This book is quite different from other crafting books that I have read. The author focuses on crafters who are socially conscious and are trying to make a difference in the world, There are a few crafts projects with instructions for the reader to try, but the book is mainly about artists using art to make a statement. I enjoyed reading about theses crafters and was inspired to try some new crafts of my own.

This isn't really what I was expecting. It's a collection of profiles of various crafters, artists, and activists that the author finds inspiring. Based on the description I was expecting way more craft projects but less than half of the profiles included a project. Some of the profiles had a short essay by the subject, some a short interview, and in one case, nothing at all. I think this would have been more effective with fewer profiles and greater depth. I would rather have had a dozen profiles that each had an essay, an interview, AND a project, rather than two dozen with sporadic participation from the profilees.

I enjoyed Crafting a Better World in the same way I enjoy ordering an appetizer sampler for the table when I go out to eat: I get to taste a little bit of everything, but I don’t have enough to get sick of it. Though Diana Weymar is listed as the author of this book, the majority of the essays are actually written by other artists and activists, with brief introductions by Weymar. I think this is for the best, because when Weymar herself dominated the conversation (as in the interviews she conducted with other artists) I found it a lot harder to connect to what was being said. At times, it seemed that the author wanted to aimlessly wax poetic about her art, or pat herself on the back for the bravery of taking on an ostensibly political project. There was no sense of urgency in her activism. I also struggled with the formatting of the ebook, as I felt that this was a story best told in a more visually dynamic way. I assume this would not be true of a print copy of this book, but it did impact my enjoyment of the book overall.
This book about crafting and activism is absolutely one that I would recommend to crafters, but not necessarily to activists. I don’t know that the book has any real political heft to it, and I think people looking for that will be disappointed. But for vaguely politically-minded crafters, I think this book could be a really entertaining read.

This wasn’t what I expected. The cover sort of alluded to crafts to actually make, so I was disappointed on that front.


However, the stories felt like “home”, like when I read chicken soup for the soul books, so, that was a quick remedy.


Interesting concept!

I was scrolling through Instagram when a post caught my eye. Words had been embroidered on a vintage handkerchief.

I have a massive handkerchief collection. I love quotes and words on textiles and quilts. And what cinched my interest was the political message on the handkerchief. I had to know more.

I discovered that the crafter had a book coming out and it was on NetGalley, and I requested it. I waited on pins and needles for approval. Did they check my bio? Did they know I was a quilter?

I got the egalley and sped through the pages, excited by the possibilities.

I have included subtle political messages in my quilts for decades. The last block on my embroidered President’s quilt is “Hanging Chad.”

Diana Weymar’s first project was a needlepoint seat cover which she embroidered with “I am a stable genius.” “I knew immediately that it was great material: garish, ridiculous, delusional, horrifying, and hilarious,” she writes in her Introduction.

That piece became the first Tiny Pricks Project which over six years and thousands of social media followers turned into a five thousand collection of activist textile art.

Many of the projects are acts of resistance to Trump’s presidency. But other causes are also addressed. Activists are quoted in the projects, and activists, artists, and people from all walks of life are interviewed in the book.

Embroidered on a vintage hanky is “In my life, activism is a verb, so is love,” quoting Jamie Lee Curtis who wrote the introduction to the book.

The book is a handbook that will lead you to make your own ‘craftavist’ textile works demanding a more just world. But even if you are not a crafter, the interviews and thoughts in the text and the photographs of the art will inspire.

My favorite is a tatted edged white handkerchief embroidered with “Reading is resistance.” Amen to that!

Thanks to the publisher for a free egalley through NetGalley.

This book wasn't really what I thought it was going to be based off of the description. I thought there would be more hands-on activities included but it mostly revolved around personal stories from people during the pandemic, the election and other stressful events from the past few years. I didn't hate it, it just was kind of disappointing not to get the type of book I was expecting.

If you're like me, turning on the news each day requires a deep breath and a certain amount of stubborn determination to stay informed despite the insanity. From wildfires to insurrections to racism to war....it just goes on and on. Fortunately, there's a way for each of us to make the world a better place and Diana Weymar has put together this book to guide us on how to take action.
Crafting A Better World is a collection of essays, actions, recipes and projects that are meant to guide us through divisive times. Crafting as activism isn't a new concept but this is a wonderful reminder from people like Jamie Lee Curtis, Jayna Zweiman, the Guerilla Girls, Tanya Selvaratnam and so many more on how being creative can guide us through grief and can form like-minded communities and can make the world a better place. This book is a reminder that activism is easier with allies and that we're surrounded by those allies if we just take a few moments to look for them. As a knitter, I love the idea of the Welcome Blanket Project and as an avid baker I adore the recipe for the love cookies. I look forward to sharing this book with my friends!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.

I found this book to be very inspirational. Specifically, I thought it was amazing how they sewed and used a photograph as inspiration, they were so accurate! I am always looking for a new craft project and now I have a few ideas I would like to try.