Textile pedagogies: Stitching as reflective practice

Abstract

The act of stitching women’s lives together within the context of a sewing circle is an opportunity to narrate life experiences on fabric and within a fabric of community. Stitching, and its association to mending, also has relevance within trauma recovery to both illustrate adversity and hope. This article features the artistry of arpilleras (stitched storytelling on cloth) produced by women’s textile collectives in Chile. Arpilleras have also featured in art therapy studio workshops, which showcase the history and practice of activism through autobiographical stitching. This vocabulary of textile art aligns interior and exterior terrains of knowledge and can also compose a distinct method of art therapy pedagogy. This is particularly relevant for contemporary art therapy practices addressing anti-colonial methodologies that illustrate a polyphony of voices.

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