A Stitcher’s Christmas #9: Exquisite Embroidery Scissors!

(1,711) Comments

1. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen was the 17th century reproduction embroidered jacket done by a group of volunteers lead by Trisha Nguyen of Thistle Threads. I especially love the exquisite handmade gold lace edging.

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2. Great question, Mary!

   The most beautiful piece I have ever seen was a Russian Orthodox liturgical vestment embroidered with Christ, the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), and the saints in gold and silk, and embellished with real pearls. It represented the communion of saints in Heaven.

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3. Despite all the lovely needlework I’ve seen, the one piece I can recall with clarity even decades later is one of Kaffe Fassett’s original wall hangings, displayed at Woodlawn Plantation. It shows a variety Chinese porcelain vases and teapots clustered on a blue and white throw or tablecloth with tall embroidered poppies in warm reds, golds and pinks across the background. The use of pastels is masterful in this piece. It is beautiful beyond my ability to describe it. The stitching isn’t going to blow your socks off but the colors are astounding. I would give anything to own this beautiful piece so I could spend hours studying it. Made by a master, it is worthy of a great museum and I hope the V&A owns it now so that our stitching descendants can see it and wonder at what a real color genius can do.

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4. The most beautiful embroidery work I’ve ever seen was at Buckingham Palace last year, when Queen Elizabeth’s wedding and coronation dresses were on display. We had an after hours tour, and I stared as long as I could before the guides moved us along. The RSN (Royal School of Needlework) truly out did themselves.

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5. Gorgeous scissors! My first embroidery inspiration was a sampler my Mom found at a thrift store. It was counted cross stitch which I almost never do anymore but I remember the tie to something made before I was born.

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6. Of course it gets harder! But these scissors are glorious! Look at the fine point on them! The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen would not be conventional- but to me they are inspirational and perfect, they are hanging in my bedroom. They are the first pieces my daughter and granddaughter did. A beginning of learning with tiny hands that worked so hard to understand and create. The beauty of a gift made from the heart to gift to me cannot be underestimated. These are treasures to my needle loving heart!

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7. I have not seen it in person (bucket list item) but the Butler-Bowdon Cope is the most stunning piece of needlework I’ve ever seen.

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8. I think probably the most beautiful needlework I have seen would have to be some Easter Vestments made in goldwork by the local Carmelite nuns. Beautiful intricate stitches.

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9. I have to say that there has not been a specific, one piece, of needlework that I can say has stuck with me. About ten years ago, for my daughters 16th birthday, we made a two week trip to France and England. We had been to England previously so we made certain to go to as many museums as possible. The works of art, of course, included gorgeous tapestries that you could examine for hours and never see all the amazing detail. The overwhelming beauty of those pieces will always stay with me.
   BTW… I did look at the scissors. Now that is artistry! Each one, even the simplest design, is incredible! I am so excited to have a chance to win! Thank you

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10. I’ve never seen it in person, but Sharon Boggon’s I dropped the button box quilt is something I marvel at. Also never seen in person but drooled over in pictures are the underwater seascapes of Judith Baker Montano.

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11. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is a Torah curtain displayed at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, Ohio. The stitching is exquisite and the colors beautiful. The gold work is amazing.

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12. Art. Not really a pair of scissors

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13. I think the most stunning piece of needlework that left an impression on me is the Celtic Sampler by the Needle’s Prayse.

    Thank you!

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14. These are exquisite! I would love to gift them to my daughter who teaches embroidery.

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15. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a silk evening purse. It was hand embroidered with silk thread-painted botanicals. Weaving between the flowers and berries was what looked like tambour work done in gold threads. Beadwork embroidery and a few sequins finished the piece. It was over the top and understated all at the same time. One had to look closely at the detail to really appreciate it.
    Thanks for all the wonderful gifts this year! Hope the holidays are special; and you get some snow.

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16. IT here are so many beautiful pieces of handiwork in our world, but the one that I remember the most is the beautifully beaded wedding dress my aunt handmade for her daughter. Every motif on the whole dress was beaded. It was a true labor of love.

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17. The delicately stitched floral bouquet of forget-me-nots and other alpine wildflowers adorning a dresser scarf is the needlework example most beautiful to me.
    The artisan was my grandmother and the occasion was my high school graduation almost 50 years ago. I promised her I’d always keep and treasure it and I still do.

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18. Well, I have seen many beautiful pieces of embroidery. Made by many incredibly talented artisans. From large Tapestrys to miniature boxes! But the most beautiful piece to me was a muslin based Jacobean floral pillow top made by my mother. She made it around 1960, when our family was going thru some very hard times financially. It was made on muslin, with a mixture of cotton floss. The design was very ornate, her satin stitches were so smooth and well defined. There was not very much shading, I suspect because a lack of properly shaded colors.
    I used to think, if only she had better materials, it would be amazing!
    Now she is gone, and I think this pillow top is the most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen!

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19. Difficult for me to choose between viewing a collection of antique Baltimore style quilts shown at the Houston Quilt Market in around 1998. Those quilts were huge in size and in pristine condition, the colours breathtaking and the workmanship impeccable, all hand appliquéd. It brought tears to my eyes.
    Also, in 2008, I was privileged to be attending l’Aiguille en Fete in Paris and this needlework festival featured the country of Japan. A wonderful display of quilts from Reiko Kato were showcased and you could spend hours examining all the details and workmanship. Those two were experiences you never forget.

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20. Amazing workmanship!

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21. Being a needlework enthusiast I naturally love to visit museums and historical locations that have needlework exhibits. My Mom shared my enthusiasm so when we vacationed together we had a wonderful time looking at samplers and other embroidery projects at places like Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Deerfield and the Shelburne Museum. One piece that particularly impressed both of us was a sampler completed by Stata Hawks (b. 1792) that was in an exhibit in Historic Deerfield. Ms. Hawks was 8 years old when she worked the sampler and it is a wonderful example of cross-stitch. It is beautiful in its simplicity.

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22. What comes to mind is an embroidered quilt my aunt (who I loved dearly) made. She used simple stitches (stem, satin, French knots) but every stitch was perfect and beautiful. I’ve seen wonderful needlework in museums and on line but I believe the love that my aunt put in every stitch of her quilt is the most beautiful of all.

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23. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is actually a series of artwork done by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz. Mary Corbet did a story about her work a few years ago, and I have been fascinated by her embroidery ever since.

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24. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was earlier this year at the American Needlepoint Guild seminar in Anaheim, CA. They have an exhibit at this time where stitchers submit there work to be judged and hopefully find a ribbon or two awarded to their piece. There was a piece done on silk gauze that I had seen develop along on Facebook and here it was in its entirety! Absolutely amazing and worked with a royal blue background. All the other entries paled in comparison and I can only aspire to be able to stitch a piece like this someday.

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25. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I’ve seen was a tatted item that my grandmother was making. It was so delicate and the shuttle was just flying.

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26. It isn’t so much one piece of work but my favorites are the needlework caskets of the 17th century. So intricate and made by girls. So young.

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27. My most favorite embroidery piece was a seascape by Judith Montano Baker.

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28. This most beautiful piece of needlework I think I’ve ever seen was a embroidered, reversible tiger stitched in Vietnam. My husband and I were traveling in Vietnam and made a point of going to the embroidery center in Danag and saw some of the most beautiful and exquisite pieces of embroidery I have ever seen.

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29. Describe the most beautiful piece of needlework you’ve ever seen!! It was the needlepoint my mother and grandmother worked on of the Last Supper! I was young and it seemed like it took them forever to complete, in reality it was a little over a year. Most amazing piece I have ever seen, it was then framed by my grandpa and hung over the dinning room fireplace. When my mom passed it went to my oldest sister. To this day I can see them sitting at the floor frame working on it.

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30. A lady in my EGA guild did a full size cross stitch replica of “Girl with a pearl earring “. It was so delicate and gorgeous!!

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31. The most beautiful piece of embroidery work I have ever seen would be one that my mom did!! She embroidered a quilt of flower baskets. She passed away October 2016 and I will cherish that quilt forever!

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32. The most memorable piece of embroidery is one that inspired me to start stitching again. It was a rose with satin stitch leaves that caught my imagination, and looked exquisite.

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33. Recently, a friend of mine completed a gift for her father: a Fremason’s apron done in Silverwork. It is stunning and I hope to be able to learn that technique soon.

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34. I would love to be that blissfully fortunate person!

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35. I was at a holiday pot luck at the beginning of December and on the wall in the dining room was a framed piece of needlework. When I got up close, you could see from the few spots on it that it was quite old. It was a beautifully done piece of what I call painted thread work. The flowers and leaves were exquisite! Wish I had the patience to do something like that.

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36. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have encountered was a full stitched tapestry done in kloister stitch – I think you’ve actually posted about it on your blog before! It was based on a medieval tapestry and I had the privilege to see it up close and personal . It was exquisitely designed and stitched.

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37. Embroidered army tents in the Army Museum in Stockholm. Very beautiful, and at the same time such a weird thing, the combination of war and embroidery in that way.

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38. That’s very interesting and not so difficult question. Only that I do not have one object. One thing would be all the treasures from opus anglicanum exhibition. Another name would be Martha Edlin. I saw her embroidery for the first time more than 10 years ago. After my visit to the museum I understood that it is time to start learning, because embroidery is not only much more than just cross stitching, but also if that child was able to stitch such beauties, I could learn this too. So now I am still learning. And every year I find more and more new things to learn 😀

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39. The most beautiful needlework I have seen was a landscape worked during WWII by a Japanese embroiderer. It was brought back by a GI, and it is hanging on my living room wall so I see it daily.

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40. The most amazing embroidery I have ever seen was phoebe traquer at the museum in Edinburgh , four large panels done in arts and crafts style unbelievable !

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41. On a trip to France I was able to view the Bayeux Tapestry. While maybe not the most beautiful it is certainly the most memorable piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen. Could have stayed for hours studying it but you get moved along pretty smartly.

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42. The Unicorn Tapestries that reside at the Cloisters in New York City are the most beautiful needlework art I have ever seen. It was an experience, both in their size and intricacy, that I will never forget. Thanks Mary and Merry Christmas!

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43. The most beautiful embroidery is a tough one. The most recent one is one I that I want to recreate in my own way. For unknown reasons, I started getting Cosmo, something I hadn’t read in ages. It takes me minutes to flip through, because the articles are no longer relevant to me. But, one day I flipped through and a jacket caught my eye. Duster length, white, covered in embroidered flowers, sequins, and beads. I searched for more information until I discovered it’s the Rylie jacket. My version will be covered with Jacobean designs, if I can just decide a color scheme for them!

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44. It is hard to answer this question as so many have impressed in different ways, color, technique, etc. I think, however, that the Opus Anglicanum in the V. And A wins on all counts. It is hard to believe that it could be worked at that time. There is also some exquisite gold work in Spanish churches that I have stood in front of in complete awe.

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45. Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship! They would make a lovely addition to my handwork essentials.

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46. $470 scissors?! Holy moly!! How very generous!!
    The most beautiful needlework piece I’ve ever seen…hmm. I cannot really say I’ve seen many needlework pieces. I love your Autumn Harvest piece, actually. It gave me a new appreciation for brown threads, of which I had many because of a clearance sale I hit at the beginning of my needlework venture.

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47. I wish I could say it was one of my own stitched pieces but, alas, it is not. The piece I remember most, although I don’t remember the theme since it was so long ago, , is a very, very long bell pull on display at a stitchery shop. It had to be four feet long and very detailed-simply gorgeous! It isn’t anything I would attempt to stitch but I marveled at the intricacy of the design and the stitcher’s beautiful handiwork.

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48. Most reticella/reticello work catches my eye. One of our sampler guild members did Sharon Cohen’s Millennium Sampler that was featured on the cover of Samplers & Antique Needlework Quarterly at one time (vols. 19-23). It was a knock-out in person! Another one, being stitched by a fellow guild member, is the Frances Cheyney Sampler of 1664 from The Essamplaire. She is about 90% finished. It, too, is a sight to behold. Both are on my stitching bucket list. Both are exquisite.

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49. When I first saw a piece of Chinese silk embroidery on an Imperial Robe I could not believe it was worked by hand. It was a glorious electric blue background with flowers, birds & mythical creatures but the thing that has stayed with me over the years were the waves on the bottom . Funny how when you recall it´s the less obvios that you remember.

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50. The needlework piece that left a lasting impression on me was done by my grandmother. It was a garden scene into which she had stitched the members of our family – playing with the dog, weeding the garden, etc.

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51. Oh, to be the “one blissfully fortunate winner” of these exquisite scissors would be a wonderful Christmas gift! I was amazed at the intricate embroidery and beadwork on some of the clothes worn on the Downtown Abbey series. I visited the Downtown exhibition in Chicago. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to embroidery. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a 2018 filled with happiness and good health.

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52. The Marion medallion is so beautiful. It inspired me to sign up for a goldwork class. I may never create anything so beautiful but I want to learn to work with gold and silk threads. My goal is to create ecclesiastical embroidery. The scissors in today’s giveaway are also something I never thought about owning but dreams can come true.

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53. That is a really difficult question as there is so much beautiful embroidery but as I presently do cross stitch to relax I will stick to that and say Dutch Beauty which is a sampler I saw on holiday several years ago. Later on the holiday I found the chart and then spent an enjoyable six months stitching it. It now hangs above my fireplace and admire it every day. I would love a pair of those exquisite scissors to treasure and use.

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54. The most beautiful works of the needle were done by my Grandmother, her stitches were tiny and so neat. She had an artist eye for color. Yet she could work quickly and blessed all family members and friends with her creative artistry. She was my inspiration at a very young age to begin my needlework journey and remains my standard of excellent needle craft.

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55. The most beautiful piece I have ever seen hangs right next to my desk and was made for me by my very talented needle working friend Roxann cox. It is a beautiful needle painted bird.

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56. Les costumes ” the games of throne” en particulier celui de la reine des dragons. L ‘ingéniosité de l artiste. Wow. J’aurais aimé faire ce travail dans la vie. C’est difficile d’en choisir un seul,il y a tellement de merveilleux artistes.
    Merci pour ces cadeaux.
    Merry chrismast and haapy new year.

