At first, this was going to be a project that shared how I gained resilience from textiles after dealing with the aftermath of assault. Finding the work of the arpilleras, POWs (see trench art), the women of Greenham Commons, the Mapula Project, Feminicidas Bordados, helped me see that strength lived in the lineage of stitches.

What this search showed me was that there are thousands of textile stories that haven’t been told. Like how a pillow made by my grandmother came to me and what it represents.

So, here’s my letter to textiles about how my grandmother’s stitching helped me find my own strength. I have others coming, one to a vintage quilt I bought on Etsy where I want to celebrate it for the joy it has brought into my life, maker unknown, and what I made while working through my own healing.

And I was wondering if you had a textile object somewhere that you love, made by yourself or someone you love or persons unknown. Maybe it exists only in memory or you’re wearing it right now!

Maybe this will just be my letters here, but maybe if you feel like sharing, you’ll send me letters to share here too. I would love to read (and share) your textile thoughts, memories, legacies and dreams.

Want to participate? You can submit your own story in this form here: https://betsygreer.typeform.com/to/ZUaE6MtK