Stitching Exchange

Using the tools, techniques and materials of the needle arts as our common language

Stitching Exchange is an on-going Socially Engaged art project I created as a response to our country's increasingly incivility and horrendous treatment of immigrants. Sewing is the common language used to communicate, build relationships, and foster kindness. I starting working with communities within the capital district of Albany, NY in 2018. Since then I have received several small grants and now have the support of a few dedicated volunteers. Two volunteers meet weekly with a group of women in Watervliet, NY, focusing on citizenship test questions. In Albany we now offer monthly drop in sewing class at two public libraries. These classes are jointly taught by an SE Volunteer and an immigrant woman. We have been supported in many ways by our wonderful partner UpStitch, including free materials, sewing machines, and an amazing volunteer network of their own that has been very helpful to us.

Some past details...

2023

Flying with Fabrics! We created beautiful kites to fly with the public in Washington Park, Albany, NY. We had kite making events at Honest Weight Food Coop. We also provided kite kits at Troy Farmers Market and Washington Park Farmers Market.

2022

Stitching Exchange began an experimental collective called Hand/Work. We used an informal time bank system, an alternative currency system where hours of service take the place of money to build community and help our participants with practical needs.

Watch the video here:

Watch the Hand/Work info sesion video here:

Listen here to a recent interview to learn more about this project:

Look, up in the sky, is it a bird, or a plane? No, it's a flying apron kite!

Market bag made of recycled cottons. Hand embroidery: Bangla "corn" by Taslima, English "corn" by Melissa.

Throw Pillow made of recycled men's shirts. Hand embroidery: English "kinship" by Melissa, Bangla "kinship"by Taslima.