Sometimes I think twice about using the eff-word in my embroidery and quilting work, but I always end up using it because it feels right. And when folks criticize the choice, well so far, they are wholly unconvincing. The reasons they offer for NOT using the word are in three categories: (1) f*ck is not a pretty word, (2) f*ck is a private word, and (3) the use of f*ck will destroy the crafting world.
Here are my quick responses: (1) I try and almost always succeed in presenting f*ck in a pretty way, but art need not be pretty. (2) Having a “private vocabulary” must be stressful; it’s a personal choice that does not play in concert with my own choices. And, finally, (3) if a little cross stitching of f*ck can bring down centuries of crafting, then I am happy to hear of the awesome power of my needles. Apparently, my stitches are MIGHTY!
I’d be interested to hear more opinions on this, if they are given in a constructive and polite way. Thanks, ahead of time, for your input.
To get more folks to take a moment and exercise their potty-mouths in textiles, I started a communal quilt project that is tentatively entitled The Give a F*ck Quilt. Textile artists around the world have volunteered to design blocks for the quilt and a couple of them have already arrived early. I thought that I’d show them to you to give a sense of the diversity of interpretations of the request.
Disclaimer: If you have even just skimmed up until here, I really don’t need to mention that what is presented below contains the f*ck word, but without the *. If this is going to bug you, then don’t look at it. Come back later for a blanket or…some Fair Isle knee high socks in-progress.
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Are you sure?
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This first one is a super scrappy blue block with patchwork improv lettering made by Jeni. I am interested in the choice of the color blue, of course, but I’m even more thrilled by the happy scrappiness.
Jeni has written a great series of posts, The Art of Choosing, about color theory applied in fabrics. I highly recommend them to everyone, if only just to admire her fabric stash! And should you ever have a hankering for some vintage linens, pop on over to her shop. Jeni is supremely professional and sources some amazing prints.
Thanks, Jeni!
completely cauchy. 
This gets me really excited to do my block!!
I love the wild scrappiness of block no.1 . You know where I stand on whether I’m prepared to contemplate this kind of idea (BIG FAT YES) but two unexpected positives came out of making my block (i) that my teenagers saw my quilting as marginally less uncool than they had before; and (ii) I like looking at my block because it feels good, don’t know why but it does – looking at all these blocks together is going to feel really really good I think.
A big old eyeroll, and some extra stink eye to your haters. Craft how you want to craft, and if they don’t like it the solution is simple: they should stop visiting you blog.
WORD!
Your quick responses are about the same as my gut reaction to exhortations that crafters should Keep It Clean. (I do tone down my usual real-life crudeness a little when I participate in craft spaces online, but that’s only because I doubt the rest of the world thinks that puns about dicks are as funny as I think they are.)
And your f*cks are so inspiring that I was also moved to do some crude cross-stitching. I like the old-school kitschy sampler format of text with a selection of motifs of various sizes around it, and I like the idea of making samplers that have value as samplers (like, I can refer to them later and borrow their motifs for other projects—and usually the motifs I use in samplers are themselves borrowed from stuff other people have made) but that also have some place in my life. I curse like a sailor a lot of the time and it would be weird and incongruous to have my living space littered with cutesy sweetness-and-light slogans. (I am not into ironic use of the cross-stitch sampler format either, though… I really do earnestly mean every last f*ck.) Anyway, f*ck that noise.
That quilt is going to be the greatest thing!
Love it. Are you giving a f*ck about or for something? or just gratuitous giving a f*ck?
I’ve never understood the objections to curse words myself. They’re just words. They only have power over us if we let them. I say let it out into the world and then let it go.
People sometimes make things that I don’t personally like. I have yet to write to them to express my disapproval.
Swear words embody the strongest, most visceral feelings our brains can conjure. People with head injuries swear a LOT (I’ve been in the ER with a head injury patient) and even little old ladies who wouldn’t say boo to the neighbor’s dog shitting on their lawn for the umpteenth time are know to fire off expletive-laden diatribes when faced with a brain injury. I think that extreme embodiment of feeling is why people object to your use of the mightiest of them all, f*ck. Personally, I love it. It’s my favorite swear word. It can be happy, angry, filled with awe, an adjective, an adverb, and even a gerund. Long live f*ck!
