Fiber Talk

Kelly Fletcher’s 2026 Embroiderer’s Directory is available at Fellenn.com.

Feather embroidery pattern designed by Kelly Fletcher.

Kelly Fletcher, of Fellenn, returns this week. We first talked to her Sept. 22, 2019. The show is sponsored by Avlea Folk Embroidery at avleafolkembroidery.com. Kelly has made major changes to her business in the seven years since we first talked with her. We have much to explore on that front and we’ll do that in December. This time our focus is on her three books, 150 Embroidery Stitches; Embroidery Tips, Tricks & Techniques; and Stitch Samplers. Together these three books are an excellent resource for experienced stitchers and terrific tools for beginners. We spend the bulk of our time in this show talking about the new 2026 Embroiderer’s Directory. This pdf download is a tremendous global resource that will help you find all types of needlework designers, teachers, and information/product providers from all corners of the globe. The Directory is something you want to have loaded on your devices. We hope you enjoy the show and encourage you to support Kelly’s efforts by purchasing her books and/or the Embroiderer’s Directory.—Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video

Please support our sponsor, Avlea Folk Embroidery, at avleafulkembroidery.com.

Here are some links:

• Avlea Folk Embroidery website
• Kelly Fletcher’s first show
• Kelly Fletcher’s Fellenn website
• Kelly Fletcher on Instagram
• Embroiderer’s Directory on Instagram

We hope you enjoy this week’s conversation with Kelly Fletcher. 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.

Wendy Moore’s Red Rocks Bright Sun. Contact Gary if you’d like to be part of a class and stitch this beautiful piece.

Eastern Bluebird Sewing Case is the next CyberPointers workshop. Join to participate.

We’re back for another Midweek Chat, sponsored by CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org. In this week’s show we talk about some upcoming CyberPointers projects/programs and a Goldwork project drawing from Clara Warschauer and Ecclesiastical Sewing. To enter the drawing, send email to gary at wetalkfiber dot com. In the email, use the name Clara in the subject line and put your name, address, and phone number in the body of the email. Your entry email must be received by midnight Eastern, Nov. 7. For more details, go to clarastitching.com. The main focus of this week’s conversation centers on how we handle projects that are a stretch and/or difficult/challenging. We welcome your thoughts on the topic. Sunday: Kelly Fletcher of Fellenn.—Beth, Cindy, and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video. Click here to view it.

Join CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org.

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:

• CyberPointers website
• Avlea Folk Embroidery website
• Clara Stitching website
• Ecclesiastical Sewing website
• Fiber Talk’s Patreon page

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.

Beth Walker’s book, The Craft of Thai Ribbon Weaving.

One of the Thai ribbon weaving pieces from Beth Walker’s book.

We’re joined this week by Beth Walker, author of the book, “The Craft of Thai Ribbon Weaving.” Ribbon weaving is a fun maker activity that requires nothing more than a pair of scissors (not embroidery scissors!) and some 3/8-in. ribbon or ribbon-like paper. You’ll have an easier time finding the paper and it probably works better than ribbon (Froebel Mint link below). These woven shapes are fun to make and, made small, might be good embellishments for needlework. Beth’s book is an excellent tool for learning the techniques. Give it a try and share your results.—Gary

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This is the shape that holds a coin in the Thai culture.

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:

• Beth Walker’s website
• Beth Walker’s Etsy shop
• Beth Walker’s Girl’s Guide to AD/HD book
• Froebel Mint Etsy shop
• Froebel Mint Amazon shop

We hope you enjoy this week’s conversation with Beth Walker. 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.

Jen Goodwin’s blackwork lion.

Sue Reed’s Garden Path.

This week we’re sponsored by Avlea Folk Embroidery and our topic is the health benefits of needlework. The inspiration for our conversation is an Instagram post by @thedoctorofshopping that explores how much more you get out of that initial expenditure for a needlework kit. You’ll learn about things such as the IKEA effect and The Third Place. For Fiber Talk Patreon members, we continued the conversation to explore muscle memory, flow, and advancing your stitching. This was a fun one that prompted some thinking. Share your reactions in the comments section.—Beth, Cindy, Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video

Please support our sponsor, Avlea Folk Embroidery, at avleafulkembroidery.com.

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
• The Doctor of Shopping on Instagram
• Kristin Armstrong TedxMacatawa 2026 talk (Kristin at 3:38:50)
• Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, Lisa Genova
• Craft Psychology, Anne Kirketerp

We hope you enjoy this week’s. 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.

Cross-Stitch from the Dark Ages is Lindsay Swearingen’s third book.

Plague Patron Saint is one of 25 designs in Lindsay Swearingen’s new book.

