Feminist Stitches

This is perfect gift for the crafty feminist in your life. This book has a wealth of feminist designs to be crafted through acrosstitch. I loved this and can't wait to try and craft some of these myself.

This is a book for female focused positivity and made in pinks, white, purple and red is very typically female playing on the stereotypes of colours is girls prefer.



The designs are simple images and quotes easy to follow and create a work of art you can be proud of.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

"Feminist Stitches" is a perfect blend of wit and craft. With several creative designs to choose from, it's a quick, easy way to add a splash of homemade decor with a statement to your home or office. The powerful messages of community, feminine power and a nod to inspiring women and movements throughout history make this a must book for the creative bookshelf.

I already ordered this book because I liked to work with ist.
There are some great patterns that are a real treat for girls as a Gift.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read this book

Y'all, talk about a wonderful compilation of stitches! As a cross-stitcher, I was excited to see what this book held! First of all, I loved the introduction about the power of crafts through their social connections and messaging. It really framed the intent and impact of these stitches so well! Each stitch has a picture of its finished product, then an easy graph to follow. Colors are given, but you could also very easily swap out and create some variance which I love to do. I also absolutely love that this book is going to come with the supplies to complete a few of these stitches. It makes these messages and craft so much more accessible. Overall, these are great and needed messages - in stitches and otherwise!

Excellent start for the feminists who want to pick up cross stitching (or already knows how). Good introduction and instructions on how to cross stitch, and 12 great designs. I really appreciated the author making sure to explicitly include people of all races, abilities, sexualities and gender identities.

This is a fabulous book for the Feminist Stitcher! All of the projects are really great and include a wonderful message paired with a great variety of styles and, when there are people in the project, a great variety of skin tones and diversity. One of the truly stellar aspects of this craft book is that each and every pattern shows (1) a close up of the finished project (2) a photo of the finished project in use (framed on a bookshelf, on a throw pillow on a couch, etc.) and (3) A close up of the pattern. The instructions are detailed and I cannot think of anything they could have done to make this better! It's a great book with a great message.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

These patterns are ridiculously adorable! I loved how easy they were to follow and how nicely my work turned out. I love crafting in my spare time, but I usually lean towards knitting over stitch work, however I may just break out the sewing needles more often now!

Really cute ideas and designs, which I can't wait to try (especially the RBG dissent collar!). The book had some high-level instructions for beginners on how to read the patterns and how to do the basic cross stitch, but I would've liked some directions on things like finishing/framing as well as the other stitches mentioned.

The patterns in Feminist Stitches are attractive, the instructions are clear, and they are definitely on trend. I just wish more of them weren't similar to designs that are already out there. Most of the wording can be found on other patterns. They are different designs so the aesthetic may be more appealing. But with so few cross stitch books being published, I wish this one was more varied.

I love this book. The patterns are so fun and I love the idea of feminist crafting. The only complaint I have is that it should be longer!

I'm having a hard time picking which pattern to stitch first, they are all so fun and cool. The vibe I love and the style I like to stitch. :-)

What a fun little crossstitch book! I loved all the patterns, and there were great crossstitch instructions ofr beginners.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me a digital ARC of "Feminist Stitches" in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a cute and easy read! I enjoyed the little introductions before each project that explained why the chose to design that specific project. The book was simple and easy to follow and the patterns look easy enough to follow. I wasn't a fan of each pattern but that really is just my specific taste coming through, I prefer cross stitch without people or faces. That said, I'll definitely be attempting a few of these projects and will update this review as I complete them.

For a full review including photos of my finished projects you can check out my blog: justajujubean.com.

Overall, I think this book will be well worth the purchase especially because it will include the materials to complete two of the projects in the book. I think it's a great introduction to cross stitch for anyone who is new to the art and looking to make some cute feminist pieces.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50845144-feminist-stitches

This book contains some pretty epic and beautiful feminist designs, I will definitely trying one or two out some time! They also seem pretty easy and I think anyone interested in stitching these could do it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC.

Express your feminine power with these awesome projects! This was an excellent book for beginner cross stitchers. The patterns were simple and fun and there was a wonderful assortment. The introduction to the book and the small blurbs before each project were interesting and full of fun facts. The writing was clear and engaging. The only reason I docked a star was because back stitch was used in some of the patterns but not explained in the beginning instructions.

