Open for Business
By Maria Moyer, bureau chief
A few Sundays ago, at the Chez Panisse Edible School Yard kitchen in Berkeley, about twenty of us gathered to learn how to make beautiful things from the Alabama Stitch Book. Natalie Chanin regaled us with tales, as we practiced the depression-era sewing techniques used by artisans who make her exquisite designs for Alabama Chanin. Natalie’s stories, were about life–hers and the others before her–and, she related these stories to sewing, fabric, thread and physics.
To hear Natalie Chanin weave a tale is like eating a meal. In stark contrast, my trying to tell one of her stories is more like reading a recipe. But, dare to tell it, I will. Here goes:
During hot summer evenings in the South, Natalie’s friends and family would gather around the family home to eat, drink, tell stories on the porch and be together. On one of these evenings, Natalie’s grandfather set the children to the task of collecting sticks from around the yard.
After the children had secured their bounty, he asked them to each take and hold a stick–just one–with both hands. Then he asked them to, “break it.” As they easily snapped their twig in two, he added, “That stick is you. You, on your own.” While lightening bugs flashed and the night rolled in, the children listened intently, “Now, take as many sticks as you can hold in your hand, maybe five, and hold them together. And now break those,” he asked of the children. The tensile strength of the individual sticks held together as one made the task impossible. “This,” he said “is your family.”
This is the sentiment that brings Natalie and I together with others in the Bureau of Friends. Formalized over breakfast and a pinky swear in a Manhattan bistro, The Bureau of Friends, is now open for business and ready to help others do the good work. We are stronger together.
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This is a great idea and I can’t wait for more!
Way to go ladies!
Comment by Denise — July 9, 2009 #
Ready to do something with y’all! Keep me posted.
Comment by Beth D — July 10, 2009 #
Wonderful!
Comment by Anne Kristoff — January 21, 2010 #