Ann Brauer’s work has been featured in numerous museums, institutions and private collections including the American Museum of Art + Design, the Lodge at Turning Stone in Verona, NY, the Federal District Courthouse in Springfield, MA and Pat Metheny.

When born on a farm in Illinois, her grandmother made a postage stamp quilt made from feed sack cloth which Ann slept under for years and always found different patterns and fabrics she used to create the overall design. She sewed her first doll dress at 5 and made it known to her mother that to spend time together, they would have to do so at the local fabric shop.

Ann quit sewing in college, then took it up again after graduation. Working as a lawyer post education she used some quilting techniques to write complex citations!

She has won numerous awards, been featured in myriad publications and had created several commissioned pieces.

(2:28) Ann tells us about the special quilt her grandmother made for her when she was born.

(3:17) She sewed her first doll clothing at 5 years of age with the help of a family friend and shares that story with us.

(4:02) In high school Ann created costumes for musicals…she tells us about her favorite costume creations and why she chose to do this. And then…there was 4H!

(5:42) Ann loved to create from Vogue patterns…the challenge was so much fun, but she didn’t wear her creations.

(6:57) After college Ann took to quilting as she would hang out in the fabric shops in Boston’s Chinatown. It was her roommate that got her going. And, her first quilt…an Ohio Star!

(8:44) What’s her favorite quilt?

(10:00) While practicing law, Ann used quilting techniques to prepare her briefs. She explains this unusual approach.

(11:46) At age 30, Ann found a cabin, moved there and decided to see if she could support herself as a quilt maker. How did that work out for her? Find out here!

(17:20) Ann talks about life and quilt creation during the Art Quilt movement and described her quilts which are on display in various museums.

(19:43) How did the events of 9/11 affect hew work? It definitely increased the traffic into her studio.

(21:01) Ann tells us why she chose to locate her studio in Shelburne Falls, MA.

(22:44) Tropical Storm Irene managed to uproot Ann’s beloved studio and float it down the river. Ann was out of town as was her husband…she wasn’t worried. But then she got the phone call.

(30:22) So, what’s Ann creating today?! And what’s next?

(32:19) What’s her dream?

You can reach Ann at www.annbrauer.com and on Instagram @Annbrauerquilts. Or visit her at her studio…the address is on the website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

Paris Green – a current BERNINA Ambassador - is one of the principals of the Couture Beauty and Sewing Academy. She also designs for and leads the online site Scarves and More By Paris. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Paris began sewing at age 4. She became serious about her sewing at age seven and entered her first sewing competition at 9 years old. She won the Kid’s Beginner Sewing division that year. At age 10 she became BERNINA’s youngest sewing ambassador to share kid-friendly tutorials via the We All Sew blog.

In her spare time, Paris loves to sing and write songs, sketch, make jewelry had teach other kids how to do the same. She is home schooled, had two brothers and is…13 years old!

(1:34) How did Paris get interested in sewing at 4 years old? Well, her mom certainly had something to do with it. And why did she think it was a fun thing to do?

(2:55)What is it about sewing that she loves so much…it’s calming, serious and deep!

(3:44) At seven years old she became “serious” about sewing…and entered her first competition at age 9. She tells us this story and her love for “Project Runway”.

(5:08) During Covid Paris made and distributed 100 masks to the less fortunate in her community. She certainly embodies the spirit of service!

(7:27) This year she will repeat this effort, but this time by making and distributing scarves.

(8:04) What are her favorite things to sew? Squish Mellows come to mind! She tells us all about it here!

(8:14) Paris started a company called Scarves & More. She tells us how this came about. And…she’s quite the businessperson!

(10:20) At one point, Paris lost her whole business and had to rebuild it from nothing. She takes us through what happened and her resilient comeback.

(12:06) The Couture Sewing and Beauty Academy www.thecbsacademy.com is a business Paris runs with her mo. She tells us all about it.

(13:08) In her free time, Paris does many things. But what’s her favorite…studying the Bible with her dad.

(14:08) Paris is a BERNINA Ambassador. How did she get involved and what does she do as an Ambassador?

(15:11) This July 27th she’s hosting a charity event called Sew Pretty supporting Dress A Girl Around the World www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com. She tells us all about the event.

(16:14) What’s important for other kids to know about Paris? For one…she’s led by her faith with the help of her parents

(17:43) What’s important for kids to know about sewing? Well, it’s different things to different people!

(18:29) What’s next for her? Perhaps becoming a doctor! And maybe becoming a nurse first.

(20:02) What’s her dream? In addition to medicine…there’s singing and becoming a worship leader.

