NeedleXChange

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.
Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.
Katarina traces the work from a bobbin‑lace brief into bitmap squares, then laser cutting/engraving perspex and stitching into it. We talk architecture as a pattern engine (glass blocks, safety glass, reflection), and the practical reality of scale: thousands of holes, modular panels, and machine‑bed limits.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – “Come to the perspex…”: lace meets laser cutting
00:02:55 – Finding patterns in glass blocks and safety glass
00:04:31 – Reflection, infinity, and letting structure do the talking
00:06:10 – Close your eyes: what the work feels like in space
00:14:45 – The jump from small pieces to a wall
00:15:52 – 2000 holes: laser cut, but every hole placed by hand (digitally)
00:18:09 – Building it as 22 panels (and why that matters)
00:21:38 – The hard limits: machine beds and human arms
00:26:13 – One pattern, many techniques: knitting/weaving/needlepoint logic
Links:
Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art
Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Charlie Reeder aka Stitchsperation.
Charlie is a cross stitch designer with an unashamedly joyful aesthetic.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange, we talk imposter syndrome, naming the inner critic (“Brenda”), and how stitching can be a safe, meditative place to build confidence.
Charlie shares ideas around stitched affirmations and repetition, plus the beginnings of Stitchsperation: bold typographic work, painted backgrounds, and designing what they couldn’t find.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - Art vs craft vs design (and getting put in boxes)
00:05:33 - What Charlie actually likes: clean lines, bright colour, CMYK
00:10:20 - The “very Charlie” look (home, colour palette, recognisable style)
00:13:43 - Brand boundaries + the “teddy bear in an igloo” problem
00:17:30 - Losing the mojo, then finding it again (and managing overwhelm)
00:24:30 - Quick-fire culture picks: books, films/TV, music
00:35:20 - Plot twist: pole dancing is the other happy place
00:38:45 - Injury, depression, and realising what matters
Links:
Website: stitchsperation.com
Instagram: stitchsperation
Intro music is Easy Breezy by Boogie Wheel via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Charlie Reeder aka Stitchsperation.
Charlie is a cross stitch designer with an unashamedly joyful aesthetic.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange, we talk imposter syndrome, naming the inner critic (“Brenda”), and how stitching can be a safe, meditative place to build confidence.
Charlie shares ideas around stitched affirmations and repetition, plus the beginnings of Stitchsperation: bold typographic work, painted backgrounds, and designing what they couldn’t find.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:47 - Imposter syndrome and “Brenda” (naming the inner critic)
00:06:07 - Stitching affirmations (repetition as reprogramming)
00:10:28 - Back from Canada, broke, and making a Sweden wedding gift
00:12:00 - Painting the fabric, then stitching the words
00:14:42 - Aesthetic in one phrase: “Typographic bright shit?”
00:15:41 - Positivity without going “toxic”
00:17:25 - Cross stitch as TV-time sanity (not doom scrolling)
Links:
Website: stitchsperation.com
Instagram: stitchsperation
Intro music is Easy Breezy by Boogie Wheel via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Ruth O'Leary.
Ruth O'Leary is an award-winning embroiderer who’s been exploring AI image generation as a tool for design, iteration, and self-expression.
In part two, we move from the big AI conversation into the grounded maker reality: how Ruth learned needlework, what the Embroiderers’ Guild taught her, and why community still matters even in an online world.
Ruth also breaks down their process — using AI outputs as reference material, collaging and redrawing in Procreate, then translating it into applique and embroidery — plus a quick run through favourite sci‑fi and a brilliant family‑history curveball.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - The Crafting Landscape: A Need for More Exposure
00:02:46 - Roots of Creativity: Personal Journeys in Needlework
00:04:47 - Community and Learning: The Value of Guilds
00:07:51 - Bridging Generations: Attracting Youth to Craft Guilds
00:11:07 - Digital vs. Physical: The Evolution of Craft Communities
00:12:58 - Exploring Techniques: The Art of Stitching
00:14:32 - Cultural Reflections: The Influence of Music and Film
00:25:12 - Heritage and Legacy: Stitching Poetry into Art
Links:
Website: rostara.co.uk
Instagram: rostara.handmade
Intro music is Far Enough by Shiver Disk via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Ruth O'Leary.
Ruth O'Leary is an award-winning embroiderer who’s been exploring AI image generation as a tool for design, iteration, and self-expression.
We talk about AI as a “new medium” (and the early chaotic phase of it), parallels with the Jacquard loom and past industrial shifts, the difference between screen-based fakery and physical needlework, and how Ruth uses AI outputs as reference material that gets reimagined through applique + embroidery to speed up making without losing what Ruth loves about stitching.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - Exploring AI Art and Personal Journey
00:04:20 - The Evolution of Artistic Expression through AI
00:07:03 - The Unexpected Outcomes of AI in Art
00:12:46 - The Impact of Technology on Traditional Crafts
00:15:35 - Navigating the Challenges of AI and Authenticity
00:18:34 - The Balance of Speed and Craftsmanship in Art
00:22:17 - The Role of AI in Realizing Artistic Visions
00:25:07 - The Process of Creation and Inspiration
Links:
Website: rostara.co.uk
Instagram: rostara.handmade
Intro music is Far Enough by Shiver Disk via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange:
NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.
Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.
Visit the NeedleXChange website: needl.exchange
Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
If you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: mrxstitch.com
If you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!
Find out more here: xstitchmag.com
And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!
Facebook: mrxstitch
Instagram: mrxstitch
Pinterest: mrxstitch
YouTube: mrxstitch
LinkedIn: mrjamiechalmers