Birth Control Tapestry: Textile Artist Alexandria Masse Transforms Contraceptive Information Into Monumental Fibre Art

Textile and fibre artist Alexandria Masse is attracting widespread attention for an ambitious and politically resonant work titled Birth Control Tapestry — a massive crochet installation that stitches, word for word, a birth control information sheet into yarn as an artistic statement on bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and informed consent.

The project, which Masse began in January 2025, has grown into a monumental piece measuring approximately 12 feet by 6.75 feet (370 cm by 205 cm) after more than 10 months of work. The tapestry uses dozens of balls of yarn and over 10 kilometers of fibre, a visual testament to the effort and attention required to literally weave medical information into art.

Masse, a Canada-based artist known for her evocative crochet sculptures and textile interventions, describes the tapestry as “crocheting my birth control information sheet, word for word,” and positions it as a powerful commentary on freedom, bodily autonomy, and the long-fought battles for reproductive rights. According to her project page, the piece confronts how access to accurate reproductive health information — including contraceptive methods and side effects — has been shaped by historical struggles and contemporary misinformation.

In social-media updates documenting her progress, Masse has shared monthly snapshots of the tapestry’s expansion and elaborated on the painstaking process of translating text into fiber. Her online audience has grown as followers watch the tapestry evolve, stitch by stitch, over weeks and months.

The Birth Control Tapestry has also been spotlighted in media and arts coverage, including discussions on its blend of craft, activism, and public health discourse. Major outlets such as The Straits Times and CBC Radio have featured the project, highlighting its unique fusion of art and social commentary. Masse has additionally appeared on podcasts to discuss how the piece engages audiences on issues of reproductive rights and personal agency.

In describing the tapestry, Masse emphasises its dual nature as both a visual and informational artefact — suggesting that future generations should not only read scientific and health information but feel its weight. The tactile scale of the work invites viewers to consider how knowledge about one’s body, often taken for granted, is undergirded by intense cultural and political struggles.

As the project continues to gain traction online and in art circles, Birth Control Tapestry stands as an example of how traditional craft practices like crochet can be repurposed to spark dialogue on pressing social issues, linking centuries-old textile techniques with contemporary debates over access to reproductive healthcare.