My STITCH Experience

Leah Whalen, freelance writer and editor

I have been regularly attending the Maine Craft Association’s annual STITCH fashion show because I love its unique blend of fashion and community. Maine, like much of the rest of New England, gets a bad rap for its fashion sense; the stereotype of the Mainer sporting Bean boots as their formal wear is sadly durable. But there are people all over our state making beautiful clothes and accessories, and STITCH provides a chance to showcase them. At STITCH fashion shows, I’ve watched adorable children, ordinary people, and glamourous drag queens walk the runway; I’ve coveted colorful leather handbags, elaborate silk gowns, and heavyweight linen tunics. Every show is new, but all of them have a couple of things in common: it’s always exciting to see how much talented designing is going on right around us, and it’s always delightful to witness how these designers support and hold each other up.

STITCH first drew me in right after the pandemic. Like so many of us, I was craving in-person connection after spending so long in my house, and the atmosphere in the audience that year was electric (I may not have been the only person longing to be in a crowd again). But it was even better on the runway, especially at the end of the show, when all the models and designers came out at once for one last celebratory walk. I recall people hugging and smiling and high-fiving, all of them celebrating each other’s diverse visions.

When I first began attending, the shows were held at Urban Farm Fermentory, with its usually cheerful interior dialed down to a moody vibe and dried plants draped artfully overhead. The runway cascaded down the back stairs and out into the audience. Attendees squeezed into as many chairs would fit by the runway. Vendors set up in the hallway outside and everyone spilled out into the courtyard to drink and talk.

But much as I loved the intimacy of that venue, I think I enjoy the new shows at Maine Studio Works even more. With soaring ceilings and exposed ductwork, the space’s vibe is very “cool artist loft.” There’s ample seating, and pretty much every chair offers a good view of the runway. Vendors feel more integrated into the experience of the show, and with room to spread out, the browsing and shopping experience becomes easier and more relaxed. (Drinks from Cocktail Mary can help with that mellow feeling too!) Finally, the interactive aspect of screen printing with Little Chair Printing or custom chain embroidery with Wet Day Fire reminds attendees that textile craft is within all of our grasps—we can all, to a certain extent, be our own designers and create our own looks.

By Leah Whalen, freelance writer and editor