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57. Mary,

    This is an extremely hard question since it has to be just one item but, I’d pick some hand embroidered silk voile material I saw in Italy. On the white silk were beautifully detailed flowers and vines-it looked to be handpainted the flowers were so detailed. In addition to the silk embroidery floss there small seed pearls in the pistil of the flowers. The flowers were reds, pinks and purple and vivid varied greens. The material was over $300 a yard and that was over 5 years ago.

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58. Incredible scissors! I’ve seen a gorgeous set of hand embroidered vestments that inspire me to hope to do the same…one day! Merry Christmas!

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59. The scissors are lovely. I remember the first crazy quilt I saw, probably 30 years ago, the embroidery was amazing. The different stitches were fascinating. That started my years of making and admiring crazy quilts.

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60. I have to say the permanent collection at Stellenbosch Textile Museum, which included a stunning array of pulled work, drawn thread and lace. It’s open weekday mornings only, and I could spend hour upon hours metaphorically drooling over the skill displayed 🙂
    Thank you for another Christmas giveaway series, and thank you to all the sponsors!

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61. I have a large square, the beginning of a crazy quilt, stitched by my great-grandmother in the late nineteenth century. The embroidery is simple but I am left wondering when this lady had time to make this piece while caring for home and many children without the benefit of modern appliances and tools!

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62. One of the most impressive needlework pieces I have seen is the Embroiderers’ Guild of America National Tapestry. I had seen pictures of it and a member of our chapter worked on one of the birds but in person all put together it is absolutely stunning! It is amazing how so many different stitchers across the nation contributed and it all flows together seamlessly into a gorgeous representation of the United States.

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63. The most beautiful needlework I remember is a silk and gold icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ child by Olga Fishchuk.

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64. Several years ago I went to an exhibit at The Bard Museum in NY. I was blown away by the 16th century caskets (plus more). So much so that when Tricia Wilson Nguyen offered her Cabinet of Curiosoties course, I signed up and am now immersed in my own cabinet design. Funny how one exhibit can change your direction and focus.

    Mary in NC

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65. The Chicago Institute of Art had a “Memories” Quilt Exhibit when we visited in November. Several of the quilts had extensive embroidery work on them. The one that I loved was a crazy quilt that had enumerable stitches around each piece. But the piece de resistance was the embroidery on the border. It was exquisite. I can’t imagine how many hours it took that stitcher to do that quilt. Very inspirational!

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66. The most exquisite needlework I have ever seen was stitched by Tricia Wilson Nguyen. Her pieces are so inspiring. They rekindled my love of stitching

    Thank you for this opportunity and sharing your love of needlework.

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67. I recently started learning embroidery and find your site invaluable. I finished and framed one of your free patterns yesterday and plan to start Birthday Bash in the next few days. Thank you for sharing your expertise and all the well-organized info.

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68. That is a incredibly difficult question, there are just so many! I’m lucky to be surrounded by beautiful embroidery, but the piece that called to me the strongest was a piece stitched by one of my guild members. She had done one of Martina Rosenberg’s (RIP) mysteries, the one with the peacocks. I loved it so much that I had to do it too.

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69. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was the Casket of Curiosity at Windsor Castle, when Casketeers visited on the Thistle Threads tour. Such fine detail And stumpwork! Exquisite, like today’s handcrafted scissors!
    Merry Christmas! Thank you and the industry for sharing inspiration!

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70. Thanks for the chance to win these beautiful scissors!

    One of the most amazing pieces I’ve seen was a Chinese koi fish pond scene done in silks. The stitches were so fine, that they didn’t even go through the back of the ground fabric.

    Happy Holidays!
    Karen

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71. I love any embroidery imbued with the needle workers heart and soul; a little girls first sampler from colonial times, Jacobean crewel work, T. Burr’s birds, a simple blanket stitch on a loved ones quilt. Warmest holiday wishes to all and cheers to the love of handicrafts

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72. Although it might not be the most beautiful to others, the most beautiful to me is a pillow case that my Grandmother McConahay made for me. It is (41 years later I still have it) to me the most beautiful because of the love that went into it. She not only inspired me to create items myself, but to give from my heart. Grandma passed away many years ago, but I have a gift that I will always cherish. Thank you Grandma, I love you.

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73. I’ve seen many really beautiful pieces of embroidery, but the one that stands out was in Beijing, China. It was a large picture of a Phoenix, done in gold and other metallics and silk. The stitching was perfect and glorious.

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74. Mary, those scissors are over the top! This will be a “blissfully fortunate winner” indeed, thanks to you and The French Needle.

    The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen. That’s a tall order. I’ve seen many impressive pieces, in all different categories. Some of the most beautiful were double-sided needle painting imported from Vietnam — seemed to float in the air. And many impressive pieces at the annual needlework exhibit at Woodlawn, Alexandria, VA. I think it was from the 2016 exhibit, one piece ‘hit me over the head’ for its scale, and perfection in execution — a large needlepointed rug (5′ x 8′, if not larger) in white, black, and charcoal in what I’ll describe as a Navajo pattern (I’m not an expert) was hanging on the wall — I almost missed it while looking at the ‘smalls’ in the cases in the center of the room. The stitches seemed to be perfectly even, the colors looked to be consistent, and the design was gorgeous in its simplicity. I imagine there were many, many hours of effort over a long span of time to create it.

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75. These scissors are exquisite!

    We toured the Melk Abbey in Melk Austria many years ago and they had rooms in their museum of hand embroidered vestments. The robes were breathtaking! There were some that were entirely covered with amazing needle work. The stitching was perfection and the designs jaw dropping. I just stood there with my mouth open. I could have spent hours just admiring.

    This link takes you to one of their web pages and there is a tiny picture of an embroidered robe and miter (? I’m not Catholic so please forgive me for not using the proper vestment names.) under Room 6 – look to the left corner. Incredible!
    http://www.stiftmelk.at/englisch/

    What a joy to be able to share this!

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76. The most beautiful piece I saw was The Tree of Life crazy patch completed in hand dyed velvet with lots of stitches and embellishments. It was a completed quilt from the piecemakers patterns.

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77. It was ecclesiastical embroidery. I had an opportunity to visit a local seminary and was shown old vestments in storage. The embroidery was beautiful.

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78. The most beautiful piece of needlework I ever saw was a Chinese double-sided piece at the High Museum in Atlanta, GA. The stitching was done so that an image was complete on both sides. The colors were amazing and the images were Oriental in design.

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79. The most beautiful needlework that leaves a lasting impression on me is the Plimouth Jacket at the Winterthur. Although I’ve not seen it in person (yet!), the recreation of this 1620s textile piece is a story in itself. If you have not checked it out, everyone, google Plimouth Jacket…it’s amazing!!!

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80. So many choices—But on one of my three trips to Paris, the Musée de Cluny had a small exhibition of ecclesiastical needlework. The one that blew me away was a Biblical scene rendered
    in or nué. I can’t recall exactly which scene it depicted. What I remember most vividly was the way the colors seemed to glow, thanks to the underlying gold threads. Someday, I hope to give it a try—on a smaller scale.

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81. The most beautiful stitched piece I’ve seen was a book created from charts that I believe were an Advent calendar. The scenes depicted were different bible verses, stitched over 1 as I recall, and bound like a small bible. It was stitched by a priest’s mother and I was fortunate enough to see it at a Stitchers Hideaway retreat last October. Truly exquisite.

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82. A few years ago I attended the Houston Quilt Show. One of the vendors had a display of several Chinese embroidered pieces. They were all on translucent silk and looked the same from both sides – the back of the embroidery was the same as the front. The pictures were all different, but the colors were exquisite, the detail was precise and the silk threads were about as fine as frog hair! I learned that this was from the Suzhou region of China and the technique is about 2000 years old. Absolutely stunning!

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83. I think some of the most beautiful work I’ve seen are the pictures on the Goldwork Guild’s Facebook page. There is a lady in Russia that takes printed Orthodox icons and embellishes them with goldwork and a variety of gems, pearls etc. and makes exquisite icons. I’ve never seen them personally but I would love to.

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84. A few years ago I was lucky enough to see Jan Messent’s Celtic, Viking and Anglo Saxon Embroidery exhibition and it has stayed with me ever since. I love anything Celtic and Jan had really caught the art of these amazing peoples. Each piece was a lixurious piece of art finished in gold thread. Just beautiful and really inspiring.

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85. Many years ago I was visiting the Smithsonian Institute and they were restoring, by hand, an American flag that had been on display. You were able to watch the technicians working on the restoration through large glass windows. I stood and watched with fascination how the work was being done and the care taken as they worked on this piece of history. I found it fascinating and still think if it often.

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86. I think that old Chinese embroideries are some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen. They combine the elements of fine textiles with Asian design. The
    exquisite scissors you are giving away are a close match in beauty! Thank you for this chance to win.

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87. I too collect antique needlework tools and have for years!!!! I LOVE beautiful scissors too and these are beautiful!!!!

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88. The most amazing embroidery I have seen is the Tapestry that the Embroiderers Guild of America stitched of the United States. Each region stitched a section of the map. These sections usually traveled around the area and were stitched by many of the members. It consists of four or five panels. This hangs in the National Headquarters in Louisville, KY.

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89. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen, and I am stretching the point here, is the 17th century beaded basket done by Rachael Kinnison for a contest. The composition is amazing.

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90. Any men or woman fashion in Eighteenth-Century France its impressive

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91. Oh, this one is easy to answer!

    The most beautiful embroidery work I have ever seen was one I marveled at as a child. A magnificent silk crazy quilt wmade of fine silk scraps, with soft and smooth silk velvet backing, embellished with the widest array of different embroidery sampler stitches along each seam done in tiny silk cording,and often the plain patches decorated. Decorated with charming silk appliques.

    It was stiched by my great aunt who raised my mother, an extraordinary woman who taught at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of ghe 20th, who toured Europe as a soloist with both major and smaller more intimate orchestras, who took a rail journey from Morroco to Egypt – alone – when younger…whose work was amazing regardless of medium.

    I never knew her, but my mother would bring out the small lap quilt when I was a child and sick in hed, and point to different scraps and tell me all about what dress it came from, or the names of many of the stitches.

    I was in awe, and knew even as a young child how special the work was….that I was touching the work of a beloved ancestor thst lived on long past her (she died of cancer in her 50s) and was a testamony of the beauty she could create from nothing otherwise special!

    I have admired these scissors for a long time, so wishing I might have a special pair. Oh, I hope I might be blessed enough to receive them! Thank you for the opportunity to have a chance!

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92. A piece of embroidery that my darling Mum made for me which she had framed. It’s such a beautiful reminder of her.

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93. The most impressive piece of needlework for me was an angel worked in Hardanger embroidery. It was part of a special exhibit at Winterthur at least 10 years ago. I was a fledgling stitcher (mostly cross stitch then) but that angel was so beautiful and delicate it inspired me to learn and practice Hardanger. I have done several pieces for gifts (still no angel, though) and will devote next year’s stitching to “me presents” in my stash. I would loooove to have gorgeous scissors to cut the threads for needleweaving!

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94. Hi Mary
    Thank you for the chance to win these beautiful scissors. I have two pieces of needlework that blew me away. One is the Overlord Embroidery in the D Day Museum in Portsmouth that I remember seeing new when I was in university there. The other is a tablecloth embroidered by a friend of the family where you can’t tell back from front without close inspection, and which was what finally inspired me to try embroidery for myself.
    I hope you have a lovely Christmas and thanks for all your tips and inspiration over the last year.
    Best wishes
    Laura

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95. The most impressive needlework I have ever seen was done by my Sister for my Mother. It was a needlepoint canvas of a cottage scene measuring approximately 3 feet x 5 feet. It truly was a labour of love taking over 2 years to complete. It hung in a place of honour in my Mother’s home and she never failed to point it put to visitors. My Sister is very talented and although I will never match her skill she always inspires me.
    Thanks for your blog Mary. Happy Christmas.

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96. Amazing works of art to help make amazing works of art! I love the theme.

    My favorite hand embroidery was seen on a friend’s Sari for her wedding. She and her grandmother worked on it for almost a year and it was exquisite. I have always told her she should frame the garment for a large, dramatic wall hanging. Happy holidays and thank you for sharing your beautiful works, tips and tricks. You’re a delight and one reason I’m happy the Internet exists!

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97. the most beautiful to me was a birth announcement my grandmother did for my son.

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98. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is still with me. I don’t know who was the original owner; probably my mother-in-law, but I can’t know for sure. I found it folded into a bag of old clothes from my grandma and my mother-in-law that would go to charity. It’s a little white cotton handkerchief, a very fine cotton batiste, almost a voile, embroidered in very light blue thread in tiny tiny stitches. I don’t know the names of all these stitches in English; in Portuguese, they are crivo, ponto cheio, bordado Richelieu. The wrong side is beautifully finished. The embroiderer was really an artist, and she/he had very good eyes (or used very strong lenses), because the stitches are very, very delicate and regular.

    98

99. Woud love a chance to win ,also enjoyed your blog very much since i am new to needlework.Merry Christmas ,Margie

    99

100. I saw an old ragged crazy quilt from the 1800s that started my passion for decorative needle art. I didn’t have the resources to buy it at the time but it lives with me in my handiwork

     100

101. I didn’t see in person, but I can never forget the “Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries, I think they are so impressive and I love that they have so much detail!

     101

102. The most beautiful embroidery work I have ever seen was at the Musée des Ursulines in Québec City. It’s difficult for me to describe the beauty of the pieces on display. No pictures were allowed, and I can’t recall specific pieces because there were so many breathtaking pieces. These nuns had amazing talent. Their use of colors and textures left a lasting impression on me. See some of their work here:
     https://www.museedesursulines.com/le-grand-art-de-la-broderie

     102

103. Oh my, so many beautiful pieces of artful needlework. I suppose in the end it would be a piece with sentimental attachment, my mother did a piece of hardanger with combination of bargello, special threads, lots of beautiful weaving, and I am the fortunate person who gets to look at it everyday and remember her sitting there in her stitching place working on this beautiful piece.

