creating his own clothes. He talks about the realities of te...
More Than Sewing: Kit Giroux on Representation, Confidence and The Sewing Bee
Kit Giroux shares their journey from passionate sewing enthusiast to semi-finalist on The Great British Sewing Bee, offering an honest look at what it takes to grow your skills and step into the spotlight. They talk us through their...
How Liz Built Flying Bobbins: From Fashion Industry to Sewing Business
This week on the show, I'm speaking to Liz from the small business Flying Bobbins. Liz shares her inspiring journey from working in the fashion industry to building Flying Bobbins into a thriving sewing business. In this...
Inside the Fabric Shop: Jenny Stitches on Sewing and Becoming a Creative Entrepreneur
*Trigger warning - Please note that this episode discusses baby loss, listen at your own discretion and please skip ahead if you need to.In this episode, Jenny Fazackerley of "Jenny Stitches" shares her journey from accountant to success...
Traditional Upholstery and Sewing Cutting Board Innovation with Erica from Sew and Stow
In this episode, Erica shares her inspiring journey from police officer to skilled traditional upholsterer, transforming her career through creativity and craftsmanship. She highlights her commitment to sustainable upholstery, using...
Sewing Patterns, Fitting Advice and Retreats with Izzy from Izzo Sew Studio
In this episode, Izzy shares her inspiring journey from a career in landscape architecture to launching her own sewing business, Izzo Sew Studio. She talks about how her passion for sewing grew into a platform that helps others buil...
Designing For Children: Sewing Patterns, Sustainability and Creativity with Becky from Pattern, Paper, Scissors
In this episode, Becky from Pattern, Paper, Scissors, shares her journey from fashion designer to founder of a creative sewing brand designing patterns for children and families. Becky also sells fabrics, kits and designs sewing lab...
Sustainable Fashion, Reclaimed Materials and Neurodivergent Sewing Practice with Tali Thomason
In this episode, Tali Thomason shares her journey into sustainable sewing and the art of building a slow fashion wardrobe from reclaimed materials. She explores the inspiration behind her book "Slow Stitch Style" and explains how in...
A Great British Sewing Bee Champion: Caz on Confidence, Creativity and Having Fun with Sewing
Join us for an inspiring and honest conversation with Caz, winner of Season 11 of The Great British Sewing Bee, as she unpicks the story behind her success. From childhood crafting to stepping into the sewing room spotlight, Caz sha...
Inside Stash Hub: How Yvette and Doug Built The Must Have Sewing Organiser App
In this episode of The Sewing Social Podcast, Gemma Daly sits down with Yvette – also known as Blossom Sandwich on Instagram – co-creator of Stash Hub, the must-have sewing organiser app for managing your fabric stash and projects.Yvette...
Sewing, Sustainable Fashion and Reinventing Your Career with Nicole Akong
In this episode of the Sewing Social podcast, host Gemma Daly sits down with Nicole Akong, a talented sewer, maker, and content creator, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, career change, and sustainable fashion. Nicole ...
Sustainable Sewing and Community: Inside Bawn Textiles with Bevan O'Daly
In this episode of the Sewing Social Podcast, host Gemma Daly sits down with Bevan O'Daly, founder of Bawn Textiles, a sustainable fabric shop based in Glasgow, Scotland. Bevan shares her personal journey into sewing, the story behi...