Episode 8: Flannel
Handmade History
Everyone knows that flannel is warm, soft, and plaid. But did you know that flannel was likely traded between Europe in Africa before 1486? And that the origins of the word are actually unknown? (And--it doesn't have to be plaid!) Flannel was strongly associated with Wales, and we share about how this little country's flannel production moved from farms to small factories and eventually larger factories. Then, we talk about the legacy of flannel. Back in the fifties, flannel was commonly used to make suits--James Bond wore flannel suits in many of his films--which is a very different use of...
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Episode 7: Berea College, Fireside Industries, and the "Revival" of Mountain Crafts
Handmade History
In the early 1900s, Berea College accomplished something extraordinary: they revived the mountain craft of weaving. Many women left their looms behind when affordable factory cotton became available, but Berea College created Fireside Industries, a commercial enterprise, as a way of preserving hand weaving practices in the area. Various heads of Fireside Industries--especially Anna Ernberg, a Swedish immigrant and weaving expert--expanded the consumer demand for handwoven goods by traveling and speaking in the North. The college invited expert craftspeople like Candice Wheeler to teach...
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Episode 6: Tie Dye
Handmade History
If you were a Girl Scout (like we were) or went to summer camp, chances are you made a tie-dye t-shirt! In the US, tie dye is a fun, casual method of decorating clothes, but it has origins in thousands-year-old traditions all over the world. We talk about the elevated, ongoing art of tie dye in places like Japan (shibori), India (bhandani), West Africa (adire), and Chile (amarras). Listen in to learn the surprising origin of the bandanna and how Aztec illustrators and modern-day Nahuatl speakers preserved the history of their unique tie-dye cloaks. Thorough show notes with all of our sources...
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Episode 5: A Brief History of Broom Making in the US
Handmade History
Happy Halloween! Let's talk about brooms (the vehicle of witches). We do a deep dive into broom making in New England, where broom making shifted from a locally made handcraft, especially by Native Americans, to a white commercial venture. Listen in to learn why broom making underwent this shift and how New England indigenous makers and farmers made brooms in late 1700s and early 1800s. Bonus: the Shakers make a cameo. Find extensive shownotes with sources at . Email us at and follow us on Instagram .
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Episode 4: Nalbinding
Handmade History
Have you heard of nalbinding, the "ancestor to knitting?" Surprise--it's not! Listen in to learn about this ancient AND ongoing craft, how it was forgotten and relearned in the US (and other countries), and how it is related to knitting. Find extensive shownotes with sources at . Email us at and follow us on Instagram
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Episode 3: The History of Cross Stitch (as we do it today)
Handmade History
If you buy a cross stitch kit today, you will get the same five things: a pattern with tiny squares and symbols, a piece of aida or even weave cloth, DMC colors (or a color guide), a needle, and a hoop. Leaving off the ancient origins of a needle and hoop, this episode covers the history of everything else. Surprise, we're all Victorians! Listen in to learn about the woman who invented (or perfected) aida cloth, why aida cloth has the same name as an opera, and how DMC created their uberpopular Mouline Special thread. Download thorough show notes with sources here: . Want to get in...
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Episode 2: The Pride Flag(s)
Handmade History
Listen in to learn how the very first Pride flag was made (spoiler alert: on a rooftop in San Francisco!). Find out all about the history of various Pride flags, and see how flags have shifted from giant fabric objects to tiny emoji rectangles. Download our thourough show notes with resources here: Want to get in touch? Email us at . We would love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram .
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Episode 1: Radio Homemakers
Handmade History
Join Sonia and Alicia for the very first episode of Handmade History, all about the Radio Homemakers! Jessie Young and several others became immensely popular hosting shows from 1926-1980. They shared recipes, tips, and stories with women in rural America. They were incredibly popular and beloved. Did you know Betty Crocker was a radio homemaker fabricated by General Mills? Find our super thorough show notes here, with all of our sources: Have an idea or some feedback? We want to hear it! Email us at and find us on Instagram .
info_outlineEveryone knows that flannel is warm, soft, and plaid. But did you know that flannel was likely traded between Europe in Africa before 1486? And that the origins of the word are actually unknown? (And--it doesn't have to be plaid!)
Flannel was strongly associated with Wales, and we share about how this little country's flannel production moved from farms to small factories and eventually larger factories. Then, we talk about the legacy of flannel. Back in the fifties, flannel was commonly used to make suits--James Bond wore flannel suits in many of his films--which is a very different use of the cozy pajama fabric we know now. Listen in to hear about these and other famous flannels. Find show notes here: https://tinyurl.com/5n6v5jr6
Do you have a question or a topic we should cover? Email us at [email protected]! You can also find us on Instagram and Tumblr. Thanks for listening!