Former detainee describes sewing as coping method during Iranian prison term

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe told an audience at Hay Festival on Thursday that sewing provided a psychological outlet during nearly six years of detention that began in April 2016. She said authorities permitted a limited number of garments per season and later granted written permission for her to receive fabric from Liberty London.

Her husband arranged delivery of the material, which she shared with other prisoners.

Prison activities and family contact Zaghari-Ratcliffe described learning dress patterns from a prison instructor and using an industrial sewing machine assigned to her supervision. She made matching dresses for her daughter Gabriella, then 22 months old, and sent them for visits before the child returned to the UK for school in 2019.

She also recalled crafting tote bags and origami with her daughter during weekly visits. After her release, Liberty London invited her to collaborate on fabric designs drawn from prison experiences and wartime craft stories, with proceeds supporting donations to current prisoners.

Recent use of sewing Zaghari-Ratcliffe said she returned to the sewing machine after learning of strikes involving the US and Israel on 28 February, spending five days at the machine as events unfolded. She noted that phone calls during that period reminded family members of restrictions experienced during her detention.

She added that the activity continues to represent both a connection to and a reminder of the period of confinement.