For my final project, I wanted to create something that can be shared by my community and I wanted to try a textile technique that I was unfamiliar with, to challenge myself to find the resources to learn a new skill on my own.
My own research and studies have focused primarily on museum education. While I love museums, I also recognize that they are frequently places that are not welcoming to everyone. I’ve become interested in the spaces that people have created that are open and free to anyone interested- namely, libraries and community gardens. These spaces have given me so much, both as a student and as a human being, so I wanted to make something that would give back to the space a little bit.
I chose to crochet little flowers because crochet has been one needle craft that has always mystified me. I watched youtube tutorials, found instructions online, looked closely at crochet work that other people had created, and, perhaps mot importantly, tried to embrace the imperfection that comes with learning something new. These flowers are kind of strange, not perfectly symmetrical, but they are brightly colored and eye catching. After all, flowers that grow are not all perfectly proportioned so there is no reason why my crafted ones should be.
I attached my crocheted flowers to a banner on which I appliquéd the words “flowers for all” and sewed on buttons. All of my materials were from thrift stores of creative re-use stores. I also attached a small jar to the banner and put seed bombs, made from recycled newspaper and pollinator friendly wildflower seeds. Passersby could grab a seed bomb and throw it somewhere in the neighborhood and with sunlight, water, and a bit of luck, wildflowers will begin to grow.
I’m glad that I was able to make something that can be shared. One thing that seems to connect all of the textile practices that we have learned over the course of the year is the communal aspect of making, using, and giving. These projects are meant to be shared and to provide warmth, comfort, and spots of brightness for the people in our lives.
An update: I went back to this garden three days after I installed my piece. All of the seed bombs were gone, so I am going to be refilling them over the summer.
















