Sew-organised-style

This is not a medical episode — it’s an episode born from care. When Sheila’s daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, sewing became one of the ways she could offer comfort and dignity during treatment.

In this episode, Sheila of SheilaLovesFabric on Instagram, talks about what she discovered: the garments that helped, the adjustments that mattered, the fabrics she used, and the things she would have loved to have known about earlier.

Sheila’s hope is that these insights will support others who are sewing for someone navigating cancer treatment, or that you might share this episode with someone who needs it.

Cancer data in Australia, Overview of cancer in Australia, 2025 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Sewing suggestions to encourage gentle exercise include:

Wide brim hats

Oversize shirts

A totebag

A silk pillowcase

A cape or poncho

Wide brim hat or tubin

Loose tank shirt

Loose cardigan

Sweatshirt in double gauze fabric

Soft breathable natural fibres

This episode of Sew Organised Style podcast for SewOver50 was both video and audio produced by Maria Theoharous in her sewing room.

With permission of Sheila.

Sound by Kaneef on Youtube

Many thanks for the ongoing monthly support of the podcast’s Patreon contributors. Their paid Patreon membership enables me to create these video and audio podcasts for free.

You can subscribe to Sew Organised Style podcast, spelt with an s not a z, on all good podcast apps and on YouTube.

And yes. If you live in Australia and decide to purchase your own Mimiquin, I’ll be your body scanner for Mimiquins UK.

Make sure you go back and listen to our free Sewover50 episodes on Sew Organised Style podcast.

Tag your makes using @sharesewover50 to be able to find your makes in chronological order on Instagram

I look forward to joining you in your sewing room next time. Stay safe everyone.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ruth Collins is back on the podcast and she's so insightful.

Ruth Collins is a researcher and creative thinker. As a biological scientist Ruth is interested in the challenges and transition between two-dimensional materials and three-dimensional structures.

Today Ruth discusses the work that’s gone into her new book, Body-Neutral Fitting: Pants.

The similarities between biological structures and clothing design inspired a revolutionary body and gender-inclusive method for fitting pants, that you’ll learn about in this podcast and in Ruth’s book.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maria catches up with Gabby Brown, now an author. Gabby Brown wrote the technical articles for Sewcialists from 2020 and Gabby recorded 10 podcasts about fitting clothes with Maria in those early days.

Gabby and Leila Kelleher met through Sewcialists and this year sees them publishing their first pattern making reference for the fashion industry, design students and sewing people: Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear.

Bloomsbury publishing and Blackbird Fabrics are some of the organisations that have provided amazing support for Plus Size Pattern Making for Womenswear.

In this episode Gabby and Maria discuss using this new reference for various CLO3D design options, fashion industry references and guides as well as teaching packs to support pattern makers to draft great designs for large bodies.

The terminology used is very respectful and inclusive including the body references designers will benefit from when they start to create garments for larger bodies than their current fashion fit models.

The amount of design schools that will really benefit from Plus-Size Patternmaking for Womenswear is huge so fingers crossed, this knowledge rich reference will be adopted in future curriculum.

Congratulations Gabby and Leila. Hoping to see more from you both soon.

SewOver50 intersects with all communities. SewOver50 where we are so over ageism. Make sure you use #listenShareSewOver50 on the pictures when you post 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 #plussize #plussizemodel #largerbodies #patternmaking

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LilypaDesigns is run by Lily Fong—designer, pattern maker, and proud bra nerd with a master’s in education and over 30 years of sewing experience.

Her patterns are all about wearing comfy bras. LilypaDesigns

Once a middle school algebra teacher, Lily now helps people sew bras that actually fit—especially if you’ve got a full bust, a small band, or a body that’s never quite matched “standard” sizing.

Her patterns use a body-aware system built on real breast measurements—not just full bust minus underbust—and the unique shape of each person’s breast root. Think of it like grading a dress across bust, waist, and hip... only this time, it’s for your bra.

With choose-your-own-adventure-style instructions, inclusive sizing, and plenty of teaching along the way, LilypaDesigns helps sewists build skills, confidence, and bras that feel as good as they fit.

Lily’s work has been featured in Threads, Sew News, The Pattern Pages, Bra Sewing Bee, and several sewing podcasts. Through her patterns, blog, online courses, and community, she’s helped thousands of sewists find support in every sense of the wor

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leesa Simpson is a lifelong maker, business builder and a creative soul with fabric running through her veins.

Her current obsession of quilted sneakers started in 2025. It was love at first stitch! Fabric, colour, comfort, and creativity all rolled into one.

Sneaker Stitch was born.

Sneaker Stitch Australia | Sew Your Own Sneakers Kits + Classes

Any orders placed with Leesa from March 3 to March 10, use the Free Shipping Offer - use the code FREESHIPSOS at checkout. She only ships within Australia at the moment. Sneaker Stitch Australia | Sew Your Own Sneakers Kits + Classes

For the past year, Leesa has poured everything into creating the ultimate DIY sneaker kits — complete with high-quality tools and step-by-step guides, all designed around Aussie products and sensibilities. Because if you know Leesa, she never does things by halves.

As Leesa says 'Let's make something amazing — one stitch at a time. Sew your own sneakers. Walk your own path.'

She created Sewing Adventures in Brisbane and this local sewing school ran for over 7 years and sadly closed in 2025.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.