Mood Board Monday

Sewing has become a refuge for me. I love the meditative hum of my machine as I tune out the world and focus on a project. The latest is a dress inspired by Tracey Reese. I love contrasting sections of the bodice and skirt. Instead of the floral pattern on Reese's design, I'm using an Ankara fabric from my stash combined with navy blue with Simplicity Pattern #1803.

And it's December! I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge ROSA PARKS (!) the seamstress who gives me constant inspiration with her revolutionary act of refusing to relinquish her seat on a bus, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955.

Portrait of a Woman with a Sewing Machine
by Renowned Malain Photographer Seydou Keïta
I wish I had her sewing machine.

Revolutionary Rosa (with the Flower in Her Hair), December 1, 1955

For some reason afros (a la Angela Davis) represent the African American revolution for civil rights. However, I beg to differ. Rosa Parks was a revolutionary. She didn't wear an afro, but a flower in her hair. I will never wear another flower again without thinking about the message it's sending--even if it is covert.

 Eyes on the Prize was a wonderful documentary, but it created a lot of misconceptions about the nature and chronolorgy of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks did not just decide that she was too tired one day. She decided to revolt, but my children are still being taught that narrative in school. What is there to gain by perpetuating such a falsity?