The Embroiderers’ Guild of America sponsors the return of cross-stitch designer Lindsay Swearingen of Tusk and Cardinal. Lindsay’s new book, “Cross-Stitch from the Dark Ages,” is likely one of the most unique collections of cross-stitch designs you’ll encounter. She did a ton of research into medieval arts and practices to come up with a collection of 25 projects designed to “plague your walls.” Throughout the conversation, we all share our favorite designs and learn about the inspiration behind the book and how Lindsay worked with sample stitchers and a great photographer to create a terrific book.—Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video

Visit the EGA website at egausa.org and consider joining.

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
• Lindsay Swearingen’s first show
• Tusk and Cardinal website
• Tusk and Cardinal Etsy shop
• Tusk and Cardinal on Instagram
• Tusk and Cardinal on Facebook
• Tusk and Cardinal on TikTok

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Lindsay Swearingen. 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.

This could be your next travel magnifier lamp.

Gothic Pansy is a free class Jessica Grimm will be offering to her subscribers on Oct. 4.

It’s Midweek Chat time a week early. The show is sponsored by CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org. This week it’s all three of us talking about needlepoint canvas at Avlea Folk Embroidery, top-quality embroidery ground cloth, shiny silk embroidery threads, a new line of silk needlepoint threads, Beth’s new portable magnifier light, slate frame, and slate-frame alternatives. Sunday: Lindsay Swearingen—Beth, Cindy, and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video. Click here to view it.

Join CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org.

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:

• CyberPointers website
• Avlea Folk Embroidery website
• Jessica Grimm’s Gothic Pansy class
• Hazel Blomkamp’s Workroom
• Bradley Needlepoint Silk Threads
• Brighttech LightView lamp
• Fiber Talk’s Patreon page

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.

Carolyn Forster’s new book will teach you how to do chicken scratch embroidery.

Carolyn Forster went back in time for her 1930s Quilts book.

Textile artist Carolyn Forster of Quilting on the Go is our guest this week. The focus of our conversation is her two new books, “20 To Make: Chicken Scratch Embroidery” and “1930s Quilts.” Carolyn has been sewing, stitching, and quilting all of her life. She tried cooking in school but things went wonky so she stayed with needle and thread. We have great fun learning about all of the things she does, including organizing Stitchtopia Craft Holidays. If you want to spend some vacation time with needleworkers in interesting/historic venues, check out the upcoming schedule at Carolyn’s website. We hope you enjoy the conversation and encourage you to give chicken scratch a try.—Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video

Carolyn Forster’s chicken scratch book offers 20 projects.

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:

• Carolyn Forster website
• Carolyn Forster on Instagram
• Carolyn Forster on Facebook
• Carolyn Forster on YouTube

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Carolyn Forster. 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.

Crewelwork Then & Now by Hazel Blomkamp and Phillipa Turnbull.

Hazel Blomkamp’s Contemporary Eagle.

This week, Hazel Blomkamp returns to talk about her Workroom subscription program, her updated technique books, and the terrific new collaboration book, Crewelwork Then & Now, she wrote with Phillipa Turnbull. The show is sponsored by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and Avlea Folk Embroidery. This is the second time we’ve had the privilege of talking with Hazel and, as the first time, it was an absolute treat to learn what goes on in the world of one of our most creative and talented embroidery artists. Be sure to visit her website and consider subscribing to the Workroom. Also, please support our sponsors, the EGA at egausa.org, and Avlea Folk Embroidery at avleafolkembroidery.com. Be sure to use FT10 to get 10% off of your next Avlea order, including needlepoint canvas.—Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video

Visit the EGA website at egausa.org and consider joining.

Please support our sponsor, Avlea Folk Embroidery, at avleafolkembroidery.com.

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
• Avlea Folk Embroidery website
• Hazel Blomkamp’s first show
• Hazel Blomkamp’s website
• Hazel Blomkamp on Instagram
• Hazel Blomkamp on Facebook

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Hazel Blomkamp. 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.

A. Pinninger sampler from The Essamplaire.

The Kutz sampler from The Essamplaire.

Margriet Hogue, creator and owner of The Essamplaire, passed away on Sept. 14, 2026. As our way of remembering the tremendous contribution she made to samplers, and the needle arts in general, this week we re-play the conversation we had with her April 15, 2023.

Margriet Hogue, from The Essamplaire, joins us this week to talk about the world of reproduction samplers, particularly from the 16th and 17th centuries. If you’re searching for new and different samplers, particularly those that go beyond standard cross stitch, The Essamplaire is your destination. Margriet has a collection of reproductions unlike any you’ll see elsewhere. We explore her interest in samplers, what she’s learned studying them in museums, the silks and linens that were used to stitch the originals, and Margriet’s role in sharing samplers with the needlework world. We also learn how linen has changed through the centuries. It’s an enlightening conversation with one of the leading reproduction artists in the needle-arts world.–Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

This show is also available on FlossTube. Click here to view it.

