Jewish Threads
by Diana Drew with Robert Grayson
(Jewish Lights Publishing)
A new book, called “Jewish Threads: A Hands-On Guide to Stitching Spiritual Intention into Jewish Fabric Crafts” (Jewish Lights Publishing), explores the world of Jewish fabric crafts and the inspiration behind this imaginative work. The book presents 30 fabric craft projects–the majority of which are quilts or call for quilting as part of the construction–created by talented artisans from throughout the United States and Israel.
Due out in early October, the book arrives just in time for those who want to make Chanukah gifts, including traditional and contemporary quilts, by hand for their friends and family.
Compiled and written by Diana Drew with Robert Grayson, both of Randolph, NJ, “Jewish Threads” delves into the backstory of each of the pieces spotlighted in the book–how and why they were made and what sparked the idea for each one. The artisans whose work is showcased in the book freely share the influences in their lives that prompted them to create the pieces contained in this treasure trove of Jewish fabric crafts.
“Jewish Threads” is designed to motivate readers to fashion some of the traditional ritual items as well as more contemporary pieces included in the book–individually or in groups–by offering easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions at the end of each of the stories about the fabric artists and their spiritual intention. Most of the projects are relatively simple, and make wonderful gifts.
Readers are encouraged to draw on their own life experiences to give the pieces they make a distinctly individual flair, a one-of-a-kind feel. So the book can serve as a springboard for readers’ own imagination and creativity.
“Jewish Threads” craft projects range from quilted wall hangings for the home to quilted shulchan (lectern) covers for the synagogue, whimsical pieces for celebrating holidays (a ChanuCats quilt for Chanukah, for example), and meaningful craft projects to honor milestones in the Jewish life cycle, such as a baby quilt, and healing and memorial quilts. Some of the crafts presented in “Jewish Threads,” such as quilted challah covers, are deep-rooted in Jewish heritage, while others, including Purim puppets and a knit seder plate for Passover, play off centuries of tradition, while incorporating a contemporary spin.
Among the fabric craft techniques represented in “Jewish Threads” beyond quilting are needlepoint, knitting, crochet, felting, embroidery, appliqué, needle felting, and counted cross-stitch.
A section titled “Inspirations” presents stories of five more projects that inspired the author to write the book, including a quilted chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy) created collaboratively by members of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), West Morris Section, of which Drew serves as co-president.
Says Drew, an award-winning former daily newspaper reporter and a longtime book editor, ” ‘Jewish Threads’ brings together the disparate threads of my own life–Judaism and Jewish observance, sewing and quilting, writing and editing–while stitching together the inspiring stories of fabric artists from throughout the United States and Israel. Collectively, these personal stories, and the projects that spring from them, form a pastiche of modern-day Jewish life. The part openings, written by Robert Grayson, place these crafts in historical perspective, with tales from the Jewish tradition that give these fabric crafts added resonance today.”
“Jewish Threads” is available at major bookstores and online.
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