Patch Work: A Life Amongst Clothes

Product Information

No, that's ok," Andrew looks up at the door, grimaces, as the sobbing behind the door gets louder, and gestures me to follow him away from the door and down the hall. "What's happening in there?" he whispers. "This place is a trip, huh?" I'm delusional. Who am I to imagine that I'd have a chance with a handsome, mysterious younger man! Today, what I should do is tell her about my situation, dare I admit, my Jeff Obsession. Instead, I will talk about something innocuous, like the troubles I'm having in following my breath, or something. I need to come up with a convincing script. The “blurb” about this book grabbed my attention – I enjoy memoirs, personal histories, “hidden stories” & the like so I was intrigued by the promise of stories told through a box of buttons, a forgotten pin in a hem, a mark on leather … the fact that it was written by a curator in Fashion at the Victoria & Albert Museum surely meant this would be a glimpse behind the scenes, some stories of clothes within the collection – very exciting!

She continues, "Getting quiet helps us find our wisdom, but first we have a lot of noise to off-gas." I'll be honest," I say. "I'm really not sure why I'm here," I blurt, surprised at my own candidness. "I feel like I'm going insane." An expert and intimate exploration of a life in clothes: their memories and stories, enchantments and spells. As you go through the rest of the evening, take notice of how wanting feels in your body. Is it hot, sharp, pulsing? Is it in your head, belly, or heart? Is it pleasant, aversive, or neutral? Remember, it's not you feeling the desire, it's just desire. Notice it and investigate."

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free via @ThePigeonHoleHQ. Whilst thanks go to the publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own. In summary, a patchwork book which I enjoyed in pieces. I might have enjoyed it more if I was expecting a personal memoir rather than an account of a working life. And then the door-knob jiggles, the crying yogi, apparently miraculously healed, emerges, blotchy-faced.

I have already come to appreciate the distinctive, soothing sound of mealtime here: the clink, clink of silverware on plates, the occasional scooting out or scooting in of a chair, and the rare exchange of a utilitarian whisper. Solitude amongst friends. Jeff. Our breathing is synced, today. Mine slows when his does, and his does when mine does. We are like a couple who's slept together for years. I wonder if I should just reach my hand out, right now, and touch his with mine, gently. The wanting surges in my chest. And I watch it, the good yogi. Maybe our fingers would intertwine, melt together. There is a benevolent stirring in my center that seems to have come out of nowhere. And next, a sense of wanting to lean towards Andrew. Something like radiance comes from him, but it's subtle. Like a warm-springs... the kind you could sit in all day.This whole year of healing from the divorce, doing therapy, taking on too many shifts, learning how to meditate, exercising, moving on. I'm ready to date again, and, at my age, these opportunities don't happen very often. He just has to be a good person just by the fact of him being at a silent retreat, right? Plus, I'll hate myself for not trying. A 47-year-old divorcee attends a New Mexico meditation retreat to try to come to terms with her emotions; by Claire Wilcox. According to the blurb for Patch Work - A Life Amongst Clothes, author Claire Wilcox has been employed as a curator for the Victoria and Albert Museum for most of her working career. Since visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2018, I've followed their social media channel and enjoy the behind the scenes curator videos on offer from Museum of London and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In the end, however, it was not just the sheer quality of the writing, but the inventive and wonderfully aslant approach Claire Wilcox took to telling her own and other stories that made Patch Work this year’s winner. Charlie/Claire: The proof-reader in me wanted to give you a heads up that in the fourth paragraph of the seventh subsection there is a “to” missing between the word “going” and the word “fail”. After doing our research much, details about her parents are not known to the public and it is also not known if she has any siblings. However, this information will be updated as soon as it is available. Claire Wilcox Husband Yes, it is, actually. I worry I'll make the wrong one - all the time. Sometimes it's very uncomfortable," Andrew continues.Details about her love life are still under review. We will let you know when she gets in a relationship or when we discover helpful information about her love life. How much is Claire Wilcox worth? But the pain is forcing me to contend with it. The thoughts hit me like darts. Who am I to see myself a sexual object, at my age? At 47. With dumb crushes and imagining I'm still in the game. I'm an embarrassment. Nothing will change things or me. Not meditation. Not therapy. Not getting in shape. I should give up on love. Focus elsewhere. Where though? Where? Patch Work by Claire Wilcox is an unusual memoir. The title is perfect, the book is made up of a series of vignettes stitched together to make a beautiful whole, much like the pieces that make up a patch work quilt, and since the author has worked as a curator in the Victoria and Albert Museum for most of her working life, dealing with everything from top hats to medieval felt caps , fragile silks and yellowing linens, it seems wonderfully suited as a way to tell her story. We learn about how she grew up surrounded by the trappings of a seamstress, and how her mother made most of the family's clothes, from her own wedding suit to Claire's girlhood dresses , we follow her on her travels along the hippy trail to India , and even into her own journey into motherhood. These stories are woven into descriptions of her work as a curator and what that involves. She is an actress best remembered for her roles in Ben Casey (1961), 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962), and The Brady Bunch (1969). She played Paula Harvey / Janet / Connie Farmer in 'My Three Sons,' Susan in 'The Smith Family,' and Stacy in 'Lost in Space.'

I get some food and sit down to taste the Indian-spiced lentils over brown rice and the kale salad, and I wonder how they make even the most basic of food so delectable here. I try to be mindful of my eating - noting every detail, its smell, how it feels in my mouth being chewed or in my throat being swallowed - and my associated emotions and thoughts. That's the assignment. Always. Claire Wilcox was born July 2, 1955, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is 65 years old as of 2020. How tall is Claire Wilcox?

I think this is probably a classic example of a book that doesn’t work as an e-book. As a glossy coffee table tome with stunning pictures for somebody to dip in & out of it may work, but it’s not a book to read from. I also think that the “blurb” needs to be amended to reduce the focus on the V&A curator! If she ever writes a book more focussed on the V&A collection, the textiles, preservation, analysis etc I will be very interested as I did like her writing style! She has appeared in films such as 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962), Wives and Lovers (1963), and Horatio Alger Jones (TV-1966). She has also appeared in the television series Harris Against the World (1964-1965). I love fashion, sewing and the V&A - so I was delighted to read this book. What I wasn't expecting from the author was the exceptionally beautiful writing. I do hope Claire goes onto write more as she is very talented. Ha! It shouldn't surprise me that this is the topic - we are at a silent Vipassana meditation retreat, and craving is the root of suffering, and all that. But it feels like Kate's words are directed at me.