An absorbing and mind-opening account of the political, emotional and practical importance of sewing through the centuries. This is not the story of embroidery through the ages: it tells us how people at all times and from all walks of life have expressed rage, grief, love and despair in stitches large and small. It tells us that embroidery is so much more than a ‘women’s hobby’. I want cards with the details of this book in my pocket for every time someone’s eyes glaze over when I tell them I am an embroiderer. Still available on i-player – it was Book of the Week on Radio 4 in the week of 4 February 2019.