Labour Day

Source:  Women shirtwaist makers, 1909

Courtesy of Kheel Center, Cornell University

This weekend, actually today, we're celebrating Labour Day.  There is a lot to be grateful for in the Labour movement.  There are many reasons to thank a union from laws ending child labour and sweatshops to pensions and health benefits.  But today, with trade wars and billionaires actively attacking workers rights it feels like there is more to fight for rather than celebrate.  We're living in an eerie time of AI art that is disrupting workplaces and creativity.  Even sewing factory workers and creatives are not immune from being replaced with robots.  

So what does this mean for us that sew as a creative outlet, a labour of love?  Will there be a backlash?  There has been so many changes in the sewing and creative industry.  What will never change is the joy, that labour of love that is obtained and embraced when a needle and thread is held between our fingers and moved through a piece of cloth.  

"Hands that create deserve our applause."

Inhale, exhale, pick up a needle and keep sewing.  And celebrate a Happy Labour Day.