🎙️ Her-Stories Podcast: Stitching Stories with Domestic Dusters

In this inspiring episode of Her-Stories, host Kate Blakemore is joined by artist and academic Vanessa from the University of Brighton, founder of the powerful community art project Domestic Dusters. Together, they explore how a humble yellow cleaning cloth became a canvas for women's voices, creativity, and shared experiences.

Vanessa shares the origins of the project, rooted in the domestic traditions of storytelling and textile work, and explains how embroidery has sparked conversations across generations- from Crewe to communities of unpaid carers, refugees, and beyond. With over 800 dusters stitched by women across the UK, each one becomes a mini-protest, a personal reflection, or a loving legacy.

Listen in as we discuss the mindful, empowering act of stitching, the stories held in thread, and how this simple object is bringing women together in powerful, visible ways. Plus, find out how you can join the project, pick up your own duster pack, and become part of a growing movement of creativity and connection.

🧵 “We can't wait to see your stories embroidered on a duster.”