The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine by Rozsika Parker

Blurb: Rozsika Parker's re-evaluation of the reciprocal relationship between women and embroidery has brought stitchery out from the private world of female domesticity into the fine arts, created a major breakthrough in art history and criticism, and fostered the emergence of today's dynamic and expanding crafts movements.

• paperback
• first published 1984; updated version released 2010

Paraffle Note: discovering The Subversive Stitch was a glorious moment for me. I found the title irresistible, and it totally lived up to my expectations - it was a revelation to see feminism and embroidery brought together in such a detailed, informative book. As well as giving a fantastic history of embroidery (mostly in England), each chapter opens up a million more rabbit holes of textile artists and movements to be explored!