3 Incredible Women - 3 Amazing Stories About Making a Difference

This episode of Sew & So is a little different. Instead of one conversation, you're getting three!

While recording at BERNINA University 2026 in New Orleans, we had the opportunity to sit down with three remarkable women who are each making an impact in very different ways.

You'll meet Shelancia Daniel, founder of Creativity Shell, a nonprofit using sewing and other creative trades to build confidence, life skills, and resilience in children—including some of our most vulnerable youth.

Then we'll head to Switzerland, at least figuratively, with Sarah Caldwell, who leads international training and product development for BERNINA International. We talk innovation, the changing ways people learn, AI, customer input, and the beautiful new BERNINA Liberty Edition machines.

And finally, you'll meet Allison Parker, founder of ricRACK in New Orleans—a nonprofit that's giving fabric a second life while teaching a new generation how to sew, create, repair, and rethink textile waste.

Three women. Three completely different stories. One powerful connection: they each saw something that needed to change and decided to do something about it.

(1:39) Meet Shelancia Daniel!

(2:09) Shelancia tells us what’s she’s been up in the last year with Creativity Shell

(2:50) How did Creativity Shell get started and why did she name it Creativity Shell?

(3:40) What new programs does Creativity Shell have going on this year?

(5:40) How does Shelancia come up with ideas for new programs?

(6:36) Where is Creativity Shell located and what are their plans for expansion and the future?

(8:59) How many kids have gone through their program?

(9:25) Shelancia talks with us about human trafficking and how people can be aware of what’s going on and make a difference?

(12:10) Shelancia talks about Creativity Shell’s relationship with BERNINA.

(13:48) What can someone do if they are suspicious of human trafficking?

(15:38) How can you support the Creativity Shell?

(16:53)www.creativityshell.org

(17:44) Meet Sarah Caldwell head of Training for BERNINA International

(18:38) Sarah talks about what she’s been up to for the last year as well as the new BERNINA partnership with Liberty Fabrics.

(19:39) How was the pattern on the new BARNINA machine chosen?

(20:05) What shifts and trends is Sarah seeing in how people learn?

(20:49) How does the current generation learn that’s different from other generations?

(21:34) Innovation…what emerging technologies is Sarah seeing?

(22:20) What influence does AI have on today’s innovations?

(22:52) Sarah tells us about herself and how she came to work for BERNINA

(24:15) Sarah handles training for all but North America. How is her approach different form that in North America?

(25:07) How does she know what needs to be taught?

(25:57) Where do the ideas come from for new product development? What about customer input?

(28:02) What does the next year look like for Sarah?

(29:13) How did Sarah and her family get started in making and modeling costumes?

(30:30) What didn’t we ask? Hear Sarah’s story about her mom.

(31:53) Meet Allison Parker founder of ricRACK New Orleans

(32:43) Allison tells us about ricRACK and its inception

(35:41) Where did the name ricRACK come from?

(36:44) Allison tells us about the sewists who are working in the back of the store…as well as the other groups who work in the store year-round.

(38:26) In the life of ricRACK, what has surprised Allison the most?

(39:46) What are the requirements for fabric donations to ricRACK?

(42:23) What’s Allison’s dream for the future of ricRACK?

(42:44) What question didn’t we ask? How can people help?!

(44:06) Where does she want to open new locations?

(44:46) www.ricRACKnola.com, allison@ricRACKnola.com

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