((21:33) How can you reach out to Paris? On Instagram @samby.Paris

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

Join us for this amazing episode which takes us into through the life experiences of Amanda Richline their Product Manager & Creative Lead at Unshattered. Amanda shares her deeply personal story of addiction, recovery and building an amazing future for herself, her children and the women she works with at Unshattered. This organization is dedicated to working with women to end the addiction relapse cycle by providing pathways toward economic independence and sustained sobriety.

Show Notes:

Welcome to a very special episode of Sew & So. Our guest is Amanda Richline, Product Manager & Creative Lead at Unshattered an organization in Hudson Valley, NY dedicated to working with women to end the addiction relapse cycle by providing pathways toward economic independence and sustained sobriety.

Born and raised in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Amanda was first introduced to the Unshattered program in 2015. Her journey and the story of Unshattered are hopeful and inspiring. Amanda learned to sew as a result of Unshattered. In her time with them she has become a homeowner, is a certified Peer Recovery Advocate, a Yoga instructor certified as a trauma-informed facilitator and is on the verge of receiving her bachelor’s degree with honors. She is a mom of three amazing kids and recently celebrated 7 years of continuous sobriety.

(1:50) How and why did Amanda learn to sew? She shares her story.

(2:47) What was Amanda like when she was a little girl growing up in the Poconos? And hear how a move in the 5th grade changed her life trajectory. Hear her story here!

(4:17) Amanda has shared her story all over the country. She tells us here about her struggles and recovery. Tales of bullying, medical emergencies that led to pain killer addictions, graduating from high school while pregnant and while 2015 was the worst year of her life. And finally in a moment of sheer desperation…she found the path to recovery!

(10:51) But her story of recovery wasn’t a straight path. She openly shares what happened. And how she turned things around for good. New home, certifications and a college degree.

(14:35) Now a product manager and creative lead at Unshattered, Amanda explains her work responsibilities.

(16:55) What is it about sewing that is so very therapeutic for her? Amanda shares this feeling with us.

(17:55) Amanda is a peer recovery advocate and a yoga instructor with special training. She talks about how she uses these special trainings to come along women as they are coming out of recovery programs.

(20:40) She is also a trauma informed facilitator. What is this and what does she do? She explains!

(21:40) What does she like to create while sewing? Well…it’s custom bags she designs and created for clients!

(23:25) What is Unshattered? Amanda explains their mission and the work they do.

(25:25) How did Unshattered get started? Amanda tells us this story and how Kelly Lyndgaard found her calling to start this organization…

(28:07) Who are the partners who support Unshattered and who believe in them walking their journey with them? Find out here.

(31:30) What’s the process to teach women new to the program how to sew? Well, Amanda is personally developing a documented plan to replace teaching on the fly!

(34:37) What’s next for Amanda in her incredible journey? Owning her own business is in her future as her dream! But there’s more…

(35:58) Is there a question we didn’t ask that she wished that we had asked?

(37:12) How can you reach Amanda? amanda@unshattered.org. Or on Instagram. Let her know you heard her episode on Sew & So

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

We are live and in person today at the American Quilt Society’s Quilt Week in Paducah KY with our very special guest Bonnie Browning – AQS’s Executive Show Director.

Bonnie learned to sew - taught by her mom -at a young age. She made her first quilt top in 1979 in a Welcome Wagon Group in Burlington, IA. She finished her first quilt in college.

Bonnie has won numerous awards with her quilting, including a third place at the 1986 AQS Quilt Show & Contest, Paducah, Kentucky. That quilt, A Little Bit of Candlewicking, is now in the collection of The National Quilt Museum (NQM). In the early 1980s, Bonnie was a member of the DBQs, a group of seven quilting friends in Dubuque, Iowa. The DBQs were the first group to develop a quilting challenge and publish the process in the Spring 1986 issue of American Quilter magazine.

After becoming an NQA certified quilt judge in 1986, Bonnie began teaching and judging for quilt guilds and conferences across the U.S. and every continent except Antarctica. In 1999 Bonnie represented McCall's Quilting on the committee to select the Best 100 Quilts of the Twentieth Century.

Bonnie became a Certified Teacher of Zentangle Art in 2011 and has since combined her love of drawing and quilting into Zentangle quilting designs.

Bonnie served as a technical director for the AQS quilting television show, American Quilter that aired in 2005 on Lifetime Real Women. She has appeared on numerous TV shows and has written 13 books – one of which was a cookbook.

Bonnie was named a Duchess of Paducah in April 1996.

And after 40 years…and a full rich life giving so very much to quilters worldwide…Bonnie plans to retire after this year’s AQS show!

2:42 – How and why did Bonnie learn to sew? She takes us back to her youth!

4:03 – Why did Bonnie begin to quilt? It all began with America’s bicentennial and a few long-term goals and her husband’s transfer with JC Penney.

