Feminists Get Crafty

Reading this article in City Pages has brought back a lot of memories. Memories of feeling strange for enjoying cooking, sewing and crocheting. I gave a speech in college about sewing mittens and the response was "You don't look like a seamstress." I felt like I should be wearing a flower print sundress if I were to dare to discuss sewing. Then there was "Feminists don't sew" when I suggested to my Women's Studies Seminar class that we make a braided rug. Thankfully, my professor at the time was very crafty and set everyone straight. Still it took awhile for them to get excited about sewing and braiding a rug. But then they got excited about sewing and braiding a rug and by the time we hung it in the coffeeshop where it was on display, a lot of the participants were a little less afraid of a sewing machine and some were eager to start their own rugs. I love how craftiness has evolved into something punk rock. When I was punk rock in high school, it was the only way I could make clothes to suit my personality and I did get lots and lots of comments from classmates on clothes I made. Mostly good, all amusing. Most of the stuff I sew now is pretty tame, but it's still more my style than what I see in the stores. Plus also cheaper.

It's about time crafty became punk rock.