Lesley Wheeler

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Lesley Wheeler.Lesley is a poet, quilter, and textile artist whose work merges narrative, symbolism, and stitch.In this second half we discuss her development as a maker — from trusting her intuition with complex textile projects to learning embroidery, lace, and machine techniques. Lesley talks about fabric collecting, playful side projects that keep her creativity flowing, and how pop culture and music filter into her practice, from Busta Rhymes back patches to Beatles-inspired tarot cards. We also cover her favorite books, films, and poets, and the broader inspirations that shape her artistic life.

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Lesley Wheeler.Lesley is a poet, quilter, and textile artist who brings tarot symbolism to life through fabric and thread.In this first half of our conversation we explore how she approaches tarot as both a meditative tool and a form of visual storytelling, her PhD in confessional poetry, and the ways writing and textiles draw from the same creative well. Lesley shares how quilting became a sustaining practice during lockdown, the historical tarot decks that inspire her, and her ideas about liminality, accessibility, and making art that exists beyond traditional institutions.