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I'm looking for a place where I could buy an article of clothing made by a battered woman. Anyone know of any online/real life places to so?
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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Phanto, I doubt you will find much being done along these lines, because sewing clothing that others will buy requires training. Training to cut, training on using sewing machines -- and it isn't that women in shelters can't be trained, but it is almost by definition a transient population that initially comes in the midst of crisis. The first few weeks are not going to be good for training more advanced skills, and most places have such a backlog that they don't keep women for long periods of time.
Fundraisers tend to be things that can be participated in by the community (e.g., gala events, art shows) and/or can be participated in with minimal training (e.g., walk-a-thons).
You will find skills training for longer-term employment in some places, but I expect that the most stable and cost efficient training will be for secretarial work. Those skills are highly transferable, have low overhead to train, and (unlike garment manufacture) minimal associated injuries -- which is necessary to keep insurance costs down.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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The cynical and snide part of my mind thinks that any of a number of pieces of clothing from any of a number of third-world sweatshops would fit the description, but I rather get the impression you were more hoping for something made by someone whose work was helping them out of such a situation.
My church sells weavings done by single/widowed mothers in Africa, but they're more like wall hangings than clothing.
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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I'm not sure battered is the best term but Sari Silk yarn produced in India is made to help get women who spin it on their feet. Do some googling for Sari Silk Yarn.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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*blink* for a second there I was trying to picture how they would spin silk on their feet.
CT's right. We usually do envelope stuffing or desktop publishing or adding labels to printed materials that were printed wrong but still need to be used.
I don't think we want to create a market for clothing produced by formerly battered women. What if it became popular? Someone would have to batter more women to get production up.
Posts: 1379 | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Dead_Horse: I don't think we want to create a market for clothing produced by formerly battered women. What if it became popular? Someone would have to batter more women to get production up.
Yeah! We could have like big burly guards with whips and chains goading the production line to make them go faster! Then if they gave any lip, the guards could bash them around a bit. In fact, we could hire the women's ex-husbands and ex-bfs to be the guards! What a great idea! O:-)
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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Yeah, I think if one is going to involve women in shelters with occupational therapy, something better paying would be a good idea. Though I guess if they were doing it for recreational therapy, that might be an idea. I don't know how many women see sewing as recreational anymore. Yarn crafts, maybe.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Dead_Horse: I don't think we want to create a market for clothing produced by formerly battered women. What if it became popular? Someone would have to batter more women to get production up.
Yeah! We could have like big burly guards with whips and chains goading the production line to make them go faster! Then if they gave any lip, the guards could bash them around a bit. In fact, we could hire the women's ex-husbands and ex-bfs to be the guards! What a great idea! O:-)
Exactly! Provide jobs for the whole family!
And deadhorse, i was right there with you imagining women laying down with their feet on looms making silk.
Posts: 655 | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Wow. I had never heard of Battered Woman's Syndrome before.
I have some experience employing persons with actual Battered Wife Syndrom. The lack of self confidence that is exibited often prevents the person from even seeking or accepting an opportunity to succeed. A sheltered workshop, at least until they can recieve some help with those issues, is needed. It's not a question of sanctuary, there is a real need for professional psychological intervention.
quote:Originally posted by Phanto: Ooh, Sterling, is there any chance you could send me a photo of one of those?
Some of the things that were on exhibit at our church can be seen at Zimbabwe Artists Project. (The church secretary was kind enough to send me the link.)
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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Dharma Trading, where I get my dyeables and supplies for my garment painting and dyeing, has a cooperative with families in Bolivia to buy items made by women.
I don't think they're battered women, per se, but they are underprivleged families trying to make a living.
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Oh I should have thought of Dharma Trading when I mentioned sari silk. Same ideas. My spinners and weaver's guild is also doing a show for Guatemalan weavers, where we sell their stuff then send all of the proceeds back to them.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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The WorldCraftsVillage catalog advertises (pg 13) pillowcases "Embroidered by East Indian women recovering from abuse and cultural discrimination, these leaf and berry–patterned pillowcases are a colorful symbol of the hope this work brings to underprivileged women."
Don't know if that counts for your project...
Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I think IKEA had pillows embroidered by single and otherwise needy Indian women last time I was down in their Marketplace floor...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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