This superb new volume is addressed to everyone interested in hope, regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs. Glenn Tinder, one of our most astute and creative thinkers, probes the failure of modern, secular hope and shows, with great sensitivity and openness, why the tenets of Christian faith offer a true and meaningful source for hope amid the widespread distress, confusion, and despondency of contemporary life. From The Critics Jean Bethke Elshtain Glenn Tinder argues compellingly that modern despondency flows from a collapse of unreasonable optimism about our individual and collective prospects. By contrast to despondency and brittle optimism, Tinder calls for a renewal of hope. Framed by Christian belief, Tinder's elegant essay reaches out to appeal to all men and women troubled by our current condition. A beautifully written and touching work. Michael Novak Tinder's weighty essay on the nature, spirituality, and politics of hope offers an illuminating perspective on a central pillar of civilization. Mary Ann Glendon "A pristine intellectual and spiritual achievement by one of the most penetrating thinkers. of our day" Richard John Neuhaus "With this essay Tinder once again vindicated his reputation as one of the most incisive thinkers and graceful writers working today. His is a most powerful argument that only a hope that has come to terms with all the reasons for despair can sustain us into a future that we do not and cannot control. Tinder's wisdom is in knowing that attention to first things requires facing up to last things."

In this book, Bryant Simon brings to life the politics of white South Carolina millhands during the first half of the twentieth century. His revealing and moving account explores how this group of southern laborers thought about and participated in politics and public power. Taking a broad view of politics, Simon looks at laborers as they engaged in political activity in many venues--at the polling station, on front porches, and on the shop floor--and examines their political involvement at the local, state, and national levels. He describes the campaign styles and rhetoric of such politicians as Coleman Blease and Olin Johnston (himself a former millhand), who eagerly sought the workers' votes. He draws a detailed picture of mill workers casting ballots, carrying placards, marching on the state capital, writing to lawmakers, and picketing factories. These millhands' politics reflected their public and private thoughts about whiteness and blackness, war and the New Deal, democracy and justice, gender and sexuality, class relations and consumption. Ultimately, the people depicted here are neither romanticized nor dismissed as the stereotypically racist and uneducated "rednecks" found in many accounts of southern politics. Southern workers understood the political and social forces that shaped their lives, argues Simon, and they developed complex political strategies to deal with those forces.

Babies, family, and friends will delight in these fun and washable themed novelty books. Easily made in a day, fabric picture books take advantage of fabric motifs, conversational prints, and I Spy fabrics.* Make a floral applique gift book for a gardener. *Make a foundation-pieced bird book for a friend. *Use photo transfer techniques and stitch up a family photo memory book.

A new edition of the best-selling fabric guide includes all-new updated information on the selection of the best fabrics for a variety of projects and how to make the most of them, including new tips and more than three hundred color photographs.

From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide. The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.

From the bestselling author of Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern—learn to create vintage quilts more quickly and easily than ever. Get comfortable with basic piecing and machine quilting - one block at a time! Best-selling author Jera Brandvig is back, this time with a romantic take on her quilt-as-you-go designs. Try your hand at nine projects, including an elegant sampler with fifty-one mix-and-match blocks. For quilt as-you-go enthusiasts, Jera shares three optional joining methods, including her new technique that makes your quilt reversible! No matter how busy your schedule, you can set attainable goals and practice quilting patchwork blocks in small, manageable pieces. · Timeless, classic quilts for busy folks! Easily finish quilts on your home machine with quilt-as-you-go · Learn a new way to quilt-as-you-go that decorates the back of your quilt in pretty patchwork squares · Mix and match fifty-one blocks to assemble a one-of-a-kind quilt! “Whilst the first book focused on improvisational techniques in a modern style, this one is about using vintage fabrics in classic block designs. There are useful sections on tools and supplies, working with batting, and choosing your fabrics. Each project is laid out in an easy-to-follow fashion that is packed with photos and diagrams. Overall, a well-considered books that is a delight to look through with a warm, encouraging tone of voice.”—Popular Patchwork

