I don’t want to say I have craft-ADD, but I do tend to point to anything in the needlework blogosphere that might be of interest to a segment of our readers—from appliqué to tatting, from antique reproductions to kawaii. I keep the language and images on my blog family-friendly, but I often post links to needle artists whose work is controversial, profane, or even shocking. Sometimes this gets me into trouble. On several occasions, readers of a more conservative bent have threatened to quit reading my blog unless I desist from linking to “nasty” work.
My thinking has been that there’s room here for all of us. Over the past couple of decades, the needlework world has become more inclusive rather than exclusive. Young people have rediscovered this artform and given it their own twist—refining their own expertise while expanding the boundaries of our medium. On one hand, I enjoy reading about ecclesiastical embroidery traditions and medieval costume embellishment. On the other, I want to keep up with the latest in soft-circuit embroidery and pop-culture cross-stitch. Why? Because each informs and reflects the other. Because if our artform is to continue, it must change and grow, while not forgetting its roots.
And I’ll just say it: Subversive stitching is fun. It makes me laugh. It makes me think. It makes me want to stitch my own declarations of independence. But it’s not for everybody.
How do you feel about the references to subversive and pop-culture stitching trends on this blog? Do you want to see more? Or less? Are you excited to see new ideas and adaptations of traditional techniques, even when the execution is flawed? Or are you more interested in following expert exemplars?
Please take a moment to sound off in the comments. Your response will help shape the future direction of this blog.
And thanks to each of you for reading CraftGossip’s needlework blog!
Denise
I *LOVE* the subversive nature of some of the “newer” stitching patterns and pieces of art I am finding. I love the juxtaposition of vulgarity or risky words and phrases with the traditional and delicate art form of embroidery and cross stitch. I say keep it coming. I love to see it all and showing the diversity in any art form allows for more inclusion.
I love it! I love to see random and cool new ideas….whether it is a project I think I can tackle or not…it gets the creativity juices flowing. 🙂
Well, I can’t speak for everyone but I like subversive everything! I’m an old punkrocker and being able to stitch things suiting MY life is one of the charms of crafting.
So yes, keep including high and low and everything inbetween!
I LOVE the “new” stitch work I’ve seen. It makes me smile to think of mixing my pre-mommy days (pink hair, corsets & combat boots) with my life with kids. I just don’t have the time to keep up with that kind of style anymore, so it’s nice to know I can still work it into my crafting life!
More please! 🙂 If people don’t like it they can skip it. I don’t like religious/holiday stuff but I sure wouldn’t threaten to stop reading this blog over it. I just skip those. Seems like the adult thing to do, no?
I agree with the previous commenters–I love the variety and juxtaposition.
Subversive is NOT for me and never will be. My stitching simply reflects my heart, my home and my thoughts, laced with knowledge and wisdom of everything I have been blessed with. Why would I display or give away something that contradicts my expression of what is in my heart? I love cross-stitch and its labor intense process; it is therapy like no other. The spirit of subversive projects to me reflects anger and meanness.
Do it! Or rather, keep doing it! I find the racy side of things amusing and I love to see OUR craft/art take it’s own shape in someone else’s hands. I would never think to tell you to stop posting cutsie stuff just because I don’t like it. There is room for all of us – on your blog, on this earth.
I think it’s usually pretty funny. If I’m offended then I close that site and don’t go back. If not for the young children in my home I’d probably do some of the ‘nasty’ stuff myself. lol (Oh, and I’m pretty conservative.)
I think you’re representing the art as a whole–representing SO many types of needlework–keep it up!!
I love this section of craftgossip and I’m not even hugely into needlework.
The internet is so vast… not everyone will like everything/agree with everything, but I think it’s our responsibility as readers to move on if something offends us and to stick around if we enjoy something.
I am young-ish, very conservative and you don’t offend me whatsoever.
I don’t even do cross stitch but I love subversive stuff. I read CraftGossip tweets mostly for the edible column but when I see a subversive thing noted, I come look and grin.
I want to see and read EVERYTHING about threads and needles all over the world : classic, subversive, ancient and modern.
Then I only do what I love!
Go on with this fantastic work Denise! And thanks for that 🙂
I enjoy seeing some subversive crafts, but not all. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t mention them in your blog. If you’re trying to show all kinds of crafts here then you should link as many different types as you can. There are lots of us out there and you’re not going to find something that everyone will like. I think you should broadcast everything!
MORE! That’s all I have to say 🙂
Do I think subversive stitching is funny? Yes. Would I ever stitch it? Probably not. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop featuring those types of designs. I also don’t like shee-shee-frou-frou designs. Should I complain when you post them too?
Everyone likes different things so I’m glad that you feature stitching from a broad spectrum of topics. It’s kind of like going to a buffet. I sure don’t like those pickled beets, but my best friend heaps them on her plate like nobody’s business.
Keep on doin’ what y’er doin’!
I completely agree with Toni (#4) up there… I may not have much opportunity to wear my combat boots and spiked collars these days, but subversive stitching? Yes, please!
===On several occasions, readers of a more conservative bent have threatened to quit reading my blog unless I desist from linking to “nasty” work.===
But it’s YOUR blog, not their blog. The blogosphere is plenty big enough for a wide variety of blogs. People who find value in what you post will continue to read; people who don’t, won’t.
I like some of the subversive stuff, but not all of it appeals to me. In general, a NSFW warning helps me decide if I want to continue reading a particular post or skip it. Some days I’m up for NSFW material, other days I’m not. But having that warning gives *me* the opportunity to continue reading or to move along to the next item in my google reader.
Ultimately, your blog should be what YOU want it to be. If you get a kick out of the subversive stitch, by all means you should share it :).
