I don’t like stereotypes. And I’m sick and tired of needledpointers being typecast as rich, frivolous and/or stupid middle-aged women. I’m tired of needlepoint being copnsidered a “rich women’s” craft or having it criticized as begin expensive. I’m tired of people looking at needlepoint as something to criticize.
The article in the current issue of The Atlantic by Megan McArdle, was written about by my friend Marianne in her blog earlier today, but I am upset enough about this prejudical comment I =wanted to say something as well.
The theme of the issue is “How to Fix the World” and in the article McArdle tackles the issue of how people are coping with this so-called “depression” and she sees needlepoint as being part of the problem.
But all she is seeing is the stereotype.
Does she see the studies which show needlework interest up by almost 30%? NO!
Does she look to see all the people taking up and blogging about needlepoint using thrifted items and things from craft stores? NO!
Does she consider that every single thing you buy that isn’t basic clothing, food, and transportation to work is bought using discretionary funds? NO!
Did she bother to talk to needlepointers to learn how in stressful times the making of beautiful things by hand relieves stress, adds beauty to your life, and brings joy to others? I highly doubt it.
Are these things wasteful? IIs making something from your stash too expensive? Is taking a thrifted wallet, some leftover knitting yarn and a Bargello pattern to make a gift one afternoon not a little bit of “fixing the world?”
Yet we do all these things and more, using needle and thread to make the world better one stitch at a time.
Now I’m going off to make the dinner with things from the grocery outlet (probably $5 to feed three adults), watch a Netflix (less than $1 per title) and work on the abstract stash piece which uses only thread from my stash ($0). After that I will read a book from the library. So did I fix the world and practice home economics?
You betcha!
And I will not have taken food out of my family’s mouths, and not spent any of my discretionary income to do it. The share of happiness in this little bit of Mare Island will be greater too.
If instead of believing stereotypes and only looking at our prejudices, we looked at how we can spread beauty and happiness, the world would be fixed more easily.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Yeah!!!! Good for you and right on. I bet more than half of my handmade gifts come from ‘leftovers’ and I don’t think I’ve ever given a handmade gift that didn’t bring a smile to someone. And anybody who doesn’t think bringing a smile into someone else’s life isn’t making the world better is just plain stupid! Not to mention that the making of gifts brings peace, calm and happiness in to my own life…which at times can be sorely needed. “Learn a craft and improve the world” !!!!
All I can say is AMEN!