#common threads press

«Tatreez — elaborate hand-embroidery — is an ancient Palestinian craft characterised by remarkable beauty and complexity. Beginning with an introduction to the regional diversity of historic Palestinian dress, Rachel Dedman traces the politicisation of embroidery after the Nakba of 1948. From its evolution into a symbol of the nation, to its powerful presence during the First Intifada, and reimagination by contemporary artists, tatreez in Palestine embodies many forms of personal and public resistance.  Proceeds from this book will be donated to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, whose mission is to provide humanitarian assistance as well as health and social services to Palestinians whenever and wherever needed.»

Design: Chris Shortt

«"Diasporic Threads platforms a stunning selection of works by contemporary Black women textile artists and is rich in critical insight and historical context." - Ferren Gipson, author of Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Arts and The Ultimate Art Museum. Diasporic Threads: Black Women, Fibre & Textiles highlights Black women's contributions to art and history through fibre-related mediums. This publication surveys the history of Black women and textiles in North America, and spotlights five artists through a series of interviews, paying careful attention to the intersections of race, art, and cultural memory.  The author, Dr. Sharbreon Plummer (Baton Rouge, LA) is an artist, strategist and storyteller that centres the stories and creativity of Black women. Sharbreon's upbringing in southern Louisiana informs her interest into how culture and ancestral memory act as influencers of contemporary art-making. Sharbreon has worked for institutions such as the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Americans for the Arts and the Embroiderers Guild of America.»

This zine tells the story of the Norfolk Trans Joy Community Quilt. Created in collaboration with the team behind the quilt, this zine features essays, interviews and photographs from Daniel Fountain, Rowan Frewin, Alice Bigsby-Bye and Beau Brannick that document the inspiration, processes and stories that went into the Norfolk Trans Joy Community Quilt. A portion of all sales are donated to Norwich Trans Pride.  About the Quilt The Norfolk Trans Joy Community Quilt consists of individual squares crafted by trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming people and trusted allies, expressing personal forms of joy relating to the trans experience. Initiated, organised and crafted by Norwich-based artists and activists Beau Brannick and Alice Bigsby-Bye, this community quilt responds to the onslaught of biased media, dangerous politics, and the rise in hate crimes against transgender people close to home and further afield.