ST201902

Thesimpleactofthreadinganeedle

andsewingonapieceofclothcanbea

provocative act, as Clare Hunter reveals

in this engrossing book, explaining how

sewing has been used across continents

and through the centuries to give voice

to the voiceless. Hunter describes how

sewinghasbeenusedtocelebratea

senseofbelonging(embroideryon

traditional dress), to incite reform (the

Suffragettes banners), to commemorate

the dead (the NAMES project memorial

quilts) and assuage wounded souls

(the sewing groups made up of shell-

shocked First World War soldiers). And

it’s been proven to reduce stress and

boost mental health. Time to join the

stitch-craft revolution. (Sceptre)

NEEDLE POINTS

Stitches canbeseditionary, suggests ClareHunterinThreadsofLife

SHOP OF

THE MONTH

Anonlineseedshopallowingyouto

grow your own bouquet

Grace Alexander started her business

of selling cut-flower seeds as a

creative venture to fit around her job

asapsychologist.Sheworksfromthe

modest flower field that sits behind

her Somerset cottage with just a tiny

greenhouse and some windowsills for

her growing. Her Cutting Garden

Seed Collection (£15) can be sown

indoors from February to July. All

collectionsarecuratedbycolour,and

each set of four packs of seeds is

wrapped in Khadi paper, decorated

with a copper letterpress quote from

British florist Constance Spry –

almost too pretty to tear open.

gracealexanderflowers.co.uk

Lykke scented candle | £

Happiness is... a soothing,

fragranced candle in a stylish

glass votive. skandinavisk.com

FRESH (^) | FEBRUARY THINGS