SEAMSIDE: Exploring the Inner Work of Textiles

Every time Woomin’s work pops up in my feed it’s a quilty dopamine hit. Her appliqued wall pieces depict scenes from her life in Queens New York and back home in Korea. And you don’t have to see very many of her pieces to realize that her world is abundant in story-telling objects and almost completely devoid of pesky and interfering humans. To hear her talk about how in her previous sculpture practice, she often felt alone, solo on stage, but now having connected with fabric, she never feels alone surrounded by the rich narratives textiles carry.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, Woomin and I discuss: ① why objects make better story-tellers than humans ② how to capture a sense of home no matter where you may be ③ what our daily spaces reveal about us

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Woomin Kim shares her journey from sculpture to textile collage, using fabric to narrate personal and communal stories. Central to Woomin’s work are the themes of home, identity, and the unseen labor embedded in everyday objects and environments.

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→ See images and more at the EPISODE WEBSITE
→ Follow Zak on INSTAGRAM

This textile piece, OUR CHILDREN, that we’re talking about today explores how we’re taught about our racial identity, gender, and sexuality from a young age. It’s a part of a collection I’m calling Southern White Amnesia which explores the stories that Southern white families tell (and don't tell) about their own family histories.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, I share thoughts about: ① the first time I realized I was White ② the lingering legacy of off-handed comments ③ how to reprogram all those internal messages

→ Get your free trial to the QUILTY NOOK
→ See images and more from this episode with SEAMSIDE EXTRAS
→ Learn more about Zak

The casual Instagram scroller would be forgiven if they scrolled past one of Rachel’s patchwork pieces and assumed it was something generated by artificial intelligence. But AI can only dream of creating the real-world objects of beauty that Rachel creates. They capture light and color, breeze and the occasional animal slops.

In this dreamy SEAMSIDE conversation, textile artist and photographer Rachel Hayes and I discuss:
① the rewards and perils of public art pieces
② the intangible and metaphysical layers of a quilt
③ how to collaborate with our physical environment

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE
Discover how Rachel Hayes creatively merges textiles with architecture and nature, challenging traditional perceptions of quilting and fabric art. Her journey from traditionally small-scale quilt patterns to expansive outdoor installations reveals the boundless possibilities of textiles in art

HELPFUL LINKS
→ Get your free trial to the QUILTY NOOK
→ See images and more from this episode with SEAMSIDE EXTRAS
→ Learn more about Zak

In this episode, I share a collection of stories behind SNAKE HANDLER, a large banner I made featuring a writhing white snake. It’s really a three-part story about wrestling, specifically wrestling with identity, privilege, and role in the struggle for racial justice. I share personal reflections on understanding and confronting my privilege, recommending reading suggestions, sharing two strategies I use to address biases and hurtful statements, and encouraging us to take active roles in addressing racial inequality.

Get more free resources with this episode with SEAMSIDE EXTRAS! Click on the link below to access: https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/snakehandler

HELPFUL LINKS
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK https://nook.zakfoster.com/
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/
→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts
→ Email me [email protected]

Leslie Rogers is an unpinnable butterfly of a human. Her creative practice flits from quilts to performance to garment-making to puppetry. She’s a deeply thoughtful artist whose often whimsical or jarring pieces are underpinned by hours of historical research. Leslie and I met at Penland, and if her name sounds familiar, it’s because she came up in my conversation recently with Paolo Arao. That episode, HOW TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER is a treat in and of itself and I’d encourage you to give that one a listen too.

In this conversation, Leslie and I discuss:
①how to set fire to quilts without burning them up
② how to make quilts float on water, the old-fashioned way
③ the nonhierarchical thingness of things

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Leslie Rogers merges quilts with performance, breathing life into textiles and exploring profound historical and social narratives that create rich story-telling that often belies a whimsical appearance

SEAMSIDE EXTRAS: Get more out of this episode! Find free resources like images, reflection questions, and more, all at the website below: https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/leslie/

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/
→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/
→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

As you may have heard the NOOK had our first in-person gathering recently called a HUDDLE. As part of this gathering, I asked participants to share what they were thinking about over the weekend. Funny enough in this old house, there was an old wooden phone booth that provided just enough privacy for us to sit and speak our thoughts into a small digital handheld recorder. What you're about to hear in this special episode of SEAMSIDE is a collection of sixteen short reflections: some are really vulnerable stories, but they’re each insightful stories of transformation.

