06 Jun Project: “Don’t Blow It” through the power of hand embroidered handkerchiefs!

Your local MP probably gets dozens, if not hundreds of letters and emails urging them to consider all sorts of important issues. But how often do they get given a hand-stitched hanky? Probably not very often!
In this project, craftivists embroider personal and timeless messages on handkerchiefs for influential people – not just politicians but business people, religious leaders and so on – encouraging them to use their power and influence to make a positive difference. Plus it’s a great way to build up a relationship with them to keep encouraging them to be their best selves.

Photograph by Robin Prime of the hanky Craftivist Sarah C gave to her MP
You could also stitch a hanky for a friend, family member or even a stranger, to encourage them to be the change they want to see in the world. Our kits have message suggestions for MPs, Teachers, Religious Leaders and even Bankers.

Don’t Blow It craftivism kit
We hope that they keep their handmade hanky to help motivate them to show their love for our global neighbours and the environment, and to act to help rather than harm them.
You can buy a ‘Don’t blow it!’ hanky kit through our shop – all profits go to help sustain and grow the Craftivist Collectives activities to engage people in craftivism and support vulnerable people in the world – and we have an instruction video for you to follow too, if you should need it.
We would love you to take a photo of your completed hanky (ideally with the person you give it to!) and email us a short blog (we call My Craftivism with questions to fill in) about the encouraging message you stitched, who you chose to give it to and why. That way we can share it with fellow craftivists and supporters, to encourage them to do the same.

Don’t Blow It craftivism kit contents
You might not think that this is project is going to have any impact but we asked Tristan Humphreys who is a Political Campaigner for Oxfam and he said about our project:
“Get your political campaigning right and you can be on the fast track to change. Its for this reason I’m delighted that ‘Don’t Blow it’ campaign is encouraging people to take a positive and creative approach to lobbying their local MPs. Not only does it offer an exciting and enjoyable way to get involved in political campaigning but it also provides an effective and sustainable model for engaging with politicians in the future.”

