Stitch Please

SEWN Magazine with Michelle Morris

What happens when a sewing machine, a dozen magazines, and a whole lot of “wait, where’s the Black representation?” turn into a publishing dream? On Stitch Please, Lisa talks with Michelle Morris, founder of Sewn Magazine, about sewing, creativity, representation, and building the magazine she couldn’t find. Plus, a denim ceiling proves that when Michelle gets an idea, even the ceiling isn’t safe. Where You Can Michelle! ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Virginia's Daughter Sews

On this episode of Stitch Please, talks with Teari Buari, aka Virginia’s Daughter Sews, about sewing, legacy, family, and finally letting go of a thousand yards of fabric. From lessons passed down by her meticulous mother to documenting a decade of creative adventures on YouTube, Teari shares why sometimes getting your stitch together means making room for what’s next. YouTube CuratedFabrics Instagram Facebook ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

The Art of Fiber: Exploring Kandy Lopez’s Creative Journey

Kandy G. Lopez turns yarn into stunning, larger than life portraits and proves that sometimes the best art starts with a random piece of string. This week on Stitch Please, Lisa talks with Kandy about fiber art, color, creativity, slowing down, and challenging the rules of “fine art.” Plus, Miami gets its flowers, bad lighting gets dragged, and Kandy offers one simple creative tip: go wander a craft store and see what happens. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== Where You Can Find Kand! ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

From Theater to the NFL: Ebony Short's Journey in Fashion Design

What do Broadway, Disney on Ice, and the Baltimore Ravens have in common? Ebony Short. On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa sits down with the Ravens' Director of Uniform Services to talk about turning a childhood love of sewing into a career that went from prom dresses to Broadway costumes and now, game day uniforms. Along the way, Ebony shares why curiosity is her greatest superpower and how every stitch prepared her for the NFL. It's an inspiring reminder that your dream job might be one unexpected opportunity away. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== Where You Can Find Ebony! ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Sewing Classes Explained: How to Chose the Right Class for Your Learning Style

Not all sewing classes are created equal and neither are sewists! On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa breaks down six ways to learn, from group classes and private lessons to online courses, retreats, and community sewing. Because sometimes you need instruction, sometimes you need community, and sometimes you just need someone to stop talking and help you fix that zipper. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

PART TWO: From Powerlifting to Crochet Hook: Black Fiber Artistry Unravelled Studios

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa heads back to Belgium to chat with fiber artist and content creator Deborah Butera of Unraveled Studios. What started as a series of failed attempts at knitting and sewing as a kid eventually turned into a full blown love affair with fiber arts and thankfully, Deborah finally stopped running from the yarn. Deborah and Lisa discuss creativity, finding your path after a disastrous first year studying politics, and building a life centered around making beautiful things. Packed with inspiration, laughs, and crafty wisdom, this episode is a reminder that your creative journey doesn't have to be perfect it just has to stick. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== Where You Can Find More Deborah! ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

PART ONE: From Powerlifting to Crochet Hook: Black Fiber Artistry Unravelled Studios

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa heads to Belgium to chat with fiber artist and content creator Deborah Butera of Unraveled Studios. What started as a series of failed attempts at knitting and sewing as a kid eventually turned into a full blown love affair with fiber arts and thankfully, Deborah finally stopped running from the yarn. Deborah and Lisa discuss creativity, finding your path after a disastrous first year studying politics, and building a life centered around making beautiful things. Packed with inspiration, laughs, and crafty wisdom, this episode is a reminder that your creative journey doesn't have to be perfect it just has to stick. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== Where You Can Find More Deborah! ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Warp, Weft, WTF?!?! Textile Terminology

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa takes on the sewing terms that can make a beginners’ eyes glaze over. But don’t worry this isn’t a vocabulary quiz. Lisa breaks down what these mysterious fabric words actually mean, why they matter, and how ignoring them can leave you with twisted pants, wonky hems, and a project that no amount of ironing can save. With plenty of humor, fabric nerd facts, and a warning about the dangers of playing “Pattern Jenga” with your yardage, this episode will help you get your Stitch Together! ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Take Notes, Boo: Insights from Garland Hayes-Soto

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa sits down with couture designer and sewing educator Garland Hayes-Soto a man who went from singing in church plays and serving prom looks to sewing custom wedding gowns and teaching the next generation how to stitch with confidence. Garland shares how one hand sewn prom vest changed his whole career path, what it was like learning fashion in Hollywood while working at Universal Studios, and why sewing students need to stop showing up to class empty handed and TAKE NOTES, BOO. From quick change costume chaos to couture gowns that almost didn’t happen, this episode is funny, inspiring, and full of real talk about creativity, confidence, and finding your lane in a space that wasn’t always welcoming. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ===== Where You Can Find Garland! ===== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Is “Intermediate” the Hardest Stage in Sewing?