     Thank you all for the opportunity for such wonderful gifts!

     103

104. Too many to count and all of them inspiring!
     Perhaps a piece of gold and silk embroidery in opulent colors in the Maharaja of Jaipur’s Textile collection…. still working towards identifying and understanding the techniques used in that piece.

     104

105. Back in the 1980’s I went to an embroidery party where they were selling all different kinds of kits for u to embroider. I debated over one kit that was kinda pricey but decided to purchase anyway. It was a Christmas winter scene that was 36 x 24. It had decorated houses, children making snowman, skating, n just playing in the snow. It was awesome. I finished it in only 8 years! Lol. After several moves I have misplaced it n am so sad. It was beautiful.

     105

106. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is by a friend of my mother’s! She has traveled all over the world and studied – spending several years in Japan (as one example). The gold work was so beautiful, and her stitches are exquisite! She did a mini show where she and my mother live, and seeing her work has truly inspired me to work harder to learn more!

     Winning these beautiful scissors would be such a wonderful honor!! They are soooo pretty!

     Thank you, Ms. Corbet, for helping me grow in my embroidery knowledge and skills. I am so glad I found you, and I look forward to getting your emails!! I love your videos and have learned so much! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and expertise! Merry Christmas!

     106

107. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is the EGA National Tapestry (USA).
     It is a 5 panel tapestry detailing the flora and fauna and landscapes of the USA.
     It shows many different and beautifully executed techniques.

     Thank you for the chance for this very generous giveaway

     107

108. The most fabulous piece of needlework that I have seen, I think would have to be this child sampler from the 1700 or 1800’s. It was a drawn thread sampler, and it was only shown in a private viewing, which I was privileged to be invited to. The stitches were so precise and tiny. It was hard to believe anyone stitched it, let a lone a child. I believe she was 12 years old. It was incredible and the group of us studied it for quite a while that evening.

     The scissors are fabulous, I would absolutely love to win them. You are very generous with your gift giving. I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and most Happy New Year.

     108

109. I went to look at these scissors when you mentioned them yesterday and I am totally agog at their style and delicacy.
     They are almost too beautiful to be believed.
     I have always loved the tapestries and embroideries at the Cloisters in New York City. One of my first crewel kits was “the unicorn in captivity”- at the time I didn’t realize the meaning of it and am vaguely aghast at the story. But they are truly beautiful.
     I also love the tapestry at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal, NS. The entire town worked on this piece, and it describes the history of the Fort. Queen Elizabeth has sewn part of it – of course in gold embroidery. I love it for its design, it’s history, and the story of its creation.

     109

110. The most beautiful pieces of embroidery I have seen are without a doubt the flowers and birds embroidered by Trish Burr. I have attempted to make a few but it will take me a lifetime before I can be satisfied with my work. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Mary and to all our embroidery fans.

     110

111. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have seen made by the French Nuns during the war.

     111

112. I saw The Hunt of the Unicorn at The Cloisters in New York. These tapestries are magnificent. They were recreated and I saw the work on one tapestry being done at Stirling Castle sometime in the early 2000’s. Watching them recreate the original was fun.

     112

113. A large rose stitched onto the back of a work shirt back in the late 70’s. It was the size of a bread plate and was worked in shades of red and the stitches has all been worked in the direction of each petal separately, so it looked more like a needle painting than anything else. When I asked the fellow about it he said that his late girlfriend had worked it for him. It was really too pretty to be on clothing.

     113

114. The most beautiful pieces of needlework that I have ever seen are the caskets that Tricia has taken some of us to see. I cannot pick out my favorite. They are all beautiful and so much fun to explore. Thanks for the giveaway!! Merry Christmas

     114

115. Mary,
     What beautiful scissors.
     Such a difficult question to answer as I have seen many beautiful pieces. I think my answer would be this: a few years ago a friend asked me to look over a chest of linens left to her by her Mother-in-law, who at one time lived next to a convent of French nuns.
     To raise money for their charitable work, the nuns embroidered linens and sold them. My friend’s relative took pity on the nuns and bought quite a few of their pieces.
     Well, no pity necessary! Most of the work was gorgeous, but I kept coming upon pieces that were extraordinary in their delicacy and beauty. It was apparent that these pieces were all stitched by the same nun. And what a treat to behold them!
     Merry Christmas, Mary
     Floss

     115

116. The embroidery that I could not stop looking at, and thinking of, with such admiration is on the costumes from Game of Thrones.

     116

117. Those are simply the most beautiful pair of scissors that i have ever seen!

     117

118. I think the most beautiful piece of needlework that I have ever seen was when I had the privilege to go to National Quilt Week in Paducah, KY with my sister in 2016. The Best of Show winner was Marilyn Badger. The hand worked detail in her quilt was absolutely amazing. I spent the week spell bound as I wandered through the quilts displayed. I never realized that some quilts had so much hand work in them. It inspired me to get back into embroidery (but not on quilts!).

     118

119. The Victoria and Albert Museum have beautiful pieces of embroidery!
     One of my favorite pieces is a gown – I also have a postcard of it – the flowers on the front panel are beautiful.

     119

120. I think the scissor box is beautiful.
     As are the scissor

     120

121. Without a doubt, The Forest, designed by William Morris is the work I think of when I think “most beautiful.” The “forest” so green and inviting, is home to the fox and rabbit, the peacock and the raven, and strangely, the mighty lion. I am sure the image is full of secondary meanings, like “living peacefully” among us all, but I just look at the scene as Beautiful.

     121

122. Dear Mary, are you like me and have drooled over pictures of these scissors for years? Imagine, having them in your hands. I might end up clipping everything in sight! Watch out! Seriously, they are amazing … what craftsmanship. Enough blabbering … getting to the question. And answer … At a special exhibit at the musee des beaux arts in Quebec City years ago, there was a dress made by Christian Dior with hand embroidery and sequins. It was amazing. I forget how many woman-hours went into its construction but it was A LOT! In addition to its spectacular-ness, I was also struck by the quality of the work … it was not perfect. There were spots where threads showed and where sequins were a bit wonky. And, you know … it did not really matter. The overall effect was not compromised at all. I think there is a lesson there.

     And a reminder to wear our embroidery whenever possible!

     Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a healthy 2018!

     122

123. When shopping with my daughter for her wedding gown, we saw a hand embroidered gown. It took my breath away. The intricate design of the flowers and all in white, was stunning. The work covered every bit of the bodice and much of the skirt. I couldn’t believe that someone could do that in a lifetime, nevermind for a living. The image of that gown will be in my memory as long as I live.

     123

124. Mary:
     Oh, such exquisite scissors! The most beautiful piece of embroidery I saw was an embroidered stole, made to match a no longer existent chasuble in a small church in Northern Michigan. It was hand embroidered with motifs to fit the area for Autumn, with leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc. It was beautifully done and well suited to that area.
     Jan

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125. The most memorable piece of needlework i have ever seen was created by my daughter when she was shut 5 years old.
     It was a tangled mess of brightly colored thread with crooked running stitches and lopsided cross stitches, but she had created it all on her own. The joy in her face when she showed it to me is what I remember most. Since that day she has gone on to earn a degree in textile design and now teaches quilting and sewing classes.

     125

126. Wow those scissors are beautiful. As a surgical nurse I appreciate beautifully made tools. I would love to own another pair of lovely scissors. It is hard to choose only one great piece of needlework. The Bayeaux Tapestry is beautiful and tells a part of French-English history. But the tapestries at Versailles are also exquisite. Especially when I consider the stitchers did not have the choices of threads, needles and other tools we have.

     126

127. Please pick me!!! I love scissors! I also like all the sewing “toys”. Please please please!
     Merry Christmas to you and yours

     127

128. Such beautifully crafted scissors! I’d love a chance to win.

     Have thoroughly enjoyed your blog this year!

     128

129. 30+ years ago, I recall seeing a framed embroidered piece in my husband’s aunt’s old ranch house. The embroidered scene was a cottage with a profusion of flowers growing around it. I wanted to stop and study the piece. Actually I wanted to walk into the scene and smell the flowers! More recently I have had the pleasure of seeing similar embroidered scenes of cottages done in crazy quilted style by Gerry Krueger. One year she did one per month, and each one was a treasure.

     129

130. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a tapestry of the coronation of the Virgin Mary in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. It was from the front of an altar piece in a church. I looked at it in amazement and wondered how many hours it took to do this piece. The stitching was so beautiful and fine that it looked like a painting. It amazed me that something so old (dated 1336) could survive that long. Every fold in Mary’s gown was an exquisite flow of beautiful colorful threads, including silver and gold threads. Stunning!

     130

131. The most beautiful piece of needlework I recall is from my early elementary school years. My mom used to do free hand embroidery, mostly pillow cases. She drew the designs by hand and then filled them in with a variety of stitches. She did one with kittens and flowers, and so my love for kittens and flowers started early. My love for needlework didn’t start until I was in my early 20’s.

     131

132. The most beautiful piece of needlework I ever saw was an Elizabethan angel done in counted thread. She was done in shades of rich burgundy and emerald greens. Gold threads and beads worked their way throughout her dress. The wings shimmered with iridescent colors. This angel was a true work of art showcasing the skills of its designer and stitcher.

     132

133. I have a hard time choosing the most beautiful…. I am so attracted to colors and textures… it’s all a wonderland. I think this year, there was a piece of embroidery on black cloth, that had beautiful flowers, a bejeweled dragonfly, and a silvery spider web. The bright colors of the flowers and insect, and the delicate web were amazing when contrasted against the black. Helps add inspiration to my creative juices.

     133

134. I absolutely love these scissors. They remind me of the time I went into an embroidery store. The saleswoman brought out a project she had made. Knowing that I am a knitter she brought out a meadow scene with sheep! The sheep were done in a French knot. Some of the knots looked like they had fur too. The work was so intricate that I could not believe how real it looked. I could not take my eyes off all the beautiful stitches. Her work inspired me to learn how to embroider.

     134

135. I have a handkerchief made in Swatow china. It still has the pencil lines visible as the guide to stitching it. The design is small and delicate and perfectly embroidered.

     135

136. This is probably a cop-out because it’s more than one piece of embroidery as it is everything you can see in the cases at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The work, in all techniques, is spectacular as is the spinning and then weaving of the ground fabrics.

     136

137. The most beautiful works of art I have had the pleasure to see are at the Cloisters in New York City. Those tapestries are magnificent.

     137

138. Hands down the most wonderful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen and the most memorable is a Chinese embroidery of a tiger that was on display at the National Geographic Museum in DC just about the time that the US and Chna opened relations. Seems like I was still in college so maybe 1971. The ground fabric was almost invisible–so not quilte like a windowpane but not frosty looking either. Both sides were perfect, which was obvious to everyone who saw it as the piece was framed so both sides were visible. ? I don’t remember how they displayed it–in a case, on a stand, suspended or how.

     Sine, I’ve occasionally tried to find how it was done, and possibly learn to do this fabuoous type of embroidery myself, to no avail. I’ve never seen a photo of the piece in a book. Don’t know if it went back to China or staed with Nat’l Geog, or some other home. But wow. That tiger was alive! And the 2-sided embroidery was masterful, beautiful. And memorable beyond words, Mine here do not do it justice. But I am glad to have the opportunity to share the memory of it with anyone who hasn’t seen it, or that type of embroidery. Or that same tiger.

     138

     1. The type of embroidery you fell in love with is Suzhou embroidery from China. There are some Chinese embroidery books out there that focus on that type of work, but here’s an article to get your started:

     2. Not sure how to write to Kat M so I hope this reaches you! A great big thank you for identifying what I should look for–and sending an article! I’ve spent time in a few libraries looking without success but now that I have a good search term, I will take a trip to the Library of Congress and see what they have. Thank yo!

139. I’ve seen so much beautiful embroidery that inspires and touches me, but the floral pieces by my grandmother (currently hanging above my bed) rise to the top. She is suffering from Alzheimer’s now so they remind me of the artistic, patient, lovely person she was, impress me because of how well-done they are, and inspire me because she’s a person I actually know – so if she can do it, I can!

     139

140. I was traveling in Norway when I came upon a small artist colony in Moss….about an hour south of Oslo. It was there that I saw a hardanger piece that took my breath away. I vowed that I would learn how to do that kind of stitchery. I did make a few pieces ….one for my mom and one for my mother-in-law. But I have since kept trying all sorts of stitchery, not just hardanger. I love blackwork, cross stitch.

     140

141. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much opportunity to travel to see many needlework exhibits in person. The one that I was able to view & was most impressive & memorable was the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry. Thanks to this blog, I learned that the exhibit was coming to a small town near where I live last year & I was able to go visit it. The number, variety, & workmanship of all those panels was incredible!
     I am so excited to have a chance to win a pair of M. Roulot scissors. I have a friend who received a pair recently that I saw, & they truly are exquisite! Thanks to Mary & the French Needle for such a wonderful blog & opportunity.
     Julie

     141

142. Love miniatures. This scissors is beautiful. That would be a most grateful addition to my scissors collection. Thank you Mary for all you stitching advise. It is helpful to actually see the way a stitch should be formed. I have followed you for years.

     142

143. The flour sack kitchen towels that my mother and grandmother made and enhanced with embroidery in the 1940s and 50s(still in use to cover my bread loaves while rising).

     143

144. Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel! Wishes for a happy healthy new year!

     144

145. Merry Christmas Mary
     In answer to your question it was an easy one for me, my nanny was an incredible seamstress she would stitch wee roses and vines on all of my Peter Pan collars. There was never a day when someone would not say how beautiful my blouses were. I was at a private school whereby we all wore uniforms those little loved stitches always connected me to home. Ohhhh and every blouse had different Color roses. I had one for every school day – blue, pink, yellow, red and lilac.
     The scissors would be such an heirloom for anyone who loves embroidery. Blessings ms Claudette

     145

146. Difficult…I think it was a nativity scene done with cottons and metallics and it was stitched over 7 panels. The angels were particularly lovely.

