About Cultural Appropriation

Lisa Evans

April 01, 2021

The idea that providing patterns from non-Western cultures is “appropriation” isn’t even correct – the textile trade has relied on cultural syncretism for centuries. Using non-white models for some of your patterns is a great idea, but the well-meaning folk who are calling you out need to look up the catalogue for the Metropolitan Museum’s show “Interwoven Globe” from a few years ago. Also? Many of your patterns are based on European folk cultures that were also discriminated against and exploited (Poland, Hungary, Spain, Ireland…). Take them all away and suddenly you’re left with a bunch of American garments worn largely by the upper classes, and by your critics’ standards that’s equally problematic.

You’re doing fine. Keep up the good work.

Keep up the good work.

Karen Jones

April 01, 2021

Thank you for being aware of this issue and clarifying your position regarding cultural appropriation. It is a fairly new concept to me, since I used to think of it as celebrating other cultures. So there’s a lot for me to learn. I have bought Folkwear patterns since the 70s and have enjoyed learning about other cultures and times. And learning something new is never a waste.

Elvie Rubio

April 01, 2021

I discovered Folkwear patterns while living in southern Vermont in the early eighties. As a foreign student at the time, and an internationally minded person admirer of other cultures , I was grateful that there was a company offering patterns based on the traditions of other countries.
I have enjoyed sewing a few of your patterns, and hope to continue doing so.
I have always felt that your patterns have been developed as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of other cultures, helping to disseminate the characteristics and details of people around the world.

Mersenne

April 01, 2021

Sewing is a creative act. The creative spirit is open, joyful, spontaneous, and respectful of differences. Artists around the world have long learned and borrowed from other cultures. The spirit of Folkwear patterns is in this tradition, much like the spirt of the times that birthed Folkwear. Folkwear patterns enrich life, with a deep appreciation of other cultures.

What makes Folkwear patterns special is that they reveal the universal nature of clothing. A Moroccan caftan? Mid-eastern kameez? Japanese trousers or kimonos? These timeless patterns translate across cultures, especially when sewn in non-traditional fabrics.

My cultural heritage, Canadian, comes from England, the Thirteen Colonies, Holland, the Scottish Highlands, the Cree people of northern Canada, and the fur traders of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. Go back far enough, and you’ll find your ancestors came from all over, mixed with other cultures, and evolved. As long as we approach other cultures with appreciation and respect, I believe that we are validating the worth of peoples who might otherwise have their immense contributions to world culture forgotten or ignored.

Warm regards, Mersenne

Diana

April 01, 2021

I agree, you are doing fine. I’ve personally been attacked by other folks of Western European descent for my investigation into traditional garments from India. At the same time I was very encouraged by people from India. My interest is based on climate and practicality. I was preparing to move somewhere where the summers were very similar to that of India. I was seeking garments that were easy to construct, which require minimal energy to launder (and dry) and are more comfortable when the temp is 100F+.

With an interest in permaculture and seeking parallel climates to identify plants that may be appropriate for my climate it seemed natural to apply the same point of view towards clothing.

The Indian (and others with predominantly non-Western Euro ancestry) people I interacted with over this were supportive and appreciative of genuine interest and appreciation for the many beautiful and traditional styles worn by other cultures. Obviously they (and I) can’t speak for all of any ethnic group but respect and understanding seems important and that in my opinion is the responsibility of the sewist or wearer, not necessarily the pattern maker.

Given my experience that the people most offended and hateful were not of the same ancestry as the garments in question, I tend to suspect most of those are folks with the so-called “white savior” complex.

I’m happy to engage in respectful and thoughtful conversation with folks who have genuine, personal concerns in person with individuals.

Over the thousands of years that human culture has developed adaption and appropriation of technology (which includes clothing) is how people evolved the complex cultures we have now. A good idea or solution to a problem should not be restricted to the original culture that developed it. Imagine how much poorer human civilization would be if we applied that widely and broadly. Sorry, no spices for you! And you can’t have silk. And you can’t have jeans. Good bye modern music. Good bye broad variety of foods in the market.

