Sewing Circles
Oglala Lakota Tipi 1891
Bone Needles
For 1000s of years people have come together to connect and sew. Firstly making clothes from strings of carcass, animal hides & bone needles, to cover their bodies, canvases for shelters or blankets for warmth repurposing used fabrics, the art of sewing has been part of human lives for longer than we realise.
Women built quilts across the world as a rite of passage collectively stitching and passing down stories, congregating together with other females in sewing circles to share their news, learn and educate each other. Deepening family ties and spirituality, building in stories to old fabric in layers with the history of the past, breathing new life force into the art they were creating & keeping each other warm. So too was ancient vedic religion passed down from person to person through listening to elders weaving word of mouth, singing, chanting, praying, moving together.
Indian Kantha Quilt
In Asia dowrys’ given in marriage often include numerous patchwork quilted bedcovers, wall hangings, and articles of clothing to wrap first born children in, swaddling new life in tradition, energy from the old uplifting the new. In Africa women often perform their quilting jointly, sitting together in sewing circles, singing gospel songs and praying.
‘Chewing the Rag ‘’ comes from the idea of ‘gossiping’ a word I believe was made up by a man. Tainting the idea of women in groups linking together, envious of the profound value found in these sacred circles & ritual practices all around the world.
‘The Friendly Gossips’ by Eugene De Blass
In my own textile work I find circles coming back into my creativity time after time. The meditative quality of finding a central point organises my thoughts, utilising stitches to radiate outwards in a rainbow of colours. Sitting and sewing in silence is the most precious gift of all. Reflective of meditation in yoga practice, imagining a glowing ball of light around the mid- point in the body, filling up with the same array of colourful bliss. Either way holding my expression and sometimes chaotic emotion within a container.
Circles series by Cassandra Whitfield
With this web of support, sewing circles have the potential to bring us together whether we are meeting, moving or making together.