Melanie Keane’s sewing journey is very community driven. This is a two-part series and Melanie began sewing 9 years ago through quilting. In 2020 Melanie and her family sewed over 100 pairs of scrubs for frontline workers, transforming sewing into a meaningful family activity. This experience deepened her connection to the craft and led her to explore garment and bag making, where she found joy in blending functionality with artistic expression. Beyond her personal projects, Melanie’s dedication to sewing extended into community service. By fundraising for sewing machines and supplies, she empowered refugee women with a creative outlet and a sense of purpose. For many, this initiative became a path to healing and self-confidence. Melanie’s sewing journey illustrates how sewing can be more than a skill—it can be a tool for reusing textiles, social connection, and something to look forward to each day. 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.
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Micah Clasper-Torch
Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking. With a background in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Micah blends fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design to create one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture. In 2019 Micah was formally trained as an Oxford Punch Needle Instructor at the Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont, and in 2020 she launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history, and making high quality supplies and training accessible around the world. Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion, comes out next month, in June 2025 from Quadrille and brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion through 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium. Punch Needle Fashion pre-order link Web: www.micahclasper-torch.com IG: @claspertorch & @punchneedle.world 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.
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Sew Pittsburgh
Kelsey founded Sew Pittsburg with the vision of creating a sewing community in the Pittsburgh area. As the Instagram account quickly gained traction, Sarah stepped in to help foster the group’s growing sense of community. https://www.instagram.com/sewpgh/ Together, they built a welcoming space for sewists to connect, share inspiration, and support one another. Their efforts transformed Sew Pittsburg into more than just an online presence—it became a thriving hub for makers, encouraging creativity and friendships. Through meetups, collaborations, and shared enthusiasm, Kelsey and Sarah have cultivated a vibrant sewing culture, proving that community flourishes when passion meets dedication. Find out how Discord allows their community to also run regular interest meetups! Photo credits: Kitoko Chargois. https://www.instagram.com/photo_by_kitoko/
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Sew Pittsburgh
Kelsey founded Sew Pittsburg with the vision of creating a sewing community in the Pittsburgh area. As the Instagram account quickly gained traction, Sarah stepped in to help foster the group’s growing sense of community. https://www.instagram.com/sewpgh/ Together, they built a welcoming space for sewists to connect, share inspiration, and support one another. Their efforts transformed Sew Pittsburg into more than just an online presence—it became a thriving hub for makers, encouraging creativity and friendships. Through meetups, collaborations, and shared enthusiasm, Kelsey and Sarah have cultivated a vibrant sewing culture, proving that community flourishes when passion meets dedication. Find out how Discord allows their community to also run regular interest meetups! Photo credits: Kitoko Chargois. https://www.instagram.com/photo_by_kitoko/ 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.
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Alison Smith MBE
Alison Smith, MBE, is a visionary in the world of sewing and couture techniques. As the UK’s leading sewing educator, she has revolutionized garment construction, corsetry, and tailoring, making intricate skills accessible to all. Founder of the School of Sewing, Alison teaches hands-on workshops that empower sewists of all levels. She’s also a celebrated author, with books like The Sewing Book and Dressmaking selling over 500,000 copies worldwide. Her expertise extends to online courses and the Members Club, where she shares advanced techniques, pattern hacks, and professional finishing methods. Alison discusses the updates to the recent edition of The Sewing Book. It's now available as Kindle version. Alison made history as the first person to receive an MBE for services to sewing and corsetry, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the industry. Whether through her books, workshops, or online resources, she continues to inspire sewists worldwide, transforming sewing from a skill into an art. For those seeking to master dressmaking, Alison Smith, MBE, is the ultimate mentor. 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.
Sew organised style- listen to people just like you.
We'll cover sewing, style and interview people who are the backbone of our sewing community and provide you with reputable organisations you can go to for help when you need it. Go to our website: https://seworganisedstylepodcast.com/
There will be evolving playlist series as we find experts with gems of information and resources to keep you creative.
Don't keep our podcast channel a secret. Tell your friends and rate us on Itunes.
South Africa