There’s so much more to this conversation! For images and journaling prompts and more click on the SEAMSIDE EXTRAS link below
www.zakfoster.com/seamside/huddle-catskill

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
This episode offers a unique insight into the intimate and transformative experiences of quilters who attended the first-ever NOOK HUDDLE. These stories capture the essence of community, creativity, and personal growth through the art of quilting, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the why community matters when it comes to making quilts.

Special thanks to Shan, Agneta, Paige, Jacquie, Lynn, Nicole, Patrick, Lynanne, Cindy, Hannah, Jeff, Christina, Madi, Shari, Ronnie, Nathasha, and Amanda

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Sign up for Zak's Weekly Newsletter
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

A few weeks ago, I caught up with quilt researcher and author Janneken Smucker to thumb through her new book together. If you haven’t heard our conversation yet on A New Deal for Quilts, I recommend you go back and catch that episode first, and then come join me for this conversation.

Because today we’re going behind the scenes, behind the book, and into the International Quilt Museum itself. I’m joined by the curator of International collections at IQM, Marin Hanson, to hear what it was like to put together the exhibition for A New Deal for Quilts. I know very little about how curators pull off such a quilt feat, so I had all kinds of questions.

In this conversation Marin and I discuss:
① a curators calculus for choosing the perfect quilts
② the significance of feed sacks in quilt-making
③ the impact of quilts on the human experience

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Listeners interested in textiles, history, or art will find this episode particularly engaging. Marin's insights provide a unique perspective on the curation process and the deep connections between quilts and cultural narratives.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Textiles in Personal Life: Think about a textile (like a quilt, blanket, or garment) that holds special meaning in your life. What story does it tell, and how does it connect you to your personal or cultural history?

Art as a Historical Lens: How can art forms like quilting offer unique insights into historical events and societal changes? Reflect on the role of everyday objects in shaping and preserving our understanding of the past.

Sustainability in Textiles: The use of feed sacks in quilting is a testament to resourcefulness and sustainability. How can we apply similar principles of reuse and creativity in our current approach to textiles and fashion?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

For most of my life, I had a tough time wrapping my head around the idea of privilege. But as I started researching my own family, something became crystal clear: the two branches of my family tree had two different experiences here in this country. On my dad's line, they are all subsistence farmers. They barely had enough money to get it registered on the census. On my mom's side of the family, however, where all the enslaving happened, they were wealthier in ways that my dad's folks could've never even imagined, and it was this wealth that set up generations of my family for a life of privilege and access.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, we reflect on how this one quilt contains:
① the magical alchemy of cheap fabric
② the convergent story of two White American families
③ how the mechanism of intergenerational wealth works

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website https://www.zakfoster.com/seamside/silverdollar

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
This episode is a profound exploration of how personal and family histories intersect with larger societal issues like privilege, race, and the lasting impact of slavery. Zak’s use of a quilt to narrate his family's lineage and its implications on his life offers a unique and tangible connection to broader themes of inheritance, memory, and responsibility. His approach encourages listeners to reflect on their own histories and the legacies they carry forward.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Exploring Personal Legacy: Consider your own family history. What stories, values, or legacies have been passed down through generations, and how do they shape your identity and worldview?

Art as a Medium for Social Commentary: Think about the role of art and storytelling in unpacking complex social issues. How can creative expressions foster dialogue around topics that are often difficult to discuss?

Active Responsibility: This quilt serves as a form of reparation and acknowledgment of a family's past. What actions can individuals take to acknowledge and address the injustices and legacies of the past in a constructive and forward-looking manner?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/

→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp

→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/

→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/

→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE 👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

By now you’ve probably heard that our good friend Heidi Parkes is the 15th Artist in Residence at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. I talk about Heidi like everyone knows her, and if you’ve been in my world for very long, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about her.

