Stories Sewn Together: An Afternoon of Fabric, Coffee, and Conversation at CMAP

On an August afternoon, CMAP transformed into a vibrant space of creativity, memory, and dialogue during the workshop “Sewing Stories: Craft, Calm & Connection,” led by artist and educator Dr. Ronah Harris.

This was not your typical sewing class. Yes, there were threads, needles, and fabrics—but what was truly stitched together that afternoon were stories. A group of senior women came together not only to sew but to reflect on their lives, their struggles, and their shared histories.

Some focused intently on their stitching, others sewed while chatting. The topics ran deep: being a woman in the 1970s, the fight for gender equality, working in male-dominated spaces, and the evolving roles of younger generations—particularly boys and young men—in today’s society. Tales emerged of not being able to get a credit card without a husband’s signature, of unexpected business trips, of being the only woman in leadership positions. There were laughs, sparks of frustration, recognition—and, most of all, solidarity.

Ronah Harris didn’t just lead the sewing session—she gently steered the conversation, allowing stories to surface and flow in all directions. With her background as a researcher, professor, and artist, she created a space where every voice had room to speak, even when several voices spoke at once. It was beautiful, organized chaos—alive with shared memory.

The atmosphere was diverse: some participants stayed quiet and immersed in fabric; others opened up with deep stories. Some sipped coffee, others simply enjoyed the colors and textures they had chosen. The workshop was free, spontaneous, and welcoming—each person finding their own rhythm.

One participant shared: “It wasn’t just about sewing. It felt like each stitch connected me to something bigger—my mother, my past, the women who came before me.”

The conversation eventually turned toward daughters, granddaughters, and the disoriented youth of today. Discussions touched on education, masculinity, mental health, and the urgent need for safe, creative, and inclusive spaces.

By the end, everyone walked away with something handmade—and something heartfelt. Many expressed the desire to meet again, to keep sewing, to keep talking, to keep building.

Because in the end, sewing is also a way to remember, to heal, and to build community.