The Cutting (& Stitching) Edge - Mary Yaeger

Mary Yaeger created a series of merit badges that “illustrate female “rites of passage” as well as the myriad physical manipulations women undergo to achieve cultural ideals of beauty, such as weight watching, whether or not to shave or wear makeup, etc.”

The pieces are hand stitched, extremely detailed and much smaller than shown here. The subject matter conveys Mary’s impressions of growing up female in modern Western culture.

They are a well observed series of pieces, excellently executed and seem like a natural evolution from the merit badges you get in the Scouting movement.

Mary has taken 28 of the patches and created a poster that you can buy from her website, where you can also discover about her beading work and other pieces.

What badges are missing? I’m thinking there should be one for “making a noise when you get out of a chair” which is something I noticed I’m doing lately… 🙂

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The Cutting (& Stitching) Edge is brought to you in association with PUSH: Stitchery, the contemporary embroidered art book curated by Jamie Chalmers. Featuring 30 textile-based artists from around the world, it’s a must have for needlework fans.