The Stitchwitch Directive 1

Throughout time, both men and women have participated in the art of sewing. But, as usual, when a man sews it's a professional job, something worth paying for. He is a Tailor. The sewing that women carry out has never had the same status. Making clothes for the family came under the heading of domestic duties. A woman who sewed things for others was a jobbing seamstress, earning a bit of pin money. Tapestries, samplers and embroideries dating back centuries were never recognised as an art, despite arguably requiring more skill and talent than some internationally renowned artworks produced by men. Intricate quilts were just blankets, made to use up fabric scraps. Things have changed a little...but not enough and maybe that's because we can just buy anything we want cheap as we like, instead of having to make it - not because of any great strides in feminism.

More women are reclaiming the traditional activities that we like to keep alive as a form of witchcraft. Making kitchen remedies, creating a herb garden, learning how to give spiritual guidance - can now come under this heading. We are standing in solidarity with those women who were unappreciated at levels ranging from ignored to murdered and calling ourselves "Witch".

The Stitchwitch Directive 1

The Stitchwitch will use her needlework skills to help protect the earth from the modern disease of too many possessions which are too easily disposed. 

  • She will darn holes in socks so that they can be worn again.
  • She will patch holes in clothing to preserve and make something individual.
  • She will prepare herbal sachets to deter moths from wardrobes.
  • She will use scraps of fabric to make something new - a quilt, a lavender bag, a cushion cover, a patch, a piece of art.
  • Clothes that no longer fit are not discarded. They are altered to fit or a new wearer is found.
  • Buttons are replaced when lost.
  • New garments are only purchased for special occasions and NEVER just to relieve boredom.
  • New lengths of fabric may be bought more often, as something handmade is treasured for longer. 
  • We pass our sewing tools on through generations. We use our grandmother's darning mushroom and treasure old sewing tins that we inherit or that fate places in our hands.

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