The Sewing Social

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Neil O’Dwyer has had anything but a conventional career. In this episode of The Sewing Social, Neil shares his unconventional journey from banking to tailoring, teaching and storytelling, and the unexpected role that sewing has played along the way.
We talk about what first drew Neil to tailoring and sewing, making a career change later in life, and how a series of unexpected opportunities led him from one career to the next. From working in banking to becoming a tailor, making lingerie for strippers, working as a film extra and eventually teaching maths and sewing, Neil’s career has taken some surprising turns.
Neil also talks about his storytelling show, Banker, Tailor, Teacher, Guy, and the experiences that inspired it. We explore creativity, learning new skills, changing careers and saying yes to opportunities, even when you don't know exactly where they might lead.
It's a conversation about work, sewing, creativity and finding your way — with a reminder that there isn't necessarily one right career path, and that it's never too late to learn something new or take things in a completely different direction.

Key Topics: 
Neil’s diverse career journey from banking to tailoring to teaching and storytelling
The importance of saying yes to opportunities and embracing change
How creativity can be a lifelong pursuit and a career path
Experiences at Saville Row and the impact on Neil’s skills
Using storytelling to inspire students and share life lessons
Neil’s involvement in Edinburgh Fringe and clown courses
The value of networking and connections in career development
Advice for those considering career changes and pursuing passions

Follow me: 
Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod
                     @thedalythread
Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod
If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please 
Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod
Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:
thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com

*Join my Substack where we continue the conversations: 
The Sewing Social: Off The Mic - https://substack.com/@thesewingsocial

Affiliate Links:
Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
     Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
     Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD

Guest Details: 
Instagram: @uphereimalreadythere
                    @bankertailorteacherguy
Substack: Career Escapism

Chapters

00:00 Neil’s diverse career journey from banking to storytelling
01:53 The leap from banking to tailoring inspired by a friend
03:55 Training at Newham College and working on Savile Row
06:02 Experiences working at Savile Row and self-training
08:07 Transitioning from tailoring to film and fashion projects
09:57 Storytelling at Edinburgh Fringe and performing on stage
11:53 The importance of saying yes and embracing new experiences
13:54 Neil’s advice for career changers and lifelong learning
15:50 Using storytelling to inspire students and share life lessons
18:02 Balancing creativity with teaching and everyday life
19:54 Upcoming projects and future plans for Neil

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What happens when a passion for sewing grows into a platform designed to help sewists make more sustainable choices?
In this episode of The Sewing Social, Caroline Bacle joins us to talk about her journey from Montreal to London, her love of sewing and dressmaking, and the story behind Destasher - a platform created to help sewists give unwanted fabrics, sewing patterns, haberdashery and other sewing supplies a second life.
Caroline shares how her own experiences as a sewist led her to think differently about the amount of fabric and sewing supplies we accumulate, and how Destasher has grown into a community where sewists can buy, sell, share and discover materials that might otherwise go unused.
We chat about sustainable sewing, slow fashion, fabric destashing and the sewing community, as well as the challenges of building a platform around a community of people who love to make their own clothes.

In this episode, we talk about:
Caroline's journey from Montreal to London
How she discovered her passion for sewing and dressmaking
The story behind Destasher
Why sewists end up with so much fabric and sewing stash
Fabric destashing and giving unwanted materials a second life
The connection between sewing, slow fashion and conscious consumption
Building a community around sewing and making
The challenges of creating a platform for the sewing community
Why sharing resources can be an important part of more sustainable sewing
What she has learned from the sewing community along the way
The future of Destasher and where Caroline hopes to take it next

Follow me: 
Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod
                     @thedalythread
Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod
If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please 
Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod
Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:
thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com

*Join my Substack where we continue the conversations: 
The Sewing Social: Off The Mic - https://substack.com/@thesewingsocial

Affiliate Links:
Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
     Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
     Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD

