Really Cross Stitch: For When You Just Want to Stab Something a Lot

By Rayna Fahey

Annoyed? Upset? Distraught? Want to stab a sharp object into something? Then this book is for you.

Stitching for public protest is not new. First-wave feminists in the US and in Britain used needlework in their demonstrations and public protest lectures during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, needlework and other handcrafts declined throughout the twentieth century, with second-wave feminists arguing against 'the oppression of the needle'. In the 21st century, though, there has been a steep resurgence and many are now turning to crafts, especially needlework, as an activism strategy. Feminist Betsy Greer makes this point strongly when she proclaims 'I think every act of making is an act of revolution'.

Inspired by the banners and signs at marches around the world, Really Cross Stitch takes all that anger, outrage and protest and puts it inside a pretty, decorative border. Along with some wonderfully snarky commentary and general annoyance.

Featuring more than 40 truly original cross stitch designs, the book contains instructions on techniques for new stitchers from making to finishing a stitch. There is also a handy list of required materials to get you ready to stab.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Oct 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781912217052

Rayna Fahey

Rayna Fahey is a radical crafter, organiser, mother, activist, gardener, writer and lover… and that is just the start. Rayna is a do-er with heart. She mixes making with politics and friends and gained fame through her street art adventures in cross stitching fences. She earned further notoriety as a feature maker in the film Making it Handmade.

Book preview

Contents

1) Introduction

2) A short history

3) The Basics

4) You will need…

5) How to cross stitch

6) Patterns

7) Acknowledgements

Introduction

Sometimes revolution is a scary thing

It brings to mind images of violence, dominant men and terrible fashion. But luckily, you have stumbled on a beautiful revolution: The Craft Revolution.

If you believe the internet, craftivism is a hot new craze sweeping the planet. Not your grandmother’s protest! hollers the shouty clickbait. Happily this couldn’t be further from the truth as craft and protest have been merrily cohabitating since your great, great, great grandmother’s time. The Luddite, Suffragette, second wave feminist, and peace movements were amongst many to share a passion and understanding of the power handmade objects have to subversively communicate ideas.

On January 21st 2017, 2.5 million people marched worldwide in the Women’s March against Trump. The Women’s March was a proactive international movement, galvanising people to defend women’s rights, and those of others, in response to the rising rhetoric of far-right populism around the world.

Symbolic of this movement, hundreds of thousands of pink knitted pussy hats adorned the heads of marchers. More than simply casting off Trump’s misogyny, the pussy hats empowered people to come together and creatively respond to politics. Friendships were made, solidarities forged, many debates were had. Most importantly, the mainstream came to realise that craft is not benign. Craft has the power to change minds, and a radical craft circle has the power to change the world.

WELCOME TO THE REVOLUTION.

SAVING THE WORLD ONE STITCH AT A TIME.

A short history

The craft revolution

The craft revolution started a long time ago when people were resisting the Industrial Revolution.

The People decided they had no interest in soulless objects made by soulless machines. The People knew that there was an inherent greatness in stuff that was handmade by people in their own communities. They knew creativity within their community spilled over into all sorts of domains

Reviews for Really Cross Stitch

[Laura Hinojosa · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The title has nothing to do with the title, is just pure feminist bullshit.