Machine Dreams

Chicagoan Carole Frances Lung, better known as Frau Fiber, descends from a long line of seamstresses and works out from under the historical shadow of apparel industry workers, a distinctly underpaid female faction haunted by sweatshop roots yet later uplifted by the solidarity of unions. But the Frau – professional seamstress, artist and activist – translates all of that into a fierce brand of feminism with a DIY slant, that rails against mass production and invites people to take back lost sewing skills and therefore, by making their own clothing, a piece of lost personal freedom. To that end, the Frau has traveled around, setting up temporary shops in vacant storefronts to sew for charity or teach workshops or creating performances commemorating the lives of garment workers; her credo – “Stop shopping, start sewing!” – is the basis of her many nomadic public projects, including a couple she’ll oversee in Denver over the weekend.

Tonight (Friday, June 27), Frau Fiber will lead her Sewing Rebellion at the Denver Art Museum’s Gee’s Bend-inspired last-Friday Untitled fête from 6 to 10 p.m., which also includes live music, improv comedy, a community knitting project and other activities for the price of museum admission; log on to the DAM Web site or call 720-865-5000 for details. And tomorrow (Saturday, June 28), she’ll be up close and personal at Fancy Tiger, 1 S. Broadway, where she’ll offer a free workshop, White Collar Knock-Off, teaching the fine art of altering a plain white collared shirt into something completely different. Bring your own shirt; the Frau’s in the house from noon to 3 p.m. and admission is free. Go here for details; for more about Frau Fiber, go here. – Susan Froyd