Community Conversation: Stitching a Loneliness Antidote

During Stitching a Loneliness Antidote, the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights and the Prince George's County Memorial Library System will look at "stitch-and-bitches" as ways (primarily) women come together to form and be in community, how that has a long history and in these times of a loneliness epidemic, ever more critical; how fiber arts have historically and continue to be places of social justice/revolutionary work. We will be joined by a panel made up of local crafters in various needlework spaces.

About the Panelists

Wanting to keep her Mexican heritage alive, Maria Fernanda Vivar-Guzman's mother taught her to embroider around the age of 10, and she continued to learn other needlecraft as she got older. Crochet and embroidery have become Maria's main needlework outlets. During and after the pandemic, many decided to learn a new needlework skill, or even just resume forgotten projects from the past, which was the reason for her creating Needlework Social at the Hyattsville Branch Library. So many friendships and communities have started with needlework projects, and it continues to be a major connection to Maria's family and culture.

After completing her Ph.D. in American History, Audrey Lau wanted a new creative and intellectual challenge. Stumbling upon a 19th century Amish bookmark pattern at a gift shop following a tour of President James Buchanan’s home, Audrey realized she could combine her love of history with a newfound love of “painting with thread.” During the pandemic, Audrey found the online world of “FlossTube” and discovered the concept of “craftivism,” activism using crafts and a world of people trying to modernize, diversify, and complicate the narrative of crafts often associated with rich white women. As the Adult and Senior Services Specialist for PGCMLS, Audrey encourages library staff to create and cultivate communities of stitchers, fiber artists, knitters, crocheters, craftivists, needleworkers, sewists, ravelutionaries, and anyone seeking to try something new in libraries throughout PGC.

Tiana Davis first became interested in sewing in her teens, watching hours of videos about upcycling clothes for a refreshed wardrobe without supporting fast fashion. During the pandemic, when everyone started collecting new hobbies, Tiana decided to dust off her mom's handy (and still in the box!) Singer and subscribed to Sew It Academy. Five years on, Tiana enjoys sewing in her free time, and has become a regular pattern tester for Greenstyle Patterns. She has a very loose, informal sewing club with her group of friends, that she is looking to turn into a general crafting group in an effort to build a stable community.

When Corrina Sowden was eight years old, her Great Gram taught her how to knit along with many life lessons. While taking an Arts & Crafts class in high school, she rediscovered knitting. Corrina worked at a fabric store for a year, but since then knitting and more recently embroidery have been fun hobbies. Her friends and family have been gifted many knitted scarves.

Kate Blattner is the owner and founder of Three Little Birds Sewing Co., a vibrant modern fabric and craft supply store located in the Arts District of Hyattsville, MD. For over a decade, Three Little Birds has been a beloved hub for the maker community in the Washington, DC area, offering a carefully curated selection of fabrics and craft supplies. In addition to retail, the store is known for its wide range of sewing and quilting classes, which cater to makers of all skill levels. With a passion for fostering creativity and supporting local artisans, Kate has built a welcoming space where people can learn, create, and connect.