Episode 129 - Trixi Symonds – Sew A Softie

Our guest today is Trixi Symonds, the founder of Sew a Softie, a global initiative that encourages adults—especially parents, teachers, and community leaders—to teach children how to sew. As Sew a Softie celebrates 10 years in 2026, the movement has grown into an international creative community that has helped tens of thousands of kids discover the joy of making something with their own hands.

Trixi is a former primary school teacher who has spent more than three decades introducing children to sewing through classrooms, workshops, books, and softie patterns designed specifically for young makers. Through Sew a Softie, she created a simple, welcoming way for families and educators to pass on sewing skills while building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving in kids.

Her work has been featured in Simply Sewing Magazine, Country Living, Homespun, Handmade, Casa Creativa, Patchwork & Quilting, and major publications including The Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Chicago Tribune, Parade, and Uppercase Magazine. Trixi has also designed softie characters for the Ugly Dolls Movie and the beloved children’s book series Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas, bringing her playful designs to an even wider audience.

She has taught and led workshops in Kyoto, Amsterdam, Melbourne, and throughout her home city of Sydney, Australia, and she continues to inspire families around the world through Sew a Softie’s annual Global Kids Sewing Party, books, and online community.

Today, Trixi joins us to talk about how Sew a Softie began, what she’s learned from kids over the years, and why teaching children to sew is really about much more than just fabric and thread

(1:56) How did Trixi Learn to Sew?

(3:34) Why did Trixi’s family relocate all the way to Australia

(4:16) Who influenced Trixi’s  sewing?           

(7:05) Sew-A-Softie turns 10 this year. What was the moment that it clicked for her to start this movement? And what’s a Zenki?

(12:48) What inspires Trixi’s Softie designs?

(14:37) Trixi shares a few stories about people in the Sew A Softie program

(16:58) What’s the Global Kids Sewing Party and how did it come to be?

(22:13) How many softies have been created over the years?

(23:10) What surprises her most about Sew & Softie?

(24:05) What have the kids taught her over the years?

(26:23) How does living in Sydney, Australia influence her and her work?

(26:30) Trixi talks about her new book Sew A So Softie Workbook #3.

(26:10) when not sewing or teaching, how does Trixi like to spend her time?

(29:40) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?

(30:12 ) Is there a question we didn’t ask?

(30:35) Want to reach out to Trixi? You can find her at trixi@sewasofti.com Instagram and  Facebook

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Key Words: Trixi Symonds, Sew a Softie, kids sewing, sewing for children, sewing education, softie patterns, Global Kids Sewing Party, sewing teachers, craft education, hand sewing, creativity for kids, DIY toys, sewing workshops, Australian makers, sewing podcasts, textile arts, beginner sewing, sewing for families, creative confidence, soft toys, Zenki