Reflective Writing #4: Sewing, Aprellas, Story Cloth, Embroidery
Population: Adult
Disorder: Major Depressive Disorder
While working on the sewing project I was at my grandmother’s house. It was special for her to see me working on a craft that has been such a big part of her life. I hand sewed a small pillow with puffy limes. It was a very perceptual experience for me because I was trying to line up the fabric, sew straight lines, cut straight, pick fabric that went together and focus on the aesthetics of the fabric.
The population I chose for sewing is adults with major depressive disorder. I believe that the rhythmic pattern of using the needle to sew can create a calming effect. Another reason would be having a completed art-work to have a sense of accomplishment in order to support autonomy. Leone states “they found that the graphic narratives created on fabric, embellished with simple embroidery and applique techniques, gave voice to traumas that had been difficult for the artists to verbalize” (2020, p. 102). This means that sewing could help share pieces of people’s stories in a non-threatening way.
Kristel states “art therapy aims to heal individuals and groups and promote positive social change. For many, it is in fact a form of coping with their world, a way to understand the chaos of their minds and of the world around them (2013, p. 29). Sewing is a safe, creative outlet that could convey a message about how individuals are coping and what they would like others to understand. Many people sew together in groups, so it could be a way to encourage socializing with peers as well. Sewing does not take big movement so even if someone is feeling low energy due to depression they could still participate.
References:
Kristel, J. (2013). Exploring outside the box. Art therapy in practice. In P. Howie, S. Prasad, & J. Kristel (Eds.), Using art therapy with diverse populations: Crossing cultures and abilities (pp. 28-34). London: Jessica Kingsley.
Leone, L. (Ed.). (2020). Craft in Art Therapy: Diverse Approaches to the Transformative
Power of Craft Materials and Methods. Routledge.