Sarah & her hanky
All images in this blog by photographer Robin Prime
Craftivist Collective is a social enterprise that relies on your support! If you enjoyed this blog post, please comment, share or repost.
Do visit our shop too, where all profits support the work of Craftivist Collective. You can also donate via Paypal.
If you would like to write a guest post for the Craftivist Collective blog, email us at hello@craftivist-collective.com
dawnrogal
Posted at 19:47h, 13 JuneJenny over at Sublime Stitching has let us know about this awesome project! Have ordered some hankies from her and will be stitching a few for our local city councillors! This is such a great idea!
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 22:20h, 19 OctoberYay, so good to hear. We got so excited when Jenny at Sublime Stitching said she liked what we are doing and wanted to tell her fans about this project. So proud! 🙂 Please do send us a photo and write-up about your hankies so we can put it up on our blog and use it to encourage others to do this project too please Dawn x
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 19:54h, 13 JuneHow exciting! Don’t forget to email us with a blog and some photos so we can show it on this website pretty please 🙂 x
Mr X Stitch is getting involved in our Summer project so why don’t you too! | Craftivist Collective
Posted at 20:54h, 19 June[…] Craftivist Collective craft + activism = craftivism Skip to content HomeAbout usCraftivism Projects To DoEventsLinksPress & PublicityShop ← New project: tell politicians “Don’t Blow It” through the power of hand emb… […]
geekysweetheart
Posted at 10:09h, 28 JulyI’ve just shared this on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/GeekySweetheart and will be blogging my progress… will let you guys know urls/pics as we go… off to do some research on my MP 😉
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 22:19h, 19 OctoberAAAAAmazing! 🙂 can’t wait to get an update Geeky Sweet<3 x
Come join our ‘Don’t Blow It’ project Wednesday 31st August at Southbank, London from 6:30pm | Craftivist Collective
Posted at 21:44h, 25 August[…] join us at the Royal Festival Hall cafe on the Southbank from 6:30pm to continue our summer project Don’t Blow It. The Facebook event is here. Some of us will be finishing off our hand embroidered handkerchiefs to […]
the precious east
Posted at 09:36h, 06 September[…] and I missed the WI meeting, where the women were stitching blankets and finishing off their ‘Don’t Blow It‘ […]
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 22:18h, 19 OctoberHey Precious East 🙂 You can still hand-embroider a hanky for your MP wherever and whenever you like. All the instructions and examples are here. Go for it! 🙂 If you need any more help send us a little email
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Posted at 18:01h, 20 September[…] Manchester Conference: Powershift. Immediately we knew we wanted to get them to get involved in our Don’t Blow It craftivism project and link it to their fight for climate justice. They will be in Manchester at the […]
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Posted at 19:50h, 02 October[…] Craftivist Collective has a great project going on: "Don’t Blow It!" Longtime crafty friend Sonja Todd of Tatty Devine (she used to make the coolest, mini […]
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 22:17h, 19 OctoberWe <3 Sonja so so much xxx
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Posted at 22:21h, 13 January[…] have ranged from making and handing out hand-stitched handkerchiefs with the message “Don’t blow it” to local politicians, to hacking Barbie dolls to […]
Sarah
Posted at 19:38h, 27 JanuaryWell done! I am inspired and am going to go charity shopping for hankies this weekend. (By the way, the young lady demonstrating the handkerchiefs has wonderful tattoos! Would love to know who the artist is. I am guessing Duncan X).
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 20:18h, 27 JanuaryYou’re right about Duncan (Mr X) 🙂
Don’t Blow It – take 2 «
Posted at 17:06h, 14 May[…] seem to have a habit of moving out of the constituency I’ve stitched a Don’t Blow It! handkerchief for as soon as I knot off the last thread. This is my second attempt, for Newham MP […]
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Posted at 10:41h, 25 February[…] som arbetsmetod vill de alltså ändra på det. Ett bra exempel som Sarah nämner är deras aktion Don’t blow it, där de uppmanar craftivister att brodera sitt budskap på en näsduk och överlämna till en […]
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Posted at 15:00h, 30 March[…] struggling to survive & get the support they need. I’m tempted to email my MP, refer to the hanky I made her that is hung up by her desk and ask her to explain why these cuts are the answer rather than […]
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Posted at 12:51h, 01 April[…] gmail DOT com and we will try and help how we can. Alternatively you could make your MP one of our Don’t Blow It handkerchiefs. We would love to hear how you got on and have you guest blog like Laura has done here. Keep […]
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Posted at 00:13h, 10 July[…] as a permanent reminder that a constituent is concerned. Some of our craftivists have also made hankies for bankers, lawyers, journalists and […]
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Posted at 21:37h, 10 November[…] as a permanent reminder that a constituent is concerned. Some of our craftivists have also made hankies for bankers, lawyers, journalists and teachers. Others have made jigsaws for our #imapiece […]
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Posted at 22:20h, 14 January[…] “Don’t Blow It” through the power of hand embroidered handkerchiefs!. [online] Available at: http://craftivist-collective.com/all/new-project-tell-politicians-dont-blow-it-through-the-power-of-… [Accessed: 3 Jan […]
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Posted at 03:28h, 28 January[…] Craftivist Collective, 2014, Don’t blow it hanky (online) Available at; http://craftivist-collective.com/all/new-project-tell-politicians-dont-blow-it-through-the-power-of-… […]
Pensiuni In Bucovina
Posted at 20:10h, 16 JuneCazare Tasnad
Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the great work!
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 12:22h, 11 JulyThanks so much Pensluni 🙂 x
"This is when change comes about: when people stop shouting their own messages and start listening to other peoples'" says craftivist Nicky | Craftivist Collective
Posted at 10:55h, 04 September[…] took my hanky in the kit provided by Sarah and scripted a message to my local MP asking him to step up to the mark and […]
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