Over the last week, I’ve taken a pause in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The discussion we are having around social injustices here in the US is important and overdue. During this time I took a deliberate break in posting here and on social media. I wanted to give space to Black voices needing to be heard, and I made an effort to listen, educate and reflect more deeply on these important issues. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I can do both as a person and as a small business to effect the positive change that I want to see, and I’m working on it.
One change moving forward is that 100% of digital and 25% of wholesale proceeds from the sale of my Sunrise quilt pattern will be donated to causes fighting for social justice. I plan to support several causes over time, but first up will be the Social Justice Sewing Academy.
In thinking about what I could do, I kept coming back to this pattern. To me it’s always represented ideas of hope, as that is what a new day brings.
Creatively, it’s a design that can liberating in terms of color and expression. You can use yardage, scraps or whatever you have on hand in many colors or just a few. I’ve made many versions over the years, and each one has brought me creative joy.
I love how through a sewing project, we can not only support others through the donation, but we can support our creative selves as well–an important thing during challenging times.
Moving forward I will continue to listen, educate and support causes aiding in these efforts, and I’ll also use this platform to speak out and to share resources with you. I’m still exploring ways to give back on more of a local level. I have ideas, but I’ll just have to keep you posted on that.
Get the Sunrise pattern
Here are some resources that I shared in my newsletter last week that I hope might be helpful.
+ On Systemic Racism
Since you’ve challenged us to share what we’re learning, here’s what I’m going to work on- “You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.” Henri Nouwen
That’s great, Gayle! I really like it, and I appreciate you sharing it. Thank you!
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…(a tale of two cities) In the best, perhaps we as a species will rethink how we treat each other and the planet, and the worst? that it takes this much to have us give pause about our ways and beliefs.
For sure.