     146

147. Although there are many to choose from, I think my most memorable is the five piece banner created by the members of the EGA showing America in embroidery. It’s one display at EGA HQ.

     147

148. Hi Mary,

     O … M … G …! I have been drooling over the scissors offered by the French Needle for EVER!! Oh, how I would love to own a pair.

     Anyway, the most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen is a piece of “Society Silk” made by my Great Grandmother. I’ve never seen anything like it since, and certainly remember it because it came to me through her daughter (my Grandmother). I treasure it and will give it to my daughter.

     148

149. Oh, I love scissors. I like just looking at them. Although, I love using them as well. My favorite piece was my first crewel piece. It was an Asian scene for my mother who loved all things Asian. It turned out just perfect. My boss at that time asked if he could buy it. My mother has died and I am now the owner of this piece. As soon as I get it cleaned I’ll be finding the perfect place for it.

     149

150. As you said, this one is difficult to answer. Joining Embroidery Guild of America, exposed so many talented artists. Probably the most outstanding piece was a cross stitch. The artist finds pictures he likes, gets permission to copy it, has a pattern made of it, and tweeks the pattern to suit his tastes. He works on his pieces for about eight hours a day. The ones I’ve seen are about 18 x 20. They are done 1 thread over 1 thread on a high thread count linen and take about four or five years to complete. His last piece was entered in the Western Washington State Fair about two years ago. It was surrounded by ribbons. Wish I had a picture of it to attach.

     150

151. I am a beginning stitcher. I have purchased table cloths to stitch for my daughters, a friend and one for myself. It is a bit daunting to me. I am collecting tools and yarn to stitch the gifts for next Christmas. I love these scissors and it would greatly add to all the things to begin stitching.

     151

152. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen must be the amazing embroideries visible on the costumes of the series “Game of Thrones”. However, when I was young I would find art work on record albums and interpreate them in embroidery on our clothing. Those days allowed my creativity and love of needlework to flourish.

     152

153. The most beautiful embroidery piece I’ve seen was metalwork done in silver and showcased in Inspirations magazine a number of years ago. It inspired me to try my hand at metalwork someday and my first project is in the planning stages now.

     153

154. Back in the good old days when the V&A in London had their impressive sampler collection on display and available to all to view and photograph (!), I got to see many gorgeous pieces. It’s hard to pick just one: but a piece I particularly love is a stunning 18thC English whitework band sampler – it turned me onto this style of embroidery and became my favourite needlework technique.

     154

155. The scissors in today’s giveaway are truly heirloom quality. They will be handed down from generation to generation of needleworkers. It would be a honor to have them in my needle basket.

     155

156. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen is one completed by me when I was a young child. It’s simple embroidery of a giraffe. My grandmother sat in her rocking chair and I sat in mine and she patiently taught me how to do every stitch. And how to undo many stitches too.

     156

157. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was the Dorcas Haynes sampler done in the original colors next to one stitched in the faded colors. So impressed me that I have started it.

     157

158. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is in Colonial Williamsburg. The beauty for me lies in a couple reasons, first it is so very old, the oldest I have seen in person, and the fact that is is round. It has a precognition quality to it as well. The piece is done in fine quality long and short stitches, named The Emblem of America. It has a woman dressed Grecian, nearly light the Lady Liberty. Amazing. It has native American Indians and other special items like a family tree in cameos alongside. It is just amazing. Thank you for this opportunity to TRY to win those scissors. They would go into my embroidery cabinet to show off and probably really be used. Kathi M

     158

159. Gosh, this is a difficult question to answer. Over the years, I have seen numerous pieces of needlework from quilt shows and pieces that some of my students have accomplished. I think the most memorable piece was from Scotland at Hollyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The tapestries there are amazing. When standing in front of them, the eyes on the people seem to follow you when you move, and to think they were made hundreds of years ago and they are still in amazing shape. Thank you for this wonderful challenge!

     159

160. The prettiest piece of needlework I have ever seen was an antique crazy quilt that I saw as a young girl. The quilt itself was made of fancy fabrics – velvets and silks. The embroidery was amazing – each small patch was outlined and there was free hand embroidered motifs on almost every square inch of the quilt. I do wish I had a picture of that amazing treasure. It definitely inspired my passion for embroidery and quilts.

     When I retire, I plan to devote full time to all the projects I have been accumulating over the years 🙂

     160

161. It is very simple but beautiful. It is tablecloth stitched by an Italian relative with lots of cut work. I recall my Nonnie using it on special occasions. I would sit at the table as a young girl fascinated by the stitches holding the edges together. No colors, just white on white.

     161

162. Oh my that is a tough one. At this point in my life I will go Sue Spargo and a lot of Mary’s works. I have been to a lot of museums and seen a lot of work but this is what I am most aware of at this point in my life.

     162

163. The most memorable piece I’ve seen is a sampler from 1830. According to description attached to it, a young girl of only 11 years old had stitched this piece. It left me wondering how girls so young stitched so beautifully and perfectly without patterns to guide them. It has inspired me to stitch as perfectly as I can…even if I do need to be guided by a pattern 🙂

     163

164. About 60 years ago, I saw this beautiful antique white embroidered quilt at a textile exhibition. While I was admiring the quilt, a woman told me I should join EGA where I could learn how to stitch it. I joined EGA and never stitched the quilt, but I have enjoyed the knowledge and friendships I have gained thru the years. I still remember the lovely embroidery on that quilt.

     164

165. I was around 15 years old and helping an aunt who did estate sales. We opened a trunk and there were some amazing linens in it. I fell in love with a set of pillowcases with cut work, exquisite monograms, and antique lace like nothing I’ve seen to this day. I wanted them so bad but the family was keeping them. I was told they were made by a relative who was a nun. They are burned in my brain forever and I started stitching a lot more seriously after seeing the linens in that estate.

     165

166. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen are all on-line. The one I really want to stitch is Kay Montclare’s Moroccan sampler.

     166

167. Thank you for the giveaway. The scissors are beautiful. My most beautiful embroidery is the Mary Edlin casket stumpwork casket in the Victoria & Albert Museum.

     167

168. My aunt cross-stitched a gorgeous Christmas ornament for me that still hangs in prominent glory on my tree every year. It has multiple complex stitches I don’t even know the name of in rich jewel tones of metallic garnet, sapphire, emerald, ivory and gold. It’s beautiful for its craftsmanship and the love she included in every stitch.

     168

169. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was at a museum in London. It was a clerical tapestry dating from the 17th century and I could just see the ladies skillfully and lovingly plying their skills. A beautiful treasure.

     169

170. I find all of Trish Burr’s work breath-taking. One of her “colored” white work pieces (the cat) still sticks in my mind.

     170

171. I always enjoy Mary’s posts! And, my most memorable impression was being able to take a thread painting class with Susan O’Connor through SAGA last Fall.

     171

172. I was stunned by the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy. To see the extensive work of unknown female embroiderers from the Middle Ages, commenting on the great invasion of England (1066) took my breath away. The work goes on and on, and the embroidered detail is like reading a picture book from the past.

     172

173. About 20 years ago I was in DC for work and had part of a day free to visit museums. As I was leaving one, I asked a staff person to suggest where I should go next. They steered me to a fiber exhibit where I saw very old and absolutely beautiful items. I got as close as I could to see the detailed and colorful embroidery on clothing from the Middle East. Some was from people of great wealth on little worn items and some was more modest and showed some wear. People of all economic means and all over the world find ways to add beauty to their lives, including the tools. A toss up is the pillowcase my grandmother embellished with an edging of flowers. I no longer use it but when I look at it I remember her hands showing me and her voice telling me how to make the stitches.

     173

174. Thank you for an opportunity to own such an incredible pair of scissors.

     174

175. The embroidery that impressed me is small but I love it. It was found at a resale shop for an unbelievable price of $0.49, yes 49 cents, it is dimensional pansies in a shadowbox frame. Beautiful handwork, I just couldn’t believe my eyes, knowing how much time it takes to make such a pretty piece. It sits on my curio cabinet for all to see. The scissors are so fragile looking, just gorgeous. I know it is not the most impressive piece that is out there but to me it’s priceless. Thank you for the chance to win.

     175

176. The Bayeux Tapestry must be the most impressive piece ever made. Although I have never seen it with my own eyes, a friend did and brought back a full size picture of the original. No other work I know of has such meaning for recounting history, literature inspiration, and needlework elegance. I have studied pictures of it for years. Would love to win a trip to Bayeux, France to see it in person.

     176

177. The Bayeux Tapestry is my most memorable and beautiful piece of needlework.

     177

178. I cannot remember the most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen becaus I have seen so many. 4 years ago when I first visited the exhibition of the Lakeshore Creative Stitchery Guild and saw Nancy Tozer Japanese lady done in Japanese embroidery I was fascinated and voted for it as best in show and decided to join the guild.
     Last year, when visiting Romania, in the city of Sibiu, I had the chance to visit an embroidery exhibition. And there where very old pieces of traditional Romanian embroidery dating from centuries ago. Those very well done and well preserved pieces impressed me.
     I try, when I travel, to see traditional embroidery from the country I visit. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to find it.

     178

179. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was in a Greek Orthodox
     Church commemorating Christ lying in the tomb. Perfect in every way, even to the
     tiniest last gold stitch.

     179

180. The most beautiful and memorable work of embroidery was a quilt my Aunt Gloria made, it was totally embroidered in redwork and I just loved it as a small child and wanted to make one of my own! Just the memory of my Aunt and being by her side and she stitched gives me the most warm, wonderful feeling….

     180

181. A number of years ago, I was walking through an embroidery guild market and stumbled upon the “French Needle” I fell in love with a lovely pin cushion which I thought my grandchildren would love to see in my sewing room, a squirrel on top of a two tone green round ball, pin cushion. I purchased it and they do indeed come in to visit La Petite Squirrel . I then moved on to some other beautiful French Needle items, least of which were the breath taking M Jean-Marie Roulot scissors! I quickly found my girlfriend who even more quickly purchased a pair of these exquisit scissors! My mistake was in not purchasing a pair for myself!
     I should very much like to have a pair Roulot scissors as they are art in themselves and I am grateful to even beable to see them. Thank you for this opportunity. erna g.fuchel- fenchel

     181

182. Mary, thank you and the companies for their wonderful gifts.

     As for the piece of needlework that most impressed me is, and I’m not trying to brown nose you Mary, but it’s your Secret Garden Hummingbirds project. While I love the colors you used, it’s where you got our inspiration from – a coloring book! And of course – why not! Inspiration can come from anywhere. As someone who does machine embroidery in addition to hand work, I could see me going either direction with something like that piece. And the colors – maybe that is why I was inspired so many years ago to start learning this craft. I still play with the colors, even on the machine.

     182

183. For me, it was a Stumpwork piece of Noah’s ark and all the animals that I viewed at the Holcolm museum in Bath, UK. The three-dimensional elephants and lions were special.
     I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas.

     183

184. My most memorable piece of embroidery is the Bayeau Tapestry. I am in awe of the work that it entailed and the enormity of it. Winning these scissors, which are a work of art themselves, would make me feel like a princess!

     184

185. Happy Friday before Christmas to you as well! No one can ever have enough pairs of scissors, and, I, for one would love to win these!

     185

186. One of the most beautiful needlework pieces that left an impression on me was a sampler my Grandma was working on in the last month of her life. This was in 1967. I was lucky enough to live just a few doors away from her. She was an accomplished seamstress, never needing a pattern. She loved creating with thread and fabric. She taught me how to use needle and thread and the joy and peace that goes along with it.
     I’m not sure where that sampler is today but, I have a vivid image of her stitching as her heart grew weaker. How wonderful she could enjoy her passion to the end.

     186

187. Another beautiful prize give-away! At a local exhibition two years ago I saw a stitched piece on display that was done at a workshop put on by Hazel Blomcamp. I had never seen anything like it – all of the beading and stitching done together on one piece. I decided to join the Needlearts guild to learn more about this technique and have been a member for two years now.

     187

188. Hi Mary, I have always loved the scissors by M Roulot! Oh my how lovely it would be to have my own!
     I have to the most beautiful stitching was the gold work done by the 19 year old girl that took over for someone else to complete a church piece. You taught her the basics and she did a superb job! That story has always stayed with me.
     Thank you
     Margaret Bouwmeester

     188

189. The piece of embroidery that impressed me the most was the Quilt of Belonging. It is made up of 263 blocks and measures 120 feet long. The blocks were stitched by Canada’s First Nation peoples and every nation in the world as of 2000.

     189

190. The most amazing piece I saw was in a tiny Chinese fishing village near Shanghai. It is about 500 years old and had been made by a wife during her husband’s fishing expeditions. It is circular on a black background, with a pair of fish in the centre, with flowers and butterflies around, and the most amazing colours and incredible stitching. It is not like usual Chinese work, so it remains a photo I look at and enjoy. (Let me know if you would like a look and I will send you a copy!)

     I have to mention one other – in Suzhou – where on one piece of silk there was a Persian cat, bout 5 inches in diameter and on the opposite side a Pekinese. It was one piece of almost transparent fabric and I have no idea how they did it. I wasn’t allowed to photograph it, and when I asked how it was done, they only giggled and told me it was a trade secret!

     Thanks for the competition fun, and hope you have a wonderful holiday!

     190

     1. I would love to see a copy!

191. years ago I worked as a voluntary sacristan at my Church. A chasuble was donated to the church by a woman who had been a long time communicant at the Church. The work in that vestment was incomparable. An incredibly intricately designed chalice was done in silk and gold work and was surrounded by gold work wheat sheaves and silk embroidered grapes. The colors were amazing. Every time I looked at that vestment, I saw another detailed I had not noticed before. I can’t imagine how long it must have taken to create it.

     191

192. The most memorable pieces of embroidery I have seen are the caskets created by schoolgirls several centuries ago. The details and imagination are astonishing and the caskets themselves with all the secret drawers are fascinating!

     192

193. These scissors are truly lovely. Happy stitching to all!

     193

194. The most beautiful embroidery I have experienced lately, was the collection of trees, recently profiled on your website, Truly, artistry and technique mixed.