Guest Details: 
Instagram: @destasher_uk
Website: www.destasher.co.uk

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caroline Bacle and her sewing journey
00:52 How lockdown sparked Caroline’s passion for sewing
02:03 The story behind Destasher and its community focus
02:59 Upcoming sewing events and initiatives
04:09 Tips for managing your sewing stash
05:06 The importance of sustainability and storytelling in textiles
06:00 Caroline’s future vision for Destasher
07:04 Closing thoughts and how to connect with Caroline

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In this episode of The Sewing Social, Lydia Finney (known online as "Lovely Lydia") talks about her journey into fabric printing, dressmaking and making clothes, exploring the technical skills and creative processes behind her work.
We chat about combining traditional sewing and textile techniques with modern creativity, developing confidence as a maker, and why craft should be accessible and inclusive to everyone - whatever your experience or skill level.
From fabric design and printing to dressmaking and the realities of learning new sewing skills, Lydia shares what she has discovered along the way and what continues to inspire her as a maker.
Whether you're new to sewing, an experienced dressmaker, or simply interested in fabric and textiles, this episode is full of inspiration and practical insight.

Key Topics: 

Lydia's transition from civil service to fabric printing and dressmaking
The importance of technical skills in sewing and printing
How to combine fabric printing with garment making
The role of colour and pattern in personal style
Opportunities for craft education and inclusivity in the community
The process of lino and woodblock printing for textiles
Upcycling garments with fabric printing
Overcoming self-doubt and celebrating craft achievements

Follow me: 
Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod
                     @thedalythread
Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod
If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please 
Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod
Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:
thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com

*Join my Substack where we continue the conversations: 
The Sewing Social: Off The Mic - https://substack.com/@thesewingsocial

Affiliate Links:
Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
     Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
     Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD

Guest Details: 
Instagram: @lovely_._lydia
                  : @she_who_sews
Website: www.lovelylydia.co.uk

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Lydia Finney and her creative background
04:05 Discovering vintage Bernina and early sewing experiences
07:22 The technical complexity of dressmaking and its artistry
08:08 The reality of making mistakes and sharing imperfect work
09:23 The importance of craftsmanship in mass-produced clothing
11:22 Lydia's career before craft and her move to Suffolk
12:47 Everyone's creative potential and opportunities for craft
14:02 The accessibility of lino and block printing for beginners
15:52 Tools and techniques for lino and woodblock printing
16:39 The joy of teaching and inspiring all ages in craft
17:25 Access to craft
20:58 Lydia's first lino design and inspiration from Suffolk
22:28 Creating unique garments with fabric printing
24:28 Combining fabric printing with sewing for custom designs
27:24 Fixing fabric paint and tools for printing
28:34 The process of creating lino designs and tools needed
31:47 Safety tips for lino carving and craft tools
32:36 Natural fabrics versus synthetics for printing
33:25 The role of colour in Lydia's creative life
34:45 Upcoming projects and workshops with Lydia

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David Olaniyi joins The Sewing Social Podcast to share the story behind his journey from dance to fashion and tailoring, and how his creative background has shaped the way he designs today.
David talks openly about his experience on Dress the Nation with Marks & Spencer, the challenges of putting his tailoring skills to the test, and what it takes to build a career in the fashion industry.
Known for blending streetwear with traditional tailoring, David also takes us behind the scenes of his creative process - from developing ideas and finding his signature style to navigating the realities of working as a tailor and designer.
In this episode, we explore tailoring, menswear, and fashion design, as David shares what he’s learned so far and where he wants to take his craft next.

