The second one was probably "The Subversive Stitch" by Roszika Parker.
Try here -

http://www.amazon.com/
exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0415902061/
qid=1125540794/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/
103-8341894-1618225?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Cut and paste the url so it's all one line in your web browser. It's a
great book!

Pat in Illinois


The second book is also from the 70s-80s and I believe the author and
publisher were British. The publisher had a neat name like "Steam On"
or "Iron Will Press". I cannot remember the title for the life of me.
It was a history of needlework as related to feminism. It was a white
paperback with a older seeming picture of a woman sewing. It had a
picture section that featured modern embroidery - I can recall a field
of women's symbols.

Do either of these sound familiar to anyone? TIA!

Best,
Christine