Sew & So...

What happens when a 26-year-old searches Google for a hobby and discovers sewing? For Catherine Holbrook, it led to a creative journey that transformed her life. In this episode, Catherine shares how she taught herself to sew after moving to North Carolina, beginning with thrift-store refashioning projects before growing into a respected garment maker, pattern designer, Bernina Ambassador, and social media influencer. Catherine discusses her years designing patterns for Styla Patterns, the technical process of pattern grading, and her unique approach to creating elaborate ball gowns twice a year with direct input from her online audience. Her followers vote on design decisions, turning each gown into an interactive creative experience that has become a hallmark of her brand. The conversation also explores Catherine’s growing interest in quilting, inspired in part by unfinished quilts left behind by her husband’s grandmother. She reflects on the differences between garment sewing and quilting, the joy of learning new skills, and her hope of finishing family heirloom projects to carry on a meaningful legacy. Throughout the episode, Catherine shares stories about teaching her daughter Hattie to sew, balancing creativity with family life, growing an authentic social media community, and how her faith influences her passion for refashioning garments and finding beauty in unexpected places. Ultimately, Catherine reminds listeners that sewing is about far more than fabric and thread—it’s about creativity, connection, legacy, and creating something lasting in a world where so much is temporary.

In this episode of the Sew & So Podcast, we meet Meg McElwee and her husband Patrick—co-founders of Sew Liberated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. What began in a drafty house on an unnamed street in rural Mexico has grown into one of the most beloved garment-sewing education brands today. Meg shares how her mother and Mexican family heritage shaped her creativity, how a suitcase of fabric launched a business, and how their mission evolved into helping people reclaim creativity, body dignity, and mindfulness through sewing. The couple also discusses raising three creative kids, building a supportive team, developing their popular courses, and the profound impact of their son Lachlan’s early health challenges—an experience that reshaped Meg’s personal manifesto and their approach to the business. Filled with warmth, honesty, and inspiration, this conversation shows how sewing can become an act of rebellion, healing, and profound joy.

In this episode of the Sew & So Podcast, we meet William Daniels, an award-winning textile and quilt artist whose work blends fine art, philosophy, and social reflection. From altering jeans at age 12 to pursuing a PhD in Art Theory and Aesthetics, William shares how his creative journey evolved, what inspires his distinctive style, and why camaraderie within the quilting community means so much to him. He discusses the “voice of the quilt,” the role of astronomy in his art, and how he weaves meaning and humanity into every stitch.

In this episode of the Sew & So podcast, we sit down with Maddy Ballard—sewist, journalist, and author of Patchwork: A Sewist’s Diary. Born in the U.S. and raised in New Zealand, Maddy’s creative journey has been shaped by her diverse heritage and global experiences. From learning to sew during the pandemic to weaving her skills into a thoughtful book, Maddy shares how sewing provides comfort, self-expression, and a sense of future possibility. She talks about sustainability, the magic of remaking, her journalism career, and how she balances her many creative passions.

Project Runway Season 21 brought fresh talent, bold designs, and high-pressure challenges to Bravo’s long-running, Emmy-winning fashion design competition. At the heart of it all were the BERNINA and bernette machines—and the skilled BERNINA team who supported contestants as they raced against the clock to bring their visions to life.

In this moving episode of Sew & So, we welcome author, veteran, and storyteller Phyllis Elmore, whose extraordinary life journey is woven together by courage, memory, and fabric. Phyllis is the author of Quilt of Souls, a deeply personal memoir that honors the often-unheard voices of Black women in America—caretakers, survivors, and unsung heroes—whose stories live on in the quilts they stitched. Raised in rural Alabama by her formidable grandmother Lula, Phyllis found healing and purpose in the patchwork of stories that surrounded her. A trailblazer in the military, Phyllis was one of the first female Aircraft Pneudraulic Specialists in the U.S. Air Force and one of a few women to serve in three major military conflicts: Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom. She later became a counselor and advocate for incarcerated youth and survivors of domestic violence. Phyllis shares how quilting, writing, and service have shaped her life—and why reclaiming and preserving our stories is one of the most powerful acts of healing.

In this episode of Sew & So, we sit down with Kristine Frailing, founder of The New York Sewing Center, a vibrant, hands-on sewing school with two locations in New York and virtual classes that reach students in all 50 states. A fashion designer, entrepreneur, and mom, Kristine brings her passion for sewing and empowering others into everything she creates.