Our guest today is Thadine Wormly, quilter, artist, proud mother of 4! Originally from Brooklyn, she moved to Flushing Queens in the 1970’s. As a young girl she loved making doll clothes…and learning from her mother how to crochet and knit. Following a move to Miami, FL Thadine took Home Ec in Junior High which allowed her to continue her love of working with fabric. A graduate of the Barbizon Modeling School, she modeled in numerous shows often designing and making her outfits.

While working in the fur market in New York City for 16 years, she learned and became adept at patternmaking for fur, leather and cloth.

During all of this, she always had an interest in quilts. Through a chance meeting at The Women of Color exhibit…she became hooked and has since found great joy in sourcing just the right fabric for each project.

Thadine is a member of numerous quilt guilds and the founder of a few as well. Most importantly…she is a proud mom of four amazing children

(2:00) Who taught Thadine to sew? She shares stories of her childhood and how her sewing adventures began.

(3:30) After her parents divorced, Thadine was sent to Miami – she was 12 years old. Her Junior High Home Economics class what an important anchor for her in this tumultuous time. Hear this story.

(6:05) Thadine attended the Barbizon Modeling school. She tells us about the school, their curriculum and how it affected her life.

(7:30) What were her memorable experiences while at Barbizon?

(8:45) During a special fashion show she met Muhammad Ali, George Frazier and the Staples Singers.

(9:23) Thadine spent 16 years working in the New York fur market. How did this begin for her and what was it like? Then, she goes on to share more of her story and how she got involved in sewing guilds and how quilting became such a large part of her life.

(10:42) Quilting has taken Thadine on travels all over the world. What were some of her favorite places to visit and what are a few of her favorite stories about these adventures?

(31:40) Let’s learn more about Thadine as she talks about being ordained an Evangelist and how her faith influences her work.

(38:26) What’s Thadine working on now?

(38:50) Where can you find Thadine’s work?

(39:45) What’s next for Thadine and what’s her dream?

(40:27) What didn’t we ask that Thadine wants to talk about? Well, she talks about the Gees Bend Quilters and her experiences working with them…and arranged marriages in Tangiers.

(44:26) You can reach out to Thadine on Instagram @thadinewormly

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

In this episode of Sew & So, we sit down with four of those “sewing fairies”—Jaime David (Education Project Manager), Megann Freese (Educator), Hayley Grzych (Educator), and Fabian Renteria (Associate Educator). Together, they pull back the curtain on what it’s like to be behind the scenes of one of fashion TV’s most iconic shows. From early call times and prepping challenges, to watching contestants “make it work” in real time, the team shares stories of intensity, camaraderie, and unforgettable creative energy.

Whether you’re a Project Runway fan, a sewist, or just curious about how TV magic comes together, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and plenty of BERNINA pride.

(:45) Let’s meet :

Jaime David, Education Project Manager

Megann Freese, Educator

Hayley Grzych, Educator

Fabian Renteria, Associate Educator

(1:35) What one word would each of the team members use to summarize their experience on the set?

(3:40) How did each member of the team find out that they would be going to the show?

(6:48) How did this overall opportunity to work with the show come about? And how did the experience unfold?

(12:04) Hear about a “typical” day on the set!

(14:07) How was communication with the contestants monitored to make sure that everyone got the same information and no secrets were revealed?

(16:40) Learn about how each challenge were prepped and how the BERNINA team participated.

(19:11) The team talk about some of the “make it work” minutes.

(21:07) What was the most memorable moment for each team member? You’ll want to pay attention to these answers!

(26:24) What surprised the team members while on the set?

(27:50) Are there any moments they’d like to relive? The team also calls out Nick, David, Rich and Noel for their amazing support!

(33:59) What did this experience teach each of them both personally and professionally?

(36:48) The team represented BERNINA on set. How did this experience affect how they feel about the brand?!

(38:39) Are there any messages the team members would like to send to the contestants?

(41:02) Any questions we didn’t ask that they wish we had asked?

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome TaMara Howard of Folk Quilts, an extraordinary artist, educator, and storyteller whose quilts speak volumes about heritage, identity, and innovation.

Born in Virginia and raised in Maryland, TaMara began her quilting journey in 1996—without even owning a sewing machine. Inspired by the colorful stories of her great-grandmother, Maggie V. Folk McClellan, TaMara pursued quilting as a craft and calling. What started as personal exploration has evolved into a full artistic practice, fusing African and American textile traditions with contemporary design.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo and earned her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business.

Known for her intricate geometric patterns and custom motifs, TaMara creates quilts that are as visually stunning as they are meaningful. Her award-winning work has been exhibited across the country and is part of permanent collections at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Heinz History Center. She’s a published contributor to Curated Quilts, PBS Wisconsin’s University Place, and the Modern Quilt Guild Journal, and she has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Foundation and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council for her contributions to the arts.

Through longarm quilting, engaging lectures, and hands-on workshops, TaMara continues to inspire students and communities alike encouraging each to stitch their own stories while honoring the past. As she beautifully puts it, quilting allows her to “kente weave the threads of past and present” into every piece—a living tribute to her family’s legacy and a gift to future generations.

Also joining the conversation is Deanna Springer, a repeat guest on this podcast. A lifelong sewist, Deanna worked alongside the late Nancy Zieman as VP Marketing for Nancy Zieman Productions, and carries on Nancy’s legacy through the NZP Blog, and the new Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio & Quilt Shop. She launched the Stitch it! Sisters video series and is a co-founder of The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Deanna also serves as the moderator and creative guide for the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, curating meaningful experiences for quilters of all backgrounds.

This episode is a forerunner of the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, taking place September 4–6, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. This beloved annual event brings together thousands of quilters for workshops, exhibits, challenges, and celebration—and this year, TaMara Howard will be among the featured artists.

(3:12) Tamara introduces Maggy, her great-grandmother and inspiration for her work.

(4:40) How did TaMara start to quilt without a sewing machine?

(7:05) How does TaMara fuse innovation with historical design?

(8:43) TaMara has several degrees…business and engineering. How does this education shape her work?

(10:47) How did Deanna meet Tamara and what did she do to convince her to become a part of the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show?

(11:43) TaMara walks us through her creative process!

(14:22) TaMara explains Kente weaving and what it means to her work.

(16:00) A reoccurring guest on Sew & So, Deanna Springer talks of the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show and what she’s been up to since our last visit at this show.

(18:29) What do they do at the quilt show to support diverse voices in the Quilting World?

(19:33) What makes the quilt show stand out among the many quilt show offerings?

(21:15) How does the team create and moderate the show’s content. Learn the behind-the-scenes secrets! And how many volunteers does it take?

(23:49) So, what can attendees look forward to this year?

(27:35) What role does quilt play today as a creative outlet and cultural statement?

(30:00) As leaders in their respective areas of expertise…how do TaMara and Deanna expect to influence the history of quilting?

(34:20) What can attendees expect from TaMara’s classes at this year’s quilt show?

(35:30) Are their questions we didn’t ask? Hear Deanna’s special question for TaMara!

(36:00) Go to www.quiltshow.com to learn more about the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show.

To contact Tamara, go to www.folkquilts.com and Deanna can be found at www.shopNZP.com

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.