     194

195. I love using beautiful sewing tools! They are a work of art in themselves and give me delight that I am able to use them. There is no one piece of embroidery that I can zero in on. I have seen so many different pieces that have been awe inspiring both in their beauty and in the creativity of the people who have created them! Whatever I have seen last that has been creative and beautiful is my favorite of the moment. There is so much out in the world, in so many different needlework mediums, how can I pick just one?

     195

196. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen is a crewel purse that my great aunt made when I was a child. The colors were so vivid, and the floral stitchery seemed to be done to perfection. She was such a master of needlework, and taught me all that I know today. I was delighted when, as an adult, I was able to visit her in England and take some of my needlework to show her. It was a joyous moment for me, but I believe for her, too, in seeing the legacy that she was leaving. A legacy I hope to pass on to my three granddaughters as well.

     196

197. Absolutely stunning scissors. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is anything done by my Mother, now in her 80’s. I have 2 small stockings stitched by her in the 1980’s for my first 2 children – one needlepoint, one cross stitch. She is still stitching away and I would love to gift these to her. (I hope she’s not reading these comments, I introduced her to you last summer) Justine H.

     197

198. The most impressive cross stitch that I have ever seen was an Ink Circles pattern that was converted to a birth sampler and stitched all in beads. Beautiful. I was gifted the pattern this Christmas and hope to start it soon for my two month old daughter. Just cross stitched, though, beading would overwhelm me.
     Sandy in VA

     198

199. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It was 1987 and I was living in Great Britain. I was a young mother and had a rare afternoon to myself. I went to the V&A and spent the afternoon in the textile studies room. It had cabinets filled with horizontal glass panels that you could slide out to see beautiful examples of embroidery and lace. It was truly heaven to have quiet time to appreciate all that beautiful work. I remember sketching some of the designs and thinking of the many hours that had been spent by generations before ours creating these beautiful treasures. A magical afternoon with the most inspiring embroidery!

     199

200. I saw a small piece of silk shading embroidery done by Tracy Franklin. It was of a Labrador dog and for me it was so lifelike and I fell in love with it. That sparked my interest to start embroidery with the Royal School of Needlework and learn as much as I could. I have never forgotten that piece.

     200

201. I have long admired M. Roulot’s exquisite craftsmanship and artistry. His work manages to combine beauty and function in a perfect union.
     As for the most beautiful piece of needlework that I have ever seen, it was in a museum in an exhibition of Japanese needlework. The colours were so lovely and the workmanship so extraordinarily and artistically fine that I have often thought of it over the years.
     My arrière-grand-mère used to do the most beautiful Appenzell or certainly Appenzeel style embroidery. Unfortunately I do not have any of her Appenzell pieces but I remember her doing the tiniest and most even stitches on a train when I was young and marveling over it. I think that is when my love of stitching began. I too, wanted to create such beauty. I adore stitching and cannot go a day without it (like chocolate), but I have never come close to the skill that she had. I think few these days do.

     Thank you very much for the chance to enter this drawing and also for having such a wonderful website.

     201

202. I would love to win these lovely scissors!

     202

203. The most memorable Needlework I’ve seen was not my Grandmother ‘s quilts as a young girl, or my friends Mother ‘s embroidery but the tapestries hanging in castles when we visited Ireland. I was stunned and amazed at the size. When I tackle a ‘large’ project I am humbled that I gave really only scratched the surface of the talent that lies within.

     203

204. The most impressive needlework I saw was a model stitch of Chatelaine’s Egypt. It inspired me to try some of her mandalas, and I love them.

     204

205. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was stitched by my uncle after his retirement as a career Army Chaplin. He served in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He saved lives in Vietnam during a battle and earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He cross stitched Isaiah 40:31.

     205

206. My grandmother brought from her home village in Croatia an old beautiful traditional holiday outfit that had embroidered flowers on the full length apron, around the skirt bottom, jacket front and little bum holder. The work was nearly as beautiful on the back and the front. I marveled at its intricate design. I wore the apron over a dress I made for my wedding which was held in an outdoor flower garden in 1972. I still have that original outfit.

     206

207. Oh my I haven’t been to museums much but did see Ann Wragg in the Charleston museum and loved it immediately! It is a long Sampler and very beautiful. Seeing an antique is so inspiring just knowing it was stitched with hands from the past!

     Merry Christmas!

     207

208. One of the most beautiful stitched pieces I remember was of my Mother in Laws cat. She had a favorite photo of her transferred to fabric and then embroidered it. My “Mom” is no longer with us and neither is her beloved Tish but I’ll never forget how happy that piece made her in her last days.

     208

209. The most beautiful piece is so hard to decide. We have an auction company, and see some beautiful works, but the best is probably a tapestry a friend gave my mother that his mother has made in Iran. It’s enormous, about 4’x4’, and paisley embroidered with just French knots. It is all wool, and exquisite.

     209

210. I work for an estate sale company and often see wonderful needlework pieces from long ago. Sometimes I purchase them because they are so beautiful. The one I like the most is done as a square tablecloth with embroidered cutwork around the edges. I get to see it everyday as it hangs on the door of my craft room.

     210

211. I visited England several years ago and went to see Princess Diana’s wedding dress. It was bejeweled with antique lace in the bodice, hand embroidery, sequins and many thousands of pearls. It brought joy to me to see it as I had read that she really loved this dress. It was also very sad to know that her life was cut short. Her wedding dress truly exemplified her inner beauty.

     211

212. The most intriguing piece I have ever seen is an 18th century white silk waistcoat, fully pre-embroidered, complete to the buttons, but never cut. It is property of the Museum Rotterdam in the Netherlands. What intrigues me so is: why would you put so much work and material in such a piece if it is never used?

     212

213. The most memorable needlework I ever saw was a casket done in silk on linen with every panel and the interior done as well. It was from the reign of Charles the first and featured heraldic animals on an estate with what was thought to be members of the family awaiting a royal visit. The colors were still vibrant and the box had been carefully handled so it was almost like new.

     213

214. While volunteering in the textile department of the Charleston museum under the curator, Jan Hiester, I was able to see the most beautiful sampler! It was stitched by an eight year old in 1698. The stitches were so fine and well constructed. You should see how careful the back was! Not a knot or jump stitch to be found! Due to its fragile state, it cannot be displayed to the general public. But I not only got to see it, I got to touch it and study it! Jan has a book on the samplers of the museum if you care to see it.
     If you ever travel to Charleston, please stop by the museum. The whole history of Charleston is there in such beautiful display. AND it’s America’s oldest museum!

     Merry Christmas!!
     Barabal D.

     214

215. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen at the moment was probably the wonderful quilt, The Holy Roman Empire Intarsia quilt, from the exhibit War and Pieced at the American Folk Art Museum. It was made from pieces of military uniforms, by a man. The whole exhibit was amazing and beautiful, but that one — wow. Thanks for your wonderful giveaway. I’ve drooled over M. Roulet’s scissors for years!

     215

216. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen is a reproduction of the Bayeaux Tapestry which was created by a gentleman who worked the project as a means of dealing with the loss of his child. It was on display at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. It was so touching to see this beautiful recreation and know the reason behind it.

     216

217. It is very difficult to choose a single piece of embroidery. Perhaps one of the most outstanding was a blue and gold embroidered Quing dynasty Chinese robe with dragons at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

     217

218. Those are beautiful scissors!

     The most impressive needlework I’ve seen in person was the traveling exhibit from national EGA of the USA —
     several years ago. Could have looked at it forever.

     Martha Bryan

     218

219. The most beautiful stitchwork I’ve ever seen is the Bayeux tapestry. I’ve only ever seen it in a book. Someday, I hope to see the actual thing!

     219

220. A friend has two pictures in her living room of two old people of Asian origin. On the little old man you can see
     each whisker and streak of gray in his hair. Even the coloring is rather sallow and he has a “rag” arrangement on his head. He reminds me of a wonderful photograph. The little old ladies hair is whispie, thin, and streaked with gray and up in a little topknot. She is quite wrinkled and is of the same sallow pallor as the man. From a distance these two pictures are so perfect that they look like photographs. “Every time I visit, I have to go iinto the living room and gaze at these magnificent pictures. It is a constant reminder that in stitching as in life, less can be so much better.

     Tanis

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221. Several years ago I read an article in a needlework magazine about the collection of Embroidery from Mexico. This museum was in San Antonio, Texas. I was intrigued and told my husband about it and off we went. I made arrangements with the curator of the museum and for a small donation I was able to see, touch, and photograph the pieces. It was absolutely amazing. That was the only time I’ve ever done that. The piece of Embroidery that keeps coming back to me is the intricate beaded embroidery sampler. This piece of embroidery had several different motifs all beaded with the tiniest beads I have ever seen. It was beautiful, and colorful with amazing detail in the designs. That is the piece of embroidery that I recall time after time. I’ll never for that particular piece of artwork nor the trip.

     221

222. While touring in China, we were taken to a silk factory which was fascinating in itself, but I looked through a side door, across an alley and saw a gallery of amazing silk embroideries – some as large as 3-4 feet big! One was of a path going into the woods and was so realistic, you felt you could walk right into the trees. There were dozens of the most glorious silk embroideries I have ever seen.

     222

223. It is impossible for me to pick just one. I have seen so many beautiful examples of needlework on the internet that inspires me to try and do embroidery. I love them all from Luzine Happel, to Trish Burr, to Tanja Berlin and even you Mary. The many styles and colors, the textures, the depths… all of it an inspiration. An now a pair of exquisite scissors to match the beauty of the work. Thank you for your website and a very Merry Christmas to you. = )

     223

224. I’m a big fan of monograms and love the monogramming done by Elisabetta Ricami a mano. Her work is so beautiful and elegant.

     224

225. I saw the tapestry in Australia’s Parliament years ago. It was amazing. https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Top_5_Treasures/Great_Hall_Tapestry

     225

226. The scissors are a form of art and Functional art is a gift twice given.
     I always look at each pair. The most beautiful embroidery that I have ever seen was an exhibit at the Folk Art Center near Asheville on the Blueridge Parkway. These artists had transferred designs from natural leaves to fabrics which were then embroidered. It was amazing.

     226

227. I am not certain this is the most beautiful stitching I have ever seen but it is the most impressive. It is not just one item but a collection. In appreciation for the food Herbert Hoover arranged to have sent to Belgian and French civilians during WWI, recipients of the food embroidered the flour sacks and sent them back to the U.S. A collection of them is on display at the Hoover Library in West Branch, Iowa. The needlework on the flour bags is magnificent; the backstory of the embroidered flour bags is overwhelming. I feel privileged to have seen a display of them.

     227

228. I am intrigued by the various beautiful and colorful scissors now available. I would love to add this pair to my collection.

     228

229. The scope and detail of the Bayeux Tapestries made a lasting impression.

     229

230. It is hard for me to pick one item as the most beautiful and inspiring. I go to the Woodlawn Needlework exhibit most years. When I walk through the the exhibit I see one gorgeous piece after another. I pick out my favorite and then I see the next one, and it becomes my favorite. However, the most awe inspiring pieces are those in the museum in Colonial Williamsburg. What very young girls were able to do without magnification and great electric lights is mind boggling for me.

     230

231. My most memorable piece of needlework is of a religious subject, stitched by a monk in a monastery way up a mountain in Meteora, Greece. After a decade, I can still picture it in my mind’s eye. Wishing all avid stitchers could have the same experience.
     I would love to be the recipient of these gorgeous scissors. Thanks for the opportunity to win this prize.

     231

232. I was lucky enough to needlepoint one of the stockings for the White House Christmas tree when the theme was “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. This gave me opportunity to visit the White House and see all of the trees including this one. This tree and all of the needlework stockings that hung from the tree are still an amazement and inspiration for me to this day. I’m afraid that I can’t pick just one of the stockings as the whole display of all these lovingly made stockings hung together were the more impressing needlework I’ve ever seen.

     232

233. My favourite piece was a piece that my grandmother did. I remember seeing it when I was quite small I am now fortunate to own the lovely piece

     233

234. I think every piece of needle work is beautiful. From the first piece a little girl does on a scrap of fabric to the most intricate embroidery that took years to complete. I still remember walking into a new shop close to my home and seeing a little bonnet on a stand. I did not know what the stitching was called but I did know that I wanted to learn to do it. It was English Smocking. I love all embroidery but smocking and shadow work are my favorites. There is nothing like fine fabric, good threads, good needles and scissors used to create something beautiful.

     234

235. I’ve seen reproductions of the Bayoux Tapestry and it’s exquisite, would love to see it in person.

     235

236. Although this type of needlework is not in my wheelhouse, quilting is an art I can truly appreciate. A friend of mine made a quilt representing her sons playing their music, and it is a stunning piece of art. They are adult professional musicians, and the quilt is unbelievably true to life.

     236

237. About 5 years ago I visited a museum in Maine. The most beautiful samplers done by school girls from the 1800s is
     What got me started to be interested in needlework of all sorts. I’ll never forget how impressed I was to see such great work these students did.

     237

     1. I collect old scissors and this would be a great addition.

238. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen belonged to a friend who travelled the world with her husband in their retirement. One trip took them to Russia, where my friend found a beautiful piece of hand-made lace. It is very large and was mounted in a frame above their bed. It is a mandala design. I am usually drawn to things that are both beautiful and useful, but this piece sits outside of time and the daily round. I could stare at it all day, so intricate and beautiful, and yet calming to look at.

     238

239. The lady and the Unicorn tapestries displayed at the Musee de Cluny, in Paris, were a joy to behold. They truly enchanted me with their subtle colours, whimsy and charm . I spent a full four hours just sitting appreciating their beauty and palpable presence. Tapestries are normally not a form of embroidery that I have any interest in, but the memory of the Lady and the Unicorn still gives me much delight. A return visit is a must.

     239

240. Although I haven’t seen this in person, the pictures of the handmade lace for Kate Middleton’s wedding dress awed me with the amount of time and precision it took to make it.