Key Topics: 

David's transition from dance to tailoring
His experience on Dress the Nation and winning the competition
The concept of structured streetwear blending tailoring and street style
The process of designing and creating a collection for Marks and Spencer's
Inspiration from Japanese fashion and travel influences
The importance of technical skills like tailoring in streetwear design
Future plans including moving to Japan for 3 months and learning new techniques
The role of confidence and spontaneity in creative success

Follow me: 
Website: http://www.thedalythreadstudio - website will soon be live! 
I will be teaching anyone who wants to learn how to sew in the Nottingham area and beyond! 
Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod
                     @thedalythread
Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod
If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please 
Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod
Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:
thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com

*Join my Substack where we continue the conversations: 
The Sewing Social: Off The Mic - https://substack.com/@thesewingsocial

Affiliate Links:
Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
     Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
     Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD

Guest Details:
Website: https://www.davidolaniyi.co.uk
Instagram: @bydavidolaniyi
Tiktok: @bydavidolaniyi

Bespoke Tailoring Course - Newham College:
https://newham.ac.uk/course/bespoke-tailoring-level-1-adult/bespoke-tailoring-level-1-adult/

Kapital - Pillow Bomber Jacket: 
https://www.kapital.jp/
Instagram: @kapitalglobal

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and David’s background in dance and fashion
01:01 How David’s dance career led to an interest in tailoring
02:27 Learning to sew and construct garments from wardrobe staff
04:06 Transition from dance to professional tailoring and fashion
05:34 Winning Dress the Nation and the application process
10:37 The intense process of TV casting and experience on the show
11:46 Lessons learned from winning the competition
13:50 Favorite pieces from the show and designing for the final collection
16:51 Post-show career, working at Marks and Spencer’s, and design philosophy
28:43 Inspiration sources including travel and Japanese fashion
30:01 Deconstructing a Japanese jacket and future plans
32:23 Game of this or that: style preferences and techniques
34:26 Where to find David online and upcoming projects

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In this episode of The Sewing Social, I'm joined by Jane Harbison, founder of Jane Harbison Design, to explore her inspiring journey into the world of dressmaking, sewing pattern design and creative entrepreneurship. 
Jane shares how she followed her passion for sewing, identified a gap in the market for men's and boys' sewing patterns, and built a business around helping more people enjoy making their own clothes.
We chat about the importance of the creative process, why sewing is about so much more than the finished garment, and how handmade projects can become meaningful gifts that tell a story. 
Jane also shares her thoughts on designing accessible sewing patterns, nurturing creativity and building confidence through making.
Whether you're interested in dressmaking, sewing patterns for men and boys, handmade gifts, or you're dreaming of turning your creative hobby into a business, this episode is full of inspiration, practical advice and thoughtful conversation.

In this episode, we discuss:
Jane's journey from accounting to sewing pattern designer.
Creating sewing patterns for men and boys.
Finding gaps in the sewing pattern market.
The joy of the creative process and handmade sewing.
Building a creative business around your passion.
Why handmade garments and gifts tell a unique story.

Follow me: 
Instagram: @thesewingsocialpod
                     @thedalythread
Tiktok: thesewingsocialpod
If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please 
Tip me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod
Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email:
thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com

*Join my Substack where we continue the conversations: 
The Sewing Social: Off The Mic - https://substack.com/@thesewingsocial

Affiliate Links:
Thready Set Go - https://threadysetgo.com
     Discount code for your first month free - SEWINGSOCIALPOD
Sew And Stow - https://www.sewandstow.co.uk/
     Discount code for £10 off your board - SEWINGSOCIALPOD

Guest Details: 
Website: Jane Harbison Design - https://janeharbison.com.au/ 
Instagram: @JaneHarbisonDesign 
Pinterest: Jane Harbison Design - https://au.pinterest.com/janeharbison/
Skool: The Pocket Square Club - https://www.skool.com/the-pocket-square-club-3733/about?sc=1
YouTube: Jane Harbison Design - https://www.youtube.com/@janeharbisondesignau
Creative Process document: 
https://janeharbison.com.au/blogs/puckerup-sewing-blog/how-to-give-gifts-that-speak-their-love-languages

Other Information: 
Destasher Summer Destash event - https://www.destasher.co.uk/blog/summer-stash-reset