5 in 5 - April 2019 - Dangerous Pockets

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

Recently a friend, Paula MacGregor, organised a collaborative project, in response to a poem written by Sharon Owers:

Someone clever once said
Women were not allowed pockets
In case they carried leaflets
To spread sedition
Which means unrest
To you & me
A grandiose word
For commonsense
Fairness
Kindness
Equality
So ladies, start sewing
Dangerous coats
Made of pockets & sedition

She called the project "Dangerous Pockets' and it held it's first exhibition in Colchester, at a Woman's Festival called Snapping the Stiletto. This was a remarkable day, and more about that another time. Because today I want to share the pockets that I made for this project.  Before I start, here is Paula at the festival, with the wonderful display of pockets. 

And here are my pockets  Each tells a story, and the first, my love of the coast. I used a bought fabric for the actual pocket, I knew I would find a good use for this print one day!  

Inside is a poem stamped onto a strip of the same fabric, and a  mussel shell sewn on. It tucks neatly inside the pocket, a surprise to unfold and reveal. 

And I added other textures. Felted 'pebbles' and one of my collection of shells with a hole, bought back from the Isle of Bute.

The second pocket tells a story about my Nan. She was a big part of my life and she was always busy with her hands, knitting or sewing.  I used a piece of vintage cloth for the pocket, and printed text and a photo onto cotton, to stitch on. My printer doesn't like me using fabric but perseverance gave me the result I wanted.  

Inside is a vintage pattern, a box of matches, and piece of knitting. The knitting was changed afterwards for a neutral colour as I felt it more fitting. 

I loved seeing all the different pockets and ideas and I continue to make more pockets as Paula grows the collection.  The project will be on tour throughout the year and if you would like to take part of find out more this is the link.  

As always, I invite you to join in this 5in5 monthly challenge and I hope some of you will do that. Trying a new way of doing things can spark new ideas and add interest, so here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.