     240

241. I think the most beautiful embroidery that I remember was one that my mother made. I remember my grandmother showing it to me when I was a little girl and telling me that my mother had made it. I was awestruck and amazed by the beauty of it and knowing that my mother made it ,made it even more special. That sweet memory of my grandmother proudly showing off my mother’s needlework to me ,her only granddaughter is something I treasure. My grandmother was my first teacher and it was she that started my love for all things needlework.

     241

242. Most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen… sure hope you don’t require that it be seen in person, as I’ve seen very few in person! The most beautiful I’ve ever seen is your own Secret Garden project. The vibrant colors, exquisite needle painting, and delicate details are stunning. I aspire to a large project like that someday. Of course, mine will have sheep in it 🙂

     As a wrap-up to your giveaways, it would be nice to have a summary list of the donors, with links to their websites. That would make it easier for us to support them!

     242

243. Wow, the most beautiful piece I have ever seen? It probably has to be Coeur de Touraine by Sylvie Lezziero. I would love to try to make it but I am sure mine will ale in comparison. There are just too many pieces of embroidery to name!

     243

244. I collect antique and just plain beautiful needlework tools…..I have some scissors that would not cut even threads and leave rust marks too, but, I love them anyway and don’t use them…..just look at them. If I were to win these, I think I would even USE them, at home!!!!! Not on the road!!!! Ann

     244

245. Such beautiful scizzors. Would love to own them.

     245

246. Merry Christmas to you from Texas USA! I love reading your blog and admiring all your lovelies. This pair scissors is just simply gorgeous and would love to own such an exquisite pair for my own.
     Ginny

     246

247. I love whitework embroidery! The piece that stays with me and would love to make is Hidden Delights by Deborah Love. It is a beautiful, delicate piece with the center design a heart with a bird sitting inside it. Branching out from the heart at the top and bottom, are long vines ending in a tulip. The stitches are of Schwalm embroidery. Delicate and Delightful!

     247

248. The most memorable piece was a sampler created in 1814. The workmanship was unbelievable. It was simple but the work was perfect. It was done by a seven year old (recorded on sampler)

     248

249. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was the Eleanor Parr sampler stitch on 45 count linen by Bethany Gallant using real hair for the 2 girls depicted in the sampler.

     249

250. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was made by my mother, who creates photographic art quilt wall hangings. She made one that is a wild beach scene, using fabrics and thread in shades of seafoam green and sandy tan. It also includes a number of teeny tiny shells my mother collected while beach combing. The shells spill out of the foreground and onto the mat board. You can practically hear the waves!

     250

251. I love so many embroideries that this is really difficult. How to choose? Probably the most significant one, for me, was one I saw when I was about ten, (50 years ago!) when I was living in the Marshall Islands. It was a beautiful blue butterfly, with bright sky colored wings,edged in navy and gold. That was when I decided I wanted to embroider. I still can’t create anything like that Marshallese woman did, but I keep trying!

     251

252. Years ago at a vintage clothing sale, I saw an exquisite Edwardian whitework petticoat that still sticks in my mind.

     It was pure white linen that I suspect was hand-woven, exquisitely embroidered, entirely hand-stitched, and in excellent condition.

     As well as being breathakingly beautifully-executed, the emboidery told a story: each tier was embroidered with garlands of strawberries and strawberry leaves, which suggested it might have originally been made for a duchess – strawberry leaves are symbolic of an English duchy. Sadly, the vendor had no idea of its provenance, and it was way beyond my budget, so, as this was before the era of cellphone cameras (or cellphones, for that matter), all I have of it is the memory.

     252

253. While I have seen many beautiful examples of embroidery since getting my first computer; including many by Ms. Corbet, the person who really inspired my love of embroidery was the late Erica Wilson. One of the first pieces I saw was a Jacobean styled, crewel worked Tree of Life in the late 70’s. That is when I decided I had to learn how to embroider. Everyone should know how to create such beauty.

     253

254. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen ? That changes constantly! In The de young museum, upstairs, in the corner is a little room. It sits outside the Textile Arts Council library. You enter through a glass door. There are little shallow drawers along the left wall. Inside each drawer are textile treasures. There are little knitted scull caps from Peru. Tiny stitches knitted with needles made from the spokes of bicycle wheels. There are woven fragments and embroideries on linen and cotton. Rather then choose one piece as my favorite I choose this ever changing selection of beauty as my favorite .

     254

255. Oh, where do I begin, there are so many! I would have to say that the most beautiful embroidery that I’ve ever seen is the Japanese Silk Embroidery of Margaret Lee. Her work is simply stunning, her artistic embroidery is beyond beautiful.

     255

256. I grew up with embroidery and smocking but the pieces were functional and the work fairly basic. Years later I joined a stitchery guild to meet more people when I moved to a new town . I was dumbstruck when a lady shared her completed goldwork fan and elephant pieces. I had no idea that people could make such exquisite things with their own hands. Sadly I cannot remember her last name but Mary made a huge impact on me. I haven’t tried goldwork yet but it is on my embroidery bucket list now that I’ve retired . Thank you for your continued encouragement and inspiration .

     256

257. The most beautiful pieces of embroidery that I can still recall are the costumes of the Game of Thrones TV series. I recently read an article about them, and some of the pieces have extremely detailed, intricate, and beautiful embroidery. It gives the clothes this air of “realness” and authenticity, and they look stunning.

     257

258. As I was going through some of my families things, many years ago, on my fathers side…I noticed a babies bonnet My grandmother had stitched a glorious open work piece with buttonhole stitch around the openings. She made this for a little girl but ended up having boys only! There is even a matching diaper cover. Now for the date, it was made almost 100 years ago! I am so thankful I am able to see this piece of exquisite work every time I am in my sewing area.

     258

259. The Rose of Sharon from Mirabila. The color in the flowers and dress were seamlessly blended.

     When looking directly at it I wasn’t sure if the pergola columns were at a slight angle or not.

     I loved the delicacy of her features.

     259

260. Mary —-
     The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was the cloth used to cover the communion elements in a tiny church in Cosby,Leicester, England. It was pristine white on white – exquisite yet uncomplicated – and I’m sure I stared at it during the whole of the service. I did ask about it afterwards— to learn it had been in faithful use for at least 80 years.
     Also —- I have stared and stared at this particular pair of scissors on the French Needle website for several years! So absolutely beautiful — and so way out of my price consideration. I would be so honored and thrilled to win them!
     And — thank you so much for the trees!!
     Wishing you the merriest Christmas and healthy 2018. Christie

     260

261. The piece of needlework that I have found most impressive was gifted to my parents when my father was working in Korea in the 1980’s. It is a spray of roses with two bees over top. This amazing piece is silk thread painting on silk. I am never able to just glance at it because it is so detailed and beautiful. It always requires a bit of study, in my opinion. It now hangs in my home.
     Thank you for the opportunity to Post for these wonderful scissors.

     261

262. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was in a Greek Orthodox Church in
     Greece commemorating Christ lying in the tomb. Exquisite to the last tiniest gold
     stitch.

     262

     1. For some reason my entry posted twice. Please delete one as I would not want to be disqualified for this error.

263. Every day I see beautiful work by so many people . I can’t just pick one. I am just so happy that needle art as I call it ,is alive and doing well ! So many people think it is a waste of time but I beg to differ. If they would just pick up a needle, floss and fabric and give it a try, they just may findicate there creative soul 🙂

     263

264. White Work…ALL WHITE WORK. It is so crisp n delicate looking. It is also something I have never been able to accomplish.

     264

265. THE BUTTON BOOK by Sherri Jones of patrickwoods. When I viewed this teaching piece on line I knew I had to take the class and so I did at the Attic Needlework in AZ. It was a joy to stitch, finish and find just the right buttons to put in my book.
     I collect scissors…new, vintage, antique and have a nice collection that I admire in my sewing room. I would love to be the owner of these scissors. They will be used with great pride and have a good home. Good luck to me!!!!!

     265

266. The most beautiful needlework I ever saw was a needlepoint purse a friend made with all kinds of cute shoes. You see my friend worked many years for US Shoe company and this project brought back many fond memories for her.

     266

267. The most beautiful piece that I have seen was stitched by a member of our guild, Tudor Rose Sampler Guild. It is Celtic Sampler designed by Darlene O’Steen stitched by member, Jennifer M., and featured in the Tudor Rose Sampler Blog in August of 2015. This piece is incredible. Its only about 11 x 14, but here are so many different types of stitches, gold work, bargello and a multitude of colors. It is solidly stitched and it is definitely the first thing that popped in my mind. When I photographed it for our blog, I wish I could have put even more pictures up.

     Merry Christmas and thank you for the opportunity to win a pair of Monsieur Roulot’s scissors. When or lose, someday, I hope to own a pair.

     267

268. Years ago, when I was a hairdresser, we all would do needlework in the back room to fill time between our customers. There was one very talented woman who was a talented and friendly person. I started asking about her needlework until all I did on my breaks was watching her work. She put a needle in my hands and showed me what to do. Her project was beautiful and even 40 years later, I still remember how stunning and exciting it was to see and start my own project. To this day, I still think of that first project and thank her in my heart for setting me on the road to “busy hands, happy heart.” Thank you to Phyllis! And… Thank you to all the needlework shops who feed our addictions!

     268

269. I think my favorite pieces of embroidery, right now, are the Trish Burr birds. She makes them so realistic that I feel that I have seen them in real life.

     269

270. A number of years ago I had the privilege of visiting Bath, England. At the time there was a special exhibition of hand made pockets that ladies tied at their waist to carry all their necessities. I was overwhelmed with the intricate designs women had stitched both embroidery and crewel. There was white work and hand made lace. Truly breathtaking to the extent I purchased the catalogue. Some were simple and primitive others elaborate beyond my imagination. Above all was the creativity that wove itself into every day life.

     270

271. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen, unfortunately only in pictures, is the quilt by Sieglinde Schoen-Smith. I love the detail of it and it inspires me in so many ways.

     271

272. One of the most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen is a simple wedding gown from the 18th? Century in Connecticut. The bride had stitched beautiful floral motifs in silk as part of her trousseau. I still think about it at times.

     272

273. Years and years ago I watched a woman making a very beautiful and intricate lace doily. She had pins in a complicated pattern on the board in front of her and what seemed like a hundred bobbins dangling down. Her hands moved so fast I couldn’t follow them with my eyes! The lace was just so delicate and gorgeous.

     273

274. My mother always dis some form of needlework, instead of watching TV. Her largest piece was a floral crewel kit that hung over our upright piano for more than 30 years. After she died, I fixed a few of the wool threads that had deteriorated — with crewel thread from a friend’s mother’s stash — and had it reframed. It has hung in my dining room ever since.

     274

275. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I’ve ever seen was a miniature needlepoint carpet, stitched by Mrs Thorne, who was an American heiress in the 1930s in the USA. She created a large collection of dollhouse scale roomboxes to illustrate different eras of US and European history, displaying all the miniatures that she commissioned from around the world (now in the Art Institute of Chicago). I came across a book when I was in my twenties which described the rooms, and which featured the needlework in particular. The rooms are fantastic, and if you didn’t know, you’d think they were full size (‘real’)! There was one carpet, stitched in shades of rust and green, with an intricate medallion in the centre and a complicated border. The carpet was quite large, and filled most of the dollhouse-scale room. It just amazed me, that someone could stitch such a detailed thing, and make it look so realistic. I think it was stitched on silk gauze, in silk. It lay very flat, and just looked so realistic and gorgeous. It was the spark of inspiration which led me to start my dollhouse needlepoint kit business over 20 years ago….and I’m still doing it, all these years later!

     275

276. The beautiful needlepoint done for the kneeling pads at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

     276

277. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry. I saw this in Paris and it was the first image to come to mind. Absolutely beautiful.

     277

278. I love this site – I have learned so much – I would love to have these scissors.. they are so delicate and well made. They remind me of my mothers embroidery scissors. It would make a nice addition to my embroidery tools.

     278

279. Ones I have seen personally were done by a neighbor – as a child I loved going to her home and looking at her hand work done on pillow cases – table clothes – napkins – these impressed and inspired me to want to do pieces for my home – as I grew up and have my own home – I still do hand work – I still marvel at her work – I was given several pieces when she died. Everyday items enjoyed daily

     I am always taken away by what I see on Needle n thread by Mary -they are some of the most elaborate master pieces I have every seen – but only on the web pages – it would be a dream to see these in person

     279

280. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a Crazy quilt with all the fancy stitches and embroidery on it at a Road to Calimesa show in Ontario.
     I read n get Inspirations, there’s some exquisite needlework there, but crazy quilts are It for me.
     Thank you for yr help with stitches I’ve not seen before.
     Thank you for these Christmas gifts. (I read the article on The Scissorman.)

     280

281. Merry Christmas to you from Texas!

     The most exquisite needlework I’ve ever seen was years ago when I saw “The Nativity”. It was a 5 panel stitched piece that I just couldn’t get out of my mind. So much so, that I ended up buying all the supplies and the charted pattern and stitching it for myself! It took me almost 10 years to complete it (life got in the way and it hung in my closet for years and 2 moves till I decided to complete it and get it framed).

     I love reading your blog and admiring all your lovelies. This pair of scissors is just simply gorgeous and would love to own such an amazing pair for my own.
     Ginny

     281

282. The most impressive needlework I saw was Margery Dean sampler from Scarlet Letter.
     The background is completely stitched.

     282

283. Merry Christmas, Mary! These scissors are delightful! I hope I win them – then I can use them re-creating the most beautiful needlework I’ve ever seen, which is Rosalie Wakefield’s Millefiori “WELCOME”, a piece with three inch letters made of tiny Brazilian Embroidery flowers, bees, butterflies, birds, a cat, a snail, spiders… It’s like a huge 3D floral bouquet on your wall.

     283

284. I wasn’t very close to my mother but she did pass along her love of embroideryto me. Her embroidered tablecloths (which I still have) were equally beautiful front and back…something I try to achieve but not nearly as successful.
     Merry Christmas all.