Kathleen

March 28, 2021

Folkwear, I think you are doing just fine. This is one of the few places that sewists can find to have a truly diverse experience in terms of other cultures’ clothing. Anyone who thinks that someone would spend time making something by hand as an effort to dishonor or disrespect another culture is truly ignorant. Different people learn in many different ways—some learn best with their hands. To make a traditional costume is a way of learning something about that culture in a way that one can’t learn in any other way, and isn’t that the point?

Sarah Chiu

March 27, 2021

It’s not an easy topic to cover. I am South East Asian origin. Like many reviewers of your patterns, I appreciate folkwear patterns because they are accessible (English language) patterns available for me to create traditional clothing for my heritage. I think there may be some updating required for some of the patterns but I hope anyone who understands this company should be a little bit understanding of the history of the company and the independent nature of the company. Your blog post has made me appreciate your company even more. Well done for opening up a dialogue and not shying away from difficult topics.

Elizabeth

March 24, 2021

I have long purchased and sewn Folkwear patterns, appreciating a chance to look into other times and cultures. I have welcomed the chance to make a jacket or a skirt or even a type of dress from another country or culture, often an impulse from traveling in that country. In one instance, I saw that the country itself offered patterns for their traditional clothing, but as I didn’t read that language, I waited until I could purchase a pattern written in English.
This idea—that only those of a particular culture can enjoy the fruits of that culture or depict that culture—is not a new one. I remember being in grad school in creative writing and listening to vehement discussion about whether a white woman could write in the voice of a black man, or visa versa. Of course, the issue is never solved. Are creatives only allowed to “make” (whether it be writing or stitching or sewing) in their own narrow cultural heritage? Am I only entitled to the lineage of my grandparents and gr-grandparents? Or can I learn and wear and write and participate in this entire glorious world of influences and cultures and traditions? It is always important to respect and honor different cultural traditions, but if this idea, if taken to its logical conclusion would dictate that other cultures could never wear Western clothing, a laughable idea. Cultural Appropriation also has those who would caution about calling out every instance, as this could unfortunately limit our ability to learn and create from the best parts of our collective human experience.

Kylie I Pierce

March 22, 2021

Thank you sincerely for this post. One of the things that I appreciate most about your patterns is the care that goes into recreating cultural patterns, many of which have never been translated into commercial pattern form. I feel confident when I buy a Folkwear pattern that I am getting a thoughtful, authentic pattern that helps me to celebrate and appreciate the global tradition of sewing garments. It is a sensitive topic, and one that is worth having a dialogue about, but I feel that you are doing everything you can to be responsible while being proactive in helping these styles to reach appreciative sewists around the world.

Michele Swanson

March 24, 2021

First, let me say that I’ve long been an admirer of Folkwear Patterns – way back before the internet, the little ads in the U.S. women’s magazines really captured my imagination as a sewist!

Personally, I am very sorry that you are being ‘called out’ about your patterns.

At the moment, I am living in fear that a photograph may surface of a costume I sewed 30-odd years ago that today could easily deem me unfit to serve on my church council or work for my non profit employer.

This costume was a beautiful deerskin dress and leggings – embellished with beads that was a work of art and so satisfying to stitch. It was truly a labour of love. I wore it only once, and I remember lending it to a friend for a special party – perhaps one or both of my daughters may have worn it, but I’m not certain of that. I kept it safe in a specially made cloth garment bag for years, but sadly, I’m not sure of its whereabouts today.

I meant no disrespect in creating these garments, in fact I learned a lot in the process and it felt like an honour to wear such a beautiful garment. Just as I enjoyed borrowing a colourful estonian folkwear dress when performing in a grade school variety show or wearing a sari lent to me by a bride to wear to her traditional wedding (not that many years ago) – I really didn’t mean to ‘appropriate’ anyone’s culture. I only meant to celebrate and enjoy that culture.

I so hope that Folkwear will continue to offer your unique perspective to the sewing community – it seems to me that the sewing and wearing of a garment from another culture is very much like “walking” in someone elses shoes – and that can only be a good thing.

Kind regards, Michele