Craftivisim: Using creative energy to make a difference
Betsy Greer ‘You are so very beautiful’ campaign
Stereotypically seen by the ignorant as a pastime for meek old ladies, crafting has a radical side: everything from sweary sewing to campaigning crafting (aka craftivism: ‘craft’ + ‘activism’). It’s a beautiful way to share your thoughts or say something valid about what’s going on in the world. And therapeutic, too – as Jenny Eclair found out on BBC4’s Craftivism programme. This weekend we’ll definitely be getting crafty:
Campaigning Crafting
Employing your creative skills for the greater good is an excellent way of getting a message across. It’s gentler, and more engaging and also versatile than traditional forms of protest, usable for everything from a personal crusade to a massive political protest – and there are numerous examples of its effectiveness. Betsy Greer coined the term ‘craftivism’ in 2003 and has defined it as: ‘a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper and your quest for justice more infinite.’ In 2015 she began the ‘you are so very beautiful’ campaign, which asks people to create an affirmation starting with ‘you are…’, and leave it where someone will find it. (Many, including mine, are stitched, but it can take any form, eg a painted pebble.) Find out more HERE.
WWF’s #ORIGAMIMIGRATION Campaign – an origami initiative to protect migrant birds from dredging 2016
There are many examples of effective craftivism… whether for a global campaign, or much smaller in scale and closer to home, like during the first lockdown when my friend Justine knitted little rainbows to hang in her street as a tribute to the NHS and to bring a little joy to passers-by. Another friend is raising money for Patched Together a community project bringing isolated or vulnerable residents together to learn textile skills, in South London.
Last year the charity End Hunger UK sent MPs knitted or crocheted items of food to call for politicians to act to ensure everyone has enough to eat.
In 2015, The Craftivist Collective embroidered hankies for M&S board members to convince them to pay the living wage. Sarah Corbett, its founder, describes the collective’s work as ‘using craft to contemplate global issues, provoke thought and start conversations rather than arguments; to engage, empower and encourage people on and offline to become part of change in the face of injustice, inequality and prejudice.’
Helen Baker’s ‘smear ready’ campaign
The NAMES Project Memorial Aids Quilt comprised of 48,000 sewn panels commemorating the names of 96,000 people who have died of Aids, has been growing since 1987, and weighs an estimated 54 tonnes.
An alphabet crochet pattern has been created by Cincinnati’s craft-show organiser Grace Dobush for Black Lives Matter, to spell out names of those affected.
Approximately, 1-in-3 young women between the ages of 25-29 skip going for a smear test. In her #weareallsmearready campaign Helen Baker creates mini knickers, to promote going for a cervical smear, for Cervical Screening Awareness Week.
The Pussy Hat Project
Perhaps the largest craftivist action was the knitting of hundreds of thousands of pussy hats in January 2017, to wear on worldwide women’s marches protesting against Trump’s inauguration, and his misogynistic policies and views on women, like his infamous ‘Grab ’em by the pussy’ comment on approaching women. One (not mine) is now in the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Initially created and curated by the artist Diana Weymar as a cathartic act, Tiny Pricks Project recorded ex-president Donald Trump’s words by stitching them onto textiles. As she said on Instagram, ‘desperate times, creative measures.’
Sweary sewing*
Subverting pretty stitching by using it to spell out strong words, even if few people ever see them, is so satisfying. I was so exasperated by a moth infestation that I cross-stitched a message for them on a moth-repellent lavender bag. Swearing itself has many health benefits (as does crafting), from easing stress to relieving pain, and sweary sewing harnesses the twin benefits of creativity and swearing, doing twice the good! Even national treasure Dame Judi Dench has tried it. When she appeared in the play Amy’s View by David Hare in 1997, she embroidered him a cushion with ‘Fuck ’em, fuck ’em, fuck ’em’, referring to the theatre critics.
If you’re inspired to try it, Whitstable-based Profanity Embroidery Group (known as PEG) – described by Kathy Burke as ‘like a punk version of the WI’ – has downloadable embroidery kits on sale and free downloadable sweary templates.
Or Google alphabet templates and create your own message. If you’re into cross-stitch, you can use a pattern generator like this one. I can think of a few choice Covid-related phrases I’d like to commit to cloth…
*Any craft can, of course, be put to use: knitting, appliqué, weaving, glass-painting, candle-making…
Craftivism: find out more
• Watch BBC Four’s Craftivism: Making a Difference with Jenny Eclair.
• Read How to be a Craftivist by Craftivist Collective founder Sarah Corbett (£10), or shop for craftivist kits
Adrienne Wyper is a health and lifestyle writer and regular TNMA contributor.
Discussion (18 Comments)
Boadicea says:
Julia – and Ann Elder – I so agree! I am sick of hearing the F and C words in print and on tv. Don’t get me wrong: I’m no saint, just ask my husband!, but It’s still possible to get one’s message across without resorting to an in-your-face swear-fest. My grandmother would have called it ‘staying ladylike’.
And yes, I too, am a certain age! (80) so no sassing an old lady now!
Adrienne, I loved your piece. Particularly like the link to the profanity embroidery… Might have to indulge myself.
ANN ELDER says:
I have had many oh f -it moments recently but only to myself, in frustration and anger because I am of a very certain age and unable to do what I used to be able to do easily.
