Throughout history, embroidery has been a quiet yet powerful form of protest — especially behind bars. In prisons, stitching became an act of defiance, a way to reclaim identity, express resistance, and document injustice when voices were silenced. From suffragettes to political prisoners, embroidery offered a rare moment of agency within confinement. Where to Find… Read More prison embroidery: hidden resistance in stitch
The Romantic period is often dominated by famous male poets, but many remarkable female writers were equally active during the Industrial Revolution, offering their powerful reflections on nature, emotion, social injustice, and the changing world around them. Poets like Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, and Felicia Hemans wrote with a unique voice, often… Read More forgotten voices: female romantic poets of the industrial revolution
The Ashton Brothers mill complex, included Carrfield Mill, Bayleyfield Mill, and Balaclava Mill, and stood as a key part of Hyde’s industrial landscape. Over time, the site was gradually dismantled — with Bayleyfield and Balaclava Mills reportedly demolished around 2008, and the remaining buildings cleared by January 2013. These mills were central to Hyde’s identity,… Read More textile transitions: ashton brothers, christy, and the changing face of hyde’s industry
In a world of loud protests and fast-paced activism, the Craftivist Movement offers a quieter, more reflective approach to campaigning for change. Combining craft and activism, craftivism uses hand-making — embroidery, knitting, quilting — as a peaceful tool to challenge injustice and encourage thoughtful conversations. What is Craftivism?Coined by writer Betsy Greer in 2003, craftivism… Read More the craftivist movement: gentle protest, powerful change
In a world where protest is often imagined through fire and fury, the suffragettes remind us that resistance can also be stitched by hand, draped across shoulders, and quietly embroidered into banners. Far from being soft or decorative, these textiles of the suffragette movement—sashes, handkerchiefs, banners, and badges—were radical tools of visual and material dissent.… Read More threads of defiance: the protest textiles of the suffragette movement
Although this topic may not be local in the strictest sense, I thought it might resonate with readers in Hyde, given the town’s deep-rooted connection to the textile industry. Themes of craftsmanship, material expression, and cultural storytelling have long been woven into Hyde’s identity — and this subject echoes many of those threads. At first… Read More Stitching Sorrow: Thomas Hood’s poem The Song of the Shirt and the Victorian Needle trade
Michelangelo, Pieta, c. 1498-1500, marble The Pietà is one of the most poignant and enduring subjects in Christian art. Depicting the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus after the Crucifixion, this image has moved generations of artists to capture its sorrow and grace. More than a religious icon, the Pietà speaks to universal… Read More the Pietà in art: images of grief and compassion
(Disclaimer below) Growing up in a country where Catholicism is deeply embedded in both public life and private rituals, it’s almost impossible not to be shaped—visually, emotionally, and culturally—by its symbolism. From childhood baptisms to funeral masses, the Catholic imagination permeates everyday life in ways both subtle and profound. For many artists, including myself and… Read More the power and weight of catholic symbolism
Rose petal fabric is an innovative, biodegradable, plant-based textile made from upcycled rose petals, offering a sustainable alternative to silk. Soft, lightweight, and sustainable, it is produced through a process that repurposes floral waste. This luxury fabric is ideal for various fashion items and embodies a shift towards sustainable textiles in the industry.… Read More everything you need to know about organic rose petal fabric
One of the things I’ve always loved is seeing glimpses into artists’ studios—the places where ideas take shape, transform, and slowly become the finished pieces we admire. There’s something uniquely fascinating about witnessing a work in progress, with all its raw edges and unfinished details. It reminds me that every artwork is a journey, not… Read More the art of geraldine javier: stitching memory, loss, and the unseen
Rachel Bakewell 