Alexandra Wall

Digital Pattern Library is Alexandra's sewing community resource for us to use. Alexandra lives in Cardiff, Wales and she's trained in the fashion industry. Once she was working in couture designer houses, the amount of waste at that level and in high street brands made her rethink her priorities. Thankfully she found us in the sewing community when she began to develop sewing patterns. Now Alexandra mainly works with sewists in providing them with skill building opportunities and resources, rather than produce fast sewing patterns. Head to Alexandra's YouTube account now https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@digitalpatternlibrary⁩  Or her website https://digitalpatternlibrary.com/the-dpl-atelier In 2026, podcast viewers and listeners get a special discount! The fee to join the 3 day challenge is waived when you use the code 'SOSPodcast. https://digitalpatternlibrary.com/design-challenge and you can also get 10% off your first month inside The DPL Atelier https://digitalpatternlibrary.com/the-dpl-atelier The 3 day Design challenge is schedule for 6 January, in May and in September! If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube. SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism.  Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist. Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Jane Milburn OAM is TextileBeat on Instagram. She's a sustainability consultant, Slow Clothing pioneer, TEDx speaker, Churchill Fellow, upcycler and agricultural scientist. Jane has authored Slow Clothing and The Process of Mending - a recipe book. Clothing accounts for up to 10 percent of our environmental footprint and everyday practices that extend the lifespan of clothes – caring, repairing, rewearing, restyling, upcycling – can reduce its ecological impact and create independence from fast-fashion cycles. Mary V Morton and Jeanna Wigger, the authors of Stitch it Don't Ditch it, suggested Jane as a podcast guest and I'm so honoured Jane recorded this podcast with me last month. Listen to hear how Jane is linked to SewOver50! Grab a cuppa and enjoy Jane discuss how we can use our existing materials for longer. Sew Organised Style features people who freely support the sewing community. You're welcome to be a podcast guest by contacting us via DM on Instagram. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.  

Amanda.Stitches on Instagram is both today's podcast guest and guest editor on SewOver50 Her standout roberts.woods drafters grid dress at Perth Frocktails this year took our breath away and we had to invite Amanda to tell us all about this dress.  As Amanda said 'the #draftersgriddress has been many months in the making, planning started early this year with the sourcing of vintage tablecloths - not just any cloths, but ones that had similar pink tones & were the same shade of white. Several were ordered online, only to find when they arrived they weren't suitable - I've got a few set aside for future projects. From the 6 tablecloths I cut 172!! pattern pieces - ordinarily the multiple identical pieces can be cut in bulk - however I couldn't do this without compromising the placement of the embroidery - many hours of planning, pinning & checking before I started to cut.  Quilters will be familiar with fussy-cutting and there was certainly lots of that. The construction & sewing of the dress isn't difficult, & I enjoyed the slow sew & watching my vision come to life.' When Amanda went back to sewing once her children were getting older, she began to pattern test for Pattern Emporium. You may have seen Amanda on their website.  Many thanks to Kate at Pattern Emporium for allowing us to mention her patterns and use her logo and image in the video version of this episode. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.    

It's not everyday you find an English woman in New Zealand who specialises in sewing kilts. Leanne Munro sewed 15 kilts in less than 12 months as part of her kilt making training. Yes she quilts but her passion is kilt making. Just ask the locals in New Plymouth, New Zealand.  Her skills include not just sewing kilts but also recreating better kilts from existing kilts. Leanne has a lot of knowledge about sewing kilts and she's more than happy to answer any questions about making a kilt.  We both shared some of our knowledge of X marks the Scot. https://www.xmarksthescot.com/ The online kilt making forum has so many kiltmakers with the latest kilt making ideas.  The kilt making book: Learn How to Make a Kilt | Deansboro, NY | The Art of Kiltmaking The two main companies i order tartan from are Lochcarron and House of Edgar. https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/ https://www.houseofedgar.com/ Her kiltmaking instagram is kilt&cloth https://www.instagram.com/kiltandcloth?igsh=MWlnejNxaXI3MjFpYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr You'll find Leanne on her personal account kiltsnquilts https://www.instagram.com/kiltsnquilts?igsh=MXBhcXFvdjZ5NmpqYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive. Sew Organised Style features people who freely support the sewing community.  You're welcome to be a podcast guest by contacting us via DM on Instagram. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account https://www.patreon.com/seworganisedstylepodcast. Every podcast is free. Or pop your support to Paypal '[email protected]' Sound with permission of Kaneef on YouTube

