Episode notes
A few weeks ago someone told me that she didn't know I had written several books, so I realised I don't talk enough about my writing! The podcast is about the writing of those books; three with traditional publishers and three self-published books about my work. The third self-published book is coming very soon, it is with the designer now and I hope to have it in my hands before the end of the summer. I've also written other exhibition catalogues and project publications and all kinds of things. Find out more about my Textile Book Group and more: https://ruthsinger.podia.com/ Buy…
Podcast
Making Meaning
Ruth Singer · Arts & Books · English
Making Meaning is a podcast exploring the meaning behind what we make. Artist Ruth Singer talks to creative people about why they make and create. Ruth loves finding out how artists, writers, coaches, researchers and others use challenging and complex stories within their work. She is interested in
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S6 · E67 · 12 Sep 2026 · 44 min
#67: Tangled - Textile Stories of Care & Connection
In August I launched my new self-published book Tangled. It's been a long journey from idea in 2018 to finally having the books in my hands in 2026. In this episode I'll read extracts from the book, explain how it came about and respond to some questions asked in my online and in-person book launches about my work, the book and the making of it. Buy Tangled here Maker Membership: Maker Membership Please join my email list for more: Email
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S6 · E66 · 22 Aug 2026 · 58 min
#66: Material Histories, Showing and Sharing Textiles
This episode is the second of the occasional mini series Material Histories with Deb McGuire . In this one we have a wonderful wide-ranging conversation starting with what we look for in quilt shows but covers far more than that. We talk about the power of connecting through making and about showing and sharing textile works. Maker Membership: Maker Membership Please join my email list for more: Email
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S6 · E65 · 1 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
#65: 21 Years
This week I reflect on 21 years working as an artist and writer. (Oops, I realised after I recorded this that I talk about it being episode 64, when in fact it's episode 65!) Tangled is available for pre-order now: Tangled: Textile Stories of Care & Connection Maker Membership: Maker Membership Please join my email list for more: Email
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S6 · E64 · 18 Jul 2026 · 37 min
#64: Where Do I Get My Ideas From?
I have been asked about my ideas and where they come from more than anything else in my 21 year career (although "How long did it take to make?" must be a close second). It's really hard for me to define where each idea came from but I've given it a go in this podcast. Tangled is available for pre-order now: Tangled: Textile Stories of Care & Connection Maker Membership Maker Membership Please join my email list for more https://ruthsinger.com/email/
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S6 · E63 · 13 Jun 2026 · 48 min
#63: Introducing Material Histories with Deb McGuire
Making Histories is a new mini-series of Making Meaning Podcast with special guest co-host Deb McGuire. Deb is a brilliant historian, specialising in emotional histories of quilting, but she's incredibly knowledgable about all kinds of things. We have so many overlapping interests and things we really want to talk about in the world of textile making, textile histories and human stories. I've been thinking about a podcast co-host for a while, and when I talked to Deb for episodes 48 and 49 , I just wanted to carry on talking! So we've made that a formal arrangement now and I am delighted to…
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S6 · E61 · 22 Apr 2026 · 53 min
#61: Accomplishments and Imagined Mementoes
This week's episode is about the new body of work I made for Mary Linwood; Art, Stitch & Lift exhibition . Alongside researching, curating and writing the first exhibition of Mary Linwood's work in 75 year, I also created seven new artworks reflecting elements of Mary Linwood's life and legacy. These pieces fill in gaps in Mary Linwood's story, explore themes I find fascinating and allow me to express my own thoughts and feelings about Linwood's work and life. Sign up for my course Embroidered Herstories: Rediscovering Mary Linwood Buy the exhibition catalogue, Lost Threads, Mary Linwood's…
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S6 · E60 · 8 Apr 2026 · 32 min
#60: Reflections on Mary Linwood
Making Meaning is back with a new series. It's almost five years since I started making this podcast and this is series 6. In this episode I'm solo, talking about what I've learned from the Mary Linwood Rediscovered project, from studying Mary Linwood and from sharing her story with the world. Sign up for my course Embroidered Herstories: Rediscovering Mary Linwood Buy the exhibition catalogue, Lost Threads, Mary Linwood's Legacy Find out more about my Maker Membership Join Ruth's email list Visit Ruth's website
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S5 · E59 · 9 Nov 2025 · 37 min
#59: Making Meaning with Rachel Whitworth
In this episode I'm talking to Rachel Whitworth, the curator of Fashion and Textiles at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. Find out about the Mary Linwood project and events programme Find out more about the Stitch Weekend , 22nd - 23rd Nov, Leicester Guildhall Find out more about my Maker Membership Join Ruth's email list Visit Ruth's website
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S5 · E58 · 11 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
#58: Making Meaning with Emily Jo Gibbs
I'm so pleased to share this conversation with Emily Jo Gibbs, a fantastic textile maker who I have admired for many years. It won't surprise you that I love Emily's work and we had a really interesting, broad-ranging conversation about the why behind the work. Emily's website and online course Find out about the Mary Linwood project and events programme Find out more about the Stitch Weekend , 22nd - 23rd Nov, Leicester Guildhall Find out more about my Maker Membership Join Ruth's email list Visit Ruth's website
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S5 · E57 · 27 Sep 2025 · 57 min
#57: Making Meaning with Jayne Emerson
In this episode I'm talking to the brilliant creative textile designer Jayne Emerson, known to many of you as the creator of the No Rules Textile Society - a membership group full of inspiration and creative play. Jayne is also a textile designer for fashion and interiors, she's written six craft books and creates courses and workshop both online and in person. We have a lot in common and had a great time exploring our shared and differing approaches and projects. I hope you enjoy this conversation much as we did. Jayne's website and membership Find out about the Mary Linwood project and…
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