Sew & So...

Today we welcome quilt artist Barbara Ann McCraw. Actually…we welcome her back as we met Barbara in person and interviewed her at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah at her exhibit Life Stories during Quilt Week in 2024. While our conversation was a component of a compilation of stories…we felt that she had so much more to share, hence she joins us today.

Barbara grew up on the south side of Chicago and later attended Illinois Sta...

Our guests today come to us from the world of fabric design as we welcome Pat & Walter Bravo from Art Gallery Fabrics- Textile Manufacturer in Miami, Florida.

Both born in Buenos Aires Argentina, Pat got the sewing bug beside her mother as she sewed…as she dreamed of painting her world with fabrics.

As Pat created a gallery in their home with quilts, their son named it an Art Gallery and an idea was born. So, Pat and her husband Wal...

In this special family-themed episode we're delighted to welcome sisters Sue Nickels and Pat Holly, renowned figures in the quilting community. Both have dedicated more than four decades to the art of quilting, earning numerous accolades and inspiring countless enthusiasts worldwide.​

Pat Holly was born in Lafayette, Indiana, during her father's tenure as a flight instructor in the Korean War. Though the family relocated to Michigan...

Our guest today is Beth Donaldson, quiltmaker, quilt book author, and Associate Director of the Quilt Index www.quiltindex.org an online repository of quilt information housed at MATRIX: Center for Digital Humanities & Social Sciences at Michigan State University (https://matrix.msu.edu/),East Lansing, Michigan. 

Born and raised in suburban Detroit, Beth made her first quilt in 1974. She taught quilting beginning in the 1980’s and h...

Today we have a very special guest. From the stages of off-Broadway to the bright lights of Broadway, from his unmistakable voice to his performances in 30+ movies, Harvey Fierstein has spent a lifetime telling stories that matter. With four Tony Awards to his name—two for writing, two for acting—his work in Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, and Hairspray has redefined representation on stage. But beyond the accolades, there’...

Just about 40 miles west of Chicago, nestled in a quiet office and industrial park, you'll find the headquarters of BERNINA of America. In one building, the heart and soul of the business hums—sales, marketing, operations, and so much more—where a dedicated team works passionately every day to bring BERNINA’s incredible sewing machines to dealers and customers across North America.

But just a stone’s throw away, in a building filled...

In this episode, we take a fascinating journey behind the scenes with Adam Brand, the fourth-generation owner of M&S Schmalberg Flowers, the last artificial flower factory of its kind in America. Since 1916, this family-owned business has been handcrafting exquisite fabric flowers that have adorned high fashion, Broadway, Hollywood, and some of the world’s most well-known celebrities and designers.

You’ve likely seen their work with...

Join us as we uncover how this one-of-a-kind event came to life and why it’s already a must-attend gathering for sewing, embroidery, and quilting enthusiasts.

Episode Highlights:

(1:18) Meet Linda Z – Hear from Linda herself as she shares how the idea for Fall Fest was born and what it took to make it happen.

(4:20) Family Legacy – Linda talks about her daughters Tracy and Debbie, her grandson Nick, and how they’ve shaped the future o...

Meet Our Guests

• Allison Rainboth grew up in Glendale, CA, just 10 minutes from the Rose Bowl (where she learned to drive in the parking lot!). She pursued graduate studies in biology at UCLA before moving to Wisconsin in 1992. Today, she and her husband are passionate about maintaining their historic home, and she shares her space with three beloved cats.
• Vickie Coleman, the oldest of three girls and an admitted Army bra...

Our guest today is Michelle Renee Hiatt, Executive Show Director at the American Quilter’s Society.

Michelle story is a remarkable blend of professional achievements and creative passion. Raised in South Jersey by her single mom and grandmother, Michelle is one of five siblings. After earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting and marketing, followed by a master’s in technology from Rutgers, she became a Six Sigma Master Black Bel...

Our guest today is Lexie Millikan, Executive Director of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Lexie is an artist, educator, and curator. She received her BFA, with a focus in fiber, installation, and social practice, at the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, MO. Along with her work with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, she also has an active studio practice in which she teaches classes, exhibits her own artwork, and continues to l...

Our guest today is Terry Grahl the Founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, a national non-profit charitable organization based in Taylor, Michigan. She started Enchanted Makeovers after a life-changing visit to a shelter for women 

Terry grew up in Michigan ran a successful interior decorating business called Terry's Enchanted Cottage.

Terry has contributed to more than 12 books, has appeared on PBS, the Today Show, Woman's World m...

Over the years, we've been honored to host iconic figures like Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, who revealed how color can be a life-changing force, and Tula Pink, who welcomed us into her imaginative, boundary-pushing world. We heard from Alex Anderson, who reminded us of the importance of claiming space for our creativity, and Amanda Murphy, who inspired us to stretch the boundaries of traditional quilting.

This journey has intro...

Welcome to Sew & So, brought to you by BERNINA, made to create! I’m Meg Goodman, and today, you’re in for an exclusive treat. Join me on a behind-the-scenes tour of a truly extraordinary milestone—the 50th anniversary of the Houston Quilt Festival. 

This isn’t just any quilt show; it’s an international celebration of artistry, creativity, and history. We’ll be diving deep with attendees, educators, personalities, and prize-winning ...

Introduction: Lina Owen, a passionate quilter and entrepreneur, shares her journey from Colombia to the United States, her quilting inspirations, and how she’s empowering the Hispanic community through her love of quilting.

Early Beginnings (1:42): Despite only starting four years ago, Lina has made incredible strides. Learn how she transitioned from other creative mediums to quilting, inspired by her entrepreneurial parents. With ...

Lynn Schmitt’s journey began in Chicago, where she cultivated her love for art. After attending Bradley University as a Fine Arts major, she went on to graduate from the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Roosevelt University with a BFA in Interior Design. For 30 years, Lynn thrived as a commercial interior designer, contributing to high-profile projects like O’Hare Airport’s Delta Concourse (now Terminal 3), international endeavors ...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Deanna Springer. Deanna was a close collaborator with the legendary Nancy Zieman, co-founding Nancy Zieman Productions in 2007. Together, they launched a blog, social media channels, and over 40 sewing and quilting products, as well as produced 12 seasons of Sewing with Nancy.

Today, Deanna carries Nancy's remarkable legacy forward, sharing their love of sewing with the world through ...

Join us for this special episode as we travel to Madison Wisconsin for the Great American Quilt Show which began largely in thanks to the late Nancy Zieman. Nancy hosted Sewing With Nancy on PBS Wisconsin for 35 years and inspired hobbyists across the country to sew, quilt and embroider. What started as an instructional program filmed in her home in 1982 became the longest-running sewing and quilting education show on public televi...

Welcome back to Part 2 of OMG Fashun – Friends They Never Knew They Needed. In Part one, Co-Executive Producer Rich Brusa and Producer Marcy Guevara-Prete gave us an exclusive peek into the genesis and workings of this show. Then, several of the contestant/disruptors shared personal stories of their paths to this show and how it changed their lives.

Join us now as we meet more of the participants and hear their special and unique s...