It's time for Blog Hop #4 at Stitching The Night Away, and the topic is a good one.
Do you experience this same assumption from society in general that just
because you’re being crafty you’re also driven by some unseen force to
be in constant 1950s housewife mode? and then…. Who actually does the
cooking and the cleaning in the household? I’d also really like to hear
some words from the men in the crowd who stitch on this topic. What sort
of societal reactions do you get and what ridiculously wrong
assumptions do people make towards you when they see you working on
needlework?
This is a subject that is near and dear
to my heart because I've been stitching for a long time and have heard
all kinds of assumptions and stereotypes about people who cross stitch.
In fact, back in October 2011, I conducted a survey (very unscientific,
but still interesting) regarding myths about us stitchers. I then
posted the results. You can see that blog post by clicking here.
Some of the more popular misconceptions I've experienced is that all stitchers are old ladies, that stitching is a silly hobby and a waste of time, and that it's a sub-standard art form. I seriously doubt that the artists at Britain's Royal School of Needlework would agree with these assumptions. If you have a few minutes, here's a wonderful video that showcases the famed school.
As you can see, I'm always ready to defend my favorite hobby. And I applaud men who take up this pastime. I will be very interested in what they have to say about what people think of the fact that they stitch.
Who does the cooking and cleaning in our house? Well, I do most of it, simply because I work less hours than Mark. But vacuuming and cooking a meal are not beneath him and he's always ready to lend a hand. I'm also thankful that he takes care of mowing the lawn and a lot of the outside work. Which means that I'm spared having to deal with that finicky and smelly lawnmower. But no, even though I do stuff around the house, I am not a 50's style housewife.
Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.
Go Mark!! I'm glad you have a helper hubby as well. I, too, am looking forward to hearing from the stitching men to see what they face.
ReplyDeleteBeing differently-abled and unable to stand for long periods, Jack and I share in the housekeeping duties. Jack hates cleaning toilets, I don't mind so I do the bathrooms. Jack loves cleaning the kitchen after I have cooked so he does that. I have never really gotten a negative feed back on the fact that I cross stitch, or sew, or crochet, or bake my own bread, etc. The only reactions Jack has gotten on the fact that he cross stitches is either amazement or delight.
ReplyDeleteMy Boyfriend and I share chores, which is really nice. Ever since he started working I have been doing a lot more around the house because I'm not working and I want him to come home to a clean house and a home-cooked meal, especially since he's earning all the money. But before he started working we both did a little bit of everything. He cooks, he cleans, he does everything that needs to be done without complaints. And he also loves it when I stitch :)
ReplyDeleteMy Boyfriend and I share chores, which is really nice. Ever since he started working I have been doing a lot more around the house because I'm not working and I want him to come home to a clean house and a home-cooked meal, especially since he's earning all the money. But before he started working we both did a little bit of everything. He cooks, he cleans, he does everything that needs to be done without complaints. And he also loves it when I stitch :)
ReplyDeleteI had a nice long response typed in here and Google ate it. Before my Boyfriend started working we would share in all the household chores. Now that he's the only one making money and I'm home all day, I do the chores while he's at work all day, and I have no problem with this since I don't work. I'm sure that if I worked, though, things would go back to the way they were before. He does love that I cross stitch, though!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it can be simple or stunningly gorgeous-- I was told to get a "useful" hobby by an old boyfriend.. needless to say.. he didn't last long after that :p
ReplyDeleteCan't be artwork, what?! What sort of blasphemy is this? I'll just assume these strange beings haven't seen the tapestry works of yore.
ReplyDeleteYour survey was quite interesting. I hope one day silly stereotypes like in those myths go away!