'improper urges' I have lots of them, but they never involve having/making things for/eating babies either!
There are always patterns for clothing, bags and soft furnishings (like cushions, seat covers, etc). I don't know of any books on general needlework that might be any good though I'm afraid.
Many of our women make leather mittens, the backs have traditional patterns and decoration sewed on with colored thread or porcupine quils. They are given to the men for hunting with in winter.
When I was young the Domestic Science (Textiles) Thats what they called it back then,- was run by a little old lady who spent her time intimidating the boys.
I hope its more tolerant these days.
I shied away from anything girly when young...but now I do things like wear jewelry (mens; ladies is too delicate looking on my bear like frame) and I can handsew.
But I see interesting things in museums and want to make my own
today I am doing Jacobean crewel work which is good fun.
The designs are based upon Elizabethian designs countered with ideas got from Chinese ceramics
an interesting combination.
Its freeform so I dont need to be traumatised by counting stitches...
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