Clare Hunter, author of “Threads of Life,” joins Maureen on The Photo Detective podcast. A Scottish native with a background in theatre, community art, and creative writing, Clare discusses her book, which intertwines memoir and history, highlighting the social, emotional, and political significance of sewing. “Threads of Life” explores the profound impacts of needlework beyond its traditional domestic roles, demonstrating its importance in various social and historical contexts. Clare shares anecdotes from her personal life and research, emphasizing sewing’s transformative power in both personal and communal settings.

• Clare Hunter’s journey from theatre to writing, leading to her debut book “Threads of Life.”
• The book discusses needlework’s extensive historical roles, transcending mere hobbyism to include social and political significance.
• Insight into needlework in community settings, its therapeutic aspects, and its historical gender dynamics.
• Exploration of sewing’s portrayal in family photographs and its potential for storytelling.
• Clare’s ongoing work, including her new projects focusing on historical and personal narratives through textiles.

Related Episodes:

Bonus Episode: Stitching on Pictures: Stitchography by Emma 

Episode 155: Ancestral Handbag History with Curator Jessica Harpley

Links:

• Sign up for my newsletter.
• Watch my YouTube Channel.
• Like the Photo Detective Facebook Page so you get notified of my Facebook Live videos.
• Have a photo you need help identifying? Sign up for photo consultation.

About My Guest:
Clare Hunter has been a community textile artist, banner maker and textile curator for over twenty years and established the award-winning community sewing enterprise NeedleWorks in Glasgow in the 1980s. Threads of Life: the History of the World through the Eye of a Needle, was her first book. It was warmly received, reaching The Sunday Times Bestseller List, chosen as Waterstone’s Book of the Month in Scotland and BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week and becoming joint winner of the Saltire Award for First Book. Her second book, Embroidering her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power, was published in March 2022 and has already reached the Scottish Books Bestseller list. Clare Hunter lives in Scotland.

About Maureen Taylor:
Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others.   Learn more at Maureentaylor.com

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

Support the show