I enjoy seeing all kinds of textile work – many of which I will never, personally, make. That doesn’t keep me from enjoying them!
I say that anything that inspires people to work with fiber is fine with me. Keep the subversives and everyone else happy!
🙂 linda
keep it up! I LOVE the diversity and while some of the items are things I would never stitch myself, I think we need some subversiveness to keep us honest!
I think it’s important to represent all aspects of all crafts, whether the more traditional kinds, or the more modern ones that challenge the traditional stereotype. I know subversive stitches aren’t for everyone, but I think they appeal to a lot of people who might be put off by the idea of homely traditional samplers and complicated artwork copies. It speaks to a new generation of stitchers who enjoy being edgy and showing that needlework ain’t just for grandmas, which seems to be a common misconception.
Personally, I enjoy a bit of subversion and that is reflected in some (but not all) of my designs. I occasionally use a stronger bit of language, but most of my subversive charts feature more generally accepted “bad language” (using the softer curses that offend far fewer people) or use irony or sarcasm instead.
I love both modern and traditional styles and hope that a blog such as this one will continue to represent both ends of the spectrum and everything in between.
PS I’m delighted that my Póg mo thóin Subversive ATC is up there illustrating stitchy subversiveness. 🙂
I am all for the subversive! Keep it rollin’!
I also love just every day stuff too. You do both well. Thank you so much for everything you do!
Although I am not into the subversive cross stitch, I love all the pop art cross stitch, etc, but not swearing or sexual themes. But this is your blog and I think you do a fantastic job. I follow it every day and appreciate the wide scope it has. Keep it going please!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Kell! I chose one of your charts as an example because I think you do such a good job of striking a balance. What you offer us is only sometimes subversive, and then it’s mild enough for nearly any stitcher to get on board. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to shout “Stuff Housework!” from time to time. (Or “Pog mo thoin!” aka “Kiss my *ss”)
Denise
Those people don’t have to open those emails if they don’t want to see something they don’t like and if they choose to not read your blog it is their loss. We live in a free country and can choose to read or not, that is why we live here. Go for it girl, I’ll read it all. Thank you for everything and God bless America!
What Glenda wrote in #17 is pretty much what i was going to write. I learned to embroider at my [Grand] Mama’s knee some 40+ years ago. I love the traditional and the new. I am amazed at one of my friend’s beautiful stitchings of couple engaged in what couples do. Do I want one in my house? Not so much 🙂
I agree that a “Not Safe for Work (NSFW)” warning should be sufficient to alert the more sensitive folk to a blog entry that they might not like.
Keep doing what you do Denise! Thank you!
I think you’re doing a great job providing a wide variety of posts that will interest the broadest possible audience, and would encourage you do keep doing exactly what you’re doing. A NSFW warning is sufficient.
I love it. It cracks me up and I plan on doing several of them. It’s fun and we all need more fun, right?
I love it. Hopefully it will make the mainstream (DMC, Bucilla et al) realize that there are an AWFUL lot of us who are tired of flowers, more flowers and kittens in baskets in a field of flowers. The reason I want the mainstream to know? So we can reach even more people – you find that one project, you get hooked, you start looking on the internet and find urbanthreads or sublime stitching….
Please don’t stop posting links to subversive style textile works. If it makes people that don’t like that style feel better, then maybe just post a “warning” and then people that don’t care for that style of work don’t have to look.
Ditto on all the “for it” comments. I’m conservative with a wild 60’s youth. If it’s funny without being vulgar I’m all for it (that’s the conservative part)! And sometimes vulgar works. If it’s just too out there for me I just don’t bother with it. Choice is what this country is all about so you go for it girl! Keep up the good work! BTW–I’m new to your blog but love it greatly.
I think that if someone doesn’t like what you write then skip to something else and come back again and pick what you want to do. If I come across something I don’t like(never) then I just delete and come back another day. Keep up with the blog your way.
If it is needlework, post about it. When interested we will explore, when not, we will scroll down!!!
I love Craft Gossip!!!
I say, if you don’t like it, LOOK AWAY!! I say, all art is supposed to push boundaries, each to their own, different horses for different courses, live and let live, open your minds, lighten up, take a chill pill, etc. etc. Cliches somel, but oh-so-true [that’s why they’re cliches]! By the way, being from Ireland and being an Irish teacher, you could also tell these readers of a delicate disposition when they threaten to stop reading your FANTABULOUS blog, to “Pog mo thoin!!”. Keep on “gossiping”! It’s my favourite email of the day! x
I say “bring it all!” – the profane, the reverent, the irreverent. Let us, as adults, sift through/skip what we want to view – or not. I don’t get my panties in a twist about the stuff I don’t like – I just move on. And who can’t use a laugh these days? People take themselves too seriously and threaten all sorts of crap. oi! They have no right to intimidate you on YOUR damned site, so au revoir! 🙂 (does this mean that you’re gonna find us a cross stitch pattern of a peen??)
😉
If you dont like it, you cant have any! LOl
I for one will be going upstairs and rifling thru stuff for floss and fabric… I have a cute french country kitchen with a celtic flair that this will look great in.. I have crosstiched in years and this was just enough to get me fired up! ( and cant wait for the chagrin of any guest or family who dare comment!) fire those submersive crafts away Im ready!
I generally make things for me, to blow off my steam and to make myself laugh. I do also make things for other people and when I do, I take into account their interests, language, level of comfort, etc. But when I make things for myself, I don’t hold back.
I say keep it up!
I really like the subversive stitching and I hoop to see a lot more of it on CraftGossip! It makes me want to take up a needle and do it myself!So much inspiration!