“Politics is the art of the possible,” said Otto von Bismarck.

Believe it or not, not everyone involved in politics is in it for themselves – some actually want to affect social change and remedy society’s problems.

Some may sign a petition, lobby their MP or take to the streets wielding placards, chanting slogans and demanding action.

This kind of protest may take place over the course of a few hours, or even a few days.

The press may even come down and cover it, but after the last protester has packed-up and gone home the moment has gone and it’s consigned to the history books.

However this is a new breed of campaigner in town – the craftivists.

CRAFTY CAMPAIGNERS: Stitching jigsaw pieces

These philanthropists express political statements through their craft and create a permanent tribute to their cause.

The mastermind behind this new type of campaigning is Sarah Corbett who founded the Craftivist Collective in 2009.

She spent 2008 blogging under the name A Lonely Craftivist, but didn’t stay lonely for long after people got in touch asking if they could join the crafty quest.

To cater to this demand she founded the Craftivist Collective and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tomorrow sees the unveiling of a huge art installation in support of the Save the Children campaign to raise awareness of world hunger and child malnutrition.

Sarah and her global crafty army have stitched hundreds of jigsaw puzzle pieces with words of support as part of the Jigsaw Project.

PUZZLING: Stitched jigsaw pieces

“Life is like a puzzle, it all seems a mess but when it gets finished it looks brilliant,” she explained.

“There is no one solution to the problem of injustice but we can all play a part in a movement for change.

“We are supporting Save the Children because, as well as being a conscious consumer, this is a vital time to effect long-term change through campaigning and meeting your MP.”

Craft bloggers Hilary Pullen of Craft Blog UK, Knit the City founder ‘Deadly Knitshade’ and TV ‘manbroiderer’ Jamie ‘Mr X Stitch’ Chalmers will attend the unveiling at the People’s History Museum in Manchester.

Oh yes and I’ll be there too!

If you’ve got a spare hour tomorrow night, come on down to the People’s History Museum café area, Left Bank at Spinningfields between 6pm and 8pm.

For more information about Craftivist Collective visit: www.craftivist-collective.com or follow #imapiece on Twitter.

Pictures courtesy of Sarah Corbett, with thanks.