SR-West Hollywood

The power of the machine, the memory of the hands, the gift of mending.  Pins are Verboten!

Kaiser Cartel

Frau Fiber attend the Kaiser Cartel show at the Silver Lake Lounge.  Kaiser Cartel, hosted a Sewing Rebellion in Dec. at their apt.  it was great having them on the west coast, and getting to hear their music.  I've been having a great time mending to their lovely songs.

www.kaisercartel.com

Praise of the mend and stitch

While I didn't get to hear this on Tuesday, a Sewing Rebellion Participant in Lancaster PA, sent the poem, and I couldn't help but share it with the rest of you.  

Praise song for the day.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.  All about us is noise.  All about use is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues.  Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils.  Begin."

We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day.  Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the  cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for the every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love they neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national.  Love that casts a widening pool of light.  Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winer air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp - praise song for walking forward in the light.

-Elizabeth Alexander

Darn Those Socks workshop in Brooklyn

Darn those socks: Saturday January 24, 2009

The Proteus Gowanus Fixer

s Collective is pleased to offer another opportunity for you expand your mending skills.  Donna Maria Perkins will demonstrate how to mend socks using a darning egg.  Bring your socks with holes and if you have one, a darning egg.  Other materials will be provided.

Fee. $15

RSVP info@proteusgowanus.com

543 Union STreet, Brooklyn NY 11217

Sewing Rebellion LA - Jan. 18, 1-5 pm.

The LA Chapter of the Sewing Rebellion will be meeting on Sunday January 18, 1-5pm.  Please email to RSVP and for directions.

This month's instructions: how to sew on a button, bring those shirts, and pants from the back of the closet with those missing buttons.

Also BRING your Sewing Machine, scissors, excess cloth, garments to mend and alter and sewing problems to solve.  Frau Fiber will be on hand to respond to your questions.

ALSO BRING SNACKS TO SHARE!