Over 100,000 copies sold‘A tapestry of strong characters and accomplished writing’ Herald ScotlandIt is 1911, and Jean is about to join the mass strike at the Singer factory. For her, nothing will be the same again.Decades later, in Edinburgh, Connie sews coded moments of her life into a notebook, as her mother did before her.More than 100 years after his grandmother’s sewing machine was made, … after his grandmother’s sewing machine was made, Fred discovers a treasure trove of documents. His family history is laid out before him in a patchwork of unfamiliar handwriting and colourful seams.
He starts to unpick the secrets of four generations, one stitch at a time.
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I liked a lot about this book especially since I didn’t see how this would all tie together until the last several chapters. It was such a great historical journey about Singer sewing machines of which I own several. The characters were all ones I would have loved to meet in person and talked to about their lives. Each character had a story all their own. It was all very fascinating to travel through time with a machine. I particularly enjoyed reading about how people lived back in the earlier 1900’s and onward. It was a hard life for those with little means but they were a hardy group and soldiered on as best they could …. at least in this story. There were good guys and bad guys and some especially wonderful guys! My only complaint was the way this book skipped back and forth in time. I have such a poor memory that sometimes I had trouble remembering who was who as chapters changed. But it all came together in the end and I was very happy to read right up to the last period.
I enjoyed following the characters involved with one sewing machine from the early 1900’s to the present. As a sewist myself who started on a Singer. I loved the intrigue regarding the machine and the women and men who used it over a century. My grandmother sewed on an old fashioned treadle machine her entire life
I love a story that focuses on an object which plays a hidden role in bringing characters and eras together. This book is that – a treasure hunt through time and the lives of those touched by a sewing machine.
The story begins in 1911 with a walkout strike at the Singer Sewing Machine Factory in Clydebank, Scotland and a message that gets hidden inside one of the machines. The story eventually stitches the lives of three characters together. As the lives of these characters unfold, so does the history and social changes surrounding the sewing machine. Meanwhile, I had a hard time trying to figure out the common thread. Quite cleverly, it all fell into place. If you enjoy sewing, secrets, surprises and historical fiction, you will enjoy this lovely book that brings the past uniquely to life.
This book involves a old singer sewing machine and how it intertwines 3 families.
It show the struggle of factory workers ( more so the women’s) struggling for their rights in the work field.
The story starts with the Singer sewing factory strike in 1911. It shows how important this machine helped maintain financial stability in the family.
It ends 100 years later were Fred thru documentation finds historical history of this machine and 4 generations of his family.
The thing I like best about this story is the history shared with four remarkable women. It show the true value of personal family experiences with thru objects that we love and cherish. How family heirlooms are important in our lives.
Giving us stories of the past, presence and hopefully future that will carry on our heritage.
I bought this because, as a near life-long sexist, who sewed on a family heirloom Singer for 3 decades before moving onto a computerized machine, I knew I would love the connection to several generations who owned, and loved their Singer. I did not anticipate the pleasure of the book being set in Edinburgh, which my husband and I recently visited, and LOVED. Nor did I expect to become so enthralled I the stories of the machines owners.
If you sew, you must read it.
If you love Edinburgh, you must read it.
If you enjoy history, personalized, you must read it.
Read it!
I found this book to be a really great read that helps us to understand things through the years and how life was in the past. You must not be put off by jumping from one character to another over different periods of time. It all works out in the end.
I quite enjoyed this one. As a quilter, the subject matter was right up my alley. I actually own a Singer 99K (electric, not hand-cranked). I liked the little kindnesses the characters exhibited to one another over the course of the story. And there were enough unexpected occurrences to make it unpredictable.
Love this book. As a seamstress, I enjoyed the subject matter around the sewing machine and the little mystery that unfolds slowly throughout the book.
Takes a while to jump the decades and follow along with the characters but worth it.
I loved this brilliantly written multi timeline story about a Singer Sewing machine built in 1911, and how two families are connected through it.
Thoroughly recommended.
This story weaves in and out of the lives and fortunes of a sewing machine and various people whose lives its path crossed. Very good description of the world of manufacturing in the early 1900’s juxtaposed against the world of texting and internet blogging of the last 10 years. And one poignant example of the selfless generosity of a wonderful family that led to generations of life-changing support of others by a touching pay-it-forward donation/sacrifice.
Well sewn, so to speak. Generations of seamstress weave a world of humiliation and hypocrisy dealt them by their parents. When in the early 1900s, daughters were expected to mind their fathers regardless of age. Truth be told, these women had much stronger character than their fathers imagined. Difficult as it were, they marched onward in their self chosen lives to create a household on their own terms. Great read.
I got 38% finished in Audible. Could not finish. I had no idea this was not about
Sewing. Nor was it about a machine. At 38% it was about a factory and the union and the Dad just passed and mother & daughter had a short of whiskey on the front stoop. Hhhmmm
Very interesting. Twists. Intriguing ending;;unusual. View into Moroccan culture. I’d read this author again!
What a wonderful historical novel, a travel through time and family. Very enjoyable read.
I Enjoyed this book
Wonderful story.
Loved this book. It traces the history of a sewing machine stand the people whose lives it touched from 1910 to 2010. A fun read, especially for those who sew.
This was a very enjoyable book. will read this again.
The story comes full circle. Enjoyed because my mother was a sewer and she passed that along to me
Wonderful weaving tale