Stitches & Stories is a collaboration between Jo from The Bobbin Sisters (Backfold, Hay-on-Wye) and Jules at North Books. We thought a book group of crafters who sit and discuss books while they work alongside each other would be rather fun. Jo takes the credit for coming up with the textile-themed books.

The group meets on the third Thursday of every alternate month from 4pm to 6pm, and refreshments will be included.

Bring a stitching project with you and don’t forget to read the book in advance! See below.

JOIN THE CLUB

The book club meetings are seated events, so places are limited, and events can get pretty full. Please email Jules on jules@northbooks.co.uk or pop into The Bobbins Sisters (currently on winter opening/closed Monday and Tuesday) to add your name to the list. Participation is free if the book is purchased in advance from North Books at a 10% discount.

At North Books, 4 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye on Thursday 19 December, 4–6pm.

THE BOOK

The Seamstress by Maria Duenas is the final book on S&S’s 2024 reading list

The final novel of 2024 up for discussion on Thursday 19 December is The Seamstress by Maria Duenas. This book is available from North Books now.

The runaway bestseller that has taken the world by storm

1935: As turmoil brews in Europe, Sira Quiroga's carefully mapped-out life is thrown into chaos, first by love, then betrayal. Abandoned and alone, all she has are her skills as a seamstress, a talent that could not only save her but may influence the course of a war...

When the glamorous circles of high society and the shadowy world of espionage collide, Sira is confronted with a terrifying decision, with only one possible choice.

From the haute couture ateliers of old Madrid to the exotic souqs of Morocco, The Seamstress is the inspiring journey of an extraordinary young woman who embraces destiny, braving life-or-death stakes and risking everything, for love.