Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers interviews needlework and textile artists to find out how they make their art, how they build their business and why they love work...
In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview CARO.CARO is a multidisciplinary artist who intertwines metalwork and embroidery to explore themes of time, devotion, and material storytelling.In this first part of our conversation, CARO shares her journey - from early explorations in jewellery-making to discovering the expressive potential of embroidery. We discuss the contrasts between working in metal and textiles, the influence of haute couture techniques, and the patience required to craft deeply detailed pieces.CARO's work explores themes of craft, devotion, and the intersection of tradition and modernity, using intricate materials to challenge the boundaries between art, labour, and storytelling. If that sparks your interest, be sure to check out episodes 71 and 72 with Betsy Greer - they’re right up your alley.Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction00:02:58 – Exploring the intersection of metalwork and embroidery00:06:02 – Balancing creativity with time constraints00:08:53 – The journey from jewellery to embroidery00:17:48 – The science behind metalwork and embroidery00:21:04 – A historical perspective on female creativity00:32:35 – Gender dynamics in needlework00:39:28 – The impact of capitalism on women’s work00:41:25 – The Luddite movement and mechanisationLinks:Instagram: caro__caro__caro__Intro music is 222 by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist 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: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comAnd follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
38:51
Vanessa Marr - Domestic Dusters Part 2 [NX080]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Vanessa Marr, an artist, researcher, and lecturer whose work explores the invisible labour of women through textiles.In this half of our conversation, we dive into the challenges people face when learning embroidery, including how gender and past experiences shape their confidence with stitching. We explore how embroidery can be a tool for storytelling and activism, and Vanessa shares insights from her PhD research on the connection between textiles and invisible domestic labour. We also discuss the ongoing impact of the Domestic Dusters project, from international collaborations to the need for an official archive. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, be sure to check that out first!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 - Teaching Techniques in Embroidery00:02:46 - Exploring the Red Thread Philosophy00:04:16 - Creative Uses of Everyday Materials00:05:43 - Exhibiting Duster Art00:07:44 - Community Engagement and Collaboration00:10:03 - Documenting the Duster Journey00:13:22 - Future Directions and Academic Pursuits00:15:44 - Theoretical Framework of the PhD00:21:21 - Personal Reflections on the Project00:25:10 - Cultural Influences and InspirationsLinks:Website: domesticdusters.wordpress.comInstagram: vanemarrIntro music is The Juggler by Ch@ntarelle 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: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
28:22
Vanessa Marr - Domestic Dusters [NX079]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Vanessa Marr, an artist, researcher, and lecturer whose work explores the invisible labour of women through textiles. Her long-running project, Domestic Dusters, invites people to embroider their personal experiences onto the humble yellow duster, transforming it into a powerful storytelling medium. We discuss the origins of the project, the unexpected history of dusters, and how embroidery can reclaim narratives of domesticity and gender roles.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 – Why are dusters always yellow? The unknown history behind them00:06:00 – How Vanessa’s project started: Choosing the duster as a medium00:10:30 – Fairy tales, feminism, and how stories shape women’s roles00:19:00 – The meditative nature of stitching and how it allows for reflection00:30:20 – The hidden labour of women and how embroidery highlights itLinks:Website: domesticdusters.wordpress.comInstagram: vanemarrIntro music is The Juggler by Ch@ntarelle 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: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
33:47
Rosie James - Worth The Wait Part 2 [NX078]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I continue my conversation with Rosie James, a machine embroidery artist who stitches everyday moments into intricate textile pieces. In Part 2, we dive into her technical process, from working with transparent fabrics to engineering large-scale embroidery. Rosie also shares insights into her evolving artistic practice—and her unexpected love of playing the accordion!Timestamps:00:00:00 – Intro00:00:45 – Engineering large-scale embroidery: hoops, tension, and materials00:09:33 – Stitch speed and movement: balancing control and fluidity00:18:26 – Appliqué vs. line work: when to add colour00:27:54 – The evolution of Rosie’s work and what’s next00:35:40 – Folk music, film, and… accordion playing?!Links:Website: rosiejamestextileartist.wordpress.comInstagram: rosiejamestextileartistIntro music is The Juggler by Ch@ntarelle 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: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
38:12
Rosie James - Worth The Wait [NX077]
In this episode of NeedleXChange, I interview Rosie James, a textile artist renowned for her free-motion embroidery that captures fleeting human moments. Rosie’s work explores movement, liminality, and the unseen narratives of crowds, often stitching figures frozen in time from photographs she takes in public spaces.Timestamps:00:00:00 – Intro00:01:46 – Absurdism, liminality, and waiting in Rosie’s work00:10:27 – Documenting movement through stitch00:19:35 – The role of loose threads in capturing energy00:28:10 – From print to embroidery: Rosie’s artistic journey00:35:55 – Crowd Cloud and the transition to large-scale installationsLinks:Website: rosiejamestextileartist.wordpress.comInstagram: rosiejamestextileartistIntro music is The Juggler by Ch@ntarelle 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: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers interviews needlework and textile artists to find out how they make their art, how they build their business and why they love working with a needle and thread. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
México