Sewing Circles 🧵

Currently, I am hosting a series of sewing circles where I invite folks to quilt the poetry of Marcellus Williams. When Williams was executed, I experienced an overwhelming sense of grief and saw the same pain reflected in my community, yet there were few spaces for us to process it collectively. This project draws from the tradition of sewing circles, which have long been spaces where people, particularly women, gathered to share their stories, express grievances, and support one another while working with their hands.

Historically, in many Black families with limited resources, quilts were essential for warmth during cold winters, and sewing circles served a dual purpose: meeting immediate material needs and fostering a sense of connection and mutual aid. These gatherings were places where labor, care, and creativity intertwined to build resilience within the community.

Inspired by this tradition, I aim to create a space where participants can ground themselves in the meditative act of handwork, fostering vulnerability and reflection on the state of the world. I will know this project is successful when participants feel comfortable opening up and leave with both a sense of connection and new skills, such as sewing and dyeing. For me, this process is not solely about the physical labor of quilting or the social gathering, but also about the depth of healing and solidarity it can inspire.

Join Us! 🔗

Check the calendar below for Sewing Circle dates, locations, and times. Click on each event for details and a link to RSVP. Some Sewing Circles are intended for specific affinity groups, so please keep that in mind when browsing.

No sewing experience is needed, and all Sewing Circles are free and open to the public.

*Be sure to RSVP! This ensures you’ll receive updates about any changes to the event, including location, time adjustments, or cancellations.

Keep in touch. 💌

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This project is supported by the Collective Futures Fund and Mass Cultural Council.

Rania Abdalla Kadafour

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Sewing Circles

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CV
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