073: The Point of the Needle with Barbara Burman

Have you ever considered the impact of your sewing stories? In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by Barbara Burman, the author of "The Point of the Needle, Why Sewing Matters." Barbara is a historian with a deep interest in material culture, particularly in textiles and dress. 

In our chat Barbara shares her upbringing in a country vicarage, surrounded by a culture of making things, from cabinet making to sewing. This environment, combined with her academic interests, led her to write her book which covers the following themes:

• Oral Histories: the importance of oral history in understanding sewing's role in everyday life, particularly for women.
• Material Culture of Sewing: the significance of tools and materials in sewing, highlighting emotional attachments to items like sewing baskets.
• Sewing as a Social Practice: altruistic and ethical sewing, like making for charities or for the NHS during COVID.
• Professional Sewing: sewing as employment, discussing issues like fair wages and the impact of the fashion industry.
• Radical Sewing: sewing as a form of personal and political expression, including gender expression and craftivism.
• Mending: as a form of making, emphasizing its importance in a consumer society.

We chat about all things relating to the history of sewing, including campaigns against exploitation in the fashion industry and the evolution of fashion trends.
And we also share our personal reflections on sewing, its impact on your lives, and its broader societal value.

Barbara's work is filled with wonderful stories and I hope you enjoy sharing those with us in the episode.

For full show notes, links visit: https://www.sewmuchmorefun.co.uk/post/episode73

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