On the Importance of Thread: Woven Together

I was watching Brave last night and the tapestry scene always makes me tear up a little.  Merida not understanding where her mom is coming from destroys something important to her mother and to her family legacy.  Elinor getting frustrated and not understanding how her daughter feels destroys Merida's symbol of freedom--the bow.  It is the perfect scene to illustrate mother-daughter arguments everywhere.  We always "tear" each other apart over misunderstandings and we must "mend the bonds" or be the poorer for it. 

I was thinking about it and I think thread is something that is important to everyone but especially to women.  Up until the industrial revolution who was making the thread?  Who was weaving?  Who was making the clothes?  Who was making intricate designs through embroidery?  Who was quilting blankets?  Men can do all of these things but it was often the women.  (This answer may differ in certain cultures.)  Even today, the other women I am around are usually the ones doing the mending.  My dad can if he needs to but it is usually my mother that takes care of it.  How many of our grandmothers made quilts?  How many young women today knit or crotchet?  It is still an important part of our lives. Isn't it fitting that a tapestry is used to illustrate women's relationships? 

I embroider.  It has been years since the last time I did so, but last night I felt like picking it back up.  I found out just how much I missed it.  Above is a picture of what I am working on.  I feel like, through doing this, I am carrying on the work of the women who came before me.