As a cross-stitcher I’m always on the lookout for new fun patterns so was excited to download this book. 12 fun patterns that look like easy quick stitches (no quarter stitches), some patterns do have backstitching.
I like the patterns and the instructions are simple and easy to follow however I’m not a huge fan of the colour keys. Not a huge problem when only a few colours are used (most patterns are only a handful of colours) but would be an issue when a bigger colour palette is used eg/ pattern #9
The key shows the colour and the DMC number however a few shades are very similar and could become confusing if you are trying to work out exactly which shades are used in each square. This isn’t a huge issue but I personally like a clearer key so mistakes can be avoided.
Overall a nice collection 😁

I enjoyed this author's first book so I was excited to see this new book. I wish there were more patterns! My only annoyance is that this isn't super radical and it feels pretty white feminism/dated to have a pussyhat, but oh well.

This book is simple, to the point and easy to follow. There aren't a lot of detailed instructions on how to begin cross stitch so beginners may want to master some beginning projects before they start these. There are some helpful hints about how to create your masterpiece, which I appreciated, and the patterns are delightfully easy to tackle, so it's fairly easy to start and complete these projects as a beginner. The patterns themselves are fun and relevant to modern society, and you have probably seen the phrases somewhere on the internet already. Since there are a lot of words to stitch, and in different styles, I would have liked to see a full alphabet given for each font so that you could attach other words or names in if you had the desire or skill. The book is fine without additional letters, it just seems like a wasted opportunity.
Overall, it's a fun group of projects for modern women to tackle and easy enough to complete. Just don't jump into the black aida cloth project without some experience with using lighter cloth first. I love the look of black aida cloth, but hate how hard it can be to see the little markers to stitch.

I wasn't able to load this to my tablet at all. I was looking forward to it too. The cover is nice. The details was interesting.

I would like to thank netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute patterns, I can't wait to try them!

These are not your average cross stitch patterns, these are powerful messages. The patterns have powerful meanings behind them and are also simple to do. The book shows which materials are needed and how to care for martial whilst stitching.

Some great images and design ideas, with clear step by step instructions. I like the fact that it tells you where the inspiration has come from as well.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This is a lovely little pattern book (that will be sold with a starter kit of supplies) that will be hit with experienced and beginner stitchers alike.

The introduction does a nice job of explaining the current crafting trends that reclaim the “womanly” arts in the name of progress. This will resonate with crafters who are often told that our hobby’s are “silly” or “frivolous” just because we code anything done by women as “not important.” (As opposed to how important golf is...I mean, don't even get me started.)

The instructional section provides a quick overview of how to get started with cross-stitch. While more in depth instruction might be desired by new stitchers, this will get you up and running with the craft. The addition of starter supplies when for commercial sale makes this a perfect grab-and-go way to jump into a hobby.

As for the patterns? They are a delight. All are manageable for beginners, but will also keep a seasoned-pro engaged. The patterns vary enough in style that there will be a good choice for an aesthetic. I personally can't wait to make a “Dissent Collar” (Pattern 11) for my sister and a “Don't Tell Me to Smile” (Pattern 7) patch for my work apron.

A lovely little pattern book, accompanied with some simple advice and instructions.

It will probably make a great gift when published as it comes with starter equipment.

I liked about 80% of the patterns but there is enough variety to suit

Some reviewers say there isn’t enough for beginners and, while I don’t necessarily agree, I think that an illustration or two in the general advice sections such as ‘making a cross stitch’ would have been very useful for beginners.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC... next time you can send me the equipment too! Hahaha.

Crafting went through a phase where it wasn’t particularly associated with feminism but it’s good to see that changing. After all, as the introduction to this book points out it can actually make you feel connected to the women who came before. And let’s not forget those suffragettes didn’t just pop to the shops to get their outfits and banners!

This book follows the format of a picture of the finished pattern and example of how to use it - a bag, cushion, framed picture. There is also a brief section on the politics behind each slogan. Then the instructions follow. They are clear but as there is no visual pictures alongside them I don’t think this is the book for a complete beginner.

There are 12 patterns over all with Well-behaved Women Seldom Make History and Don’t Tell Me To Smile being my favourite.

Although the designs and slogans are quite obvious it’s nice to see a range of races and abilities represented in the images. It’s definitely a fun book and would make the perfect gift for any feminist crafter.

This would be an awesome gift for novice stitchers. The instructions are no-nonse, straightforward and easy to follow. With the patterns being in full colour, there is none of the charts and symbols that scare people away. I'd be proud to give this to a young person to sit down together. Let's put our own two-stitches into the conversation!

