Point of the Needle

Barbara Burman is a writer and former academic at the University of Southampton and University of the Arts, London. She is co-author with Ariane Fennetaux of The Pocket: A Hidden History of Women’s Lives, 1660–1900 (2019) and editor of The Culture of Sewing (1999). She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and lives near Cambridge.

"Barbara was the co-author of the well-received book called The Pocket - A Secret History of Women’s Lives, but in this new book, Barbara has a much bigger canvas: to rescue sewing from the twilight and to celebrate it as a fundamental human activity . . . This book is a much broader one that seeks to shine a light on the extraordinary human endeavour of stitching." - Jo Andrews, Haptic & Hue Book of the Year 2023"Chronicling the intimate stories of people who sew today, this ‘trenchant’ argument for the importance of sewing in our lives looks at identity, diversity, resilience and memory as it explores why we sew, what motivates us and why we mend things." - Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller"[Barbara Burman] pulls off turning a lifetime's research, including her own Our Sewing Stories, into a book by having a strong, thematic narrative, fluent style and empathy with the more personal aspects of needlecraft . . . The book charts the social history of what is still perceived as a "gendered practice". It also explores needlework's moral and religious associations and the benefits it offers to well-being . . . At a more sensory level, evocative descriptions of scissors crunching through cloth, "earthy and seductive" Harris tweed, silk pleated "into rills like the delicate underside of a field mushroom", "swishy, flowy" synthetic jerseys and old-fashioned lutestring, fustian and dimity will resonate with lovers of haberdasheries." - Mary Miers, Country Life"The Point of the Needle explores the multifaceted practice of sewing, both the home practice and large-scale global manufacturing. A writer and former academic, Burman seeks to understand what motivates individuals to sew and what they value in the making and in finished pieces. Focusing on clothing/fashion, the book explores stitching’s rich history and culture, and the language that brings together this creative community. Through the structure of stories and storytelling, Burman reveals new voices, presents stories involving the memory of people and places, and shows how the use of cloth and the function of sewing has changed over time. The book illustrates that how we sew, including materials and tools and their storage, is deeply connected to why we sew, and it addresses real-world issues of consumption, change, and defiance. The Point of the Needle is accessibly written to stimulate thoughtful discussions. The oral histories stitched into the chapters make the book a delight to read. Readers will find that Burman’s observations and insights invite them to think about their own histories with sewing and to look at their daily engagement with cloth with a curiosity that encourages responsibility, resilience, and well-being. Highly recommended." - Choice"A timely, well-researched book coming at a point when sewing has been reclaimed by a population free from the limiting gendered experience of school domestic science. The Point of the Needle sets the scene for sewing’s renaissance." - Polly Leonard, founder and editor, Selvedge magazine"This excellent book unpicks the culture of sewing in fascinating detail. Exploring the history and use of its most basic requirements – cloth, thread, needle and scissors – Barbara Burman delves deeper into the skill, the joy, the challenge of needlework through the words of past and present stitchers to offer an inspiring insight into why sewing matters." - Clare Hunter, author of Threads of Life"Barbara Burman's insightful journey through the art of sewing delves into its transformative power, weaving together the threads of history, craftsmanship, and personal stories, inviting readers to embrace the profound joys and remarkable significance found within this remarkable craft." - Sarai Mitnick, founder of Seamwork and author of The Colette Sewing Handbook"This is a very human history of the complex meanings of sewing. Burman skilfully conveys the message that sewing has multiple lives, from the emotionally-charged making of gifts for loved ones to the waste-mountain producer that is the modern fashion industry. Above all it showcases how important sewing is to human experience and the huge impact it has on those who experience it." - Ruth Singer, artist and author"A book chockfull of historical research and oral history that looks deeply into why and how humans sew, make and repair fabric. A beautiful reminder of how sewing can extend further than ourselves – it can connect us with past, present and future sewists; help us gain awareness of and autonomy from fast fashion; and give us the tools to show up more authentically as we do so." - Betsy Greer, author of Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism"The Point of the Needle delves into more than the depth of the fibre of cloth and gives evidence why sewing is a matter of more than a moment or a far-gone memory of a past time . . . This book isn’t about the wearable, it isn’t about one element of sewing or genre. It is timely and key to our lives, yet timeless in its documentation of this subject . . . delightful and alternatively thought provoking." - Ailish Henderson, Textile Artist