I think there’s an honesty about curse words. If I hit my thumb with a hammer, I am not going to scream BANANA! because my pain and emotion are definitely not saying “banana”. People that replace the words are thinking something else, everyone knows they’re thinking something else, so who are they fooling? Also, someone will definitely laugh at me if I’m running around screaming “Oh, BANANA! I think I just broke my thumb with this stupid bananaing hammer!” Delayed medical care is just one good excuse to be honest and true to yourself.
Hehehe, thanks for the shout out C! I actually went with blue because to me the f*ck word always feels angry, so I thought since blue is kind of calming, it would maybe mellow it out! :)
I had a lot of fun on this project, thanks for including me!
I stitched your “It’s decorative gourd season, motherfuckers” for my (grown) daughter & she loves it! Who gives a fuck? If those folks don’t like it, fuck ’em!
PS. I’m a little old lady of 70 years young!
I find your work very inspirational, regardless of whether it contains swear words. I am from the Netherlands and I guess people here are not so easily offended or upset about swear words. So I find these projects and especially the way you write about them very interesting. To me it is a clear indicator the there are some substantial cultural differences between the US and my home country.
I never understood why people cared so much about cuss words. It’s just a word. It’s the intent behind it people should have problems with. Ah well. I love the block! I am still tryig to narrow down my ideas, but this is making me want to just jump in and freehand it!
If people object, they can go start their own blog and complain. Pfft. I LOVE this project. Where do i sign up to make a block?
Oh – and we NEED a Fair isle knee high sock pattern with the word F*CK graphed in around the top. Preferably about 3 inches tall. Just saying. I’d knit that.
Heh, you’re right. Here’s a quickie 28-stitch-wide repeat for a sock or whatever else. I’m kinda feeling mittens that say FUCK on them to be worn on grumpy days.
Your eff-word crafting is what initially drew me to this site. I’ve stayed because of your gorgeous use of color & texture and visual loveliness, but there aint nothin’ wrong with a bit of ‘F*ck’ in ANY crafting. People who don’t want to see it always have the option of, um, not looking. It’s not like you’re marching your website to their front door & ringing the bell. Long live defiant crafting! Long live creativity and, yes, the shock value of seeing ‘bad words’ played out in the most traditional of crafty ways!
Okay, now I’m crazy motivated to get going on my block! I’ve had an idea rattling around for awhile but Jeni’s block spurs me to action!
i can’t wait to se the whole f*cking quilt quite frankly!. i love it.
Great block! I’m still pondering what I’m going to do for mine, so excited to see this whole thing come to fruition.
I wholly support everyone’s right to craft whatever they want. I personally would not craft curses, but I think part of why I am confortable cursing verbally is that it is a fleeting event, like “there I’ve said it, now lets all move on”. So if I committed those same words to fiber, I would have to live with them for too long and that would bug me. So for me it is a psychological issue of not wanting to have to live daily with those strong feelings that go along with whatever brought on the curse to start with.
Fucking awesome project! To those who object to using profanity in crafting, my response, said with all the love in my heart, is: Fuck you!
It’s your blog, it’s your quilt, and that is enough reason to use whatever language you choose to. That said I think the contrast between the naughty language and the art of quilting, which might be perceived as wholesome, is intriguing.
i agree with misa wholeheartedly. To me, f*ck is a swear word, and using it in a “nice/traditional/pretty” craft like knitting or quilting creates a very interesting juxtaposition, that makes you re-look, re-think, re-consider the intent of the maker and also examine your own feelings about the word f*ck, your own notions of what art or quilting should be, etc. I am excited by people who challenge the boundaries. If you are getting strong reactions (either positive or negative) then I consider you to be a successful artist. C, keep doing the work you do, keep speaking in your own voice in crafting, many of us are inspired by your work, it helps each of us find our own voice and dare to be honest.
