Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle Hardcover – October 15, 2019

Inspiring chronicle of how cloth and hand stitching hold cultural memories, tell stories, protest or remember injustice, and celebrate beauty.

This book was a lovely read through history and meaning of textiles through the ages. I’ve been a textile enthusiast all my life and learned many new things and I enjoyed both the author’s personal stories and other’s textile stories throughout the book.

Not only is this book full of history, it is well written. This was a gift and she said it was very interesting. She just wishes that there were more picture/illustrations. She has recommended this book to other sewing/quilting friends.

This book is a wonderful read for anyone who loves hand work and has a strong appreciation for textiles. This book gave me the wonderful idea of helping my granddaughter create a textile using embroidery, appliqué and fabric pens to express her emotions related to the current political climate. She has been able to express her fears and disgust related families being separated at the wall to her current interpretation of the recent debate. She also is able to depict her losses related to school closures the loss of contact with he junior high classmates.I spent so much time researching textiles and artists. My only regrets is no photos.

This book is so very amazing. Hunter leads one through all the ways that needlework heals, and screams at injustice and hopes for the future. It is a world history with many great moments. I live close to the Occoquan Workhouse and its history mentioned is heart breaking, but also inspiring. I have read reviews about the lack of pictures, but all the images can be found on the websites listed in the back of the book. Take your time to read this social history of needlework. I have already purchased two more copies for my nieces and I suspect I will purchase more. Really worth your time.

Sometimes I read a book that sets off fireworks in my mind – I am so excited by the ideas and mental images it offers that I read it on the edge of my seat. This history of the world through stitchery was one of those. Clare Hunter, a Scot with a long career in fiber art, has done extensive research the world over to patch together this view of “women’s work” (not always done by women, we learn), and its history, seen from her perspective as a feminist, an activist, an artist and a humanitarian. She approaches the historical data with very personal stories of individual people, from prisoners to soldiers and Queens to commoners. She draws the information together with clear philosophical underpinnings and unfailing empathy and tenderness. It is both inspiring and illuminating, and the writing itself is excellent, too.

Clare Hunter has written a wonderfully articulate and well-researched book on the use of textiles as art and resistance throughout history. I’m still trying to decipher who made the decision to NOT include photographs of the textiles being discussed. Sure, I found them on the internet…but this moved my reading this book for pleasure into reading yet another book I have to supplement with research. I do that all day. It becomes very distracting when I want to relax.I really enjoyed reading Hunter’s prose, and her research was meticulously done, but I kept getting annoyed with her descriptions of the textiles Of which I had no mental picture. Someone at Abrams Press should have known better. Clare Hunter was Ill-advised.5 stars author; 2 stars Publisher.

I purchased this book for my wife who does all kinds of sewing, needlepoint, cross stich and so one. She also likes history. She loved this book. My wife is Happy; therefore I am Happy.

El primer capítulo es maravilloso, peor los demás son algo inconsistentes con el estilo y termina siendo algo aburrido. No lo he temrinado de leer de lo poco interesante que resultò para mi. Lo había comprado porque Maria Grazzia se había inspirado en este libro para hacer una colección de Dior, pero pues al final no terminé de entender como un texto tan frigido pudo serle inspirador.

Excellent

This book is very well written and researched. It is enjoyable to read and each chapter enlightens the reader on different aspect of history and the use of stitch in the particular era.

The superlative statement of "wow!" is grossly understated. The amount of research and the obvious joy and love of her subject reaches across time and space where it touches us all! When life gets in the way of hope it is often the little things which by virtue of the fact that what we engage in requires concentration and stepping out of ourselves and our situation that we may find the strength to face another day. I have learned much from reading this book and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. In my case, I am a beader and travel the world looking for beads and can tell my story through beadwork and connect with fellow beaders both young and old. In an increasingly troubled world a skill that we can engage in may be the candle to shine light and hope on our own life and the life of others. My wish for you all is that you find hope and joy in engaging in your projects whether it is in the garden or elsewhere.

Enjoyed this from beginning to end. Inspirational.