Izumi Montgomery is a Japanese artist and sustainable craft facilitator based in Sydney Australia. Izumi holds a Masters in Sculpture from Tokyo University of the Arts and she has also studies fashion at TAFE New South Wales. This is where she developed a strong interest in ethical and uncycled design. She combines traditional Japanese techniques such as Tsumami Zaiku (folded fabric flowers) with reclaimed materials to create thoughtful workshops. Alongside teaching, Izumi regularly facilitates sessions at Reverse Garbage and other community spaces where participants are invited to slow down and reconnect through handcraft. Her final class at Reverse Garbage for 2025 is on Saturday 29th November. More workshops available in 2026 and beyond. You'll find Izumi's workshops on the Reverse Garbage website under Public Workshops. Sew Organised Style features people who freely support the sewing community. You're welcome to be a podcast guest by contacting us via DM on Instagram. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.  

Alexis Bailey has come through a period of not designing and rebranded to become WearWereGoing. A listener suggested I interview Alexis and in this episode, you'll hear how Alexis has been supported by some of her Patreon community to create zero waste patterns. She's now turned this corner of her life and Alexis is a positive person to speak to. Sew Organised Style features people who freely support the sewing community. You're welcome to be a podcast guest by contacting us via DM on Instagram. Alexis was suggested to me to be on the podcast by one of our instagram followers. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.  

Mental wellness advocate and author Olivia Dieterich has released an uplifting book, Random Acts of Crochet Kindness (published by Search Press), that has one purpose: to create something special and then leave it out in the world for someone else to find.  Olivia creates 25 beginner friendly designs to label with kindness and place in your local community, ready to brighten someone else's day. These tiny acts of kindness have captivated fans worldwide with the #RandomActsOfCrochetKindness Facebook page which has 357.8K followers where people spread love to strangers.  Patterns, which you can create in under an hour, include flowers, rainbows, stars, hearts, smiley faces, a sunshine, and more. The book also shares a guide to making labels with templates to copy and ideas of where to place you 'acts of kindness'. Thank you Search Press and Midas Campaigns for your ongoing support. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube. SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism.  Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist. Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Her Heart Australia was able to provide Ronda Hazell with a cardiologist for her current heart diagnosis. Maria Theoharous and Dr. Radhika Arunkumar discuss prioritising health, specifically women's health and focusing on key questions about heart attack. They share a checklist reviewed by health professionals and highlight differences in symptoms of a heart attack between women and men. Her Heart Australia resources can be found at https://herheart.org/ Listen to the podcast for more healthy heart tips. Post script: Ronda did more of her own research about her heart condition and she is now getting assistance from John Ritter Aortic Foundation. https://johnritterfoundation.org/support/ The John Ritter Aortic Foundation offers free support available to anyone affected through appointment prep meetings with their registered nurses to peer support by trained volunteers. These are open to anyone worldwide. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube. SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism.  Our focus is the sewing talent each person shares on social media and providing recognition of their willingness to share their skills whether a beginner or experienced sewist. Make sure you listen to your SewOver50 friends in our SewOver50 podcast archive.

Yasmin Andrews, Community Programs Manager develops and runs the community programs at Reverse Garbage. Reverse Garbage is celebrating 50 years of operations and Yaz discusses the breadth of programs provided to the community. Did you know there are 7 types of plastic? There's so much Yaz discusses that you'll want to get involved with the community programs. At Reverse Garbage, they offer a fantastic range of Creative Reuse and Sustainability Programs and Workshops tailored to inspire and engage community members of all ages. From Early Learning to Tertiary Education, and including primary and secondary school workshops, OOSH and vacation care, professional development sessions, and whole school programs, their creative workshops are designed to ignite curiosity, nurture creativity, and community connection. https://reversegarbage.org.au/education-and-workshops/ Yasmin Andrews, Community Programs Manager discusses how they offer tailored creative workshops for large festivals and events for councils, schools, museums and more. If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.  

Kirsten Junor, CEO of Reverse Garbage in Marrickville is making sure everyone celebrates 50 years of operating to give a second life to industrial and home 'waste'. Reverse Garbage rescues between 4 to 6 tonnes of material each month. Reducing landfill, providing a safe space for social impact, giving people low cost items, providing education. These are just some of the ways Reverse Garbage has been contributing to the community. They are not for profit and all money raised from sales goes back into keeping Reverse Garbage operating. Next week's episode is about how their education provides so much more to the community.  If you are able, consider supporting this podcast through our patreon account. There are 3 new tiers to choose from to support SewOver50's only podcast. Every podcast is free and the archive is gradually being uploaded on to the podcast YouTube channel. Sound with permission by Kaneef on YouTube.