It was this a line of questioning that led her to create the first two books in the trilogy: Women in Billiards and Needle & Thread. “Competition and craft, the origins of what is traditionally categorised as either a feminine or masculine pastime, are exhibited within two case studies,” Janet explains. Women in Billiards depicts 15 women with notable contributions to the sport and aims to inspire more women to enter the male-dominated space of pool. It features interviews Janet conducted with Dr Mike Shamos of The Billiards Archive alongside in-depth research on influential players like Ruth McGinnis, Kelly Fisher, and Jean Balukas.
Needle & Thread, on the other hand, highlights contemporary needlework, championing the pastime as a serious, expressive art form and challenges the notion of needlework as mere ‘women’s work’. “As I thought about the difference between traditional feminine hobbies like needlework and masculine hobbies like billiards, I realised feminine pastimes are rooted in home-building activities,” she says, whilst ‘masculine pastimes’ tend to be outside the home. “This made me question, who gets quality leisure? And what would happen if women were encouraged to participate in more healthy, competitive environments?”
The final book in the series, The Feminine American Pastime, is a curated collection of essays on the topic of female empowerment through competition, and its form is unique from book one’s history book approach, and the seconds photobook approach. and two. “I feel like this project has been sort of lying dormant in me, to say in the least cringiest way possible,” Janet says, finding the triptych to be a crucial moment to explore a topic that feels both joyful and uncomfortable. “I see The Feminine American Pastime as a physical and literary reminder to try new things, even if it might initially make me scared, doubt myself, or feel uncomfortable – and I hope to encourage more women to do the same,” Janet ends.