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A world-changing book, an adventure in politics, religion and haberdashery --Alex Somerset An illuminating and funny testament to one man's attempt to survive economic meltdown, tackle climate change, and enter the kingdom of heaven by making his own clothes. John-Paul shows us that we can almost literally re-make our future and we can do it with a smile on our face. Tony Rollinson, Permaculture Magazine. It seems, and I'm grinding my jaws as I type this, that his time has come. --Harriet Green (the author's wife), The Observer
Combines the cheerful idealism of Tom Hodgkinson with the well-meaning cluelessness of Danny Wallace, and a commitment to the DIY ethic not seen since William Morris started stringing his first loom. --Mark Bailey
A world-changing book, an adventure in politics, religion and haberdashery. One day it will be recognised as a classic. --Alex Somerset
Combines the cheerful idealism of Tom Hodgkinson with the well-meaning cluelessness of Danny Wallace, and a commitment to the DIY ethic not seen since William Morris started stringing his first loom. --Mark Bailey
A world-changing book, an adventure in politics, religion and haberdashery. One day it will be recognised as a classic. --Alex Somerset
Product Description
John-Paul Flintoff was the archetypal mindless consumer until one day he set out to find a purpose in life and decided to make his own clothes. Through The Eye Of A Needle is a brilliant account of his journey - illuminating, enchanting and often extremely funny - arguing that the way we look at clothing influences the way we look at the environment, the economy and life itself.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book after listening to the author on Woman's Hour. The presenter tried to make fun of the dress John-Paul had made for his daughter but failed to dent his cheerful enthusiasm, and it turns out he's very much like that in the book, which is laugh-out-loud funny but also thought provoking and unexpectedly moving. With passages on climate change, fossil fuel, sweat shops and the miserable, disempowered state of the modern consumer, it could easily have been a straightforward "green" guide to clothing, but John-Paul took the unusual step of including passages about his search for meaning in religion and politics (and even here he managed to make me laugh). In the short time I've had the book I've lent it round to others, and they all seem to share my enthusiasm. I'd have been glad to have a section at the back on how to do some of the things he learned to do, and where to buy things like nettle (!) yarn, but it's not sold as a "how to" book, so it would be unfair to complain. Thoroughly recommended.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book wasn't at all what I expected. I thought it was going to be crammed full of really great hints and tips to get you started on making your own clothes. It isn't, but once I got used to that idea I wasn't disappointed because this is a hugely entertaining story of one man's journey from conspicuous consumption in all areas of his life to making his own underwear and fearlessly crocheting on public transport.
Along the way, Mr Flintoff meets some amazing characters and some delightful people, but his message is clear - we are passively soaking up whatever the global economy tells us we need and it's not doing us or the environment any good. An odd (but engaging) mixture of religion, philosophy and environmental thinking brings forward the notion that self-reliance is a good thing, and there are many routes to it. If you're at all crafty by nature then you won't be able to stop yourself putting down the book to go and crochet a hat, or knit a scarf, or maybe even just sew the missing button back on your shirt.
We need to be more conscious of what we do, and what we buy, and this book is a great place to start.
Along the way, Mr Flintoff meets some amazing characters and some delightful people, but his message is clear - we are passively soaking up whatever the global economy tells us we need and it's not doing us or the environment any good. An odd (but engaging) mixture of religion, philosophy and environmental thinking brings forward the notion that self-reliance is a good thing, and there are many routes to it. If you're at all crafty by nature then you won't be able to stop yourself putting down the book to go and crochet a hat, or knit a scarf, or maybe even just sew the missing button back on your shirt.
We need to be more conscious of what we do, and what we buy, and this book is a great place to start.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was expecting tips on making my own clothes when I first picked up this book but instead I found a funny, moving and potentially life-changing story. As a dedicated follower of fashion this has made me reassess everything and has given me a much clearer insight into the global importance of the clothes industry and how we can all do our bit to eliminate exploitation in the third world and combat climate change. I will read this book again and again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Such a well-written and heart-warming book
I bought this book after reading an article about it in Permaculture magazine. As I am in the process of learning to make my own children's clothes, I imagined that this book... Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2009 by P. J. Dore
This book will make a difference, read it!
I loved this book, it's entertaining, serious and funny. I've always loved making things, even when all around me told me it was pointless because you can buy it cheaper. Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by Alicia
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