Oh for heaven’s sake, using profanity to shock and be popular seems immature and ‘silly’ to me. Getting a strong messages across could be done with some intelligent thoughtfulness without acting like a teenager.I think a lot of us have had those moments over the last year, Ann. It hasn’t been easy. As regards to swearing, I agree there are other ways to get a message across (see the Tiny Pricks Project) but I always think it’s about context… And looks like I am in the minority here (!) but I think the profanity group is supposed to be a bit of fun. Hence, the tagline ‘swearing and sewing will have you in stitches.’ And if it’s being done in the privacy of your own home (or on Zoom with like-minded craftivists) then it’s not really doing any harm. I really like the ‘Bloody Nora’ embroidery because it’s tongue in cheek and nostalgic, people used to say it when I was younger.
Sue Wilson says:
I was reminded of suffragettes who embroidered all their names on handkerchiefs while on hunger strikes in Holloway prison. Expressing solidarity through craft even when forbidden to talk.
June says:
I love the Profanity Embroidery Group – it’s all the more effective for being so unexpected! I am currently knitting a pair of sweary mittens that say ‘Cold as F***’ (without asterisks) and they’re great fun (pattern available on Ravelry). I’m not sure I’d emblazon the f-word on my everyday clothing or across my chest, but in unexpected places – yes, why not? Also think the smear test little knickers are an excellent idea. I watched the Jenny Eclair programme – I thought it came across well and a very positive way of expressing support for a cause or an idea. I particularly like the little positive messages left in random places.
Elizabeth says:
I visited “The Subversive Stitch” Exhibition last year shortly before lock down and loved it. So much skill and thoughtful design. And I love the smear ready pants and message but like some of the commenters above, struggle with the idea of a deliberate profanity embroidery group. If we want to stitch F**k off on a cushion , well ok , just do it. No one is stopping us. But why deliberately promote offensive language? Too cool for school??
Kate says:
I created a piece for the Tiny Pricks Project which I was then able to view displayed in a gallery while exhibit was in San Francisco. (For an amateur crafter this was thrilling!)The sheer volume of the contributions was staggering and at the time we still had a year left before the 2020 election. The best part of it all was the comforting feeling to see so many fellow crafters who had stitched out political angst via peaceful protest. The sheer volume of contributions made it sadly clear to see how inept and unprofessional our President was. (he who shall not be named ).
Protesting via stitching – It’s a brilliant idea and I was so pleased to be part of it. Do check out the Instagram or Facebook page. The creater of Tiny Pricks was so lovely to meet. A modern day champion in my book!
Thanks for sharing these other craftivism and sewing projects – a little sass in the world is ok, however I want to keep the F word and similar away from little eyes – protect innocence as long as possible. I found that menopause sweatshirt hilarious but couldn’t wear it in public – I need a PG version. In closing, I think this weekend I’ll create an affirmation token and do my part to spread some light and joy- we defined need more of that!Congratulations, Kate – having your work displayed must have been a fantastic. experience. How brilliant. I follow the Tiny Pricks Project on Instagram, such a good idea and yes, Diana Weymar the founder is a champion.
Davina Wood says:
Love this piece! I’ve been noticing more and more politically charged crafting projects recently and I’m delighted that it’s happening, had no idea it was a movement! The profanity embroidery is brilliant – I already have some sweary ceramics and they cheer me up and make me chuckle every time. Each to their own, but I don’t mind a bit of effing and blinding, I find it a release during these strange days
Belle says:
I was unaware of most of this, thank you for featuring it! I love the sweary stitching, even though I’m not inclined to craft, seeing what others have done makes me laugh out loud, which is always a good. thing
Hi, Adrienne below has kindly added a link to the pattern. I was posting in a hurry and didn’t have time to sort the link out! If you’re a reasonably confident knitter they are not too bed to make. A bit fiddly as colour work in the round on such a small scale cam be, but I think worth the effort!
Jane says:
I like the Bloody Nora piece too, it balances the nostalgia with the swearing and so makes me smile. I have young neighbours whose language is execrable (and audible as they gather outside) and their mother felt the need to apologise to me but they aren’t mean or violent or even use this language around their much younger sister so it doesn’t bother me.
I don’t think swearing is the preserve of younger people, or a pathetic attempt to be cool. It’s been a part of all language since humans began to speak. Subverting traditionally staid craft forms with irreverent language or images amuses me. And here is the ‘Cold as F****’ mittens knitting pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/how-cold-is-it
*extra asterisk after my u, c and k, being kind to those who don’t care to see such words spelt out in full
Thanks for adding the link Adrienne! The mitts are such fun, and most people don’t even notice what they say!
Love the origami project, and got a pink pussy hat some time ago. Thanks for this article. Also, swearing has its place, on occasion.
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Re:
Profanity Embroidery Guild' I find that so very sad. I do understand the cathartic effect of swearing but surely part of therelease’ is the fact that it is not mainstream/everyday/normal behaviour? The very public use of such language eventually diminishes its effect, doesn’t it?I personally find the
F' word offence and most publications still use the asterisk when using it. By becoming much more mainstream doesn't it lose its impact e.g. Davina McCall's sweatshirt ? Brilliant idea but why the need to tell everyone tof***’ off? It’s a horrible thing to say to anyone.Yes – I am a certain age! [76yrs]