     284

285. The piece of needlework I remember most clearly and made the greatest impression on me at the time, was an embroidered fire screen, on display in a fabric shop in Gorseinon, West Wales, in the 1970’s. I had gone in with my mother, who needed some haberdashery item and it was standing in the corner of the shop. It was embroidered in wool, and was a scene of a British bluebells growing in a woodland of silver birch trees. The scene was so detailed, with the texture of the silver birch bark and fungi growing beneath some of the trees. Small birds and woodland animals could be picked out when you looked closely at the detail, and I remember thinking that I would give anything to be able to own such a gorgeous piece of work. It wasn’t for sale of course, and even if it were I couldn’t have afforded it out of my pocket money, but the memory of that bluebell wood has stayed with me for over 40 years.

     285

286. Two years ago I went with Thistle Threads on a tour of England and Scotland. We saw beautiful embroidered caskets and marvelous casket toys, but my memory jumps to a pair of 17th century gloves in Bath with incredible embroidered cuffs.

     286

287. I have seen so many stunningly beautiful stitched pieces that it is hard to pick one. Probably the first that really caught my eye were several Chatelaine finishes at my LNS. I haven’t gotten the courage to attempt one yet, but probably will do so.

     287

288. These scissors are truly a work of art, as is the case!

     288

289. I still am in awe of the Bayeux tapestry. I don’t know if it is the history, the stitching or the story, but it is a piece I keep looking at. Thank you for your days of Christmas presents. These scissors are just so very very beautiful they would have pride of place in my home, would be used and loved.

     289

290. The piece that stands out for me is the tapestry recreation that members of my EGA Chapter (Skyllkill) did for the Friends of Mills Mansion (Staatsburgh Historic Site/Park, Staatsburg, NY). They recreated it from scratch using historical records. After 20-some years and multiple talented stitchers, it was presented back to the Friends) this year, and hangs in the main stairway. That’s tied with the Plimoth Jacket, an historically accurate recreation of a ladies’ waistcoat of the early 1600’s, done by Plimoth Plantation, MA.

     290

291. The most beautiful Needlework I have ever seen was done by a current artist, Larissa Borodich. She uses a Russian Icon and embellishes it with goldwork and pearls. All of her work is spectacular, but I prefer the Icons.

     291

292. The most inspiring piece of needlework I have been close to is an altar frontal done by the Royal School of Needlework 150 years ago for a church in Toronto, Canada. The centre medallion is about 2 feet wide and a non-stitcher would recognize the work is a special piece. Knowing what I know now, I am awed by the work: the economy of silk threads that provide coverage and colour exquisitely, the precision of the needlework, the strategic use of the gold (sadly, now losing it’s foil). I think of this piece and commit to higher standards as I pick up my needle.

     292

293. The most beautiful work I’ve ever seen, was not the most impressive in technique or in the materials that were used. It was the apron that my grandmother wore that she embroidered herself. She did a lot of hand work but the flowers on that apron inspired me to pick up a needle. For 58 years I have stitched and many times thanked my grandmother for wearing that apron and teaching me the joy of creating something with my hands. It was the greatest gift she ever gave me.

     293

294. Several years ago I saw a stag head at the NC State Fair that was done in what I now know is needle painting. I had never seen anything so intricate and gorgeous. Not surprisingly it took 1st place. I’ve done several pieces of my own since then, but none will ever approach that one.

     294

295. Having the right tools helps to get a wonderful creation with precision and efficiency.

     295

296. Mary, many thanks to you and the businesses for this fun series of giveaways.

     I think the most beautiful embroidery piece that I have seen was the WWI Altar Frontal displayed in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Thanks to your blog post I knew to visit St.Paul’s to see this piece while I was in London. Besides the lovely embroidery, the back story made it extra special.

     Wishing you health and much happiness in the New Year!!

     296

297. What a beautiful pair of scissors! I would love to work with those! The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen is a creek piece completed by my mother. She is not with me any longer, but every time I look at her needlework, I think of wonderful memories with her. Merry Christmas to all!

     297

298. I can’t say I’ve seen any stitching pieces that are world shaking memorable, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t seen one that touches my soul. And lucky me, it sits in my bedroom. It is a doll, made by my mother from a pillowcase stitches and crocheted for me by my aunt for my wedding years ago. My aunt passed many years ago now and mom is afflicted with multiple strokes so like she has alzheimers. That doll is so meaningful to me it is worth more than the Bayeau Tapestry in my world.
     The scissors are beyond beautiful. Gosh, what a lovely gift and someone will be mighty lucky to win them. Thanks Mary.

     298

299. This is a tricky one!
     I think it would be an early 19th century sampler, worked by a 9 year old girl. It was quite simple, but beautifully worked, and the colours were still so vibrant.

     299

300. Giveaway Scissors. My fingers felt a tingle as soon as I saw the give away of these artfully designed and engineered #40 scissors. I would adore using them while embroidering. I cannot pick out just beautiful embroidery piece I ever saw. There are so many. However I simply love the Inspirations Magazine “Cauliflower Pincushion “ and seeing in the magazine motivated me to order the threads and start making one for myself. And so I did. I would love to win these scissors.

     300

301. Because I have lived in a very rural area in the US, and when I do travel it is for work with little time to explore, I have not had the luxury of seeing beautiful historic embroidery works in person. I do, however, stalk them on the Internet! I love the detail of the old ecclesiastical works, and was struck by one in particular – the Pluvial (Cope of the Virgin Mary) unknown 1425-1440. For some reason, it grabbed my heart. The detail that I can discern is exquisite. I love to embroider; if only I cold have the time to work on a piece like the Cope.

     301

302. Eye on the Sparrow by Heartstrings
     Love this s Sampler and love it’s
     Sentiment!! Jeanie Guhl

     302

303. Most memorable needlework piece? The bayeaux tapestry ..
     I love this fascinating historical piece for the size.story telling , skill and style . I have not seen it in person but a girl can dream …

     303

304. Wonderful question Mary!
     Can not leave this unanswered….I am collecting this wonderful scissors….And OMG! how much I would love to have this piece…

     What if I am impressed and inspired and cannot forget not one but few different works? Different techniques too?
     1. Yours one and only Hummingbirds….This piece is I carefully stored in my heart and still come back once in a while to look at the pictures and admire it again and again; Maybe, one day I will create something like that? 🙂 There is no words to describe it really.
     2. Norfolk Darning Samplres…almost all of them, but one in particular – Elizabeth Brittain 1841; I like them for what they are stitched using cross, satin, lon-and-short, French Knots, stem and running stitch…They simply gorgeous!
     3. Lorna Bateman wonderful pincushions – so beautiful, that once I completed few of her pieces, I start collection of my own…
     Honestly I can continue, but then my list will get too long 🙂
     Thank you Mary, for this wonderful opportunity! Happy Holidays! With love, Elena

     304

305. Love your posts, Mary. Thanks so much! I absolutely love Trish Burr’s embroidery. Would love to be that skilled someday!

     305

306. Hi Santa Mary! I got to see the Bayeaux Tapestry a couple of years ago and it is so memorable! The sweeping story, amazing colors after so many centuries and the unique stitch used really impressed me beyond measure. I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
     Diana

     306

307. This is a very tough question as I have seen breathtaking embroidery all over the world. If I had to choose, I would say my most favorite is Lady Evelyn’s Needlework at Blair Castle, particularly “The British Arms”. My story about her pieces is an interesting one. I have been to Blair Castle 3 times. Her pieces are kept a small room (displaying dishes!) on the way from the house to the store and are maintained in wooden cases covered up with velvet. The first time I was there was on a tour (not a needlework tour) and I walked right past them not knowing what was hidden in the cases under the velvet (so close yet so far!). The second time I was on a needlework tour and was just taken aback by the beauty of her needlework. The third time I took some needlework friends to view them and was so happy to visit them again and share this joy with friends.

     The British Arms took her 7 years to complete and is stitched on a cambric background, using sizes 250-700 cotton thread. I cannot find the years of her work (she was born in 1868) but The British Arms is considered a masterpiece and I can see why. I can’t wait to visit Lady Evelyn’s needlework again, especially The British Arms.

     307

308. Ok the most beautiful? The needlework my mama did-she would be 105. It was a beautifully stitched basket of flowers, of all kinds and shapes, botanically identifiable.

     308

309. The most beautiful needlework I saw was when I visited China. We saw an exhibit of pieces that were representative of Chinese garments. Some were small, about 8×10 inches, Graduating up to the actual size of a piece of clothing. And the stitches were so tiny!

     309

310. I think one of my favorite pieces is a design by Emmy Bishop that has 85 different stitches in it. I must say that I loved it soooo much that I have stitched it as a bell pull and look at it every day. It is still love as much as ever!

     310

311. I don’t mean to be cheezy, but as someone new to embroidery I haven’t seen much in person, and the project I recall the most that inspired me was your peacock project on needle n thread. I adored the colors and the techniques and it really helped drive me to trying out more embroidery, as well as buying the secret garden book ;).

     311

312. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve seen is a Hardanger cloth the size of a bridge table cover. It was done by my great aunt and attached to it is a blue ribbon she won in 1917. Not only have I seen it but it is one of my most prized possessions. I have tried Hardanger and know the work and love that was put into this cloth.

     312

313. Thank you so much for this fabulous opportunity! I think the most beautiful piece of needlework was a very old cross stitch sampler that a friend owns by a young girl and her name was actually upside down on the sampler itself! It was so lovely and framed perfectly in a simple old wooden frame. I love vintage samplers and any kind of handwork actually. It’s amazing to see them and be able to enjoy them whether old or new pieces. Thanks so much. Merry Christmas to you all.

     313

314. The Needlework price that left a lasting impact was a tapestry that lined a hallway in one of the Newport mansions. It was grande both in size and craftsmanship. Made me fall deeper in love with the needle.

     314

315. The most memorable piece of embroidery I have seen is the Bayeux Tapestry in France which is truly an amazing piece to see.

     315

316. There have been so many needlework things that I have loved. I think, however, that ones that have stayed with me for a very long time are the pieces that Mary, Queen of Scots, embroidered while she was imprisoned. Tiny stitches, lovely work.

     316

317. There are so many but I think what really inspired me to start crazy quilting was a unicorn block by Sharon Boggon

     317

318. I have seen many beautiful pieces of needlework. A favorite is the casket in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts!

     318

319. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen is one that my mom did. She worked on it endlessly but it was always rolled up so I could never see the whole piece. When she was done, she had it framed. One day when I came home from school, it was hanging in the living room. It was a needlepoint called “Poppies”. It was the most beautiful needlework I have seen and it is still hanging in the living room.

     319

320. Eye on the Sparrow by Heartstrings is one of my favorites !! Love the Sampler and love it’s sentiment!! Jeanie Guhl

     320

321. In 2012 I was visiting Ireland on an organized needlework related tour. One stop was a Mountmellick School & Museum. Someone from there had stitched all in whitework a large beautiful scene to honor the U.S. in remembrance of our horrific September 11 attack. To think that a person from another country would take the time to design and stitch such a huge project to express her thoughts gives me goose bumps to this day.

     321

322. A monogram that my aunt did years ago! 🙂

     322

323. The one piece of stitchers that has stuck with me over the years is a piece designed by Erica Wilson…the piece is done in crewelwork and shows the traditional tree of life along with animals and plants. I would love to find that piece to stitch.

     323

324. The most amazing needlework I have ever seen is on a vintage kimono given to me by a very special Japanese friend. That gift inspired an addition to my bucket list, studying Japanese embroidery in Japan!

     324

325. The Embroidery Guild of America has a traveling show of needle works and multi media work called Through the Needles Eye. This summer this show was in Brevard, North Carolina near where I live. There was one piece of work that spoke to me. It was made up of all straight stitches of a landscape scene with trees. Simple but elegant. The blue Spruce tree had the most perfect color of blue green. All the trees and landscape were so well done.

     325

326. The most beautiful needle art that I will always remember is a griffen stitched by Jane Zimmerman. It’s based on a Persian painting of a winged lion and stitched in gold and silver thread. You can see it on her web site on the Needlework Profile page. The picture is stunning. The day I saw it hanging on her wall I realized how stunning it really is. A perfection of technique, a perfect choice of threads and background. Nothing I have seen before or since has had the same sense of perfection and completion. You could not add or take away anything.

     326

327. Our church office has a wall hanging depicting a small town. It has a market with fresh produce. There are people walking down the street going to various shops or talking with friends. There are orchards outside of the town and rolling hills. It is a combination of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional needlework. The larger areas, like the rolling hills are hand appliqués. The colors are bright and happy, inviting people to stop and look. Every time I look at it I notice a new minute detail. Our church secretary especially loves to show it to small children who are in awe of the tiny applecarts and animals.

     327

328. Absolutely stunning scissors and hand crafted box! A big Wow!

     I remember a road trip a friend and I took, we visited a stitching store. The store samples and displays were breath taking. I had never seen such fine and beautiful work, not only pictures but items made in to boxes or stuffed toys.

     Teresa

     328

329. I fell in love when I saw the wedding dress that Mary Bull Price of Boston embroidered on silk damask. It is exquisite.

     329

330. I’m a little prejudiced on this one but.. my mother made me a belt buckle years ago and it’s crazy quilt style. It is beautiful with lots of embroidery. Even more beautiful since it was made with love by my mother.

     330

331. I will have to pick the one sampler on display at the Dayton Museum of Art (Jane Ann Benjamin, born 1801 in Amenia, NY) as the most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen because it was the first one I had ever seen in a museum. Visually, the overall look was not striking because the colors were faded and the design was simple but the verse was about Education and I liked that, because several members of my family are teachers. Also when I got home, I was able to find a lot of information online about the stitcher, and even an image of her from a portrait! It was thrilling to imagine her life from the bits and pieces of information that was out there, and it gave me a lot to think about.

     331

332. The Jane Bostocke sampler is most impressive to me. I’ve seen it twice in person and the skill required for the stitching and how the thread colors have stayed vivid over the centuries is striking.

