Punch Needle Fashion and the Art of Blurring Creative Boundaries with Micah Clasper-Torch
Release Date: 08/20/2025
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Getting Out of the Screen and Into Your Life: A Heartfelt Conversation With Sarah Walsh on Dream Projects, Self-Sabotage, and Creative Ruts (Replay)
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For the Love of Renovating: How the Brownstone Boys Built a Brand Rooted in Authenticity and a Creative Life from the Ground Up
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Margo sits down with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—better known as The Brownstone Boys—a Brooklyn-based couple, award-winning interior designers, and renovation experts known for their ability to breathe new life into historic homes while keeping design fresh, livable, and true to their roots. What began as a shared passion project to restore their first brownstone quickly became a creative business built on authenticity, approachability, and an unshakable belief in learning by doing. Without formal design training, Barry and Jordan leaned on curiosity, community, and sheer persistence...
info_outlineMargo is joined by artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking, Micah Clasper-Torch. Based in Los Angeles, Micah’s work blurs the lines between art, craft, and design, creating one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture.
With a background in fashion design from both The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Micah weaves together her love of fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design. In 2019 she became a certified Oxford Punch Needle Instructor and, in 2020, launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop, and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history. Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion (Quadrille, June 2025), brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion with 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium.
Margo and Micah discuss:
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Micah’s journey from fashion design to punch needle leadership
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The revival of punch needle and its fascinating history
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How tailoring and handmade construction shape her work
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The inspiration behind Punch Needle Fashion and what sets it apart
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Building creative community through Punch Needle World
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Tips for beginners (including her go-to needle size!)
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Embracing the blur between art, craft, and fashion
Sign Up for the Sylva Solace Creative Resilience Retreat: https://www.bdi-create.today/sylva-retreat
Connect with Micah
https://www.micahclasper-torch.com/
https://www.punchneedleworld.com/
https://www.instagram.com/claspertorch
https://www.instagram.com/punchneedle.world
Punch Needle Fashion Book - https://tinyurl.com/mrx5rmez
Connect with Margo:
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry