Member-only story
Contemplations of an Analog Maker in a Digital World
The Maker movement and what it might mean for you
Recently I spent my first session as our local library’s Artist in Residence. I had been invited to apply for this position and with true impostor syndrome feelings, wondered if I had enough to offer the library’s patrons. Working with library staff, we came up with a theme. I’d be exploring traditional needlework over the two-month stint. Each week I’ll spend an afternoon at the library, and I’ll also provide a lecture and a couple of workshops.
In preparation, I went through my sewing room. I put all my needlepoint projects in one stack. The cushion my poodle Liam had gnawed needs to be repaired. A piece of bargello in pink and green has always seemed too small. Maybe now is the time to do something with it. There’s the stack of felt squares, the Ohio-made basket filled with yarn, the box of vintage 1970s Talon zippers I inherited from my aunt Dorothy. My mother’s cross-stitched pin cushion and her stuffed bear pattern. My jar of pearl buttons. Many memories and more than enough needlework variety to share at the library. Then there’s the collection of books of design, needlepoint, quilting, and sewing projects. I’m tempted to create a “give away” box for some of my fabric stash.
