I was sitting at my sewing machine contemplating the immense amount of embroidery needed to fill this magical cape of empowerment and was struck by a need to connect to other people, give them a voice and to sing about embroidery. I remembered the wonderful Aussie Ladies I taught in January, women from all walks of life with powerful experiences to share. We had laughed and stitched together and life seemed so much lighter and more colourful.
My thoughts developed into clouds floating across the landscape, the weather changing and the sun shining in between. Six ‘Superstitcher' nights at my studio later, clouds were forming, women were gathering and I had the idea to open the project up to my many Superstitcher ladies from around the world. As a result of one Instagram post and a Facebook story clouds were being requested from all over the globe and I was sending felt and instructions as far as Iran, Hong Kong, Venice and New Zealand.
Within weeks hand-stitched, heart-felt clouds were pouring through my door from places as far flung as Australia! Receiving these clouds by post; accompanied by poems, letters and photographs has been the most beautiful experience. I am overwhelmed with women's eager need to communicate their hopes and dreams for a peaceful world of equality and love. It has at times been breathtaking, beautiful and poignant. I have been moved by the honesty and sincerity of these women, the humble yet powerful nature of these hand stitched clouds.
The project has a life of its own and has become about slow time, contemplation, time spent amongst friends, new or old. A supportive way to explore a traditional craft that allows for reconnection; to your hands, to others and to yourself. I wanted this element of the womankind project to be more community based, to feel like something bigger than the individual. Even if you can’t see your fellow stitchers, you’re connected by an invisible thread. That is the joy of the cloud project, it’s simplicity. A rich combination of time and spirit, offered up without obligation, just for the sheer joy of it. I feel honoured to be able to provide even a small platform for other women to have a voice and to have the trust of strangers to be the guardian of their clouds!
