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Threads Through Life and Faith
by Jacqui Parkinson
ISBN ‎ 978-1907636134

Reviewed by Jacqui Hicks

This book provides fascinating detail into the series of exhibitions commissioned by The Deo Gloria Trust and stitched by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson between 2006 and 2010.

The exhibitions were designed to tour around churches and cathedrals in England. The delicately stitched work confronts life and faith with poems, biblical quotations and references.

This book is rather difficult to review because it touches the core of your feelings. It finds the raw edges of your emotions, but also helps you to deal with them.

This is quite difficult to put into words: you cannot help but respond to the heartfelt work that has gone into producing these pieces. I found the work exquisite, especially the section based on lace handkerchiefs. You really have to see to understand.

Deo Gloria trust and Jacqui Parkinson have published this book with glorious closeups of the work, and with full colour images to help personal reflection. You can almost reach out and touch the stitchery.

The book has a very respectful feel to it whilst still challenging us to look at its themes afresh. So if you want a new look at textile ideas I would commend it to you.

The Cathedral Exhibitions website has further information and photos.

Threads Through Life and Faith is available from Jacqui Parkinson's website.