Well hooray for you! Sometimes life just sucks and what better way to express our emotions! Today I want to print out that block and paste it to my head! It has been THAT kind of morning! So Thank you for having this post today. It most certainly helped me out today!! Now a tute for this block would make my day even better :) That way I can just put it out on those F U days! haha
You are so f*cking awesome.
Love the block, love the project, which I were able to participate!
With regards to criticism, I actually think f*ck is a “pretty” word, in that it can really capture so beautifully the emotion of what one is trying to convey, and it’s so versatile (conveying happiness, shock, anger, etc., with equal precision depending on context). To me, it actually feels good – physically – to say the word.
Unfortunately, I’m a person who *does* have a private vocabulary (and you’re right, it is stressful). I have a very public profession and so have to be extra careful with my language (and not just about cuss words). In some ways my work is like being a politician – everyone knows they cuss in private, but the moment they are caught on a live mic, all hell breaks loose. It’s ridiculous, but it’s the world we live in, and I’d rather curb my language (in public, which for me includes the internet) than curb my influence.
The idea that using bad words will bring down crafting is so nuts I don’t even know what to say. In my opinion, it enlivens craft and subverts it (in the best possible way). Even though I don’t think it – or anything! – can bring down crafty, I do have to say though: your stitches *are* mighty!!
(btw, have you ever seen the documentary “F*CK”? (the movie title is actually spelled with the asterisk in it), if not I would *highly* recommend it!!
Personally I feel like any situation that makes you feel a little uncomfortable is a great learning experience. Quilting around a word or a theme that’s a little not me, actually tells me more about who I am….
I’d never use Fuck as a quilting word on my own, not because I disagree with it, because there are a lot of quilts out there I can take or leave, and I pretty much think let everyone do what speaks to their soul.
So when I got your email I was so excited because it’s not something I would do. I’ve drawn and auditioned three blocks…with three different feels and started on my actual block a couple of days ago.
Thank you for an excellent learning opportunity.
I could care less what words you use in your pieces. I think what you make is always very pretty and always makes me smile when I look at it. I think it’s funny that someone would suggest you are going to take down years of crafting with one word. WOW! Keep up the fantastic work.
i personally feel this project is fucking groovy in all kinds of ways and wish i was part of it…but i haven’t gone down the quilting rabbit hole yet.
cannot possibly see how use of the word f*ck would destroy the crafting world? to give a single word or category of words, that much power, seems close-minded and insecure. artists have always pushed boundaries. but hey…to each his/her own. they don’t have to use it if they don’t want to. sometimes, it’s just the best word for a given situation.
1. I love lots of words that aren’t “pretty”. They sure are useful. Some are also funny and even charming.
2. I don’t think I have any “private” words, although I do usually choose my glossary according to the situation.
3. Destroy??? Huh?
We don’t really have an equivalent to the f-word in my language, but you still are a huge inspiration with this. Love!
One of my all-time favorite words (so versatile!) and always so well delivered by you. Another possible argument (but one I’ve never actually heard used) is that being more open with curse words and other taboos, socializes them and they lose their power. I see no harm there; delivery will always return the power when needed, like if some fucker cuts you off in traffic…
And if anything could kill craft, it would be people self-censoring their creative impulse out of worry over what might bother someone else.
Also, yes please to the fair isle – tis nearly the season! :)
you are powerful and mighty!!! mwa ha ha ha. love the block – it’s definitely a completely different direction than I went in. will be soooo much fun to see them all together.
this is excellent. can’t wait to get my block to you!
I love that block! I don’t have a problem with swearing – I had a discussion on the weekend about it with someone – they get terribly upset about swearing, but discrimination and inequality didn’t bother them, these are 2 things that make me worked up.
I’m looking forward to making my block, and I love Jeni’s! I appreciate that you encourage potty mouth crafting in others, as well as pursuing it on your own. It’s not something that I really thought about until meeting you, but I’m glad you initiated that thought and process for me (and for many others, too)!
