stitched stories documentary

Here is link for the stitched stories documentary. Because it is only about 20 minutes long, I have watched it several times. What else can I say? The documentary beautifully shows the healing power of stitch and the fun of stitching with others. There are two main characters - real people, actually. They couldn't be any more different from each other in their lives, their backgrounds, ages. They don't know each other and are walking completely different paths in life. In interviews with each of them, the filmmakers show how, despite their differences, they both have been immeasurably enriched (and employed!) by stitching, and in particular, stitching with others.

stitching in public

A glorious day at the farmer’s market this past week. Perfect Fall weather - not to hot; not too cold. Lucy and I arrived at the farmer’s market around lunch time. Our usual spot at the base of the monument was taken by a vendor, so we set up in the shade along the walk area. Lucy laid on the cobblestone and chewed her bone, while shoppers stepped over her or paused to pat her on the head. I sat and stitched, taking in the sounds of the New Orleans Jazz group to my right and the Woody Guthrie guys harmonizing further to my left.  A few people stopped to ask about the stitch gatherings sign and stayed to chat a bit. A guy who was a classmate of mine a few years ago, sat with me and ate his lunch, filling me in on his new tatoos and his latest heartbreak.  I stitch more loosely when I am in public and engaged in conversation. I just stitch spontaneously, without thinking too much. It’s much better than when I am by myself trying make important art.

Pussy Riot 2 and stitch gatherings

Taken for New York Magazine the image of this banner is striking. I don't know who the makers are...anonymous, as is often the case in women's work. Was it made in a gathering? I don't know that either. But I can picture the women who are carrying it, sitting together in someone's Brooklyn flat cutting up old t-shirts for the lettering and deliberately choosing the bold colors; not unlike the Suffragists of 100 years ago. The story behind this banner I might not ever know, but the suggested story is one of an enthusiastic stitch gathering.

Pussy Riot and stitch gatherings

Since the 19th century, there has been a long and rich history of women gathering together to stitch banners in support of political causes. I have been watching the recent stitching enthusiasm and camaraderie resulting from the incident with the Russian punk rock collective, Pussy Riot. As news spread around the world how three women members of the band were about to be imprisoned for civil disobedience, stitched banners with messages of support started appearing. From New York to Russia, small groups have gotten together to stitch cloth banners and bring them out in public. What I like is that in many of the images guys are participating to help make the banners; a change from the 19th century.  I found a website of the Wellington Craftism Collective and have posted one of their images here.

how to make an american quilt

In 1995 the film “How to Make an American Quilt” the quilting bee makes its entry into 20th century American popular culture. I have heard that the bee depicted in the film does not have historical accuracy. And some film critics take issue with the depth of the film. But I like the cozy romantic Hollywood depiction of the quilting bee, and the way the women’s stories are metaphors for patchwork. I especially like the image of the little girl sitting under the quilt looking up at the hands of the quilters at work and listening to their stories. Carrie Rickey wrote a review of the film for the Philadelphia Inquirer.  She says “... the sight of the completed quilt, the lyrical combination of all these stories, the rhythmic collage of two generations of womanly wisdom, is ineffably beautiful."  Check out clips of the film on youtube.

quilting bee as stitch gathering

I don’t want to use this blog just to post pictures of people gathering around to stitch; you can see that on our Facebook page. I love the idea of people sitting around to stitch together and so I will explore groups who, throughout time, have done this.

I have been thinking about the traditional quilting bee. From the book, “Massachusetts Quilts: Our Common Wealth” by Lynne Z. Bassett: The term quilting bee was not used until late in the 19th century. In 1802, cooperative quilting came in the form of a large work party called a ‘quilting.‘   Women who gathered together to quilt enjoyed the satisfaction of completing a project, as well as the opportunity to chat and exchange news. It strengthened the bonds between neighbors and relatives.

This, in the twitter age, sounds very satisfying to me.

why stitch gatherings?

I started stitch gatherings because I wanted the camaraderie of fellow stitchers: the banter, the exchange of ideas, the shared excitement of watching someone’s project come to fruition. The group is made up of members who relish the feel of a needle and thread making its way through cloth. We are fellow stitchers who are not interested in following a pattern or making derivative work, but who are creating out of our own need to make something individual and personal.  We rely on tradition and add a modern sensibility to the work. All those who love to stitch creatively are welcome; experienced and inexperienced. We will learn together, collaborate and share what we make with others. And that is stitch gatherings.