A podcast about what inspires the sewing and quilting community.

In this episode of the Sew & So podcast, we sit down with Maddy Ballard—sewist, journalist, and author of Patchwork: A Sewist’s Diary. Born in the U.S. and raised in New Zealand, Maddy’s creative journey has been shaped by her diverse heritage and global experiences. From learning to sew during the pandemic to weaving her skills into a thoughtful book, Maddy shares how sewing provides comfort, self-expression, and a sense of future possibility. She talks about sustainability, the magic of remaking, her journalism career, and how she balances her many creative passions.

In this episode of the Sew & So Podcast, we sit down with Thadine Wormly—quilter, artist, designer, and proud mother of four. Originally from Brooklyn and later Queens, Thadine’s journey with fabric began in childhood when she learned to sew, crochet, and knit from her mother. After moving to Miami, her passion was nurtured in Home Economics classes, and later at the Barbizon Modeling School, where she often designed and created her own outfits for the runway.

Project Runway Season 21 brought fresh talent, bold designs, and high-pressure challenges to Bravo’s long-running, Emmy-winning fashion design competition. At the heart of it all were the BERNINA and bernette machines—and the skilled BERNINA team who supported contestants as they raced against the clock to bring their visions to life.

In this episode of Sew & So, we welcome artist, educator, and storyteller TaMara Howard of Folk Quilts, whose quilts weave together heritage, innovation, and identity. Inspired by her great-grandmother’s stories, TaMara has grown from self-taught beginnings to becoming an award-winning quilter with work in museum collections nationwide. Joining her is Deanna Springer, co-founder of the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, who shares how TaMara became part of this year’s featured lineup. Together, they discuss quilting as a cultural statement, a creative outlet, and a bridge between past and future—while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Great Wisconsin Quilt Show.

Phyllis is the author of Quilt of Souls, a powerful and deeply personal memoir that has touched readers across the country.

Born in the Detroit and raised by her grandmother Lula in rural Alabama, Phyllis found herself immersed in a world of deep wisdom, quiet strength, and generational resilience. It was there, surrounded by women who stitched their pain, perseverance, and history into quilts, that Phyllis discovered healing—and the true meaning of family.

In this inspiring and comprehensive behind-the-scenes episode, we bring you directly into the heart of BERNINA University 2025 — a celebration of creativity, community, and innovation, held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah as the Sew & So Podcast marks our fourth annual visit to BU!

In this episode of Sew & So, we sit down with Kristine Frailing, founder of The New York Sewing Center, a vibrant, hands-on sewing school with two locations in NYC and virtual classes that reach students in all 50 states. A fashion designer, entrepreneur, and mom, Kristine brings her passion for sewing and empowering others into everything she creates.

In this captivating episode of Sew & So, we meet Tania McKnight Norris—a designer, world traveler, and creative force whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. From her childhood in Scotland to working alongside Walt Disney on the famed Club 33 and New Orleans Square, Tania shares unforgettable stories, including how her hands became part of Disney history and how she helped create the now-famous Haunted Mansion purple wallpaper. A lifelong sewist whose skills were shaped during World War II, she continues to find joy in creating with needle and thread. With over 130 countries visited, a passion for botanical art, and an insatiable curiosity, Tania inspires beyond beyond!

In this episode of Sew & So, we welcome author, designer, and entrepreneur Amy Barickman. From founding Indygo Junction to launching ABC (Amy Barickman Creative), Amy shares how vintage fashion, family inspiration, and a passion for upcycling have guided her decades-long career. We explore her latest projects, including her book Love You to Pieces, and hear about her deep ties to the sewing and quilting community. It's a heartwarming and insightful look at one of the industry's most beloved storytellers and innovators.

In this episode of Sew & So, we thread together sewing, storytelling, and fate with the extraordinary team behind Sew Torn—a bold, visually inventive new film that’s turning heads on the festival circuit.

A dark comedy and thriller stitched with style and suspense, Sew Torn follows Barbara Duggen, a mobile seamstress who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong. Faced with a suitcase of cash and two wounded men, Barbara's split-second decisions unravel across multiple timelines—each with irreversible consequences.

Joining us are Freddy Macdonald, the 24-year-old visionary director and youngest-ever Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute; his father and producing partner Fred Macdonald, a seasoned media executive; and Irish actor Eve Connolly, who brings grit and heart to the role of Barbara.

Together, they share how thread becomes both weapon and metaphor—from embroidered “talking portraits” and stitched title cards to practical thread-powered effects. We explore the creative risks, emotional complexity, and sewn-in symbolism that make Sew Torn a cinematic tapestry of tension, transformation—and the staggering ripple effects of every decision.