Making-Meaning-Memory: A Sewn in America Symposium

Virtual and in-person option for one or both days available. Lunch provided with in-person registration

History buffs, textile enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the stories sewn into American fabric – This year's DAR Museum Symposium, Making – Meaning – Memory: A Sewn in America Symposium, promises a captivating deep dive into the world of sewing in America based on the ground-breaking exhibition: “Sewn in America: Making – Meaning – Memory.  

Join us for our first ever two-day symposium on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2, 2024, for a weekend of thought-provoking presentations, insightful discussions, and a chance to explore the rich history of American sewing alongside the exhibition.  

This year’s theme combines sewn items from all textile sections of the DAR Museum’s collections: clothing, household textiles, quilts, and needlework. It examines the role sewing played both practically in American women’s lives, and in shaping gender roles, whether domestically or in professions from dressmaking and tailoring to factory work. Garments, quilts, and embroideries from the 18th century to today are juxtaposed to show how women of diverse backgrounds have used their needles to express emotions and identity and as a force for benevolence and justice. Session proposals should focus on connecting textiles with the main themes of the exhibition: the all-consuming process of sewing, sewing to communicate identity, process emotion and preserve memories, and sewing as a means of support for justice and benevolence. and does not need to be tied to a specific historical timeframe.

Space is limited, so register today!