Learn to create modern quilts more quickly and easily than ever with this popular method, featuring thirteen projects and twenty-five bonus ideas. Do you believe rules were meant to be broken? If so, this improvisational quilt-as-you-go technique is for you. Instead of dealing with precise paper patterns and cutting measurements, you’ll learn how to piece fabric onto small, manageable batting blocks. Let your creative juices flow as you quilt directly on the blocks (not the whole quilt!), whether in large abstract zigzags or small structured stitches. After the blocks have been joined, all you need to do is add backing fabric and binding, and—voila—it’s finished! A modern approach to quilting that’s fresh, fun, and simpler than it sounds; it will change the way you quilt (for the better) Great for moms or anyone with a busy schedule—these thirteen projects are easy to transport because they make it simple to pick up where you left off Go your own way: This method allows you to use a pattern or improvise, creating a wide variety of design options Save money! Learn how to finish your own quilts without the use of a longarm professional “Quilting is easier than ever with Jera Brandvig’s modern spin on the popular quilt-as-you-go technique.” —Modern Quilts Unlimited “Quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) is one of those techniques that every quilter is curious about trying, but can be daunting as the process is so different to the traditional process of making a quilt top and then quilting it. . . . The book introduces the technique very thoroughly, so you can clearly understand the difference between traditional piecing and quilting and QAYG. Then there’s a great selection of gorgeous quilts that are sure to appeal to the modern quilter. A must if you’ve ever thought about trying QAYG and haven’t had a clue where to start.” —Make Modern Magazine

"Printing your own fabric opens up an entire new world of design, especially for quilters, sewists, and other textile artists. Until now, the process of printing with dyes could seem difficult to learn and even harder to implement. But Carol Soderlund and Melanie Testa have taken all the stumbling blocks out of the way of would-be fabric dyers and printers. With step by step advice, instruction, and photographs, this book is a master class in using dyes and low-tech equipment to print your own fabric, and it begins at the beginning. If you've never handled dyes before, never designed your own print motifs, aren't even sure what supplies or space you might need, everything you want to know is here. More advanced students will value the in-depth presentation of techniques, tools, and insights into approaching fabric printing as an art and taking your work to the next level. The opportunities for fun creative expression and producing your most original and exciting fabric work ever are unlimited with Carol and Melanie's friendly help. It's time to try playful fabric printing!" -- Provided by publisher

Planning a sewing getaway? Heidi Staples of sewing blog Fabric Mutt presents everything needed to have a successful trip, including helpful packing and organizing tips. Each section of this fun, colorful book is organized with travel in mind, offering small, medium, and large projects to be achieved while on the perfect sewing retreat: --Daytrips: Small projects include a Bookmobile Sleeve, Road Trip Pillow, Snapshot Needlebook, Sewing Bee Pincushion, and Coffee Shop Coasters --Weekend Retreats: Bigger projects include a Patio Pillow, Beachcomber Pouch, Kitchenette Set, Scout's Honor Pouch, and a Color Book --Summer Vacations: Extended projects include a Big Bear Cabin Quilt and Palm Springs Bag Get ready to have a fabulous sewing retreat!

Economic collapse, poverty, disease, natural disasters, the constant threat of community unrest and international terrorism--a quick look at any newspaper is enough to cause almost anyone to feel trapped and desperate. Yet the recent election also revealed a growing search for hope spreading through society. In the timely Hope in the Age of Anxiety, Anthony Scioli and Henry Biller illuminate the nature of hope and offer a multitude of techniques designed to improve the lives of individuals, and bring more light into the world. In this fascinating and humane book, Scioli and Biller reveal the ways in which human beings acquire and make use of hope. Hope in the Age of Anxiety is meant to be a definitive guide. The evolutionary, biological, and cultural roots of hope are covered along with the seven kinds of hope found in the world's religions. Just as vital, the book provides many personal tools for addressing the major challenges of the human condition: fear, loss, illness, and death. Some of the key areas illuminated in Hope in the Age of Anxiety: How do you build and sustain hope in trying times? How can hope help you to achieve your life goals? How can hope improve your relationships with others? How can hope aid your recovery from trauma or illness? How does hope relate to spirituality? Hope in the Age of Anxiety identifies the skills needed to cultivate hope, and offers suggestions for using these capacities to realize your life goals, support health and healing, strengthen relationships, enhance spirituality, and inoculate yourself against the despair that engulfs many individuals.