Patchwork

"Bringing the disparate understandings into line with each other is therefore a major challenge for dementia care. That is, metaphorically speaking, stitching together the patched-up worlds into a patchwork quilt with a meaningful pattern." (p.69)

"All in all, we need to consider how to put together, or help the person with dementia put together, a reasonable socially shared world as best we can and with all possible means. That is, we need to find out how to patch up the world not into a piece of patchwork in the pejorative sense of the word, but in the sense of a colourful, warm, and artfully designed patchwork quilt - a creative artwork in which pieces of personal narrative may be fit into the overall kaleidoscopic image as part of the whole." (p.71)

Linda Oerulv, Fragile Identities, patched-up worlds: Dementia and Meaning Making in Social Interaction, Linkoeping Studies in Art and Science No. 428, Linkoeping Dissertations on Health & Society No. 12,
Linkoeping University 2008, p.69/71

Mending

"When you make a new article always save the pieces until 'mending day' which may come sooner than expected. It will be well even to buy a little extra quantity for repairs. Read over the paragraphs 1749 - 1754 in this volume headed GOLDEN HINTS FOR HOUSEWIVES AND HOME COMFORTS. These contain most valuable suggestions, that will be constantly useful if well remembered. They should be read frequently that their full value be secured. Let your servants also read them, for nothing conduces more to good housekeeping than for the servant to understand the 'system' which her mistress approves of."


Enquire Within upon Everything (1926)
Herbert Jenkins Limited, London, p.426

Sweeping Carpets

"Persons who are accustomed to use tea leaves for sweeping their carpets, and find that they leave stains, will do well to employ fresh cut grass instead. It is better than tea leaves for preventing dust, and gives the carpet a bright fresh look."

Enquire Within upon Everything (1926)
Herbert Jenkins Limited, London, p.430

Knicker Line

"'Acting is like the elastic band on a pair of knickers.'

JEREMY IRONS BIZARRELY RECKONS THE ART OF BEING A GOOD THESPIAN IS 'NEVER SHOWING THE KNICKERLINE.'"

Quotes of the Day
LONDON LITE, Thursday 9 October 2008, p.2

National Knitting Week

for events in your area go to
http://www.nationalknittingweek.co.uk/nkw/events.asp

'We need your darning!"

Michael Swaine at The Knitting and Stitching Show , Alexandra Palace London 9th - 12th October 2008

"Urgent appeal from The Knitting and Stitching Show!

Michael would really appreciate it if you could bring along any socks that either you or your family and friends have darned. He wants to hear your darning stories! Also, if you have any socks that need darning please bring them along to the Show.

You may have encountered Michael already this week - as he darns his way around London! So far he has been darning in Blackheath, Peckham, Clapham, Brick Lane, Hackney, Notting Hill and Somerset House."


Twisted Thread Newsletter 8 October 2008
see also
www.twistedthread.com

Mobile Mending

"His mending is not only about the clothes - it is about the community, the people in it, and his own needs to find comfort in a world that is so used to throwing things away

The Free Mending Library is an on-going project in San Francisco, run by artist Michael Swaine. He mends holes, alters garments and trades skills for free, using his mobile sewing unit, which resembles an ice-cream cart. This sturdy device has a beautiful old treadle-operated sewing machine mounted in the middle, an umbrella for shade, drawers stocked with an assortment of threads, needles and specially designed patches, and is emblazoned with a neon sign that flashes the word SEW.

He will be travelling the neighbourhoods of London, knocking on doors and offering to repair the holes in people's socks. While he is fixing socks he will ask the owners about how they move about the city and how they deal with holes. 'When I encounter people who darn themselves, I will ask to take some photos of socks they have darned, and perhaps ask them to sit and darn with me - even teaching me how their grandmother taught them.'"

Twisted Thread Newsletter 1.10.2008

For more about Michael Swaine and a short video showing him in action, see

http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/learningZoneArticle.aspx?id=24