Crafting and making have long been seen as leisurely activities, often associated with the domestic sphere and traditionally linked to women. However, throughout history, these seemingly benign practices have carried significant political weight, serving as tools for resistance, empowerment, and activism. From the early suffragettes to modern-day movements, craftivism has played a vital role in challenging societal norms and advocating for change.
Early roots: crafting as resistance
The political nature of crafting can be traced back to the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution began to change the way goods were produced. The Arts and Crafts movement, led by figures like William Morris, emerged as a reaction against mass production and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. Advocates of the movement sought to revive traditional crafts and emphasize the value of handmade goods, viewing their work as a form of resistance against the loss of individual creativity and craftsmanship.
During the same period, women in the suffrage movement used crafting as a means of protest. Suffragettes would knit, embroider, and sew banners, sashes, and other items emblazoned with their demands for the right to vote. These handmade objects were not only practical tools for their campaigns but also symbols of their commitment to the cause. The act of crafting itself became a way for women to assert their political agency in a society that often dismissed their voices.
The quilts of the civil rights movement
Fast forward to the 20th century, and crafting continued to play a significant role in political activism. The Civil Rights Movement saw the use of quilting as a medium for storytelling and resistance. The Gee’s Bend quilts, created by African American women in the rural community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, are perhaps the most famous example. These quilts, made from worn clothing and fabric scraps, were not only functional items but also powerful expressions of the quilters’ identities and experiences.
Quilting circles served as spaces where women could gather, share stories, and organize for social change. The quilts themselves were often sold to raise funds for the Civil Rights Movement, with the proceeds going to support activism and community initiatives. In this way, quilting became a form of economic empowerment and a means of supporting the struggle for racial equality.
Craftivism in feminist movements
The feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s also saw a resurgence in the political use of crafting. The Women’s Liberation Movement embraced “women’s work” as a form of feminist expression, challenging the devaluation of domestic skills like sewing, knitting, and embroidery. Crafting was reclaimed as a tool for empowerment, with women using it to create art that celebrated female experience and challenged traditional gender roles.
One notable example is the “Subversive Stitch,” a term coined by art historian Rozsika Parker in her book of the same name. The phrase refers to the way women used embroidery, traditionally seen as a genteel and apolitical craft, to express dissent and challenge societal norms. Feminist artists like Judy Chicago used techniques like needlework to create provocative works that addressed issues such as gender inequality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.
The rise of modern craftivism
In recent decades, the term “craftivism” has emerged to describe the intersection of crafting and activism. Coined by Betsy Greer in 2003, craftivism is the practice of using handcrafts as a form of social or political activism. Craftivists use their creations to address a wide range of issues, from environmental sustainability to human rights, often combining traditional crafts with modern technology and social media.
One of the most visible examples of craftivism in recent years is the Pussyhat Project, which gained global attention during the 2017 Women’s March. The project invited participants to knit or crochet pink hats with cat ears, symbolizing solidarity and protest against misogyny and the erosion of women’s rights. The image of thousands of marchers wearing these handmade hats became a powerful visual statement, demonstrating the continued relevance of crafting as a tool for political expression.
Another example is the Yarn Bombing movement, where crafters use knitting or crocheting to create public art installations, often with a political message. These installations, which can range from covering statues in colorful yarn to creating large-scale murals, challenge traditional notions of street art and public space while raising awareness about social and political issues.
I was lucky enough to participate in the Liberty Crochet Mural, a pro-women’s rights project, two times – one for Minnesota and one for my state, Florida. 40 crocheters from across the country come together to create individual panels that when stitched together, make a huge mural rallying behind the freedom to choose. Since it’s inception, over half of the states in the US have constructed a mural. Each 17×11 foot mural consists of 150,000 stitches of dissent and protest.
Crafting and the politics of consumption and capitalism
In addition to its role in direct activism, crafting also intersects with the politics of consumption. The rise of the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement and the growing interest in sustainable, handmade goods reflect a broader critique of consumer culture and the environmental impact of mass production. By choosing to make rather than buy, crafters are challenging the disposability of modern consumer goods and advocating for a more sustainable, ethical approach to production and consumption.
Moreover, the resurgence of traditional crafts in the digital age has created new opportunities for economic empowerment, particularly for women and marginalized communities. Online platforms like Etsy have allowed independent makers to sell their creations directly to consumers, bypassing traditional retail channels and creating new avenues for economic independence and creativity.
Craftivism as a tool for change
From the suffragettes’ banners to the Pussyhat Project, crafting has long been a powerful tool for political expression and social change. Far from being a passive or apolitical activity, crafting has allowed individuals and communities to challenge societal norms, resist oppression, and advocate for a better world. As we continue to face global challenges, from climate change to social injustice, the act of making—whether it’s knitting a hat, sewing a quilt, or weaving a tapestry—remains a potent form of activism, offering a way to create, connect, and inspire change.
Sources:
- Parker, Rozsika. The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine. The Women’s Press, 1984.
- Betsey Greer, Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism, Arsenal Pulp Press, 2014.
- The Arts and Crafts Movement, Victoria and Albert Museum. Link
- The Gee’s Bend Quilts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Link
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