Shippensburg University’s “Stitch & Bitch” event saw a turnout of crafty students and staff alike. The university’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program held the event during Women’s History Month to provide a place for women to chat about shared experiences while also learning new sewing skills.

Activity stations for knitting, sewing and crocheting ensured there was a niche for everyone. Making and repairing clothes is a great way for students to save money. With the popularity of both visible and invisible mending on the rise, people can hopefully salvage their beloved garments with the help of a button and some thread. Or, in the case of the fiber artists at the function, perhaps create a new clothing article entirely[DM1] .

Karin Bohleke normally serves as the director of the Fashion Archives & Museum at Shippensburg University. During the event, her focus was all about teaching students the most efficient way to carry out their crochet stitches. Her experience in textiles and fiber work shone through as she coached students through the proper way to hold a hook and maintain yarn tension.

Event organizer and graduate intern Sheryl Snider helped students sew buttons and pockets, a lifelong skill that has been in decline from public knowledge. She curated a few fabric samples in fun colors to go along with a basketful of shiny buttons. Throughout the event, she helped several students go from a thread bird nest to clean, even stitches.

Students taking advantage of the yarn provided at the event wasted no time in making their end-of-season sweaters. The fiber arts corner of the event served as both a crafting and a community space as advice, stories and the occasional line of gossip circulated. Many students noted Ravelry as their favorite website for new patterns due to its variety of content. 

For more information on future events held by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, follow it on Instagram @suwomen_and_gender_studies.

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