January 2012 Memo to the People: A pause to reconsider our purpose.

The Sewing Rebellion has emancipated people from cheep disposable garments by teaching mending, sewing, remaking and pattern making for 6 years! This fall the Associated Press released a piece  (thank you Sean) about the Sewing Rebellion, and it has prompted a renewed interest in starting chapters.  We welcome Evanston IL Chapter, which is starting this Sunday. 

However, the Sewing Rebellion needs to reconsider the it’s current structure, and contemplate how to proceed in the revolutionary style which is at it’s core!   For the time being I will discontinue the instructions, and monthly emails, however please continue your individual commitment to STOP SHOPPING AND START SEWING!

Wishing you the best mending, altering and remaking in 2012! 

December Production – Stitch In

I WANT YOU TO STITCH YOUR WAY TO JOY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

 

If you are looking for a Chapter in your community, here is the current list.
Brooklyn Chapter
Thursday December 8, 6-9 pm at Textile Arts Center, 505 Carroll Street, Park Slope.
http://sewingrebellionnyc.wordpress.com

Los Angeles Chapter
WEST SIDE
NO MEETING  Hands on 3^rd, 8377 West 3^rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.0515
http://www.handson3rd.com

Santa Rosa Chapter
TBA
http://sewingrebellionsantarosa.wordpress.com/ or email Bess besslake@aol.com

Coming in January – Chicago Area Chapter to Launch in Evanston!  and in response to the AP article, the following chapters are in the works – Ventura and Sonoma CA.

For information about starting a chapter in your area, please contact Frau Fiber fraufiber@gmail.com

Stitch In

Frau Fiber wants YOU – to join her in your respective cities – in a Stitch in on Friday November 25!

 

November Production: Answer to an email

November 2011 Memo to the People:  An email question

“I am writing to you after having read an article about you and your company in the local newspaper this morning. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/lost-art-of-mending-gains-new-following-for-reasons-economic-environmental/2011/10/25/gIQAqieDGM_story.html   I would really like to continue the tradition my mom had of fixing and mending clothes but she passed away several years ago and I never really got to learn from her.  My wife is not a big sewer and it has become clear to me that if things are going to get mended, I’m the one who needs initiate the process.

 

I have a couple pairs of socks in particular that the heels and toes are wearing very thin but the rest of the sock that covers the ankle and further up the leg is just fine.  I do not want to throw them away because of this and I have not seen the pattern for some of these in that color (black argyle).  Plus, some of these socks are fairly thick like a winter wool grade!  My mom would use a big light bulb to darn with, covering the bulb with the sock, but that is about as much as I remember.

 

I am hoping that you may be able to help me by either sending directions/instructions or getting me in touch with someone knowledgeable in what you do for older clothes.  Thank you for taking the time to do what you do – I feel that America needs more folks like you as this is a tradition that (in my opinion) has been fading away and speaks to one of the core principles this country has lived by for decades – make it last!  When you make something, make it well and when something breaks, if it can be fixed, then fix it so it will last!  : )”

 

So with this in mind, dig through your sock drawer, find all those shabby socks, and check out this you tube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nY1jTVyBE0  It’s my favorite darning video.  And you don’t need a mushroom, much like the writers mother a light bulb will work and so will a potatoe.

 

If you are looking for a Chapter in your community, here is the current list.

Chapter Meetings.
Brooklyn Chapter
3^rd Sunday of the month, 4-6:30 PM, Sapcecraft 355 Bedford Ave., between 4^th and 5^th streets.
http://sewingrebellionnyc.wordpress.com

Los Angeles Chapter
WEST SIDE
Sunday November 20, 4:30-6: 30  Hands on 3^rd, 8377 West 3^rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.0515
http://www.handson3rd.com

Santa Rosa Chapter
TBA
http://sewingrebellionsantarosa.wordpress.com/ or email Bess besslake@aol.com

Hand Mending in Oakland

Hand mending has lower production yields, but conversation was top notch!

 

 

 

 

One off – Oakland Sewing Rebellion

October 2011 Bay Area Sewing Rebellion:  The Politics of Mending Workshop

USE IT UP, MAKE IT WORK, MAKE IT DO!

Attention inhabitants of the Bay Area, Frau Fiber WANTS YOU TO hand mend, replace zippers, alter, repurpose and remake your denim jeans!

Frau will supply instructions, hand sewing needles, zippers, thread, and scissors.   YOU BRING your jeans to mend, and sewing a machine if you want to use it.

