Fiber Talk

Episoade

• Kris Andrews Focuses on Needlework Teaching 19.07.2026

  In this episode, sponsored by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (egausa.org), Gary Parr talks with needlework teacher and designer Kris Andrews about a career spent mastering — and teaching — an impressive range of techniques, from surface embroidery and goldwork to Japanese embroidery and rug hooking. Kris traces her path back to teaching Hardanger at Tea Time Stitchery, and shares what’s kept her drawn to teaching ever since, including her work introducing needlework to children and her love of designing stitching gardens. She’s a Certified Japanese Embroidery instructor and a Certified Oxford Punch Needle Rug Hooking Instructor through The Oxford Company. She’ll be teaching classes at the EGA 2026 National Seminar, “Wish Upon a Stitch,” in Orlando, FL. It’s a conversation about craftsmanship, curiosity, and passing a love of the needle on to the next generation of stitchers. Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Embroiderers’ Guild of America website Kris Andrews website The Oxford Company website We hope you enjoy this conversation with Kris Andrews. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• From Haute Couture to Hand Embroidery: Gimena Romero on Preserving Mexico’s Textile Heritage 12.07.2026

  In this episode, Beth Ellicott and Gary Parr sit down with embroidery artist and researcher Gimena Romero to explore her journey from university studies and a career in haute couture to becoming a devoted preservationist of traditional Mexican needlework. Gimena shares the story behind her book, The Embroidery of Mexico: A Vibrant Celebration of Traditional and Modern Designs, and the years she spent traveling across Mexico connecting with different communities to learn their embroidery techniques firsthand — work documented in striking photography by Pedro Aragón. The conversation covers everything from a spontaneous street embroidery workshop she led in Mexico City to Lavín embroidery, a rare and experimental technique that incorporates human hair as thread. It’s a rich look at how one stitch can carry the weight of culture, memory, and identity. Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Gimena Romero’s website Gimena Romero on Instagram Gimena Romero on Facebook Gimena Romero on TikTok We hope you enjoy this conversation with Gimena Romero. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Midweek Chat: Clean Stitching, Wool, State Fair Entries 09.07.2026

  Cindy and Gary have gathered once again to discuss stitching topics we’ve encountered in recent weeks/days. This week’s topics include, the Tour de Broderie, eating while stitching, removing stains, whether wool is making a comeback, state fair entries and the techniques that are still alive, and the new Colour & Cotton store. They got it right. Sunday: Gimena Romero. Please consider supporting Fiber Talk by becoming a Patreon subscriber at patreon.com/FiberTalk—Cindy and Gary Listen to the podcast: Watch the video. Click here to view it. You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Fiber Talk’s new Patreon page EGA website Avlea Folk Embroidery website CyberPointers website We hope you enjoy the show. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Embroidered Gardens, Ribbon Work & Converse Shoes — Lorna Bateman 05.07.2026

  Lorna Bateman of Lorna Bateman Embroidery returns to Fiber Talk to talk about her flourishing embroidery design business — from her beautiful “Embroidered Country Gardens” book to stitching on Converse trainer shoes. In this episode: – Her book “Embroidered Country Gardens” and the inspiration behind it – Silk ribbon embroidery techniques and design – How her business has grown and outgrown her studio – Designing for “Inspirations” magazine – The fun and creativity of embroidering Converse trainer shoes. Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Lorna’s first Fiber Talk appearance Lorna Bateman’s website Lorna Bateman on Instagram Lorna Bateman on Facebook Lorna Bateman on YouTube We hope you enjoy this conversation with Lorna Bateman. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Appenzeller Whitework & the RSN Certificate Program — Tammy McBean 29.06.2026

  Tammy McBean, the Needle Lady of Helvetia joins Gary to explore the beautiful world of Appenzeller whitework — a traditional Swiss embroidery style — and shares her experience with the Royal School of Needlework certificate program. This show is sponsored by Avlea Folk Embroidery at avleafolkembroidery.com. In this episode: —What Appenzeller whitework is and its Swiss cultural roots —Tammy’s journey through the Royal School of Needlework certificate program —Jacobean embroidery and how it fits into her needlework activities —Tammy’s stunning Alpaufzug table runner project. See the entire table runner at the 42-min. mark of the video version of this show. The Appenzeller history video is below. Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Avlea Folk Embroidery website Appenzeller history video Tammy McBean on Instagram Appenzeller history: We hope you enjoy this conversation with Tammy McBean. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Fiber Talk Canvas #8: Starting a New Needlepoint Project 25.06.2026

