Sew & So...

Our guest today is the incomparable Kenneth D. King, returning to the Sew & So Podcast after first joining us on Episode 72.Kenneth is a New York–based haute couturier renowned for his mastery of evening wear, couture technique, and design education.
Born and raised in Salinas, Kansas, and later moving to Oklahoma, Kenneth’s path to fashion excellence led him to earn a degree in fashion merchandising from Central State University and to study patternmaking in San Francisco under Paris-trained Simmin Sethna. His extraordinary career includes selling to elite boutiques such as Maxfield, Wilkes Bashford, and Ultimo, designing for icons like Geena Davis, Cloris Leachman, Bernie Taupin, and Elton John, and having his work featured on red carpets, music videos, and television commercials.
Kenneth’s creations now reside in the permanent collections of the De Young Museum, LACMA, The Oakland Museum, and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. In addition to designing, he is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of New York, a Contributing Editor for Threads Magazine, an instructor for Craftsy and Burda, and the author of multiple acclaimed books on couture sewing techniques.
In this episode, Kenneth joins us to discuss his newest book, Doll Couture – The Red-Carpet Edition, his inspirations, collaborations, and what continues to drive his creativity today.
 
(3:35) Kenneth reminds us how he learned to so and who influenced him.
(4:40) He tells about his grandmother and her influence on him.
(5:20) He talks about why people are forced to create in a certain style and what can be done to more out of this mold.
(7:53) He talks about his new inspirations and gives us a history lesson on new York’s Ladies’ Mile.
(10:26) Learn about Kenneth’s collaborations
(11:40) What was it like for Kenneth to work with his husband Andrew?
(14:23) What’s new with Kenneth?
(16:07) Learn about Kenneth’s new book Doll Couture – The Red-Carpet Edition.
(18:15) How is this new book different from the first one?
(21:00) Learn about the book’s Easter Eggs
(21:15) What Red Carpet moments inspired his character’s designs?
(22:33) Does working on a small-scale change how he thinks about proportions and other considerations?
(24:05) What items from doll sized couture will help those creating full-sized garments?
(25:20) How long did it take Kenneth to complete his book?
(27:06) There was an untraditional path to publishing Kenneth’s books…he shares this with us.
(31:48) What’s it like when he is finally handed his first copy of a new book?
(33:40) Kenneth recounts the story of his relationship with Elton John and the hats he created for him.
(36:00) What’s next for Kenneth?
(37:34) What’s his dream? And, how can you help?!
(38:10)What question didn’t we ask that he wished we had asked?
(38:33) Reach out to Kenneth at [email protected]

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 today is Trixi Symonds, the founder of Sew a Softie, a global initiative that encourages adults—especially parents, teachers, and community leaders—to teach children how to sew. As Sew a Softie celebrates 10 years in 2026, the movement has grown into an international creative community that has helped tens of thousands of kids discover the joy of making something with their own hands.
Trixi is a former primary school teacher who has spent more than three decades introducing children to sewing through classrooms, workshops, books, and softie patterns designed specifically for young makers. Through Sew a Softie, she created a simple, welcoming way for families and educators to pass on sewing skills while building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving in kids.
Her work has been featured in Simply Sewing Magazine, Country Living, Homespun, Handmade, Casa Creativa, Patchwork & Quilting, and major publications including The Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Chicago Tribune, Parade, and Uppercase Magazine. Trixi has also designed softie characters for the Ugly Dolls Movie and the beloved children’s book series Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas, bringing her playful designs to an even wider audience.
She has taught and led workshops in Kyoto, Amsterdam, Melbourne, and throughout her home city of Sydney, Australia, and she continues to inspire families around the world through Sew a Softie’s annual Global Kids Sewing Party, books, and online community.
Today, Trixi joins us to talk about how Sew a Softie began, what she’s learned from kids over the years, and why teaching children to sew is really about much more than just fabric and thread
(1:56) How did Trixi Learn to Sew?
(3:34) Why did Trixi’s family relocate all the way to Australia
(4:16) Who influenced Trixi’s  sewing?            
(7:05) Sew-A-Softie turns 10 this year. What was the moment that it clicked for her to start this movement? And what’s a Zenki?
(12:48) What inspires Trixi’s Softie designs?
(14:37) Trixi shares a few stories about people in the Sew A Softie program
(16:58) What’s the Global Kids Sewing Party and how did it come to be?
(22:13) How many softies have been created over the years?
(23:10) What surprises her most about Sew & Softie?
(24:05) What have the kids taught her over the years?
(26:23) How does living in Sydney, Australia influence her and her work?
(26:30) Trixi talks about her new book Sew A So Softie Workbook #3.
(26:10) when not sewing or teaching, how does Trixi like to spend her time?
(29:40) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?
(30:12 ) Is there a question we didn’t ask?
(30:35) Want to reach out to Trixi? You can find her at [email protected], Instagram and Facebook

