This is the sort of unexpected juxtaposition that I love to think about.
Sunday before last, ABC2 aired the documentary Making It Handmade. Four Melbourne crafters feature, showing how they’ve “upcycled” the once daggy ladies sewing circle into something with a much more feminist flavour. (I suspect there may always have been a hint of the female power in the old sewing circle).
No malice intended – if you would like it removed, just ask.
Each young woman has employed the crafters’ circle in a different way, from a gentle space for young women to gather, share their skills and be creative, to night-time raids to cross-stitch political messages onto wire fences (above). There’s also the crafter who makes decorative “female parts” with her friends and then flings them up high onto the electricity wires in the street, so if this offends, it’s probably wise to avoid this particular movie.
On the other hand, if you’re interested, the documentary is still available via iView for another 6 days. The link is below:
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/812234
If you’re visiting here too late to catch iView, this interview with one of the crafters, Rayna
might fill you in a little.
Now back to bed to rest. I’ve caught the annual lurgee that sweeps into Brisbane on the westerlies every August and I’m not going to fight it. Keep warm!
