Reclaiming creative and social power via group stitching
By K. Nieves
Often reduced to a mundane pastime, sewing holds deep historical roots, a legacy of feminist activism, and a host of benefits for young creatives. In an era of fast fashion, digital burnout, and social isolation, learning to stitch is not just practical, but empowering.
For many, stitching is a deeply personal act of healing. Professor Catherine Lavender, Director of the Bertha Harris Women’s Center, shared her own experiences of using sewing as a form of stress relief while navigating the pressures of academia and later recovering from a serious accident.
“I started [these events] as a way for people to rebuild their social connections as a result of the isolation of the pandemic,” said Lavender. “Stitching was a way to feel like the word was not falling apart. I could hold myself together somehow.”
The events in question are a series of drop-in slow stitching and mending workshops, with upcoming dates actively taking place throughout the semester at the Bertha Harris Women’s Center, located in 2N-106.
The workshops provide not only a space for creative expression but also an opportunity for mindfulness, a practice that research increasingly connects to improved mental well-being. A research study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that engaging in creative hobbies like sewing helped reduce the risk of dementia and preserve memory. Another study commissioned by the Home Sewing Association found that the average heartbeat and blood pressure of participants dropped after sewing.
In synchrony with its stress relief benefits, sewing has seen a resurgence among younger generations looking for creative outlets outside of screens, with the slow, meditative process of stitching offering an antidote to the fast-paced, digital-driven world. According to a 2020 article from The Detroit News, “Sewing Classes Near Me” has seen a consistent rise in Google searches within the last five years. The craft’s popularity has been further fueled by social media communities that encourage DIY fashion, upcycling, and sustainability
“You get to show your personality with the fabric,” said Lori Uccio, College Assistant at the Women’s Center. “It was nice to see that I could make something.”
For many, the experience is not just about mending, but about creating something uniquely their own.
“I’m excited to make stuff that’s tangible,” said student Rimsha Niyamata, who visited the Women’s Center for her first time in order to partake in the workshop. “I definitely want to practice more.”
Beyond its individual benefits, sewing fosters a sense of community. Stitching together strengthens social bonds, much like the quilting circles of the past.
“In history, stitching was often a place where women found community, as it was done collectively,” said Lavender. “Community is built on our interdependence of each other and our willingness to listen. Even if you’re not the person with the professor hat on, you have something others can learn from.”
Teaching sewing also challenged Lavender’s gendered assumptions about sewing. In a previous class, Lavender recalled how male students surprisingly embraced stitching, passing along techniques to their other classmates who hadn’t caught on and building a sense of shared expertise.
The community-driven nature of the practice is not unbeknown. Historically, quilting circles offered women a rare space to gather and support one another. These communal projects not only created functional works of art but also wove together friendships and stories in times when women’s voices were often silenced.
“This humble craft that women do, that is often taken for granted, is a powerful way of preserving culture and is often a political statement,” said Lavender. “Women’s history isn’t always written down in books, but it’s embedded in the fabric they’ve stitched.”
