Please join us for the first installation of Bertha’s Harris Fall Workshops, “Stitches to Hold the World Together” on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from noon to 2:00pm (or later) in Building 2N, Room 106
In the workshop series, we will be focusing on understanding the ways in which women’s traditions of stitching have helped them to “hold their worlds together” in the face of displacement, poverty, enslavement, war, isolation, and other challenges. We will celebrate the resiliency of their traditions as we learn about them and get to make them ourselves.
In our first workshop, we will make traditional French Biscornu (meaning “bizarre”) pincushions, a tradition that emerged after the Nazi occupation in the Second World War as a way to use small scraps to replace traditional stitchery tools that had been lost in the war. This is an easy project for every level of sewer, especially beginners.
The workshop starts at noon and the learning part is completed by 12:30pm — after that is just hanging out and stitching together. Come for a little or all.
Supplies will be provided. There will be coffee, tea, and snacks, and good company. All are welcome — students, staff, and faculty. This event is underwritten by funds from the late Jean Roland, long a supported of the Bertha Harris Women’s Center.
Watch for the rest of our workshops this fall, same time, same location:
Tuesday, Oct. 22: “Friendship Star” Piecing
Wednesday, Nov. 6: Visible Mending, Boro-style
Tuesday, Nov. 19: Kantha-Style Needlebook
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Palestinian Tatreez Embroidery
Also, join us for ongoing drop-in mending workshops throughout the fall from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in Building 2N, Room 106; come learn how to repair your clothing instead of trashing it, how to live fashionably, and more sustainably, and to amaze your friends with your button-sewing skills: Monday, Oct. 21; Tuesday, Oct. 29; Monday, Nov. 4; and Tuesday, Nov. 12. Mending supplies will be on hand; just bring your items you want to learn to repair.
By the Bertha Harris Women’s Center