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa tackles the sewing struggle nobody talks about enough: being stuck in the “intermediate” stage. You’re past beginner mistakes, but not quite sewing couture gowns in your sleep either. From confusing pattern labels to Reddit fueled sewing anxiety, Lisa breaks down why intermediate is less of a skill level and more of a messy, creative in between space. The takeaway? Keep practicing, trust your progress, and maybe… read the pattern instructions before complaining. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ======== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Stay Stitching and Other Steps You Want to Skip

This week on Stitch Please, Lisa calls out every sewer who’s ever said, “Eh… I’ll skip that step.” Yes, she’s talking about under stitching, stay stitching, basting and even hand stitching (deep sigh). With humor, honesty, and a little self dragging, Lisa breaks down why those “annoying extra steps” are actually the reason some garments look fine… and others look flawless. From facings that refuse to behave to necklines that stretch into chaos, she explains exactly what goes wrong when you rush and how doing it right the first time saves you from rage sewing later. Those invisible stitches are doing very visible work. Skip them if you want… just don’t be surprised when your outfit starts acting up. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ======== Sign Up For Lisa's Class at The Fiber and Fabric Craft Festival In Chicago ======== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store Mentioned in this episode: 2026_FFCFestival Promo Midroll 2026_FFCFestival Promo Preroll

Explore Your Sewing Machine Stitches: Hidden Features You Already Own

On this episode of Stitch Please, Lisa comes with a loving reality check: your sewing machine has BEEN doing the most… you just haven’t been using it. From budget machines to fancy ones with more stitches than you’ll ever admit to using, Lisa dives into the hidden features sitting right under your presser foot. She breaks down everything from the underrated zigzag (aka the Beyoncé of stitches) to decorative stitches that can level up your projects without spending a dime. Along the way, she shares practical tips, a little sewing history, and just enough playful side eye to call us out for ignoring half our machine’s potential. Because your next sewing glow up is literally built in. ===== Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ======== Sign Up For Lisa's Class at The Fiber and Fabric Craft Festival In Chicago ======== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store Mentioned in this episode: 2026_FFCFestival Promo Preroll 2026_FFCFestival Promo Midroll

Mark Your Makes: How To Know When You Made What

This week on Stitch Please, is on a mission: stop losing track of your own genius. Ever pulled something out of your closet and thought, “I made this… but when???” Lisa gets it and she’s here to fix it. From custom labels and tagless tricks to sewing journals and photo archives, she breaks down fun, creative ways to mark your makes so future you isn’t spiraling through pattern drawers at midnight. Because your handmade pieces aren’t just clothes—they’re memories, milestones, and receipts. So go ahead: sign your work, claim your craft, and give your wardrobe the credit it deserves. Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ======== Sign Up For Lisa's Class at The Fiber and Fabric Craft Festival In Chicago ======== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store Mentioned in this episode: 2026_FFCFestival Promo Preroll 2026_FFCFestival Promo Midroll

Ghana Fabric Shopping

This week on Stitch Please, Lisa Woolfork hits the fabric jackpot at Ghana’s bustling Makola Market and trust, it’s not for the faint of heart. From navigating rows of vibrant prints to learning the cultural meaning behind each fabric, Lisa gives a colorful play by play of the ultimate fabric shopping adventure. She shares why you definitely need a guide, how not to get overwhelmed (or overcharged), and what to pack so your suitcase survives the trip home stuffed with treasures. Because in this episode, it’s not just shopping it’s a full on fabric safari. Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ==== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Sew Your Travel Clothes

This week on Stitch Please, Lisa shares how she stitched up the perfect travel wardrobe for her trip to Ghana. From breathable fabrics to comfy dresses and practical pants, she breaks down how to balance style, culture, and comfort all while rocking handmade looks. Because nothing travels better than an outfit you made yourself. Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ==== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

The Red Hat: Anti-Fascism & Anti-Blackness in Creative Spaces

In this episode of Stitch Please, host Lisa Wolfork tackles a critical conversation about anti-fascism, anti-racism, and anti-blackness within progressive craft communities. Prompted by her experience in an anti-fascist knitting subreddit, Lisa addresses the Norwegian Red Hat of Resistance (Melt the Ice pattern), the problematic response to a Black woman's critique, and why anti-fascism without anti-racism is like "a dog chasing its tail." This episode is essential listening for understanding why Black women's critique is not dismissal but observation based on extensive lived experience in predominantly white creative spaces, and why it is so important for us to have our own spaces. Hosted By: Dr. Lisa Woolfork Senior Producer: Krystal Hill Producer: Mike Bryant ======== Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ======== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

