‘Needle's Song’

On my journey as a woman, I've found solace and empowerment in the art of sewing, a traditional form of conversation for the female part of society. Like the delicate threads woven through the fabric, I have navigated the complexities of societal expectations, stitching together my narrative of freedom and resilience. From the earliest whispers of childhood, I felt the weight of social boundaries pressing in on me, ceaselessly trying to bind the contours of my existence. Through the rhythmic motion of the needle advancing through a maze of thread, a flicker of defiance emerged, a silent rebellion against the constraints imposed upon me.

The shackles of traditional gender roles bore down heavily upon me, each stitch a reflection of the expectations of what a woman should be. But with the progress of each completed seam, I found a sense of agency and autonomy, a reminder that I held the power to shape my destiny and pass it on. The pressure to conform to predetermined boxes of womanhood was relentless, yet the act of sewing became my sanctuary, a space where I could express myself freely without fear of judgment or censure. The warp and weft, and I became free…refusing to be silenced, defying convention to carve my path. Breaking free from the confines of societal expectations is not easy, it requires determination, resilience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. But through the artistry of sewing, I found the strength to persevere and weave a tapestry of liberation and empowerment. Today, I am filled with profound gratitude for the transformative power of sewing in my life. Through the time-honored tradition of threading a needle and guiding the fabric, I have found my voice and woven a new narrative. A song of resilience, strength, and freedom, a story that continues to unfold with each stitch, each conversation, and each moment of self-expression.

“Needle’s Song,” New York, Ongoing © Negin Mahzoun