I’m sure you have been at the receiving end of the barbs: the person who calls needlepoint “knitting,” the folks who look askance at you as you stitch in a waiting room, the folks who think you are wasting money on frivolous junk. And then there are the ones who dismiss needlepoint as a “rich woman’s hobby.”
I don’t entirely agree with the opinions expressed in the post “Craft is Not Trivial” from the blog The Craft Sessions, but it certainly expresses my frustration often. It’s written by a knitter, but I think it expresses the difficulty of all those who pursue fiber arts so very well.
It’s a bit long, but well worth reading. Then I’d love to know your opinion. Just post them in the comments section.
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
Excellent article. We still live in a society where domestic “ women’s work” is dismissed and devalued. I retired from a successful high powered corporate life.
While my colleagues were redefining themselves as consultants, advisors etc I
Decided to spend my time on my craft – needlework- now taking classes, improving,
Making. I love the creativity of designing, the physical activity of making. But when I discuss it with non-makers they give me that glazed look and ask why I don’t do something more intellectually challenging.
Urghhh. I love learning the history of all the techniques. The study of threads, fabrics, tools, use. I am challenged with every aspect of my craft. People would ooo and awe if I said painting but merely smile politely when I display my skill with a needle. An age old problem. But I do this for me and those that do care. It’s enough.
I am reminded of various sayings. One if which most people have heard: ‘Walk a mile in my shoes.’ The other is, I think, very pertinent: ‘ There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad on the best of us that it ill behoves the rest of us to criticize any of us’
These may not be quoted exactly correctly and I am not certain my grammar is perfect but we all are entitled to spend our time and money as we see fit.
This rant probably should not be published.
Thanks for sharing. I’ve just read, not only the post, but all of the comments and agree with much and it sparked things I never realized that I actually knew :-). I had never thought out loud the difference in how crafting is perceived vs sports or other passions and had not given thought to the difference in women who pursue needlework vs men who are woodworkers.
Judging by the number of responses on the website, the article struck a raw nerve among many. Why is it that some feel they must offer some judgment about whatever pastime we enjoy? If we do it for ourselves, we should just dismiss these judgments as bad mannered. I suffered Mandibular Trigeminal Shingles 5 years ago emanating from the 5th cranial nerve with excruciating facial pain for 2 weeks that left me with Post Herpetic Neuralgia for 18 mos on medication. The only thing that relieved the pain was focusing on a needlepoint piece. The dr. said it stimulated a part of my brain that helped me focus away from the incessant pain and I should stay with it. So I needlepoint for myself and the enjoyment and relief it gives me. I simply don’t care what others say or think. I learn something new with each piece and that is satisfying as well.
This piece says so many things so well, that I sent a link on to a number of my stitching friends. As I’ve told my boss more than once, “You know that I like to make things, don’t you?” There’s pleasure in planning a project as well as stitching it, stimulation of creativity, and it’s definitely therapeutic. It’s a link to our collective past, and, I hope, to the future.
It’s a waste of time to do needlework but not a waste of time binge on Netflex or play Minecraft. What a world what a world
Thanks everyone for these great comments. Keep on adding your thoughts.
Keep stitching,
Janet