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NeedleXChange

NeedleXChange

Jamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers talks with modern embroidery, cross‑stitch and textile artists about how they design needlework, grow sustainable creative businesses, and find joy in working with a needle and thread.
Discover inspiring interviews on stitching, fiber art, craft entrepreneurship and the contemporary needlework scene.

REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings [NX011]
NeedleXChange
REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings [NX011]

Recent Episodes

July 26, 2026

REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings [NX011]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #11. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso. John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years. Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doili
July 21, 2026

REPLAY: Emma McKee - On Becoming a StitchGawd in Chicago Part 2 [NX052]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #52. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Emma McKee. Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons. This is the second part of our NeedleXChange and we explore Emma's relationship with Chicago, her love of her Dad, how she has evolved as a designer and we check out her cu
July 19, 2026

REPLAY: Emma McKee - On Becoming a StitchGawd in Chicago [NX051]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #51. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Emma McKee. Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons. This is the first part of our NeedleXChange and we talk about how Emma came into cross stitch and the circumstances in which her work came to the attention of the hip-hop co
July 14, 2026

REPLAY: Danielle Clough - Making a Racket Part 2 [NX046]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #46. Danielle is an South African artist known for her vibrant and expressive embroidery work, characterised by bold colours, movement, and layering, creating a visual impact that evokes joy. She believes in the inherent goodness of people and the power of support and validation in fostering self-confidence. This is the second part of our NeedleX
July 12, 2026

REPLAY: Danielle Clough - Making a Racket [NX045]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #45. In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Danielle Clough, aka Fiancé Knowles. Danielle is an South African artist known for her vibrant and expressive embroidery work, characterised by bold colours, movement, and layering, creating a visual impact that evokes joy. She believes in the inherent goodness of people and the power of support a
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July 5, 2026

Róisín Phelan - Making Light of Things Part 2 [NX148]

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Róisín Phelan, a contemporary embroidery and textile artist who has built her practice around punch needle. Part 2 opens with practical punch needle wisdom (use the flat "wrong" side for detail, match your needle to your cloth, and keep the fabric taut), then gets into how she taught herself to embroider water and people, why she leans into a blocky, illustrative style rather than photorealism, and where her signature blue figures came from (it start