I love this quilt project! When I made your fuck cross stitch, I thought for a while about whether I wanted to post it on Facebook, not because I was embarrassed or worried what people would think about it, but because I didn’t want to deal with the haters. I was pleasantly surprised by lots of positive feedback, including that of my verrrry Catholic mother, who thought it was hysterical. But – I was sharing with people I know, most of whom are generally not as wacko as the crazies you must get here. And as an English teacher, I have a real problem with words being censored. I definitely have a “private” vocabulary – i.e. I wouldn’t say “fuck” in front of my high school students – but I talk to them about that, and about the power of words – and not just four letter words, either. We tend to think that the “vulgar” words are the ones that “hurt” the most, but in my opinion that’s a bunch of bullshit.
Someday I want to embroider “don’t be a cunt” on something and hang it up for everyone to see when they come to my place. So no, I really don’t have a problem with swears in crafting. Really, a four letter word is going to destroy the craft world? Bitches be crazy.
I cannot wait to see everyone’s blocks. Jeni’s is beautiful! I LOVE this idea for a project … and I’m so glad that you’re sharing it with all of us. Sewing, quilting, etc. is all about art … and when it’s spoken from the soul, who is anyone to judge another? There is definitely a four-letter quilt in my future!
It continues to surprise me that people can be shocked by the word fuck, and other words, in this day and age. Clearly these people never watch TV or films. I have my suspicions about who these people are and I’d be tempted to craft a little “go and take a flying fuck” banner to hold up to them. I’d love to see the craft world come crashing down due to the word fuck appearing in fabric, thread or yarn!
2 thoughts immediately crossed my mind when I read this.
the first was– are these offended persons the same ones that are offended when by the ‘dirty’ words national health care or pension for public workers are spoken? oops probable shouldn’t make political comments ; )
the second was how a friend told me once that I took all the fun out of cussing because I allowed my children to cuss as long as they knew what the word meant and used it properly. I did this because I once caught my daughter calling some one a fag when she was 6 and I found that more offensive than f*ck. She didn’t know what she was saying and how hurtful it is. She and I had a long talk about it. To me there is a huge difference in using a slang word to express shock or pain or surprise than using a slang word to hurt or damage someone’s self esteem.
fucker has always been my favorite….i would love to participate if you want me!!!!
it was our special word regarding our teenagers….behind their backs of course…only got caught once….
That block is fanstastic and I’m sure the whole quilt will look amazing. After a particularly frustrating week I stitched something which contains a swear word and while it will always make me smile I understand that some might be offended………maybe they just shouldn’t look ,afterall I created it for my own enjoyment not others.
Whenever you have one of these posts dealing with Fuck, I wonder how come you choose to have the warning and spaces introduction but mainly why you choose to use the f*ck version instead of the simple straightforward fuck.
As today’s post deals directly with this issue, I thought it is a good time to ask:
Can you please explain your choice?
’bout fucking time someone started using this word in a blog post. This blogging world is too “filtered.” Either that or everyone’s on Prozac. Such a useful word–it can be used in all parts of speech. Can’t wait to see the finished quilt. I bet it will be fucking AWESOME!!!
your stitches are mighty! reading your words and ogling your projects is one of my realjob/reallife stress reliefs (which i have not indulged consistently enough lately). and i thoroughly enjoy your exploration of the beauty in vulgarity. have a great weekend!
I’m starting mine this coming week (our univeristy is closed all week)!
I disagree with reason #1… it can be, but it needn’t be.
Reason #3 is just plain silly (although your stitches ARE mighty).
But reason #2 gives me a little pause. Not because I agree that it’s a “private” word. That doesn’t feel like the correct category. But it is, or can be, a powerful word. It is a word to consider before use. Consider the place, the purpose, the intended affect and potential effect… it’s not a small word. But all of those considerations also mean it is not, should not be, a forbidden word. It is a word to be used with intention. Which, is how I have always seen you use it in your art…
So… that my take on the whole f*ing discussion. (Huh, interestingly I’ve just reaized that I almost never say the word. Just… don’t. Plenty of other words I do say… hmmm.)
