On a dreary afternoon in mid-July, feeling a bit down in the dumps and lacking in inspiration, I headed into the Women’s Library to sneak a peek at a project workshop titled A Call for Cloth. Being relatively new to the library and, (begrudgingly) admittedly, not knowing a thing about fabric or textiles or the world of fashion history or heritage, I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t even completely sure I would be able to contribute anything, let alone actively participate. But I’m nothing if not curious and open-minded – and always, always eager to learn about something new – so as I shook the drizzle off my brolly and opened the camera app on my phone, I knew I would enjoy myself regardless.
What transpired was a fantastic afternoon, full of new ideas and realisations and perspectives.
A Call for Cloth is a story project with an open invitation. Anyone is welcome to contribute a particular piece of fabric and share its corresponding tale – whether grand or modest – so that the items of clothing can be spun into the fabric of the larger, collective artwork. In this way, hundreds of stories thread their way through the sculpture, truly timeless and revered. At a closer look, you can admire photographs of contributor’s loved ones wearing or posing with or making use of their cherished cloth, each image sparkling in the detail of the artwork. It’s as deeply intimate a group narrative as I have ever seen.
Lauren Sagar, the artist behind the project, explains: “Everyone has a relationship with cloth, it is the thread that links us together. Its history is political, personal, theatrical, familial, intimate and spiritual. Clothing and cloth are imbued with personal stories.” And I must admit, this is something that hadn’t really occurred to me before. Immediately, I was thinking of the sashes of the suffragettes, which remains as an immortal, enduring symbol of their struggle long after it has ended. Immediately, I was thinking of my grandmother and the mountains of beloved scarves – some seventy years old and some seven months old – that she left me after her death last year. In this way, I realised, cloth can contain the essence of an individual’s personal history. When I had visited second-hand vintage and charity shops in the past, I had often found myself wondering about the person who had once owned it. How old were they? What was their job? Were they happy? Learning about the Call for Cloth project and pondering all these possibilities made me realise that when you are bequeathed something or buy a piece of vintage clothing you’re not just buying the fabric and cloth – you’re buying a piece of someone’s past. In the same way, when you donate an item to the project, you’re paying homage not only to the cloth’s history, but to the person it meant something to also. You’re participating in a personal and collective legacy.
And I think that’s really beautiful.
If you missed the first session, don’t worry. This summer at the Women’s Library we are ecstatic to be hosting two more A Call for Cloth workshops, which we highly, highly recommend you come along to. The sessions will be held on Thursday 28th July, Thursday the 11th August and Thursday the 25th August, all 2.30 to 4.30pm. Contact us to book a place on or just pop in.
We look forward to seeing you!
