Feminist crafters, how about we make a MN banner to march behind?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

don't you think?

a big cloth one with beanpoles (and tassles at the corners, in manner of old trade union banners) carried by 2 people.

ideally it would be appliqued but could be painted instead.

I think we should do this because:

1. trade union style banners are a fabulous craft tradition that should be continued
   
2. doing one for Mumsnet would bring together old and new in a way that I think would make people look twice
   
3. lovely banners increase the visual appeal of a march and thus encourage people to look again and hopefully see the slogany ones
   
4. there were so many of us at MWR, probably 40-50 including children, surely a contingent that size needs a banner?
   

wdyt?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

thanks Proles.
I've started a thread in Site Stuff asking MNHQ here and have already had a post from someone else objecting so any support on that thread would be good....

[lemonsquish]

I think it's a great idea too, not sure why anyone would object but there's always someone having a grumble

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

MNHQ have said it's fine

should it say Mumsnet Feminists rather than Mumsnet?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

the Suffragettes had some nifty ones too, eg this one

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

from the comments on the other thread, it seems like 'Mumsnet Feminists' would be better than just 'Mumsnet' because then the non-feminists won't feel they have a right to tell us when we can use it.

I am waiting with baited breath for a 'what about the men?' comment on that other thread....

[iskra]

When's this for? 26th March?

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

If I design it, it will be very simple, because I am not hot on design, though I can sew; white background (old sheet) with Mumsnet logo in blue solid fabric and the words 'mumsnet feminists' in a range of blue and white prints, checks etc in the same typeface (the Huddersfield banner did that and it was very effective, more than just plain fabric would have been).

but if anyone more artistic than me would like to take the lead on design then I am sure something more beautiful can be done.

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

I was thinking it would be for future Millions Women Rises and Reclaim the Nights and possibly other things MN feminists are represented at in great numbers.

[FlamingoBingo]

Could we each make a different letter in our own style, like they did for that lovely gingham one? I loved it that one of the letters was crocheted (I think that's the one you're talking about)? If you told us the font, and the size then we could each design our own letter (or letters) and then send them to you to applique on.

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

that would be lovely.
and would represent diversity within feminism.

[HandDivedScallopsrgreat]

I think it is a great idea (says me who hasn't picked up a needle and thread in about 10 years!). Liking the different letter designs FB! I am finding it slightly ironic that I become a feminist and then became more arts and crafty - things I objected to in my youth as being too girly !

I now love baking for example. Perhaps I should stick to making industrial size quantities of biscuits with Mumsnet on, to hand out at these events as my art skills really do leave something to be desired? Do you think MNHQ would object? (Maybe they already have patented Mumsnet biscuits?)

[bucaneve]

Oh how lovely, can I help, pretty please?

(Also, thanks you have just given me a great idea for a youth club project!)

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Yes it sounds amazing. As I mentioned before, I am talentless, but will happily take my turn to carry the thing when it's done.

[thefinerthingsinlife]

Sounds like a fantastic idea!!!

[upsydaisysexstylist]

ooh,fab idea, you can put me down for anything that needs crochetting or embroidering.

Crochetting has quite a feminist backstory,apart from the hooker bit. But in Ireland taught by nun's to local women and was a big cottage industry durring the potato famine.

[LadyBiscuit]

I will make a letter - whatever you tell me you need. I used to be able to do embroidery and I would love to know that a letter was mine :)

[FlamingoBingo]

I reckon we should just do whatever craft you like best for your letter. I might do some crazy patchwork...or crochet...Hmmmmmmmmm

[sethstarkaddersmackerel]

also, someone needs to do the Mumsnet logo. that will be a bigger job than a letter - will probably need a craft knife!

I was envisaging it as just a plain cut-out but maybe someone has ideas as to how it could become a glorious centrepiece?

I was thinking bondaweb and zigzagging for the letters - that's how Huddersfield Feminists did theirs. But they could still be embroidered, crocheted etc.

Does anyone have a pic of the Huddersfield banner by any chance?