Sew What?

Dress, Textiles, and Needlework of the Irish Poor: An Interview with Dr Eliza McKee

In this episode Isabella interviews Dr Eliza McKee, Irish dress and social historian. The two talk about the dress, textiles, and needlework of the Irish poor. You can fi

John Craske, Fisherman Turned Embroiderer: An Interview with Lisa Little and Lesley Lougher

In this episode Isabella interviews Lisa Little, curator of Sheringham Museum at the Mo, and Lesley Lougher, volunteer and former trustee of Sheringham Museum at the Mo,

The History and Use of Tatting: An Interview with Dr Brenda Rewhorn

In this episode Isabella interviews Dr Brenda Rewhorn, the chairman of the Ring of Tatters and a maker of all sorts of textiles who did her PhD on the history of tatting.

Charlotte Brontë's Life Through Clothes: An Interview with Dr Eleanor Houghton

In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Eleanor Houghton about her new book Charlotte Brontë's Life Through Clothes, published by Bloomsbury. Images and sources are

Sew What? Goes to India, Part 1: Chanakya International and Chanakya School of Craft

In the first part of this two-part episode about needlework in India, Isabella interviews the staff at Chanakya, based in Mumbai. Images and sources are available at @se

Sew What? Goes to India, Part 2: Shrujan and Shrujan LLDC

In the second part of this two-part episode about needlework in India, Isabella interviews the staff at Shrujan and Shrujan LLDC, based in Bhuj.  Images and sources are

Art X Fashion: An Interview with Dr Elizabeth Way

In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Elizabeth Way about her exhibition Art X Fashion, on display at the Museum at FIT until 19 April 2026. Images and sources are ava

Collecting Samplers: An Interview with Alexandra Peters

In this episode, Isabella interviews Alexandra Peters about her sampler collection and the importance of studying samplers.  Images and sources are available at @sewwhat

Textile Conservation and Marie Antoinette Style: An Interview with Hannah Sutherland

In this episode, Isabella interviews Hannah Sutherland, ACR, Senior Textile Conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The two discuss what is involved in conservatio

Chinese Textiles in 18th-Century Britain: An Interview with Shilei Zeng

In this episode, Isabella interviews Shilei Zeng, Assistant Curator of China at the Victoria and Albert Museum and final year PhD student at King's College London. T

The History of Punch Needle: An Interview with Micah Clasper-Torch

In this episode, Isabella interviews Micah Clasper-Torch, an artist, designer, and educator whose work is centred around the traditional craft of punch needle rug hooking

The Embroidery of Lorina Bulwer: An Interview with Ruth Battersby

In this episode, Isabella interviews Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator of Costume and Textiles at Norfolk Museums Service. The two talk about the embroidery of Lorina Bulwer

The Late, Great Major A.T. Casdagli: An Interview with Alexis Penny Casdagli

In this episode, Isabella interviews Alexis Penny Casdagli, the daughter of Major A.T. Casdagli, an Anglo-Greek spy famous for embroidering subversive needlework during h

Sew What? Meets Haptic & Hue: An Interview with Jo Andrews

In this episode, Isabella interviews Jo Andrews, host of the wonderful textile podcast Haptic & Hue. Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Inst

Holiday Special!: Gathered at Gressenhall

In this special holiday episode, Isabella interviews a variety of individuals who helped plan and who attended Gathered at Gressenhall, a special textile takeover day at

Plantation Goods: An Interview with Dr Seth Rockman

In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Seth Rockman, associate professor of history at Brown University, about his new book Plantation Goods: A Material History of Ameri

Samplers by Free, Freed, and Enslaved Schoolgirls: An Interview with Sarah Brokenborough

In this episode, Isabella interviews Sarah Brokenborough, a PhD student at Tulane University, about her master's dissertation entitled "What’s the Use?: A Comparison

Stitching in Prison: An Interview with Fine Cell Work

In this episode, Isabella interviews three people from Fine Cell Work, a British charity that runs rehabilitation projects in prisons by training prisoners in paid, skill

The History and Power of Mending: An Interview with Kate Sekules

In this episode, Isabella interviews writer, historian, teacher, and lifelong mender Kate Sekules about the history and importance of mending and darning. Images and sou

Cambodian Textiles: An Interview with Dr Magali Berthon

In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Magali Berthon about Cambodian silk weaving and how textiles were affected by the Khmer Rouge regime. Images and sources are avai