 

Saturday October 8, 2011, 1 – 4 pm.

Allison Smiths’ Studio is located in the Uptown section of Oakland at 356 24th Street between Webster and Valdez Streets, directly across from Creative Growth.

By BART – Take BART to the 19th Street Oakland stop. Go up Broadway to 24th Street. Turn right on 24th Street and go 1 1/2 blocks east to 356 24th Street.

By Car from San Francisco – Take the Bay Bridge, and then follow signs to 580 east – Downtown Oakland. Take the exit for I-980 (Downtown Oakland and Airport). Take the first exit for 27th Street. At the end of the ramp turn left onto 27th Street. Proceed to Broadway and turn right. Turn left on 24th Street and proceed 1 1/2 blocks east to 356 24th Street.

By car from 580 East towards Oakland – Take the Harrison exit, and then turn left on Harrison. Proceed to the major intersection and take a soft right onto 24th Street. Proceed two blocks west to 356 24th Street.

Parking is available at meters nearby, in 2-hour residential parking spots and at several pay lots in the blocks that surround the studio.

October Production

 

 

October 2011 Memo to the People:  Be a Rebellion of One!

You don’t have to be a member of a Sewing Rebellion Chapter to rebel against mass production of cheep apparel!  In the quiet of your home, use your skills you might already have.  Pull the dusty sewing machine out of the back of the hall closet; make room for it on your table or desk.  Now sew your Halloween costume this year!  The problems, and mistakes won’t matter; it’s Halloween, your costume is supposed to be scary!

 

Chapter Meetings.

Chapter Meetings.
Brooklyn Chapter
3^rd Sunday of the month, 4-6:30 PM, Sapcecraft 355 Bedford Ave., between 4^th and 5^th streets.
http://sewingrebellionnyc.wordpress.com

Los Angeles Chapter

DOWNTOWN
Sunday October 9, 1-5 pm. 734 San Julian St, Los Angeles, CA 90014.

Use 7th, 8th or 9^th street, avoid 6^th street. 

WEST SIDE
Sunday October 16, 4-6:30 pm, Hands on 3^rd, 8377 West 3^rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.0515
http://www.handson3rd.com

Santa Rosa Chapter
TBA

http://sewingrebellionsantarosa.wordpress.com/ or email Bess besslake@aol.com

 

The Sewing Rebellion furthers the emancipation from the global garment industry by learning how to alter, mend and make their own garments and accessories!  Instigated by Frau Fiber, textile worker and activist.  Frau Fiber and / or regional chapter organizers distribute their knowledge of the garment industry, pattern making and sewing, encouraging the reuse, renovation and recycling of existing garments and textiles in the creation of unique items tailored to individual tastes and body shapes.

Bring garments to swap, mend, alter and remake and sewing problems, which need solutions, materials to share and if you have it a sewing machine.

Frau Fiber supports – Garment Work

MCS Exhibiti:  UBS 12 x 12: Anne Elizabeth Moore

As part of the monthly UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work series at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago-based artist Anne Elizabeth Moore leads Garment Work, a durational collective performance project in which the artist and visitors deconstruct one of America’s most iconic fashion elements: denim jeans.

The exhibit runs through August 28, and twice a week, Moore turns the gallery space into a performance/workshop/discussion to create a connection between Cambodia’s garment manufacturing industry where the jeans are made to Michigan Avenue, where the jeans are sold.

During the installation, Moore joins with visitors to physically take the jeans apart by hand and presents research about the origins of the jeans and the experiences of their makers and sellers. Her exhibition reflects on the international garment trade and women’s issues in developing nations.

AEM Garment Work

 

 

Summer Production

Continue your efforts to STOP SHOPPING THIS SUMMER!

 

Sewing Rebellion Chapters around the world are going on hiatus during the lazy days of summer.  However, I want you to spend a few hours this summer at your sewing machine!  To encourage this production, I have placed all the Sewing Rebellion instructions as PDF’s on the blog under pages.

 

 

Danke

Frau Fiber

June Production – Pocket Project 1.0

Chapter Meetings.

Brooklyn Chapter
Mending Circle, June 11 and 12,   Governor’s Island
http://sewingrebellionnyc.wordpress.com

Los Angeles Chapter
WEST SIDE
Sunday June 26, 4-6:30 pm, Hands on 3^rd, 8377 West 3^rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.0515
http://www.handson3rd.com

Santa Rosa Chapter
TBA

http://sewingrebellionsantarosa.wordpress.com/ or email Bess besslake@aol.com