On March 2nd, 2016, the United States Supreme Court heard the most important reproductive rights case in almost 25 years. The decision, likely to come down in June 2016, will determine whether Texas can shut down nearly all abortion care providers in the state and prevent 5.4 million women of reproductive age from accessing the healthcare they need. Using craft as activism, artist Chi Nguyen — in partnership with the Textile Arts Center and the Center for Reproductive Rights — is holding a series of stitch-ins to make physical the number of women whose right to safe and legal abortion is currently at risk. With each line representing an individual woman, the 5.4 Million and Counting project is only finished when all 5.4 million lines are embroidered.
The public is invited to Draw the Line by joining or hosting a stitch-ins, or by sending in their own 10×10” swatches with as many tally marks (卌) as they would like to embroider. All swatches will be patched onto a larger quilt to demonstrate the public’s support for safe and legal abortion.
The Fashion Praxis Lab will host a stitching session on Tuesday May 11th, 6:30-8:30pm at Room U503 (63 5th Ave, Manhattan- NY). Materials will be provided.
If you cannot join the stitch-in session but would like to participate, please follow the directions below:
- You can use a 10×10 inch swatch in any material and color. A contrasting thread color is important to ensure that your tallies are visible.
- Once finished, indicate the number of lines you have embroidered on a notecard. Please write your name on the same card if you would like to be acknowledged by the project.
- Send all materials to: Kelly Valletta, 5.4 Million and Counting Project Textile Arts Center 505 Carroll St. Brooklyn, NY 11215