7:20 – So, what else about Bonnie’s youth is worth noting? She tells us about making ornaments at Christmas.

8:28 – Bonnie’s quilt “A little bit of candle wicking” now hangs in the National Quilt Museum. She walks us through its history and how she felt in the moment she found out she had won.

11:27 Who are the DBQ’s? Bonnie tells us their story! And…their efforts were the genesis for national quilt challenges.

14:00 – What is Zentangle and why is Bonnie an expert in this art? She walks us through this wonderful story.

17:22 Bonnie has judged quilts on 6 of 7 continents…which once specifically stand out for her?

18:22 – In 1999 Bonnie represented McCall’s quilting in choosing the 100 most influential quilts of the 20th century. Her this story from her unique and personal point of view. https://www.amazon.com/Twentieth-Centurys-Best-American-Quilts/dp/B000AMPHWE

21:29 – What’s Quilt Camp for Kids? Bonnie tells us of this very special opportunity for kids through the National Quilt Museum.

24:21 – Bonnie has decided to retire after the 2024 AQS Show. How did it all begin for her in 1994. Bonnie takes us back through time to 1994 to recount those special days.

27:24 – What was it like in the early days?

28:43 – 2011…Easter Sunday…the big flood. What a story of Plan B!

35:55 – What else during her tenure made a deep impression. Well…it was hurricane Katrina and 10,000 quilts. And of course…9/11.

40:36 – Why had Bonnie decided to retire now? She shares her reasons and her plans for the future.

41:45 – What does she want her legacy to be? She shares this with us here.

43:43 – And…what’s her dream? Well, she’s not moving away from Paducah any time soon – although there is a lot of travel in her future!

45:20 – What question didn’t I ask? There is a wonderful story of her trip to Japan…

50:34 – How can you keep in touch with Bonnie? www.bonniebrowning.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

(:44) This show opens with the amazing sounds of the Paducah Tilghman Marching Band who annually opens Quilt Week with their exciting showmanship and award-winning music!

(2:07) Bill Schroeder III President and CEO of AQS opens the awards ceremony and Susan Cleveland www.piecesbewithyou.com announced the Best of Show Winning Quilt. Hear personal experiences direct from those attending the ceremony from Alaska, Wisconsin and Nebraska

(6:16) Catherine Gross District Manager for BERNINA talks about the importance of being at quilt week and how special those in the community are.

7:41) Bonnie Browning walks us through all the changes she’s experiences throughout her career with AQS.

(10:18) Award winners for Best Movable Machine Award Jan Hutchinson and Gail Stephanik share their quilt Dot…Dot…Dot.

(11:27) Becky Glasby Director of Learning and Engagement at the National Quilt Museum www.nationalquiltmuseum.org explain this year’s contest New Quilts from an old favorite. Then, we meet two of the artists whose quilts were featured. Jessica Jernan and Mary Lynn Izzo.

(15:38) Not, walk with us through the three magnificent display currently featured at the National Quilt Museum with Karen K. Stone www.karenkstonequilts.com, Barbara McCraw www.quiltasart.com and Dr. Karen Nyberg www.karennyberg.com .

(23:26)Join us as we catch up with past Sew & So Guests Ricky Tims www.rickytims.com, Amanda Murphy www.amandamurphydesign.com and Alex Anderson www.alexandersonquilts.com.

(30:27) Meet Vickie Coleman, the only certified quilt appraiser in the state of Kentucky and learn what she looks for when she appraises a quilt. (Look for Vickie in her own Sew & So episode later this year)!

(32:41) Meet the founding family of AQS as Meredith Schroeder and her Daughter Lynn Lloyd explain the genesis of AQS and Quilt Week and share some on the most notable moments of the past 40 years. Then Bill Schroeder III the new President and CEO of AQS talks about growing up in the first family of quilting and what we can look forward to in the coming years.

(39:11)Now meet the new Executive Show Director Michelle Renee Hiatt and hear why she chose to step into this role.

(41:27)Finally, outgoing Executive Show Director Bonnie Browning passes the torch to Michelle and shares some words of wisdom,

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

Our guest in this episode is George Kalajian the owner/operator of Tom’s Sons International Pleating which was founded more than 50 years ago by his grandfather.

Born in Lebanon and moving to the US when he was 5 years old. After working with his father for a time, he went off on his own and worked in technology, as a teacher and as a bartender. Coming back to the family business…George has worked with myriad designers, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and on many tv shows, films and Broadway plays. George traces his family’s involvement in the business back 150 years to his great, great grandfather Krikor Tutounjian who owned a fabric factory in Turkey.