I imagine when sold with the craft equipment this book describes at the back, this set would make a lovely gift for a strong woman in your life - or for yourself! Some of these patterns are very attainable even if you are a novice needle worker.
I do feel some of the patterns are a little Americanized, and there was perhaps too much of a forced effort to fit under the bracket of inclusivity that it didn't feel natural, and gender identity politics shouldn't come into play when it comes to a book that is aimed at feminists.
The instructions could have been clearer, and more demonstrations of stitches with individual patterns would have been appreciated. For this to be really accessible for beginners it would have been better to break it down into more step by step.
Overall I feel that this book was written with a good heart and good intentions, but possibly by someone who is so familiar with the craft that they didn't know how to break it down entirely - which is understandable! I've done the same with crochet patterns. I'll certainly keep it in mind for people who are more experienced however.

I. Love. This. That Rosie the Riveter is wonderful!
The patterns are cute and the quotes are fabulous.Great for all ages to stitch.
I do wish there was a bit more instruction for complete beginners, but for those that already know the basics this is a great little pattern book.

This book is great for those who are already familiar with cross stitching.
If you are a beginner there is not a lot of descriptions.
The book has great patterns for feminist ideals.
A lot of them can be managed with different colors or sizes.

This book would be great for those who with the gain ideas for promoting feminism.

A beautiful kit comprising of an embroidery hoop, material and 10 skeins of thread, enough to make two of the designs. There are 12 designs in total, all worked using a 6 inch hoop and whole stitches and suitable for the inexperienced stitcher. It is an ideal book for teenage girls groups , to help build confidence, enable discussion of sensitive issues and build resilience through tehir work. Also good for people new to crossstitch as the designs are appealing and colourful. My particular favourites are design 1 100 years of Votes for Women and design Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History!

Love it, well worth investing in!
#FeministStitches#Netgalley

Thank you Net galley. I loved this and look forward to stitching some of the deigns in the book. I used to be an avid cross stitcher but time constraints have kept me from stitching. These patterns are easy and should be quick stitches.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Expected release date April 21, 2020.***


A cute and quick read with several projects to show your feminine pride. Now to decide which one I like best… :)

Feminist Stitches is an introduction to cross-stitching book in which all the patterns included are full of feminist and female pride. The book included an extensive list of materials and tools that you’ll need to get started and explained what each one was and how it should be used (very helpful for beginners like me). The instructions were basic but informative. I’m not sure I’ll be able to make a perfect project with just her instructions, but I can certainly make a start.

Some of the patterns included were of Rosie the Riveter, the ever popular “girls just want to have FUNdamental rights” slogan and, of course, a “don’t tell me to smile” pattern. All of the patterns were cute and something I would absolutely be proud to make and display. I do wish Pierson-Cox had included a “nevertheless, she persisted” pattern, because it’s the best, but maybe she’ll do a book with another round of designs because I don’t see this feminist surge ending any time soon!

Feminist Stitches is a collection of 12 feminist-inspired cross stitch patterns designs inspired by the Suffragette movement, Rosie the Riveter, the Women’s March, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and more. The designs are generally small and easy to stitch, with many of them ideal to be used as patches or small designs on bags, purses, and other items as well as being traditionally framed.

I really liked the level of diversity on display, with lots of different skin tones shown in the designs. There’s even one woman shown in a wheelchair, which was great to spot. The inclusion of a pink “pussy hat” could label that pattern in particular as being trans-exclusionary, but the remainder do appear very inclusive—at least to my cis eyes.

If you’re new to cross stitch, there’s a double-page spread that explains all the tools you’ll need—floss, fabric, needle, and hoop, primarily—along with a guide to basic techniques such as how to prepare your fabric, read a pattern, and use floss to its best. There are also some ideas on what to do with your finished projects

I’m definitely planning to stitch up a few of these patterns—the Votes for Women one being especially apt this year—and I look forward to displaying them and hopefully generating some conversations.

What a great set of simple yet powerful cross stitch designs for girls and women! Ranging from the "We can do it!" anthem of Rosie the Riveter, to the Suffragettes of 100 years ago, to the Pussyhat icon of the Women's March of 2016, these designs will inspire and empower you. Although they are cross stitch patterns, I could easily see these being used for other sorts of crafting designs. I can't wait to start working on some of these for gifts for my friends!

The book also comes with easy to follow instructions if you aren't familiar with cross stitch, and it looks like the book itself (I received a digital ARC) comes with some basic supplies to get you started).

