4.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 27/12/2008

An excellent book that documents the lives and textiles of women from the 30s-50s in NZ. It primarily highlights these by looking at the experience of the authors own mother and maternal grandmother. The author captures the essence of women's lives and creative expressions throughout this period and how these relate to the major goings on of history (war, depression etc). The book is full of beautiful photos and descriptions of the textiles these women created. Personally as a crafter I would have loved a bit more description of HOW the works were created but the photos do provide a lot on their own. An excellent book for anyone interested in the colonial domestic history of NZ and women's crafts.

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 26/07/2010

This is a very hiddern treasure. With retro back in this book is fantatsic it is full of many ideas and even though some of them are not very modern in the textiles enviroment at the moment. I found that the ideas in the book are very solid and can be adapted to be modern and to also incorpirate a modern twist with a retro element. I was very impressed with book i think that this book is a classic and one day there will be a craft book looking back at the 90's and 00's comparing the then to now.

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 16/07/2009

This book is a great trip down memory lane. I found it so enjoyable that I purchased a copy for my sister-in-law for her birthday recently.
So many of the craft items pictured in this book will trigger bursts of
memories of afternoon teas spent in the homes of relatives, treasured
items found in grandmothers and mothers collections or a strong desire to replicate some familiar designs.

Rosemary McLeod has done an excellent job in putting together this
wonderful history of New Zealand craft. She brings her own family
story to this book, which only enhances the result, and I would recommend it as a gift for a favourite friend, relative or anyone interested in craft history.

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 30/06/2009

This book had me riveted as much as any novel and I was so glad I was able to have it delivered from NZ to Europe.

What a great personal documentational history, as well as an excellent insight into the position of women in New Zealand in this period between the world wars. Anyone interested in social history will find this book extremely interesting, and those who are fascinated by the handicrafts produced by women to enhance their homes and their lives during thos difficult times will, too. It never ceases to amaze me how people, women in particular, cope with hard times and I would hate these skills to be lost.

There are a number of books about this period in Britain and presumably in America, too. This is the first and possibly only one about New Zealand - I am an overseas reader and appreciated this opportunity to find out a lot more about your country, making me want to know more still!

5.0 out of 5 based on 5 reviews. – Customer review on 30/06/2009

This book had me riveted as much as any novel and I was so glad I was able to have it delivered from NZ to Europe.

What a great personal documentational history, as well as an excellent insight into the position of women in New Zealand in this period between the world wars. Anyone interested in social history will find this book extremely interesting, and those who are fascinated by the handicrafts produced by women to enhance their homes and their lives during thos difficult times will, too. It never ceases to amaze me how people, women in particular, cope with hard times and I would hate these skills to be lost.

There are a number of books about this period in Britain and presumably in America, too. This is the first and possibly only one about New Zealand - I am an overseas reader and appreciated this opportunity to find out a lot more about your country, making me want to know more still!