Stitch Please

This week on "Sitch Please", we’re bringing back a fan-favorite: our 2023 Holiday Swatches episode! Think of it as a patchwork of festive inspiration. Swatches aren’t just scraps—they’re mini fabric dreams that help you plan, prep, and save on sewing mishaps. Plus, they double as a creative archive! In this holiday special, we’re stitching together stories from our amazing community. Big thanks to Ashley Chapman, Kya Lee, Ellie L., Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, and Zahiyya Abdul-Karim for sharing their swatch magic. Let’s make this a new tradition—grab your fabric and join the fun!

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Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

This week on “Stitch Please,” Lisa chats with Heather Grocock, a visual effects artist(The Flash, Supergirl, The Orville, La Brea) with a love for hand sewing. Heather shares how she left Detroit for the bright lights of LA to work in Lighting and VFX, navigating industry challenges as a woman of color along the way. They dive into Heather’s creative journey, from her quirky business, Auntie Bunny, to her passion for quilting, embroidery, and learning from seasoned sewists at the Coachella Valley Quilt Guild. It’s a fun mix of Hollywood hustle and handmade happiness you won’t want to miss!

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Where You Can Find Heather!

This week on "Stitch Please", In part two of our conversation with Shams El-din Rogers Lisa and Shams go wild about the world of sewing machines—are pricier models worth it, or can thrifty treasures do the trick? Together, they dive into sustainable sewing, the allure of vintage machines, and Shams’ knack for giving old gear new life. From tackling the "replace-it" culture to the ethics of consumer choices, the duo stitches together a thoughtful conversation about the impact of what we buy (or don’t). They also sprinkle in tips on mending, repairing, and why sewing can be the ultimate act of rebellion. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a fresh take on creative consumerism!

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Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.

This week on "Stitch Please", Lisa hangs out with the fabulous Laverne Benton—better known as Busy Peach—for a fun and lively chat about her fiber arts journey. From learning crochet as a kid to rediscovering her love for it as an adult, Laverne spills all the yarn (pun intended) about her creative adventures. They dive into the magic of fiber, the power of perseverance, and the beauty of embracing those "oops" moments in crafting. Laverne also shares the scoop on her Saturday Shenanigans show, where she brings together fiber artists for a mix of learning, laughter, and good vibes. True to the spirit of shenanigans, she shows how imperfections are just part of the creative fun. Lisa and Laverne remind us all: crafting is about enjoying the process, mistakes and all. So grab your hooks, needles, or whatever you love, and tune in for a stitchin’ good time!

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Where you can find Laverne!