(2:00) George takes us through his the rich and touching story of his family and how they got him to where he is today. It all started 150 years ago!

(7:25) George learned from his father…was he interested in learning? Absolutely not! It was the equivalent to “being dipped in boiling oil”! In fact, her left the business entirely for a while.

(9:00) What was George’s life like outside of the family business? He grew up in New York City where he went to school then worked/played at the factory in his free time. What were holidays like in his family? All work…and Clint Eastwood!

(11:12) How did George realize he “got the bug”? After several years away from the business - one day he came back to visit and SAW…really saw his mother and father in the business and understood that he needed to step in to continue the family business. Hear him tell this story.

(14:25) Pleating…the life blood of his business…what is it? George explains here.

(15:54) What are the different types of pleating? He walks us through this and includes how it’s all done.

(18:23) He’s worked with numerous designers…here he talks about some of the special projects he’s done with them and why they are notable. Coach, Calvin Klein, and many more!

(21:27) He has done several restoration projects for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dior. He tells us these wonderful stories. He also talks about how it’s fascinating to him to be able to work with and learn from older garments. Learn how a little bravado got him and his father access to valuable and fragile garments. At the last minute, a dream his father had finally solved the puzzle of how to accomplish what they needed to do.

(26:29) In addition to all he’s done, George has worked on several TV specials. He talks about some of the pieces he’s worked on for these productions. For example, Bertha Russell’s costume The Gilded Age, and The God’s of Egypt.

(25:50) George made his wife’s wedding dress…hear this wonderful story here. Bad luck to see the dress? Not at all!!

(31:25) What’s the most challenging this about what he does? Adhering to the old-world methods of producing garments in a city that’s getting farther away from this manufacturing age.

(32:37) What’s this most important thing George wants sewists to know about his work and pleating?! Learn that right here!

(34:40) What is Project Golden Bear? A special project that has grown into so many ways to serve!

(40:00) The new movie Fallout features George’s work. Based on a video game…he tells us this story.

(41:00) What’s next and what’s his dream?

(42:34) Is there something we didn’t ask?

(43:12)How can you reach out the George…www.internationalpleating.com, Instagram @internationalpleating, email info@internationalpleating.com ATTN: George. www.projectgoldenbear.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

Our guest in this episode is Robyn Cuthbertson. Born in Melbourne Australia and raised in Lower Plenty (about an hour northeast of Melbourne), she learned to sew from her mom. Robyn was always interested in crafting, so sewing was a natural progression for her.

She graduated from Melbourne University with degrees in Engineering and Physics and spent most of her university free time hanging out with the juggling club and perfecting her circus skills on a unicycle. At age 30, while working on her PhD in Engineering, Robyn was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease and was forced to give up her engineering career. Her mom suggested that she try machine quilting and as Robyn puts in…it was “love at first stitch”!

When not creating, Robyn practices snorkeling, underwater photography and her newfound passion for free diving.

(2:09) How did her mom start teaching Robyn to sew? Robyn’s persistence had a lot to do with it.

(3:00) Her grandmother – a tailor – was instrumental as well.

(3:32) What’s the first thing Robyn made…she tells us here.

(4:10)At university, Robyn studied engineering and physics…why these subjects?! For fun and to get a job!

(5:08) Have her scholastic degrees helped her get to where she is now? Why yes…they have!

(7:39) The juggling club and the unicycle…why? Oh…and fire twirling too!

(10:32) Sewing carried Robyn for years – then she was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. Hear her remarkable story of illness and moving forward in both her body and mind. And then…Robyn and her mom decided to start a business doing something neither of them knew anything about and were initially “terrible” at doing.

(13:11) Robyn tells us about mitochondrial disease and what it’s like to live with.

(16:10) Who inspires Robyn? There are four individuals who have made a lasting impression on her and her work. Annamieke Mein https://www.annemiekemein.net.au/, Bethanne Nemesh https://whitearborquilting.com/, Judi Madsen https://www.judimadsen.com/ and Cindy Needham https://www.cindyneedham.com/. And the whole community has inspired her as well!

(20:19) When the pandemic hit and quilt shows were shut down, Robyn turned to textile art. This was a difficult time for her after all of the work she had put into her quilts. Not finding motivation to continue quilting…she found textile art with a 6” square piece.

(22:21) What’s she working on now?

(23:19) Robyn’s spare time is taken up by underwater photography, snorkeling and free diving. She shares with us why these are important and exhilarating for her.

(26:58) Why does Robyn think she’s a goldfish? And, what’s next for her?

(27:55) What’s her dream?

(29:25) What didn’t I ask?

(30:10) How do you reach Robyn? www.robynjdesigns.com.au and on Instagram @robynjdesings

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.