Show Notes
What if the needlepoint tucked away in a drawer isn’t finished with its story yet? In this episode, we’re talking with Heather Rae Doyle, founder of Heather Rae Atelier, about creativity, craftsmanship, and the magic of giving vintage needlepoint a completely new life.
We’ve been following Heather Rae's work for a while, and if you remember the Fendi-like Penelope needlepoint bag I shared back in episode three, you’ve already seen her creativity in action. Heather Rae takes vintage needlepoint tapestries—many stitched decades ago by women whose names were never recorded—and transforms them into one-of-a-kind pieces like handbags. What we love most about her work is that she isn’t simply repurposing something old. She’s honoring the time, artistry, and hands behind every stitch.
We talk about how her grandmother introduced her to sewing and needlework, why needlepoint feels more like meditation than production, and how she approaches cutting and designing around vintage stitched pieces without losing what made them special in the first place.
Heather Rae also takes us behind the scenes of one of her most ambitious projects yet: a seven-panel needlepoint ball gown skirt inspired by a Marie Antoinette exhibition in London and influenced by the bold craftsmanship she saw at a Dolce & Gabbana exhibition in Miami.
And, of course, we get practical. Heather Rae shares ideas for cleaning and reimagining old needlepoint, explains the digital tools she created to help stitchers turn canvases into finished pieces, and reminds us why handmade doesn’t need to mean perfect.
Connect with Heather Rae: Website: heatherraeatelier.com Instagram: instagram.com/heather.rae.atelier Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.
More from Oh, Stitch: A Needlepoint Podcast
What if your next needlepoint project didn't end up as another pillow, ornament, or bag charm? We're thinking outside the traditional finishing box, and trust us, the possibilities are so much more exciting than you might imagine. In this episode of Oh Stitch, we're diving into one of our favorite subjects: what to actually do with your needlepoint once you've stitched it. Inspired by our travels to The Greenbrier, visits to needlepoint shops, and unexpected antique finds, we're exploring everything from needlepoint-covered furniture and luggage racks to jean pockets, jackets, trays, and beautiful decorative boxes. We're also talking about why it's perfectly okay to stitch something simply because you love it, even when you have absolutely no idea what you'll do with it. Special Offer: Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com.
Needlepoint has its own language—and when we first started stitching, we definitely didn’t know all of it (and may have pronounced a few things wrong along the way!).
What if the hobby you love isn’t just helping you unwind—but actually giving your brain the break it desperately needs? In this episode, we're exploring the connection between needlepoint, creativity, and mental well-being with Kerry Hurlbut, a pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of Pointed Positivity. Kerry has experienced firsthand how needlepoint can become an important part of our personal wellness toolbox, carrying her through career changes, graduate school, relationships, health struggles, and a challenging period with her own mental health. Her experience made her curious: Why did needlepoint help so much? That question led Kerry to explore the research around creative hobbies and well-being—and ultimately inspired Pointed Positivity, where she brings together her clinical background, her love of needlepoint, and stories from other stitchers. We talk about what happens when we trade constant stimulation and doom scrolling for the repetitive rhythm of working with our hands, why Kerry recommends creative hobbies to some of the patients and families she works with, and how community can make an enormous difference when we’re navigating difficult seasons. Kerry also shares one fascinating benchmark from the research she has explored: aiming for about two hours of engagement with a hobby each week. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, and it certainly doesn’t need to become another item on the perfectionist to-do list. Instead, it can be a reminder to intentionally make room for the creative practices that make us feel better.
Fall always feels like a fresh start, and we're embracing every bit of it. Today, we're inviting you into one of our favorite kinds of conversations: an unfiltered catch-up between sisters. We're sharing what we've been working on behind the scenes at Georgie & Lottie, including brand-new mahjong-inspired needlepoint canvases and accessories that we're preparing for our first-ever vendor experience at the Hobby Holiday Retreat at The Greenbrier. Plus you'll hear about some of our favorite family traditions as another school year begins, what it's like moving a college student into an unfurnished apartment, and the little rituals we've carried with us even after our kids have grown. We're also sharing a few of our current favorites, including a refreshing summer cocktail, a fantastic audiobook recommendation, a binge-worthy television series, and a skincare product that's become a staple in our summer routine. In this episode, you'll hear about: Our upcoming trip to The Greenbrier and the new mahjong-themed needlepoint canvases we're bringing with us. The family traditions we've loved most during back-to-school season and why those small rituals matter. Our latest favorite things, including a cocktail recipe, an audiobook, a television series, and a sun-safe beauty recommendation.
What if the secret to slowing down, finding creativity, and quieting your mind was as simple as picking up a needle and thread? This week, we're joined by actress Parker Posey for a conversation that's equal parts nostalgic, inspiring, and deeply calming.