The AudaSEWtea

Interview With our Fairy PodMother Lisa Woolfork

You'd have to be living under a rock to never have heard the voice of Lisa Woolfork, the woman behind Black Women Stitch and the Stitch Please Podcast.  It was important to both Julian and Aaronica to make sure that they kicked off their interviews with someone who has had both of them as guests on her podcast, their very own fairy podmother who has done nothing but support and encourage them on this podcasting journey.  Lisa takes Julian and Aaronica on a journey that deep dives into creativity, resilience, advocacy and of course, audacity.  You can find Lisa online in the following places: Website: https://blackwomenstitch.org/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomenstitch/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackwomenstitch  Podcast: https://blackwomenstitch.org/topic/podcast  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/blackwomenstitch 

New Year, New Makes

Julian and Aaronica kicked off the episode goal setting, where they discussed a gift-giving AITA where a friend received handmade items as a Secret Santa gift, despite the agreed budget being $250 for branded items. They also talked about the significance of personalizing handmade gifts and creating gifts with love and thoughtfulness, tailored to the recipient's preferences. They then discussed their upcoming creative projects, expressing enthusiasm for avant-garde pattern designs, crafting a Birkin-style bag, and experimenting with paper piecing for quilts. Aaronica and Julian also discussed their plans for the upcoming year, highlighting their commitments to teaching, digital content creation, and community engagement. They expressed their passion for empowering others and making a positive impact through their creative endeavors. They also talked about their podcast, "The Audacity," and expressed gratitude for the support received during their break. Finally, they discussed their sewing projects, patterns, and testing, emphasizing the importance of commitment and time management in their creative endeavors.

Merry Everything and a Happy New Year!

The podcast began with Aaronica and Julian discussing their holiday projects, including Aaronica's use of sublimation prints and vinyls to create unique designs, and Julian's suggestion to embroider a BERNINA post. They also chatted about a Reddit post about buying a Cricut instead of a sewing machine for a girlfriend and wondered why the poster might be considered an asshole. The conversation highlighted their shared love of crafting and the importance of having the right tools for the job. They ended by introducing themselves and their podcast, The AudaSEWtea Podcast. The podcast then moved on to a discussion of personal growth and parenting styles. Aaronica talked about how she has had to have hard conversations with her children about taking advantage of her easygoing nature and how she has grown as a parent over time. Julian reflected on his personal growth and how he has learned to value himself more and not compare himself to others. Both emphasized the importance of setting expectations and holding oneself accountable. Julian and Aaronica shared their experiences with social media and how it can impact mental health. They stressed the need to focus on personal goals and not meet others' expectations. This will be the final episode of the year so they will see you next year!

It’s The Holiday Season *Duh-Dun-Duh-Dun*

Today's conversation also touched on the importance of community support during the holiday season, with Julian and Aaronica encouraging listeners to participate in Black Soul Network's 12 Days of Blackness initiative. They discussed their plans for celebrating the New Year and reflected on the challenges and lessons of the previous year. They also shared their excitement for upcoming projects, including collaborations with BERNINA and discussed ways to make their sewing projects more unique and reflective of their styles. Throughout the meeting, Aaronica and Julian emphasized the importance of self-care, setting personal goals, and supporting Black-owned businesses. They also discussed the challenges of work exhaustion and the need for an attitude adjustment to achieve personal and professional goals. The conversation was supportive and encouraging, with Aaronica and Julian offering advice and sharing their experiences to help each other and their listeners. Link to the 12 Days of Blackmas: https://12daysofblackmas.blacksewingnetwork.com Link for Vlogmas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLGsFRQ5W6eknIZKdD4xCJepNFc9wy5FR 

Sewists Who Save... Money!