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.

Today on the Sew & So Podcast, we welcome Terrance Williams of Terrance Williams designs in Dallas, TX.
 
Born in Pennsylvania, he attended the University of Delaware and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in global studies and a triple minor in African Studies, Asian Studies and Women’s Studies. Considering law school, Terrance decided to pursue his dream of being a fashion designer. He is a self-taught sewist who learned how to sew in 2010.
He founded and now runs Terrance Williams Designs where he designs and sews ethically sourced and sustainably produced clothing and accessories. Everything is genderless and size inclusive.
 
(1:25) A self-taught sewist, how did Terrance learn his trade and who was his inspiration?
(3:25) What’s the first thing Terrance made and how did it turn out?
(5:00) Considering law school, Terrance decided to follow his dream and sew. What was behind this decision?
(7:40) Terrance explains sustainably produced and ethically sourced means. 
(12:04) He explains how through his sewing career he is truly doing the work he wanted to pursue through practicing law.
(12:46) You learn how you can follow the sustainable path…it’s not a perfect road!
(14:21) Terrance is a Minerva Ambassador. He explains what this means and walks through his process of designing fabric patterns. Learn about hos you can do your own designs on www.spoonflower.com  
(17:09) What served as the inspirations for his fabric designs? Learn about the three different parts of his collection and the colors each features.
(19:32) Terrance contributes 5% of his sales to Stripe Climate. He explains this group, what they do and why it’s important to him.
(21:46) Inclusivity is paramount in Terrance’s designs. He explains what this means and how it manifests itself in his work.
(24:05) When asked about his biggest challenge, Terrance shares his story of a life altering event that almost ended his life. And there was more loss in his family. Hear how he found the passion and drive to heal.
(28:00) So, how’s he doing?
(28:13) How did he find the strength to persevere? Learn the sage advice his sister gave to him.
(31:40) Brittnay Spears and The Dallas Farmers’ Market…each brings him great joy. Learn why.
(35:03) What’s he working on now?
(36:09) What’s his dream?
(37:50) How can you reach out to Terrance? All social media platforms and terrancewilliamsdesigns.com

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.

Today on the Sew & So Podcast, we welcome Ingrid Alteneder, founder and CEO of Joe, June and Mae an online quilt pattern shop who is joining us from Frankfurt Germany.
 
