Ladies, First: Common Threads

LADIES, FIRST celebrates 18 first ladies, who, at one point in their lives, knitted, crocheted, embroidered, quilted, cross-stitched or sewed. Their inspirational stories will encourage an appreciation of craft and creativity, patience and perseverance, sacrifice and service, and most of all, the role of the first lady in the history of the United States of America.

Did you know that...

Dolley Madison sewed clothes for orphans and served as directress of an orphanage for girls.

Grace Coolidge crocheted the blanket on the Lincoln bed in the White House and had a collection of animals including a raccoon.

Edith Roosevelt embroidered a sampler of Theodore Roosevelt's life and renovated the White House.

Lou Henry Hoover knitted baby blankets and was the first woman to earn a degree in geology from Stanford University.

Eleanor Roosevelt knitted sweaters for the troops and was a humanitarian.

Barbara Bush needlepointed a rug in 17 countries and 35 states and promoted literacy.

This unique look at 18 first ladies, from Martha Washington to Abigail Adams to Ida McKinley to Helen Taft to Edith Wilson to Barbara Bush, will help readers touch history with a museum-like experience. Each inspiring story gives a glimpse into the minds and hearts of these historic women, threaded together by actual images of needlework and other fascinating images and photos. Learn about these first ladies' lives, challenges and accomplishments and become inspired to create and make the world a better place, too.

Also includes places to travel to in the United States or virtually to learn more about the first ladies and their important place in history.