We are both former public school educators turned professional artists and have been friends for almost a decade now. If you’re not familiar with Heidi’s work, she documents her life in her quilts, tracking days, places, and memories through applique and embroidery.

In this conversation, Heidi gives us an inside glimpse to this new residency. It’s something she’s tried out for 3 times before and never got it. She decided she’d take a break for a while, and just when she did, something unexpected happened: they reached out to her.

*WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?*
Listen to this conversation if you ever:
① applied for something and didn’t get it
② have an interest in setting up a public studio, or
③ are looking for a creative transition in your own life

*CONVERSATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS*
04:04 Heidi's Studio Practice
05:03 Transition to Public Studio
05:29 The Pfister Hotel Residency
06:55 Previous Artists in Residence
09:30 Reflections on Rejection and Persistence
15:52 The Studio Space at Pfister
22:04 Interacting with the Public
27:06 Expectations for the Residency
30:00 Preparing for the First Public Event

*REFLECTION PROMPTS*
1. *Perseverance in Art:* Reflect on a time when you faced rejection in your creative endeavors. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
2. *Public vs Private Creative Spaces:* Consider the differences between creating in a private space versus a public one. How do you think each environment would affect your creativity and interaction with your art?
3. *Artistic Community Engagement:* How important is it for artists to embed themselves in their local community? What are some effective ways to do this?

*HELPFUL RESOURCES*
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community https://nook.zakfoster.com/
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide https://gift.zakfoster.com/pzp
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak https://nook.zakfoster.com/newsletter/
→ Visit Zak’s website https://www.zakfoster.com/
→ Follow Zak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zakfoster.quilts

*ABOUT SEAMSIDE*
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show *the inner work of textiles.* Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

*DON’T MISS AN EPISODE* 👇 
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles

I’m convinced that Roderick Kiracofe is one part human being and one part guardian angel. He’s been a huge support both of me and many other quilters out there, generously lending his experience and insight that only come from the decades he’s spent as an advocate for quilts.

On a recent trip to NYC, he and I caught up at Tatter’s Blue Library to immerse ourselves in Brooklyn’s beautiful textile research space and the all the shades of blueness. We cozy up on a big blue couch in the corner of the library for this conversation and we had to pass the mic back and forth, so you may notice some scuffles from time to time, but to me it all adds to the intimacy of the conversation you’re about to hear.

You can see images of quilts we discuss on the episode website

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
Dive into the captivating world of quilts and anonymous photography with quilt advocate Roderick Kiracofe. Discover the intriguing connections between these art forms and how they capture history and personal narratives.

REFLECTION PROMPTS
Reflect on the concept of anonymity in art and textiles. How does the mystery of not knowing the creator or the subjects in photographs and quilts add depth or change your perception of these pieces? Consider why anonymous art can be intriguing or emotionally resonant.

Consider the role of textiles and quilts in your personal history or your community's cultural heritage. How do these items serve as connectors to the past, and what stories or memories do they evoke for you?

Roderick Kiracofe's interest in the intersection of photography and quilting offers a unique perspective on storytelling. Reflect on how different mediums like photography and quilting can complement each other in telling a more comprehensive or nuanced story. Can you think of other artistic mediums that, when combined, offer a richer narrative?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
→ Free Video Tutorial: HOW TO MAKE A TINY QUILT
→ Join the QUILTY NOOK: A Curious (and Sometimes Feral) Online Textile Community
→ Top Ten SEAMSIDE Episodes Guide
→ Weekly Email Goodies from Zak
→ Visit Zak’s website
→ Follow Zak on Instagram

ABOUT SEAMSIDE
Hosted by quilt-maker Zak Foster, we explore how working with cloth has changed who we are as people, what we call on the show the inner work of textiles. Zak speaks with a wide variety of textile artists from quilters to embroiderers, from activists to educators, writers, and collectors.

DON’T MISS AN EPISODE👇
Subscribe to SEAMSIDE for heartfelt stories and meaningful explorations of the human world of textiles