Five out of Five for Fun!

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC to preview.

This is the perfect gift for a feminist cross stitcher. There's a bit of variety in terms of the sayings and such, so there's something for lots of feminists out there.

I thought this was such a great short book about different ways you can cross stitch different feminist sayings. I have never really cross stitch before, but I want to learn it so I can make these designs.

I like the aesthetics of this cute cross stitch book. I appreciate the tutorial notes at the beginning of the book and even the recommendations on how to take care of your projects for cleaning and displaying. For each project, you can mimic them exactly, down to the specific thread color listed. But I think once readers get the hang of these patterns, they'll be inspired to create their own feminist art! My personal favorite design in the book is the "RIP Gender Roles" one. I plan on using that design and changing it to "rip gender norms". This book would make for a great present for your craft inclined friends!

Absolutely wonderful! Clear and concise directions and patterns. The colors are standard and the patterns are easy to follow. I love the feminist sayings and I can’t wait to stitch every one!

I'm a knitter and have only dabbled in cross-stitch. This is an excellent resource for beginners and intermediate crafters alike! The patterns are straightforward, the tips are useful, and the finished designs make me smile (of my own choice, not because I was told to). I especially appreciated the additional historical context provided in each pattern's notes to promote inclusivity and awareness given the feminist movement's tendency to focus on cisgender white women's experiences.

The book has 12 amazing cross stitch designs which promote feminism. All the designs were wonderful. I loved the grid/graphical was of instructions. The physical copy comes with the materials required for two of the designs given in this book.
I highly recommend it for craft crazy people and feminists.

Fun book with 12 projects featuring famous quotes and symbols. Short text tells the background of each. Cool to finally know who really said well behaved women rarely make history. Basic instructions and full color patterns. Book comes with supplies for 2 of the projects, hoop and all.

(A hand injury makes me temporarily unable to type with my right hand so my reviews will be shorter than usual for a bit. Review copy via net galley).

I was drawn to this book because of the cover and because of the focus on feminism. The author has picked some interesting patterns involving many symbols and quotes of the movement as well as the history and meaning behind each one. I am disappointed that it is short but maybe the kit included with the physical copy makes it more of an introduction. I look forward to future works by this author and plan on getting a physical copy so I can enjoy this book even more while creating my first feminist cross-stitch.

An awesome collection of cross stitch patterns promoting feminism. I want to buy this kit for all my crafting friends so they can work on them as well. Also comes with all the materials needed to make 2 of the designs.

A vibrant collection of stitching projects with clear, practical instructions and some significant history included throughout the book.

Thank you Quatro Publishing Group and Netgalley for a copy of Feminist Stitches by Haley Pierson-Cox for review,

Feminist Stitches would make a great kit! I love these kind of kits as I am just starting out learning how to cross stitch myself and the kits that contain the right thread and choose simple patterns are the least overwhelming for me. This kit is a fun way to learn a new skill and have a few great pieces to display or share afterwards as well.

"Feminist Stitches" is the feminist cross-stitchery gem of my DREAMS! I plan on making every single one of these beauties and smashing the patriarchy while I'm at it.

I have been an avid cross-stitcher and advocate for the craft for many years due to its healing power in regard to my Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. When I came across Feminist Stitches I couldn't hide my enthusiasm! I am a feminist and I am always looking for groundbreaking and current cross-stitch patterns to make and gift to my friends. The beauty of Feminist Stitches is that it provides the crafter with an excellent selection of quick to make cross-stitch patterns along with ideas on how to use the product when it is completed - such as turning it into a patch and putting it on a jean jacket!  Haley Pierson-Cox makes cross-stitch modern in a way that is fashionable and enticing, while also making the craft easy to learn.

From what I understand, this book is going to be part of a cross-stitch kit, which I couldn't be more excited about.  Feminist Stitches will make for an excellent gift for any young woman seeking to learn a new hobby, or purveyors of the craft to modernize their art in an impactful way. 

I found Feminist Stitches to be an excellent addition to the cross-stitch world in that it appeals to younger generations and keeps this beautiful art alive in our modern world. This book (especially in the form of a kit) makes for an excellent gift, or a treat to buy for yourself.  I cannot wait to create each and every one of these cross-stitch patterns and give them to my girlfriends. Thank you to the author for creating such a beautiful book!

The type of craft book we all need for this difficult year--suggestions on how to constructively share our opinions.