  The June Canvas video focuses on the various things Beth, Cindy, and Gary do when starting a new needlepoint project. This is a very long video that covers a number of topics. Below is a timeline so you can jump around to listen to the topics that interest you. As always, leave your thoughts and suggestions for future topics in the comments section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary Timeline: –2:30: Kits –23:00: Canvas –34:00: Instructions –45:00: Tools and “infrastructure” –48:00: Insurance (we welcome your thoughts on this one) –57:00: Stitching stands –1:07:00: Stretcher bars –1:20:00: Cindy’s painted canvas Links: CyberPointers: https://www.cyberpointers.org/ American Needlepoint Guild: https://www.needlepoint.org/default.aspx
• How Teaching Transformed Her Goldwork Designs — Clara Warschauer 21.06.2026

  Goldwork embroidery artist Clara Warschauer of Clara Stitching joins Gary to talk about her creative journey–how her design work has evolved over time, the surprising way teaching has made her a better designer, and the influences that shape her intricate goldwork pieces. In this episode:
 –How Clara’s goldwork designs have evolved over her career
 –Why teaching others has sharpened and transformed her own work
 –The influences and inspirations behind her designs
 –Tips for needleworkers who are new to goldwork embroidery
 –How she approaches online teaching and what students can expect
–Upcoming classes and how to find them. Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Clara’s August 27, 2023 show Clara Stitching website Clara on Instagram Clara on Facebook Clara on YouTube We hope you enjoy this conversation with Clara Warschauer. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Midweek Chat: What Sermon?, Stanton, and Perez 10.06.2026

  It’s time for another Midweek Chat. In this show, we gush about Judy Coates Perez and her creativity, learn what Gary does during sermons, applaud Yvette Stanton, remember Pam Mertes, and talk about some of the projects we’re stitching. Leave your thoughts/questions in the comment section. Sunday: No show so an opportunity to catch up on previous podcasts. Please consider supporting Fiber Talk by becoming a Patreon subscriber at patreon.com/FiberTalk—Beth and Gary Listen to the podcast: Watch the video. Click here to view it. You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Fiber Talk’s new Patreon page EGA website CyberPointers website Avlea Folk Embroidery website We hope you enjoy the show. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Judy Coates Perez Practices “What if?” at the Highest Level 07.06.2026

  For this week’s show, sponsored by EGA, we had the privilege of spending time with textile artist Judy Coates Perez. Her textile arts career started with an extended family car trip when Judy was in 8th grade. In Guatemala, she learned how to do backstrap (not backstop ;)) weaving. That triggered a lifelong love of multimedia textile art creation. We spent a delightful hour learning about how she creates. Today, in addition to her own art and teaching, Judy has likely the best day job an artist could imagine. We’re confident you’ll enjoy the show and urge you to follow Judy so you can keep up with her work.–Beth and Gary Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Judy Coates Perez’s website Judy Coates Perez on Instagram We hope you enjoy this conversation with Judy Coates Perez. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.
• Ruth O’Leary Thread Paints Impressive Needleart 31.05.2026

  Our May 31 guest is Ruth O’Leary from Rostara. Ruth is a thread painting artist who uses her own version of the technique. Her stitching approach creates a different texture than “conventional” thread painting and provides Ruth with the color-transition flexibility she desires in her art. Equally interesting is Ruth’s design process. To make the art that’s in her head happen, she combines internet archive art, her own sketches, and AI technology. Those sources provide the parts that Ruth combines in the Procreate app to generate the designs that become her needle art. It’s an interesting process that relies, in part, on using the positive benefits of AI. Be sure to visit her website and Instagram channel to enjoy her work.–Gary Listen to the podcast: This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Podbay, Podbean, and many other podcast sources. To receive e-mail notification of new podcasts, provide your name and e-mail address below. We do not sell/share e-mail addresses. Here are some links: Ruth O’Leary’s website Ruth O’Leary on Instagram We hope you enjoy this conversation with Ruth O’Leary. We’re always looking for guests, so let me know if there is someone you’d like me to have on the show. To add yourself to our mailing list and be notified whenever we post a new podcast, provide your name and email address below. You won’t get spam and we won’t share your address.