Contributed by Davie-Marie Hurlbert
A magnificent work of original research that unravels history through textiles and cloth—how we make it, use it, and what it means to us.
A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice
How is a handmade fabric helping save an ancient forest?
Why is a famous fabric pattern from India best known by the name of a Scottish town?… Read the rest
The Last Runaway
by Tracy Chevalier
Honor Bright, a modest English Quaker, moves to Ohio in 1850–only to find herself alienated and alone in a strange land. Sick from the moment she leaves England, and fleeing personal disappointment, she is forced by family tragedy to rely on strangers in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape. … Read the rest
Markita loved to travel and to share her experiences. Even though she is no longer with us we wanted to share this last post that she wrote for us.
by Markita Hall-Gumble
My friend Kim – @quiltaholicsanonymous and I have been on a shoe adventure. Kim the amazing quilter didn’t stop with 2 pairs of SneakerKit shoes. … Read the rest
The Dress Diary of Mrs. Anne Sykes
by Melanie Kindrachuk, Librarian & Sewist
If you are interested in history, clothing, textiles, and material culture, you’ll love this one. The author was given an unusual scrapbook, which was full of snippets of fabrics from across the lifetime of Mrs. Anne Sykes, stretching from her wedding day in 1838 onwards.… Read the rest
by Nancy Moser
Can a lowly housemaid realize
her own American dream?
Born into a life of hard work, English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York City in 1911 with her wealthy mistress. Wide-eyed with the possibilities America has to offer, Annie wonders if there’s more for her than a life of service.… Read the rest
For conscious consumers, buying clothes has never been more complicated. Even as fashion brands tout their sustainability, the industry is plagued by pollution, waste, and poor working conditions. In fact, fashion may account for as much as 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow. Decades ago, as Nazi planes dominated the sky, Lily Verner made a terrible choice. She’s tried to forget, but now an unexpected event pulls her back to the 1940s British countryside. She finds herself remembering the brilliant colors of the silk she helped to weave at her family’s mill, the relentless pressure of the worsening war, and the kind of heartbreaking loss that stops time.
Looking for something to read? There are many fascinating books revolving around sewing. Here are a few to whet your appetite.
Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.
My Name Is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner. The year is 1729, and Resolute Talbot and her siblings are captured by pirates, taken from their family in Jamaica and brought to the New World.… Read the rest
Looking for something to read? There are many fascinating books revolving around sewing. Here are a few to whet your appetite.
Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.
The Golden Thread by Kassia St. Clair.
From colorful threads found on the floor of an ancient Georgian cave to the Indian calicoes that fueled the Industrial Revolution, The Golden Thread illuminates the myriad and fascinating histories behind the cloths that came to define human civilization―the fabric, for example, that allowed mankind to shatter athletic records, and the textile technology that granted us the power to survive in space.… Read the rest
Looking for something to read? There are over 30 fictional novels revolving around sewing. Here are a few to whet your appetite.
Add a comment below if you have another book to suggest.
Jennifer Chiaverini is a historical fiction bestselling New York Times author best known for the “Elm Creek Quilts” series in addition to several collections of quilt patterns that were inspired by her novels.… Read the rest
We recently had the pleasure of doing this 20 minute interview with Kimberly Jolly. Kimberly is the owner of the Fat Quarter Shop and It’s Sew Emma. Between those two companies, she covers all sorts of quilting and cross stitching fabrics, supplies, and patterns. It was great fun to hear how this accountant turned creative and made her journey to where she is today.… Read the rest
We asked our members to share their favorite sewing books and it was so much fun to see what they had to say. Some sent reference books and some novels about sewing. Regardless of what you are in the mood to read or learn, there just might be some new ideas for you in the list.… Read the rest