Awesome modern cross stitch patterns for craftivists (crafter/activists)
Who says we can't be political with needle and thread?
This would be great for beginners to stitching as well as veteran x stitchers, as there are easy to follow instructions and the patterns range from simple to more complicated but in general the charts are easy to read and clear to follow. The designs range in size from quick finishes to more elaborate projects and there are ideas for finishing and presentation, eg making your designs into something else.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A fun book and kit for crafters who want to add some feminism to their work. The kit includes two pieces of aida cloth, ten skeins of embroidery floss, and an embroidery hoop, along with the Feminist Stitches book. The book has good tips for getting started doing cross stitch and finishing the projects, and includes twelve patterns celebrating feminism that are easy enough for beginners while being appealing to any skill level of stitcher.

#FeministStitches #NetGalley

This is brilliant! So many fabulous ideas and illustrations. I love embroidery books but often that can be outdated but not this one! I loved it.

If you're looking to take up cross-stitch or just want a fun one-off project of stitching; The Feminist Stitches is a perfect option for the beginner stitcher. Filled with 12 snarky, bold, and powerful feminist patterns/statements you are likely to find at least 2-3 easy patterns you love here.

All patterns are in full colour and colour keys are in DMC thread (the most common). The average North American Walmart will have all the items you need to stitch up anyone of these beauties (note: DMC is not required, any embroidery thread will do and you can just match the colours up as close as possible).
If you're an intermediate to experienced stitcher (like myself) then these are super quick 1-2 night pieces could make great gifts for any lady friends who appreciates a good shot or two; or needs a pick me up. As I write this I'm on stay home orders to COVID-19. These patterns are a the perfect simple stitch needed for a time when it's harder to concentrate on more complex projects and easily done up using existing stash.

There are quite a few of these hardcover 'modern' books these days. This one is on par with all the rest in terms of how-to instructions for the first time stitcher and pattern size (quite large) for those who hate tiny symbols. You can't go wrong with choosing it; but take a look around as there may be others where you like the designers style more. It will come down to personal preference, in my opinion, when it comes to which of these types of books has the better patterns in it.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I loved these designs and instantly wanted to try them all. I've had some experience with cross-stitching and this book really inspired me to give it a try again.

A wonder collection of wit, female positivity and just enough snark.

Easy to follow charts, colours are given but could easily be swapped out to match what you have at hand.

There's something fundamentally satisfying about a sedate cross-stitch project that says "Don't tell me to smile". That's just one of the patterns in this approachable craft book. The instructions are easy to follow, and the book will appeal to everyone from beginners to more advanced stitchers looking for a fun project. I'm buying a copy for our library, but I will have to separate out the craft kit materials, which I didn't initially realize were included. Hopefully this won't create confusion.

Feminist Stitches Cross Stitch Kit with 12 Fierce Designs is a bundled kit + instruction book with 12 feminist friendly embroidery projects. Released 21st April by Quarto on their becker&mayer! imprint, it's 64 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. I received the electronic galley proof of the book without any kit materials, so I can't review those, but the included designs are easily usable on most fabrics with the reader's choice of floss. I'm also not sure how the fabric and floss (and needle) is bundled with the electronic version of the book.

The book has a nice layout with clear and easy to follow basic stitching diagrams. The introductory chapters include a basic tools and techniques section with photo illustrations of needles, fabric, cutting tools, hoops, and some simple finishing techniques. Each of the projects include a color key with DMC floss numbers and color names.

The projects themselves are simple counted thread (cross stitch). They're cheerful and colorful, on point and fun. The designs vary slightly in size, but all of them fit into an 80x80 grid. I adore the RBG silhouette collar which spells RESIST.

This would make a superlative gift for a cross stitch interested young person (or for oneself).
Four stars. Several of these are very nice quick projects.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Great little book of feminist cross stitch projects. Easy to follow patterns, featuring many of the same colours throughout the projects, which is a great idea.

Feminist stitches is a must-have for lady stitchers, beginner or advanced cross-stitchers will appreciate this kit. Not only does it come with the supplies to do two of the projects, but it also has ten additional patterns! All of them are fun and colorful, one of my favorites was on that said "Not Your Babe." with a border that repeats NOPE, BYE. I love it. I quite literally stitched that one for my husband! I promise with patterns like "I Dissent" and the graveyard of gender roles you won't be disappointed. So go out there and "Smash the Patriarchy" by ordering this book and getting your stitch on.

ARC received by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.