Like many swear words, it’s power is in selective use. Spread it around to liberally and it looses all effectiveness. But one well placed F*ck!, B*tch!, or Scheisse! can express so much so succinctly. I think the delicate, prettified use of a strong word adds to it’s effectiveness. Stand up and be heard!
Your fucking awesome cross stitch inspired me to stitch up my own little reminder of just how fucking awesome I am, and I’m telling myself that every day, so yes, your needles are mighty mighty!
Just a lurker throwing one more vote of support in the pro-fuck camp. In general, I’m a huge fan of using “strong” words to express my sentiments. And, frankly, I’m a little worried about how much power people are willing to instill in four little letters placed all in a row. One word shouldn’t be enough to get your pants in a bunch, especially when that word isn’t hate speech. All of your fucks make me unreasonably happy and I can’t wait to see what this quilt turns into.
Everyone else has said it all, really, but just sharing this b/c of Pam’s comment that she called the teenagers “fuckers” behind their backs. I was cranky and only half-joking with my husband (then boyfriend? or fiancee? or already husband?) and called him a motherfucker. He didn’t miss a beat and replied, “Not ’til you have babies, I’m not.” It totally lightened the mood, somehow, like he was promising to be, but wasn’t one yet.
So now, two babies later, when I’m really angry with him, I have a deep satisfaction when I think of him as a motherfucker.
Thanks for so boldly and unapologetically expressing yourself and enjoying the power of words.
I personally have always been a little uncomfortable (for no good reason) with using cuss words, so I find your willingness to use “fuck” in your crafting highly freeing. Makes me want to be more comfortable with those words that make me uncomfortable, so I think you’re doing a good thing.
Hey it’s Your blog say whatever the F*ck you want :0)
I say if you don’t like it stop reading it, like a TV show you don’t like….that is what the off button is for! Your blog never fails to make me smile :0)
Happy Sewing
lol….love your gusty crafting!
I really love the quilt block, the colours and patterns are beautiful. I have to admit I didn’t want join the bandwagon of stitchers using the F word, until I came here lol! I will admit it’s not my fave swearword, I prefer sod it, bollocks or bugger, but I really enjoyed the challenge of seeing if I could visually create a piece that added my own style on a very commonly used word. Now looking at this quilt block, I am LOVING the concept. thank you for letting me participate and I so look forward to seeing the quilt finished.
cheers
I’m excited to see how this all comes together. If it takes down the crafting world, oh well, it was nice knowing it!
I love a good swear craft. I haven’t made one yet, but I am so glad the option remains on the
fucking table.
Well, this mebing y first time on your blog let me say a few things;
First – I love your style, choice of colors and quilting detail – yours are some of the most exciting quilts I have seen in a long while.
Next – Anyone who thinks you will play apart in anything other than the positive growth and enlightenment of the craft world is crazy!
Third – If you hadnt written this post (twitter by Whipup) I would never have found you blog so while I keep my blog (and most of craft) clean because I want it to keep a professional feel I want to say “Thank fuck you don’t – I love your blog!! And your craft!!”
I’m against censoring art in general and especially have trouble not rolling my eyes when people get squeamish about nudity. Same goes for swearwords. Whenever people get offended by these things appearing in art, I am compelled to ask them why, exactly. Usually they don’t really know, they can’t pinpoint the reason, and I think that is very telling.
Saw Kathreen from Whip Up tweeting about your post and had to chime in. I LOVE the use F*ck in crafts. Love, love, LOVE it. I Sofa King love it! I even have a pinterest board devoted to it (and I’m eyeing my next pin right here!). Something about using F*ck in pretty things… lovely things… steals it’s power from being such an ugly word used in ugly was. Almost always used negatively – it now becomes something to giggle over, to make cute… turning a frown upside down.
… used in ugly WAYS. Yesh. I sofa king suck at typing.
We use fuck around my house so often that the word has little power left. I had the same conversation with my son that whatzitknitz had with her daughter. I explained that the word upsets people (we live in the Bible Belt) but he could use it at home whenever he wanted, as long as he used it appropriately. (And is there an inappropriate use of fuck? I doubt it.) Anyway, I love this whole idea of the quilt and can’t wait to see what comes next.