• Transcript
• Chapters

Happy Again with Mr. Larrie

This week on Stitch Please, Lisa sits down with creative powerhouse and master maker Mr. Larrie an innovator, educator, and all around joy generator in the crafting world. From crafty kid beginnings to becoming a standout voice in the arts, Mr. Larrie shares how glue, glitter, and self discovery can absolutely change your life (and possibly your furniture). They get real about representation, personal growth, and the not so glam side of the crafting industry, plus how to build brand relationships without selling your creative soul. Mr. Larrie also dishes on his podcast Happy Again, where joy and self expression are always in season. It’s inspiration, laughs, and creative truth bombs proof that being fully yourself is the ultimate handmade flex. ==== Where You Can Find Mr Larrie! ==== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Outie or Innie: How Do You Notch?

This week on The Stitch Please Podcast, Lisa tackles one of sewing’s most surprisingly controversial topics: notches. That’s right those tiny cuts in your pattern that somehow inspire big feelings. Lisa breaks down the three main camps: outward notches (aka outies), inward notches (ennies), and the bold rebels who say “no notches, no rules.” With help from the sewing community and plenty of real talk wisdom, Lisa explores the pros, cons, and emotional baggage of each method plus how she landed on what works best for her own projects. Whether you’re team snip, team clip, or team absolutely not, this episode proves that good sewing is less about following rules and more about finding what makes your process smoother and your seams happier. ==== ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Sankofa 2026 - Look Back, Move Forward

In this Stitch Please Sankofa episode, host Lisa from Black Women’s Stitch opens 2026 with a reflective 2025 year in review, grounded in the West African principle of Sankofa: learning from the past to build a better future. This episode offers listeners a vivid and personal exploration of the history of Black quilting and sewing, creative traditions, and the lived experiences that shaped the Stitch Please podcast throughout the year. From a six-month appointment at Wellesley College’s Humanities Center to hands on engagement with the Black craft and fiber arts community in Boston, Lisa takes us through a year of learning, stitching, collaborating, and teaching. She deepens ties to Black women quilters in Boston, craft industry professionals, quilt guilds, and local libraries while examining the shifting landscape of independent craft businesses and maker culture. This Sankofa reflection also covers Lisa’s entry into narrative podcasting about Black history, including a storytelling episode on Miss Fine Brown Frame and the award-winning narrative short “Very Fine People”, recognized by Audio Flux. Her travels to Cape Town and Ghana highlight the connection between African diaspora textile traditions, sewing history, and the enduring cultural legacy of handmade work. Finally, Lisa revisits a year marked by creative celebration and industry acknowledgment. Serving as a Golden Scissors judge at H+H Americas, earning an AMBIE nomination, and winning three Black Podcasting Awards all of which further solidified her voice as an award-winning Black podcaster, scholar, and cultural memory keeper. Through the lenses of community, knowledge, storytelling, and recognition, Lisa invites listeners to choose what personal wisdom to carry into 2026 and to embrace the power of Black women in creative leadership, dreaming boldly even in turbulent times. ======= Dr. 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. Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Twitter: Lisa Woolfork ====== Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast -- Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store

Stitching Together Holiday Traditions - Celebrating Garifuna Culture Through Sewing with Martha McIntosh

In this episode of Stitch Please, guest Martha McIntosh discusses the intersection of sewing and holiday traditions, particularly focusing on the Garifuna culture. Martha is a proud Garifuna-American from the Bronx, NY, with strong roots in Livingston, Guatemala. She is a sewing enthusiast learning to sew for her curvy, plus-size body and others as well. Revisit this episode from 2022 as she shares personal stories about making holiday gifts, what this time of the looks like in the Garifuna culture, and the importance of passing down traditions to future generations. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon. Lisa Woolfork 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 convener and 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 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. #Charlottesville. 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. Martha McIntosh Martha is a proud Garifuna-American from the Bronx, NY, with strong roots in Livingston, Guatemala. She is a sewing enthusiast learning to sew for her curvy, plus-size body and others as well. Stay Connected: Lisa Woolfork Instagram: Lisa Woolfork Martha McIntosh Website: https://marthamcintosh.com Instagram: Martha McIntosh Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletter Check out our merch here Leave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode. Join the Black Women Stitch Patreon Check out our Amazon Store Stay Connected: YouTube: Black Women Stitch Instagram: Black Women Stitch Facebook: Stitch Please Podcast