Today's podcast guest is Kim Eichler-Messmer. Living in Kansas City, Kim is a teacher, author of Modern Color: An Illustrated Guide to Dyeing Fabric for Modern Quilts, fabric designer for Marcus Fabrics, owner of the Kansas City Textile Studio, textile artist and wife. Growing up in a creative household, Kim learned to sew from her father. She received her bachelor's degree in print making and master's degree in fine art/textiles. She has been an artist in residence at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and currently teaches at the Kansas City Art Institute. 

During our conversation, we talk about the common concerns people have in their first fabric dying class, designing her first fabric line, the sustainability of making, when she decides to say no and how she gets out of a creative funk. I hope you enjoy the episode.

For more information about this episode (including show notes), please check out my website craftyplanner.com.

Today's guest is Ellen Baker of the Long Thread. Living in Atlanta, Georgia, Ellen is a fabric designer for Kokka Fabrics, maker, author of 1,2, 3 Sew and 1, 2, 3 Quilt, as well as being a wife and mother. During our discussion, we talk about changes in the quilting and making community over the last decade, how she integrates imperfection in her design process, crafting as a feminist act and how she shares her passion in her work. I hope you enjoy the episode.

For more information about this episode (including show notes), please check out my website craftyplanner.com. 

Continuing October's mini series on the value of slow making, today's podcast guest is Katrina Rodabaugh. Living in New York, Katrina Rodabaugh is a writer, mender, natural dyer, teacher, wife, and mother.

During our conversation, we talk about her five year Make Thrift Mend challenge and how one decision about sustainability can lead to a cascade of mindset changes. Being parents of younger children, we touch on how slow making decisions influence the decision making process we try to instill in our children. As makers, we delve into the tender subjects of balancing inspiration with making something your own. We also talk about her Slow Fashion citizen series for Fringe Association and her move from California to New York. I hope you enjoy the episode

The third interview in my surface design podcast series is Ashley Nickels. Living in San Francisco, Ashley is a quilter, writer and teacher.  She grew up in the quilting community and is the daughter of Sue Nickels, an award winning long arm quilter/author/teacher. During our conversation, we talk about being the daughter of a quilter, the value of personal challenges, how living in Spain changed her perspective, her passion for teaching, and her life's theme song.

When I decided to produce a surface design podcast series, Jane Dunnewold was a natural choice. Spanning a thirty year career, Jane has worked in various surface design medias, written several books including Complex Cloth, Art Cloth and Creative Strength Training, is the Past President of the Surface Design Association, and founded the Surface Design Studio at the Southwest School of Craft. Living in San Antonio, Texas, she has her own teaching studio as well as works with her daughter on her Creative Strength Training courses. During our conversation, we talk about how personal challenges shape your work, the connection between psychology and creativity, how our work can be a reflection of our voice, and more. I hope you enjoy this episode.

The first in my three part series on surface design is Karen Lewis. Living in Leeds, England, Karen Lewis is a quilter, screen printer, teacher, fabric designer for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, wife and mother. During our conversation, we talk about how she designs her screen prints, the biggest unfounded fear about screen printing, the importance of handmade products and following her passion led to her fabric lines. I hope you enjoy the episode.