Julian Collins introduced a story about a woman who needs an industrial sewing machine for her work. Her father offers to buy it for her, but with conditions that she lose weight and accept a flat-packed delivery. The group discussed the situation, with Aaronica Cole expressing her dislike of conditional offers and Julian Collins suggesting the woman look for a vintage machine instead. They also touched on the woman's relationship with her father and the importance of setting boundaries. Aaronica and Julian engaged in a discussion about parenting and health decisions. They expressed their disagreement with parents making health decisions for their adult children and using weight loss as a motivator. Aaronica shared a personal story about her father's health to illustrate that weight is not always a direct correlation to health. They also discussed the importance of expertise in certain areas, such as sewing machines, to avoid wasted money. Overall, they emphasized the importance of autonomy and informed decision-making when it comes to health. In the following sections, Julian and Aaronica shared their passion for buying secondhand sewing machines and projectors, provided valuable tips for finding good deals, and discussed the world of sewing and upcycling fabrics. They also provided a comprehensive guide to fabric sourcing and sustainable sewing practices, emphasizing the importance of using deadstock and upcycling fabric, as well as the importance of using scraps for various projects. Additionally, they discussed the concept of affordable luxury and the importance of maintaining a mindset of abundance, regardless of financial circumstances.

Thankful Thursday to Black Friday

Julian and Aaronica also provide a comprehensive overview of Black Friday deals for sewing enthusiasts, covering a range of products and highlighting discounts from various retailers and independent pattern companies. Julian's birthday is coming up Monday so bless his CashApp $juliancordell. Amazon links to use:  - https://amzn.to/3uwf5Bq

Welcome to The Cutting Table: Julian Puts His Group on Timeout

In this episode, Julian and Aaronica introduce their version of the Red Table--now known as the Cutting Table. Instead of coming to the table with a Reddit AITA, they had their own situation to discuss that happened earlier in the week. They discussed the conflict in the sewing community and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities. The conversation then shifted to the complexities of respect and integrity in personal and professional relationships, highlighting the challenges of balancing the desire to please others with the need to maintain personal values and boundaries. They also discussed the importance of treating others with respect and maintaining a positive reputation. Aaronica shared her personal values and how they guide her purchasing decisions, including support for marginalized communities. They also discussed the importance of having clothing patterns that fit different body shapes, particularly for men and boys, and their fashion plans for the upcoming holiday season. Finally, they discussed their upcoming events and challenges, including Aaronica's efforts to grow her YouTube channel and Julian's classes at Kramer Sewing Vac and the 99 Problems Challenge. 

Keeping It Cute: Sewing Unpopular Opinions

Aaronica and Julian discussing unpopular opinions in the industry, such as not wanting others to copy fabric choices and not grading patterns themselves. They stressed the importance of creativity and individuality in sewing and fashion and encouraged people to use their own ideas and inspiration rather than copying others. They also discussed the significance of clothing as a form of self-expression and personal identity. Aaronica and Julian also discussed their love for glasses as an accessory, sharing their experiences and providing resources for cute glasses. They delved into the world of sewing, discussing the importance of ironing and the distinction between looking handmade and homely. They also shared their current sewing projects and the significance of fabric organization in their creative process. Grab Julian and Ella's patterns here to participate in this months Sew Your View challenge: https://simplicity.com/know-me

Stitching Audacity: Conquering Challenges in Sewing

In this episode, Aaronica Cole and Julian Collins discuss a variety of topics related to sewing, gender roles, creative fields, and personal lives. They delve into the process of making men's pants, the challenges of welt pockets, and the differences between men's and women's zippers. They also explore the nuances of gender roles and equity, emphasizing the importance of unlearning harmful structures and collaborating to create space for everyone to succeed. Additionally, they discuss the emotional challenges of designing and sewing, including dealing with criticism and self-doubt. The conversation also touches on the challenges of being in the public eye and the pressure to maintain a certain image. Aaronica and Julian emphasize the importance of being true to oneself and not getting lost in the expectations of others. They also discuss their plans for New Pattern November, with Aaronica challenging herself to sew outerwear and Julian considering joining the challenge. They end with a listener-submitted question on content requests. New Pattern November details: https://theneedleandthebelle.com/new-pattern-november-2023/  Live Sew-A-Long of Julian's pattern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0-neySSdI 

WANTED: Julian’s Sewjo Back

In this episode, Julian shares an AITA and they chat about whether or not the OP is, in fact, the AH.  **Spoiler alert: you can't have wifey expectations when you have the girlfriend package.  Julian's lost his sewjo!!! The crew talks sewing motivation and inspiration while Julian poses the question of the week: What do you do when you've lost your sewjo? Aaronica and Julian talk what's on their sewing tables which includes Aaronica turning flags into wearable garments for her kids.  Don't forget to drop a review!