Born and raised in Germany, she has travelled most of the world with her jobs and kids. Starting out in the fashion industry receiving her training through a combination of schooling and working at Peek & Cloppenburg. After learning to sew garments she began to quilt and achieved a great deal of notoriety for her work. 
She is the author of the book Adorable Animal Quilting. In her spare time, she loves to bike, walk, travel and shop. She lives in Germany with her husband and three children.
(1:40) Ingrid tells us the story of how she learned to sew and who inspired her.
(2:15) Who else inspired her?
(2:58) What were some of her favorite sewing projects?
(3:50) Ingrid reuses fabric and repurposes it. How does she use it?
(4:45) She explains her training Peek & Cloppenburg) and how it’s different from training in the United States.
(5:55) How did her schooling in retail, marketing and sales help her with her business?
(6:55) Learn about a few of the patterns she’s designed and what inspired them…she’s always on the lookout for patterns wherever she goes!
(7:55) She started her company Joe, June and Mae when she was in her 50’s…hear this story and how
(9:55) She wants young people to know that it’s never too late to start a company…Ingrid shares her philosophy of this and why it can be harder for women to do.
(11:55) Did she run into ageism as she started her company?
(11:38) Her love/hate relationship with social media is prevalent in her life. She explains why.
(12:40) What changes has she seen in social media since she started working with it? There are a lot!
(13:47) She and her online community interact quite a bit. Learn what this looks like!
(14:25) A prolific traveler, Ingrid shares a few of her favorite adventures…the pyramids in Egypt in 1993 leads this list.
(15:40) Where is that special place she has yet to travel and how do her travels inspire her work?
(16:57) Vancouver Canada is a favorite destination of Ingrid and her family. She still visits there on a regular basis…learn about her love for this special place.
(18:22) To Ingrid community is everything and she attributes her accomplishments to this community. She explains why.
(19:31) There are special stories of those she’s met in this community – she shares a few of them.
(21:18) It’s important to take sewing out of the craft closet and into the mainstream of business. She walks us through her reasoning
(23:40) What would it look like in the future if the image of sewing were to evolve as Ingrid hopes?
(25:06) What’s Ingrid working on now? Well…where should she start?! Be sure to check out the We All Sew Blog!
(26:35)Learn about her book Adorable Animal Quilting
(27:55) What’s next for Ingrid and what’s her dream?
(29:15) Is there any question we didn’t ask that she wishes we had?
(29:40) How can you contact Ingrid? [email protected].

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.

Today on the Sew & So Podcast, we welcome Meg McElwee and Patrick McElwee—partners in life, work, and creativity. Together they are the co-founders of Sew Liberated, a sewing education company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Their journey has taken them from the University of Notre Dame to the canyons of northern Mexico, where a combination of Montessori teaching, creativity, and a suitcase full of fabric unexpectedly sparked the beginnings of their business.
Meg and Patrick open up about their mission to help people reconnect with meaningful, mindful making; why sewing can be a powerful rebellion against fast fashion; and how their courses—from Learn to Sew Your Clothes to The Mindful Wardrobe—empower people to reclaim their confidence, creativity, and personal style. They also share the deeply personal story behind Meg’s popular essay A Philosophy of Sewing, written in the wake of their son Lachlan’s early health challenges, and how that experience reshaped their lives and work.
You’ll also learn about their creative household, their love of family music-making, Patrick’s role behind the lens, and their growing catalog of thoughtful, beautifully designed patterns—including their newest hand-sewing-friendly release. This episode is a warm celebration of craft, resilience, and the beauty of making things by hand.
(1:26) when did Meg begin to sew and who was her inspiration?
(3:45) Meg’s grandmother was a big influence on her and her work. She tells us of her ancestors.
(6:25) Meg and Patrick lived in Northern Mexico for several years. They talk about this time in their lives.
(7:10) Meg and Patrick now share the story of their company and why they named is Sew Liberated. They also talk of the early years of their marriage…and the suitcase of fabric that started it all!
(12:35) What is their mission and how does it drive their business purpose?
(16:34) Why do they call sewing a rebellion against fast fashion?
 
(19:20) They have several courses designed to help people learn to sew. Thay take us through the series and how it was designed to help anyone who wants to learn to sew.
(27:32) Meg shares her story “A Philosophy of Sewing” A Philosophy of Sewing about their son Lachland’s health issues. You can find it on their website…hear Meg talk through it here…and tells how this shifted their world.
(35:00) Hear Meg’s personal manifesto
(36:00) Patrick talks about how he felt during all of this time.
(38:45) Does Meg still lean into this manifesto in her daily life?
(41:33) Meg is obsessed with sparkling water…What’s this all about?!
(42:22) Their whole family loves to make music together. Meg and Patrick talk about the joy they find in this and how it happens…in their very loud house.
(44:43) What are they working on now?
(47:55) What’s their dream? Is it the same or different for each of them?
(50:30) Is there a question I didn’t ask?
(51:36) How can you contact Meg and Patrick? www.Sewliberated.com, Instagram and Facebook, and [email protected]

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.