Fabric Alchemy with Mahdiyyah Muhammad
Fabric Alchemy with Mahdiyyah Muhammad  
Podcast: Stitch Please
Published On: Wed Jul 13 2022
Description: Mahdiyyah Muhammad is a self-taught Artist, Fashion Designer, and Instructor who began designing at a very young age, breathing new life into discarded clothing. She draws inspiration from her practice of fabric alchemy; with an ability to take recycled, bio-based materials and turn them into one of one works of wearable art that boost healing properties. Taken from her research of naturally occurring materials and the effects they have on the body, each design is created with intentional fabric carrying high vibrational frequency like linen, cotton, wool, and organic cotton. Knowing the body in its optimal health has a vibrational frequency of 100, and fabrics like linen and wool contain an extremely high frequency of 5,000, she carefully selects her materials with this in mind. Mahdiyyah speaks more about this in her educational fabric workshops.With a passion for sharing her knowledge about fabric textile origins, healing qualities, and sewing education, she offers sewing classes, educational healing fabric workshops, and project-based sessions. Her upbringing in East Orange, NJ rooted her values in the importance of community, and creating opportunities for others who may not easily be afforded them. Other initiatives include mentorship opportunities for youth, and collaborations with various community organizations to provide sewing and healing fabric workshops for their members.Insights from this EpisodeHow Mahdiyyah would characterize her sewing storyHow Mahdiyyah built her creativityAt what point in her life Mahdiyyah decided she wanted to make design her only careerHow Mahdiyyah made all her pieces without a sewing machineWhy doing her own outfits was a special moment for Mahdiyyah in order to build her confidenceHow Mahdiyyah founded her own businessWhy "repurposing textile" is fundamental forMahdiyyah’s businessHow did Mahdiyyah pair fashion with teaching and community buildingHow Mahdiyyah’s experience with an artist in Barbados influenced her purpose with fashionWhat challenges did Mahdiyyah face in her collection of natural materialsHow Mahdiyyah’s childhood influenced her desire to help under-resourced communities through fashionWhat is fabric alchemyHow does vibration in fabrics worksWhat Mahdiyyah would say to help someone to "get their stitch together"Stay Connected:Lisa WoolforkInstagram: Lisa WoolforkTwitter: Lisa WoolforkMahdiyyah MuhammadWebsite: https://www.mahdiyyah.co/LinkedIn: Mahdiyyah Muhammad Instagram: Fabric AlchemistFacebook: Mahdiyya Mbugua Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletterCheck out our merch hereLeave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.Join the Black Women Stitch PatreonCheck out our Amazon StoreStay Connected:YouTube: Black Women StitchInstagram: Black Women StitchFacebook: Stitch Please...