You can listen by using the player above or you can subscribe to Fiber Talk through iTunes, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, 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:

• The Essamplaire website
• The Essamplaire on Facebook

We hope you enjoy this week’s conversation with Margriet Hogue. We’re always looking for guests, so let us know if there is someone you’d like us to have on the show.

Kylie, co-founder of The Silk Snail.

Disco Moon design from The Silk Snail.

Gabrielle Noe, of The Silk Snail, is our guest and the show is sponsored by CyberPointers, the online chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. Learn about them at cyberpointers.org. Gabrielle and her partner Kylie met through TikTok, then IRL at a Houston needlepoint store. That meeting evolved into their new printed-canvas business, The Silk Snail. Their first set of canvases went on sale Tuesday, Sept. 8 at navynoo.com. In our conversation, we learn about their experiences forming the business and how they go about designing canvases. We also discuss the dynamics of the needlepoint stitching community. The Silk Snail has all of the usual social media outlets so it’s easy to follow them. When you have a minute, visit their website and check out their merch.—Cindy and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video

Join CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org.

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:

• CyberPointers website
• The Silk Snail website
• The Silk Snail on Instagram
• The Silk Snail on TikTok
• Navy Noo website
• Help I Need Thread Facebook group

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Gabrielle Noe. 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.

Beth has plans for her Fibres of Life eyeglass case.

Gothic Pansy is a free class Jessica Grimm will be offering to her subscribers on Oct. 4.

When Wednesday arrives, we like to get together and talk about needlework. In this week’s Midweek Chat, sponsored by CyberPointers, Beth and Gary talk about portable magnifier lights and portable batteries; helping the people of Nepal by direct contribution or purchasing products from Fibres of Life; what Beth’s going to do with her wool felt eyeglass case; Beth’s MH 1656 sampler and her favorite, the Montenegrin stitch (it’s not); and a free class Jessica Grimm is offering to her subscribers. As an extension of that, we’d like to know where we can buy quality goldwork materials in the States. Sunday: Gabrielle Noe of The Silk Snail.—Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

Watch the video. Click here to view it.

Join CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org.

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:

• CyberPointers website
• Avlea Folk Embroidery website
• Jessica Grimm’s Gothic Pansy class
• Help the people of Nepal
• Fibres of Life website
• Brighttech LightView lamp
• Fiber Talk’s new Patreon page

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.

Tatiana Popova’s new book is “Modern Crewel Embroidery for Beginners.

Snowdrop Swirl is one of the more advanced designs in Tatiana’s book.

We learned all about Tatiana Popova, of Owl Crafts, in our Feb. 8, 2026 show when we talked about her background and her excellent book Contrast in Crewel Embroidery. At the time, she mentioned that a new book was in the works. The book, Modern Crewel Embroidery for Beginners, is now available and we spent a few minutes with Tatiana learning about it. If you’ve never done crewel embroidery, or have tried and need an assist, this book should help you. It has an extensive tools-and-stitches section and offers eight very approachable projects, designed to help you develop your skills. Crewel is fun to do and has its own unique style. If you’re tempted, this book would be handy to have at your side.–Gary

Listen to the podcast:

This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video

Floral Butterfly uses 14 different stitches.

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:

• Tatiana’s first show
• Owl Crafts website
• Owl Crafts on Instagram
• Owl Crafts on Facebook

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Tatiana Popova. 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.

Natalie Tyler’s Memory Duvet. Photo by Jutta Klee.

It’s My Life and I’ll Sigh if I Want, designed and stitched by Natalie Tyler.

Natalie Tyler joins us this week in a show sponsored by the Embroiderers Guild of America at egausa.org. The pandemic was a turning point for Natalie, providing an opportunity to apply her art background to embroidery and develop her version of the art form. The result is a wide array of designs and design types, including pet portraits (including a snake), people portraits, 3D pieces, and using a thrift-store sweater as a canvas. She hasn’t stopped at small pieces. Her Memory Duvet is one of what will likely be many installation pieces designed for public viewing. Her current project is stitching a flower a day for a year. It’s been a scramble at times, but she’s delivered and will complete the project sometime in October. Fiber Talk Patreon subscribers can enjoy an extra video that shares details about that project. Natalie is full of creative ways to express her art through embroidery and you’ll enjoy hearing her story.—Beth and Gary

Listen to the podcast:

This show is also available on FlossTube. Watch the video

Visit the EGA website at egausa.org and consider joining.

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
• Natalie Tyler website
• Natalie Tyler on Instagram
• Natalie Tyler’s Numonday shop

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Natalie Tyler. 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.