Textile Talk

About Textile Talk

This podcast is for craft and textile enthusiasts all around the world. We're constantly adding great interviews with textile artists, tutors and retailers plus a little advice on our own distance study courses in craft and much more. The School of Stitched Textiles is the largest UK provider of City & Guilds Accredited Textile based distance learning courses. You can find out site at https://www.sofst.org/. We also host the Stitch Directory, which showcases independent craft retailers and suppliers from around the world https://www.sofst.org/stitch-directory/.

Publisher

Gail Cowley

Category

arts · education · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Mar 2022

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

49 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Artist Interview - Diana Springall MBE

   Diana Springall, who has just been awarded an MBE for services to arts and crafts, is one of Britain's most respected textile artists, teachers and champions of embroidery and I am delighted to have been invited to her home to look around her amazing collection of embroidered pieces and record this podcast episode with her. She has dedicated her life not only to creating extraordinary embroidery, but also to ensuring that the rich history of British stitch is preserved for generations to come. Diana is also a collector of the work of other embroidery and textile artists. Over many decades she has assembled what is widely regarded as one of the world's finest collections of British embroidery and stitch-based textile art, a collection that began simply because she wanted inspiring examples to show her own students. Now, that remarkable collection is destined to find a permanent home at the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, which has ambitious plans to become a national centre for embroidery, with exhibition spaces, workshops and study facilities dedicated to celebrating this wonderful craft. Planning permission has been secured, but fundraising continues to make that vision a reality. When I visited Diana at her beautiful home in Kent, I found someone who was incredibly welcoming and generous with her knowledge and time and whose passion for embroidery, education and community remains every bit as inspiring today as it has throughout her remarkable career. If you've enjoyed hearing Diana's story and would like to learn more about the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery and its plans to create a permanent home for her internationally significant collection, you'll find details below. It's a project that deserves the support of everyone who cares about the future of embroidery. If you'd like to make a much needed and appreciated donation to the building fund via, then you can contact the management team directly via email at info@sunburygallery.org (mailto:info@sunburygallery.org) or by calling 01932 788101. They can provide the charity’s direct bank details for a secure BACS/bank transfer donation. Alternatively, we can also supply bank details to you directly - please drop us a line at info@sofst.org (mailto:info@sofst.org). You can view The Diana Springall MBE collection at https://dianaspringallcollection.co.uk/ (https://dianaspringallcollection.co.uk/) School of Stitched Textiles www.sofst.org (www.sofst.org)

2. 

   19 Aug 2026

   Artist Interview - Mary Ann Gebhardt

   Whether you're new to mindfulness or have an established practice, you'll find plenty to reflect on as we explore the fascinating relationship between textile arts, creativity, well-being and mindful living. Mary Ann shares how knitting, textile making, yoga and mindfulness have become deeply interconnected in her own creative life. Together, we discuss how the simple act of making can help us slow down, become more present, and create moments of calm in an increasingly busy world. We also explore the role that creativity can play in supporting our mental and emotional well-being, and why so many of us are drawn to the quiet, rhythmic nature of stitching, knitting and other textile crafts. Whether you embroider, quilt, knit, crochet, weave, spin, or simply enjoy working with textiles, I think you'll find plenty of inspiration in Mary Ann's thoughtful approach to creative practice. So, make yourself comfortable, perhaps pick up your latest project, and enjoy my conversation with Mary Ann Gebhardt. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mary_ann_gebhardt/ (https://www.instagram.com/mary_ann_gebhardt/) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maryann.lynchgebhardt/ (https://www.facebook.com/maryann.lynchgebhardt/) Mary Ann is the author of Knitting Meditation: The 40-Day Journal (https://amzn.to/4eWbznn), a reflective guide inviting makers to explore the meditative and restorative qualities of their craft. School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ (https://www.sofst.org/)

3. 

   22 Jul 2026

   Artist Interview - Jan Beaney

   Jan trained as a painter and since the 1960’s has been a practicing textile artist. As an Honorary Member of the 62 group of Textile artist, a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, she has exhibited and sold work in the UK and overseas. All forms of landscape are a constant challenge and inspiration for her work. Jan has taught drawing and textiles in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel and Europe. She was joint Chief Examiner for the City and Guilds Institute for Embroidery. She has written many books, including those written with her friend and colleague Jean Littlejohn. They founded Double Trouble Enterprises in 1997 to promote drawing and all aspects of textiles. Jan will be exhibiting work in the Exhibition, ‘Stitch Unbound 2026’ at the Willow Gallery, CIC, 56 Willow Street, Oswestry SY11 1AD, 4th July – 29th August and hopefully with the SDC in London in November. Website www.doubletroubleenterprises.com (http://www.doubletroubleenterprises.com) Instagram https://www.instagram.com/doubletroublejanjeanofficial/ (https://www.instagram.com/doubletroublejanjeanofficial/) School of Stitched Textiles https://www.sofst.org/ (https://www.sofst.org/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

306,981

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

3.8 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

34

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

81

Contact Textile Talk

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Haptic & Hue

• 

  The Long Thread Podcast

• 

  The Quilter on Fire Podcast

• 

  Check Your Thread

• 

  The Straight Stitch: A Podcast About Sewing and Other Fiber Arts.

• 

  Threads Magazine Podcast: "Sewing With Threads"