2026 Iowa State Fair

Podcasts
Midweek Chat: New Sponsor, Discount Code, State Fair Success, a Book, and Organizing Your Library
August 26, 2026 - By Gary Parr
It’s Midweek Chat time. This show is sponsored by CyberPointers at cyberpointers.org. This week Cindy and Gary discuss our sponsors,…
Read More

Deb De Crane Takes Us from Cross Stitch to Japanese Embroidery August 23, 2026
Avlea Folk Embroidery is sponsoring this week’s conversation with longtime Fiber Talk follower, Deb De Crane. When you visit avleafolkembroidery.com, use the code FT10 to get 10% off of your order. Deb De Crane connected with recent guest Kris Andrews when she was working at Knox College in Illinois. That meeting introduced Deb much of […]
Gary Parr
Midweek Chat: Fitness, Finishing, Unstitching July 29, 2026
Beth’s sore stitching hands launched us into an unplanned fitness section. The conclusion: Sitting and stitching for long periods is not a good thing. We also talked about finishing a journal cover (link below), Jessica Grimm, needlepoint canvas from Avlea Folk Embroidery, and Gary stitching without thinking. The message: Read and follow the instructions. We’re […]
Gary Parr
Embroidery is Edna Sanabia’s Passion July 26, 2026
Long-time Fiber Talk listener Edna Sanabia grew up on a farm in a creative household where idle-time activities focused on embroidery and other forms of needlework. That childhood enjoyment of needlework became a love when her children started going to school. Edna is the first listener in a new intermittent series in which we interview […]
Gary Parr
Kris Andrews Focuses on Needlework Teaching July 19, 2026
In this episode, sponsored by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (egausa.org), Gary Parr talks with needlework teacher and designer Kris Andrews about a career spent mastering — and teaching — an impressive range of techniques, from surface embroidery and goldwork to Japanese embroidery and rug hooking. Kris traces her path back to teaching Hardanger at […]
Gary Parr
From Haute Couture to Hand Embroidery: Gimena Romero on Preserving Mexico’s Textile Heritage July 12, 2026
In this episode, Beth Ellicott and Gary Parr sit down with embroidery artist and researcher Gimena Romero to explore her journey from university studies and a career in haute couture to becoming a devoted preservationist of traditional Mexican needlework. Gimena shares the story behind her book, The Embroidery of Mexico: A Vibrant Celebration of Traditional […]
Gary Parr