The Subversive Stitch

I am reading a fascinating book - I describes how men and woman were employed as embroiderers in  Medieval times.  However,  by the reign of Queen Victoria embroidery was ascribed to women only and men's role was conveniently forgotton.  For middle class Victorian women, embroidery is described both as a creative outlet and also as a constraint on their lives.  Whilst second wave feminism rejected embroidery along with other traditional roles, embroidery gained favour with the hippy and the peace movement.  It seems embroidery and  femininity, creativity and self expressionism are inextricably mixed.