Episode #155: Social Justice Sewing Academy

10/21/19 • 54 min

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting and activism with my guests Sara Trail and Juan Tapia.

We recorded this episode in person at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts where there is an exhibit up through December 1, 2019 of the Social Justice Sewing Academy Quilts called Piecing Together Youth Voices in a 21st Century Sewing Circle.

Sara Trail is the founder and executive director of the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Sara learned to sew when she was a toddler and had a sewing career as a teenager when she wrote Sew with Sara, a book that teaches teens and tweens how to sew clothes and accessories. She also starred in nationally published DVDs called Cool Stuff to Sew with Sara, designed two fabric collections with Fabri-Quilt and a pattern collection with Simplicity. While attending UC Berkeley, Sara created a quilt in memory of Trayvon Martin and her love for sewing and passion for social justice intertwined. After graduating from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, she founded the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) to be a platform where youth create art that engages and educates communities.

Juan Tapia is one of the students who has been a participant in the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Juan just graduated from high school and is now working for a non-profit called Courage, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, that works with formerly incarcerated. He’s a digital design associate and is hoping to become head of the communications department at the organization

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Bringing you the finest in art and craft instruction books to improve your skills or ignite a new passion.

See Search Press books in your local fiber arts and craft store or view our whole catalog at Search Press North America [www.searchpressusa.com]. Visit Search Press at New York Sheep & Wool Festival, Quilt Market, Embroiderers’ Guild of America, TNNA and many more craft industry events. Use code nap0819 to receive 15% off your book purchase on our website Search Press North America.

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To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about quilting and activism with my guests Sara Trail and Juan Tapia.

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This episode is sponsored by Search Press. Bringing you the finest in art and craft instruction books to improve your skills or ignite a new passion.

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Previous Episode

Episode #154: Teresa Duryea Wong

On today's show, we’re talking about the history of Quilts, Inc. with my guest Teresa Duryea Wong. Teresa has authored two books on Japanese quilts and textiles and in early 2019, she published American Cotton: Farm to Quilt.

She currently travels to Japan and throughout the US to research, write, and lecture. She holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from Rice University and in 2014, was named the ‘Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Scholar’ by the Texas Quilt Museum and the Bybee Foundation.

Teresa is a regular contributor to Curated Quilts magazine and also writes for Art Quilt Quarterly. She is a passionate quilter and also loves making bags and garments.

Next month, she will debut another new book at the International Quilt Festival titled Magic & Memories: 45 Years of International Quilt Festival. This book shares the story of the history Quilt Festival and two women who founded the event.

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This episode is sponsored by Why We Quilt: Contemporary Makers Speak Out, a new book by Thomas Knauer.

In a world of same-day delivery, cutting fabric into small pieces and stitching them back together makes little practical sense. Yet the quilting community thrives.

In Why We Quilt, Thomas Knauer highlights 40 contemporary makers who share not only their stunning quilts, but also powerful insights into what compels them to keep quilting.

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Next Episode

Episode #156: Melanie Falick

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about discovering the life you’re meant to live as a maker with my guest Melanie Falick.

Melanie Falick is an independent writer, editor, and creative director—and a lifelong maker. She is the author, mostly recently, of Making a Life: Working by Hand and Discovering the Life You Are Meant to Live, as well as several other titles, including the seminal Knitting in America and bestsellers Kids Knitting and Weekend Knitting. She is the former publishing director of STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books, an imprint of Abrams, where she spearheaded books by many of the DIY world’s most esteemed authors, including Natalie Chanin, Lena Corwin, Kaffe Fassett, Lotta Jansdotter, Clara Parkes, Heather Ross, and Denyse Schmidt. She is also the creative director and editor of Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guides. Find her on Instagram @melaniefalick and at melaniefalick.com.

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Hello Bargello is dedicated to bringing back the vintage needlecraft of bargello! Working from vintage patterns, we modernize classic bargello techniques for today’s makers, with fresh color palettes and fun projects from fashion accessories to home decor. Visit hellobargello.com for free how-to videos, kits, digital patterns, and everything you need to discover your new favorite needlecraft! Use code ALLIANCE for 15% off orders just for Craft Industry Alliance podcast listeners!

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