
Advertise on podcast: Sew What?
Rating
4.7from
This podcast has
94 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Isabella RosnerExplicit
No
Date created
2020/05/14
Latest episode
2025/12/11
Average duration
56 min.
Release period
45 days
Description
A podcast all about historic needlework and those who stitched it, hosted by your local historic needlework expert, Isabella Rosner.
Unlock Sew What? podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details

Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details
Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Sew What? podcast
Textile Conservation and Marie Antoinette Style: An Interview with Hannah Sutherland
2025/12/11
In this episode, Isabella interviews Hannah Sutherland, ACR, Senior Textile Conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The two discuss what is involved in conservation, knitted masterpieces, and the exhibition Marie Antoinette Style.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
You can find Hannah on Instagram at Instagram.com/hannahjoycetextiles. You can find her Textile History article at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00404969.2025.2505489.
Chinese Textiles in 18th-Century Britain: An Interview with Shilei Zeng
2025/11/29
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. The two discuss Shilei's research into the use of Chinese textiles in 18th-century Britain and beyond.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
You can find Shilei on Instagram at Instagram.com/fashioneastandwest.
The History of Punch Needle: An Interview with Micah Clasper-Torch
2025/10/23
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 two talk about the history and use of punch needle in all of its forms.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
You can find Micah on Instagram @claspertorch and @punchneedle.world. Her websites are https://www.punchneedleworld.com/ and https://www.micahclasper-torch.com/. Her book, Punch Needle Fashion, is out now.
The Embroidery of Lorina Bulwer: An Interview with Ruth Battersby
2025/04/17
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, a Victorian woman institutionalised in the Great Yarmouth Workhouse who spent her days embroidering vibrant, angry, and extremely long biographical scrolls.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
The Late, Great Major A.T. Casdagli: An Interview with Alexis Penny Casdagli
2025/03/27
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 his time in German POW camps in WWII.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
You can read Major A.T. Casdagli's wartime diary, Prouder Than Ever, through Cylix Press here: https://www.cylixpress.co.uk/. Also be sure to check out Alexis Penny's blog here: https://www.cylixpress.co.uk/alexis-pennys-blog/.
As a note, the Greek Civil War is mentioned in this episode as being in 1948. The Greek Civil War took place from 1946 to 1949.
Sew What? Meets Haptic & Hue: An Interview with Jo Andrews
2025/02/27
In this episode, Isabella interviews Jo Andrews, host of the wonderful textile podcast Haptic & Hue.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
You can listen to Haptic & Hue and learn more here: https://hapticandhue.com/listen/. And be sure to check out the Textile Travels guides here: https://www.textiletoursofparis.com/textile-travels.
Holiday Special!: Gathered at Gressenhall
2024/12/19
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 Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, which took place on 29 September 2024.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Show notes:
Fiona Ashley mentions that Gressenhall's flax growing project began in 2023 -- it actually began in 2022You can find out more about Common Threads Press here: https://www.commonthreadspress.co.uk/You can find out more about GroundWork Gallery here: https://www.groundworkgallery.com/
Plantation Goods: An Interview with Dr Seth Rockman
2024/11/21
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 American Slavery.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Samplers by Free, Freed, and Enslaved Schoolgirls: An Interview with Sarah Brokenborough
2024/10/24
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 of Needlework Samples Made By Free, Freed, and Enslaved Schoolgirls in the Early Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World."
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Stitching in Prison: An Interview with Fine Cell Work
2024/09/27
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, skilled needlework.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
The History and Power of Mending: An Interview with Kate Sekules
2024/09/05
In this episode, Isabella interviews writer, historian, teacher, and lifelong mender Kate Sekules about the history and importance of mending and darning.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Cambodian Textiles: An Interview with Dr Magali Berthon
2024/07/18
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 available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
The History of Crochet: An Interview with Eleanor Gilchrist
2024/05/23
In this episode, Isabella interviews PhD student Eleanor Gilchrist about her fascinating and surprising research into the history of crochet.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Women in Stitches: An Interview with Marcia Goldenstein
2024/04/18
In this episode, Isabella interviews artist Marcia Goldenstein about her series "Women in Stitches," consisting of tiny embroidered portraits of women past and present.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Naval Embroidery: An Interview with Maya Wassell Smith
2024/03/29
In this episode, Isabella interviews Maya Wassell Smith, assistant curator of art at the National Maritime Museum and a PhD student at Cardiff University. The two discuss naval embroidery in all of its forms.
Images and sources are available at @sewwhatpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The podcast has a website, sewwhatpodcast.com.
Podcast reviews
Read Sew What? podcast reviews
LeeLee Lauree 2024/07/18
wow
just when i think i cannot love this pod more you give us the episode on cambodian textiles. thank you!
Stitcher2 2023/11/14
Enjoy!
This is a great podcast for needleworkers, textile enthusiasts.
Needlework nerd 2022/01/05
Perfect combo
History + textiles/needlework + the people behind them = a winning podcast. I love the topics and interviews and always learn something new (like the ...
Jann at 2021/11/13
Warm and classy
Listening to Sew What is like having Matzaball soup with your Bubbe while touring an art museum. You will feel loved and classy at the same time. I on...
TeeLeister 2021/04/12
Best podcast ever!
So glad I found this podcast! It’s been hard for me to find others that are interested in textile history. I look forward to getting my notification t...
octorooneyre 2021/01/13
informative & accessible!
I appreciate this podcast as it’s brought me closer to the subject of material culture in a very accessible / not intimidating way. I especially loved...
oldersister 2020/05/27
Perfect balance between history and fun!
This podcast is for you if you want to know more about how women’s art plays its role in history and why it is often forgotten! Super fun and casual, ...
Suki!!10 2020/05/23
A Great Listen!!
I love this new show! The host shares rich content in a smart, entertaining and accessible way. Sew What? fills a void in the podcast world for fans ...
lynn/mississippi 2020/05/21
Excellent introduction!
I enjoyed the upbeat feel she gives to the subject-needlework has always been a part of my life, I love hearing more about it’s history.
J_go00 2020/05/20
Very Excited about this podcast!
Love the intro and can’t wait to hear you dive in to historic needlework topics.
Podcast sponsorship advertising
Start advertising on Sew What? relevant audience podcasts
You may also like to advertise on these Podcasts

422142
The JOY Factor
Julie Hanson, LCMFT, LCPC, RYT-500

52129
talkBOXING with Simon Jordan & Spencer Oliver
talkSPORT

4.9166126
Flip Houses Like a Girl
The FlipSisters

4.446500
Booker & Alex - Waiting by the Phone
Audacy

4.92428
Notorious Bakersfield
Robert Petersen

54193
The Wallet
Emilie Bellet

4.5148281
Economics Explained
Economics Explained

4.917846
Breakfast with Vinnie!
Vinnie Colaiuta

5165504
After Hours Entrepreneur with Mark Savant
Mark Savant

4.86335544
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Not Sorry Productions