Crafters of color began sharing personal stories about exclusion and racial injustice in their field in early 2019, highlighting the unfairness and lack of visible diversity within the crafting sector, prompting a reckoning in the craft community. Jen Hewett, one of the few notable women of color in the fiber arts community, has compiled this book as a direct reaction to the need to promote the various perspectives of fiber artists and craftspeople.
This Long Thread weaves together interviews, first-person essays, and artist biographies to examine the work and contributions of people of color in the fiber arts and crafts community, spanning a broad range of race, age, area, cultural identification, education, and economic status. Techniques and materials, belonging, identity, pride of place, cultural misappropriation, privilege, the value (or undervaluing) of craft, community support mechanisms, acknowledgment or exclusion, intergenerational discourse, and many other topics are discussed in these discussions.
Be inspired by the work and stories of forward-thinking people of color who are making significant contributions to the craft world. Knitters, quilters, sewers, weavers, and others are among the textile artists and artisans represented, who are creating fascinating and inventive work yet are frequently missed by mainstream media.