     332

333. Some years ago I was in Norway, in Bergen. As I walked through the streets I came across a store that was totally dedicated to selling Hardanger supplies, kits and completed pieces. As I walked in I was awestruck by the beautiful work artistically displayed throughout the store. It was like an art gallery, pieces suspended in the middle of the room , on the walls and draped over furniture, etc. I will never forget the volume of work and the beauty of the different pieces. When I do white work I always am reminded of that day standing in the middle of the store totally surrounded by large Hardanger work suspended all around me.

     333

334. The english blackwork cushion cover, from the XVI century showed at the textile collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The linen fabric is well preserved and the embroidery sparks with silk and metallic thread. The random mix of counted and free-stitched stitches makes the piece mesmerazing. There are perfectly distinguishable stitches such as chain, double running, overcast, plaited braid, and square open work stitches.

     334

335. I first saw my favorite piece at Chilcomb House in Winchester UK in 2005. It was a casket from the 1600’s. It was absolutely amazing! I was able to see it again a few years later at the same place! I must thank Susan Blomley for giving us the opportunity to see this and many others at her Pilgrim Stitchers course.

     335

336. The most memorable piece of needlework that I can recall seeing is the Bayeaux Tapestry in France. It’s not so much for he quality, but more the age and scope of this piece. I actually have a 1/7 scale copy of it hung in my sewing studio!

     336

337. What an exquisite pair of scissors! I’ve seen so many wonderful pieces of needlework at museums, EGA meetings and stitch ins. The most recent one I remember capturing my heart is at Winterthur, Mary Partridge sampler from 1717. The colors, design and skill are magnificent.

     Merry Christmas Mary!

     Mary in Billerica

     337

338. I wish that I was in an area with the potential for seeing beautiful needlework or that I had had the opportunity for traveling places where one can view examples…..I have only seen examples on-line or in magazines! I think that currently some of Trish Burr’s needlepainting is what I am most impressed with at this time….simple images but beautifully done!

     338

339. Elizabeth Almond’s “Blackwork Journey”.

     339

340. The most beautiful needlework piece that I have ever seen was the Lord’s Supper that my younger sister stitched. Both my older and younger sisters stitch. The three of us swap out our work since we each specialize in different areas. My older sister does embroidery, my younger sister does cross stitch, and I do Brazilian embroidery.

     340

341. I think that every stitcher
     truly appreciates the best in fiber,
     tools, fabric because when you have
     a love a craft you put your best
     into it and appreciate
     the time it took….
     The sissor is truly the best and a
     work of art!!!!!

     341

342. I have always admired the scissors from the French Needle and wondered who was lucky enough to get a pair as a gift or purchase! It is impossible for me to pick just one piece of needlework as “the best!” I think my favorite is always the one I am currently admiring.

     342

343. The most beautiful piece of needlework my eyes ever beheld was in Vienna, Austria at the Schoenbrunn Castle. It was goldwork exquisitely laboured over. I couldn’t stop gazing at it. It was so magnificent it made me cry.

     343

344. The most beautiful embroidery I saw was at a fair in Italy named Bergamo Creativa
     I do not remember the name of the artist
     It was a portrait of a man about one square foot in size, made entirely of bits of eggshells
     They were connected alone with delicate embroidery
     Thank you very much for the chance to win!
     Merry Christmas and hugs from Israel!

     344

345. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was done by a friend of mine who is no longer with us. It was of tiny fish with the most beautiful very small stitches. She did all types of needlework and I am so fortunate to have some of the.

     345

346. Hi Mary, What a beautiful pair of scissors for someone’s Christmas gift. I have dreamed of those after seeing them on the French Needle’s web site. My most beautiful pieces of needlework are two identical table scarves from a friend who is now back in Cypress. You covered the type of embroidery in an earlier post and I was so happy to learn about the origin of the work. Fingers crossed in Ohio.
     Thanks Mary.
     Connie Martin

     346

347. While in Paris years ago, there was a showing of the work of Lesage and the work he did for Schiaparelli. I fell in love with the embroidered jackets with designs created by well known artists. The Circus jacket is one of my favorites. So many spectacular images. That was when I wanted to move beyond needlepoint and
     Learn surface embroidery.

     347

348. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen are the Windsor Panels by Beryl Dean. Her unique design style and exquisite threads and stitches bring such beauty to the depiction of the Virgin Mary and the early life of Christ. Rutland Chantry, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle .

     348

349. I have been doing needlepoint since I was a youngster and have loved the products I’ve created and the satisfaction it brings. Loving anything with mother and child I did a piece in petit pointe of a mother holding her young baby. This was a work of love enjoyed by my friends and family as well as myself. I have been collecting needlepoint books to learn new stitches and improve my technique. So glad I found your site. I’m

     349

350. Lovely, exquisite scissors! They would be a delight to use. Wwhat a generous giveaway!!

     350

351. Love these scissors…hope I win!

     351

352. Even though I have seen many beautiful pieces of hand stitching I was so impressed with my best friends daughter’s ability. Her daughter was handicapped but her love of stitching and giving made her work so much more beautiful. She is no longer with us but her stitched art makes her mother feel her love every time she looks at her pieces.

     352

353. The most beautiful needlework that first impressed me is actually a class of needlework – crazy quilts. Not having grown up with quilts of any sort but with an appreciation of embroidery, when I discovered crazy quilts with all of their personal embellishments and stories to tell, I immediately knew that one day, I would aspire to try my hand at them. That day has not yet arrived, but I often embellish my quilts with embroidery or beading and have started to play with 3D quilting.

     353

354. A pair of these beautiful scissors would undoubtedly make my hand work better.

     354

355. A member in my parish created a most angelic banner/icon of Archangel Michael with such exquisite detail, it takes my breath away. It “lives” in our cathedral of St. Seraphim of Sarov
     to be enjoyed by all.

     355

356. The Devonshire hunting tapestries at the Victoria & Albert Museum were the most amazing I have ever seen ….they are huge and cover a hall. Having been created around 1425 makes them even more incredible ..the tapestries are considered to be one of the V&A’s most valued treasures.

     356

     1. Dana, I was amazed by the V & A Museum pieces as well and just stood in awe of them. The one’s on display at Hampton Court Palace were from King Henry VIII and fabulous not only to see, but to discover how much work it takesto maintain them, all done at the Royal School of Needlework by master artisans. How fortunate we are to have witnessed such beauty in person!

357. I have seen several “Favorites” the one that I found most amazing for the work and time it must have taken I saw in a museum in Boston, early American embroidery on a long full linen skirt. Such vivid colors, beautiful stitching and I could not take my eyes off it!! Another one I have that my hubby’s great aunt did, a cross-stitch done years ago. I had never seen this at my mother-in-law’s home, when she passed away, it was found a dresser. Soon it will be framed by a preservation specialist for our home. Thanks so much for your inspirations with your skills.

     357

358. While taking a monogramming class at SFSNAD, a woman brought in a silk blanket to show us. She’d found at a thrift store. It was covered in the most ornate monograms I’ve ever seen- it was like a museum, a story, a comprehensive look into someone’s hand work. Every stitch was perfect, no puckering anywhere, no design repeated. It’s a totally magical piece. lmk if you’d like to see some photos 🙂

     358

359. What I remember the most is my wedding dress in 1968 that my mother made. The distributor in NY went bankrupt and my mother had two weeks to make my dress and a dress for a junior bridesmaid. The dress was a simple white velvet with long sleeves on the bodice and a long A-line skirt and a train. All was trimmed in white lace sewn by hand and it was perfect for me! Thanks for refreshing that memory.

     359

360. The most beautiful and skilful embroidery I have ever seen was in China and stitched in Random Stitch Embroidery (anything but random). The subject was an elephant and it looked as if when you touched it it would be rough against your hand next to one of a lion which looked as though you could run your fingers through it’s fur also done in Random Stitch Embroidery. Amazing!!

     360

361. Many years ago, I saw the medieval unicorn tapestries in New York. I am fascinated by them still. My favorite piece of needlework, however, is the hand-embroidered pillowcase stitched by my grandmother, in a style which is now thought of as quaint. While I hold it, I remember sitting at her side when I was 10 while she taught me to do “silk” embroidery. That was the moment I began my lifelong love of all kinds of needlework.

     361

362. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen was completed by my daughter at around age 10. She cross stitched an adorable little Santa face and had my mom help her make it into a pillow. I love it!

     362

363. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen was in London. It was Queen Elizabeth’s cloak on display at a museum. It was so intricate that it almost seemed to be impossible to design and to stitch.

     363

364. A visit this year to the V&A to see the Opus Anglicanum exhibition left a lasting impression on me. The needlework pieces on display were old, exquisite, and when you realise, as a needlewoman yourself, the hours of work that went into them and the conditions in which they were made (the only artificial light being that of a candle!) you look at them with admiration and awe. How many pieces of our work will become treasured heirloom pieces I wonder! Happy holidays Mary and thank you for all you do for the needlework community.

     364

365. I took a tour of ,the Shelbourne Museum and fell in love with the embroidered samplers. I like how quaint they were and all the work and learning that took place in creating them. I also loved the tour of the original house which had very interesting hand made rugs and textile art.

     365

366. When I was in high school, I bought a crewel work pillow kit. I had never done any hand stitching, but taught myself all the stitches using the kit instructions. I gave the finished pillow to my grandmother, but I’m not sure what happened to it after she passed away. I still have the remnants of the kit in the original package!

     366

     1. I should add that I made the pillow 45 years ago!

367. The most beautiful piece of needlework to me is the large embroidered picture of flowers in a wicker basket that my mother stitched probably 30 years ago. It’s a summer bouquet and all the flowers are so cheerful that you always smile when you see it. My niece is slated to receive it some day, she loves it also.

     367

368. Oh my! Those are lovely scissors! One of the most beautiful pieces of embroidery I have ever seen was done by the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. They used many colors of thread including real gold. It was a piece of art as well as an act of love and an offering of prayer.

     368

369. I vividly remember the most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen. I only wish I remembered the artist’s name so I could give well deserved credit to that person. It is a seal embroidered on black, and it is SO realistic you feel the seal will bark at you at any moment. I saw it in the office of the Embroidery Guild of America in Louisville when I went to the national seminar there about ten years ago. It is beyond exquisite…it is truly a masterpiece.

     369

370. Almost 70 years ago, my Aunt Frances crocheted a crib cover for me with bears, balls and my name on it. I have kept it all my life and currently have it framed. I enjoy looking at it every day

     370

371. For me the most complex does not mean it is beautiful. I like simplicity. With that said; I have a set of doilies that two of my great aunts stitched. I know they would not win any awards but to me they are the most beautiful stitching I have seen.

     371

372. I have a piece that my mother gave me after an overseas vacation – it’s oriental design embroidered on silk. I didn’t appreciate it’s beauty until I began embroidery in the last year or so.

     372

373. I would have to say “my first piece of embroidery”, a Shwalm piece. As a basket weaver who weaves “branches” I did not think that I would be one to create such delicate work. I quickly became passionate about stitching and was and still am amazed by all that I have done since. I’m an embroiderer, how about that, and that first piece is still to this day “Wow”!

     373

374. My first visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum’s needlework collection opened my eyes to the beautiful world of handwork. One memorable piece was Martha Edlin’s Casket. The materials and the skill of the 11 year old girl truly humbled and inspired me.

     374

375. Many years ago, there was a needlework exhibit in LA called the Golden Thimble. It was held every other year. One of the exhibitors was an artist named Jan Jellins. She did oils and pen and inks but then she started thread painting. Her designs came right off the fabric. One of my favorites was her Abraham Lincoln. The detail and workmanship was fabulous. Very memorable.

     Regarding the scissors that are being given away. A friend of mine just treated herself to a pair which she shared when they arrived. There are no words to truly describe just how beautiful they are. Whoever is the winner, cherish them.

     Thank you Mary for your newsletter and the sharing of your knowledge. You bring some much to the world of needlework. I can understand why your donors are so willing to share.

     Merry Christmas and many Blessings in the New Year.

     375

376. Love your blog and would l0ve to have these scissors!

     376

377. We can, of course, embroider using the old kitchen drawer scissors, but how much more satisfying working with elegant tools and I bet the outcome is better. How could we not try to live up to such elegance as those beautiful scissors.

     377

378. One very special piece of embroidery I saw was a Hardangar doilie almost all was wrapped threads. It must have been a real challenge.

     378

379. This one is hard to answer! I think that my best answer is Sharon B’s “I dropped a button box” crazy quilt because when I first got into sewing, I found her site right away. And it was such eye candy I looked at it over and over month after month hoping I could some day make my own. Since, I’ve seen so many wonderful things that I cannot claim a single most beautiful peice but I know I am not alone in that!

     I also want to thank all your vendors, and you, for such amazing giveaways. Congrats to all the lucky winners!!

     379

380. The most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen was at a quilt show. It was a beautifully pieced quilt, with each square adorned with the most intricate Brazillian embroidery in gorgeous floral motifs, all done in a range of soft, pretty pastels. It was incredible. I cannot imagine the hours and hours of hand work that went into it.

     380

381. Back in 2013 there was a special exhibition at Buckingham Palace of the Queen’s Coronation and I vividly remember being in awe of her coronation dress and robe. The embroidery was exquisite!

     381

382. What cute sissors. I wonder how old are sissors, does some one know?

     382

383. Don’t know the name of it
     but the Nativity Scene cross stitched in panels…
     It was popular during the ’80’s…..

     383

384. First things first, I must tell you how much I enjoy reading your articles. This year I joined an embroidery club at a local quilt shop and have told them all about your beautiful work. As to the most beautiful needlework I have seen: a couple of years ago a traveling antique quilt show came to town. A crazy quilt with the most delicate and detailed embroidery was among the collection. I was floored! We could not take photos and the book of all the quilts was no longer available, so this was a special opportunity to see these works of art. My lucky day!

     384

385. I am not a traveler, so have a small pool of needlework that I have seen in person to choose from, but recall the most impressive easily. The historic but still operating Sr. Mary’s in the Mountains has a stunning piece of needlepoint hidden in a stairwell. A stunning depiction of St. Patrick if I recall right. The subject wasn’t as important as the massive amount of tiny stitches and colors. The church has had an unusual history with art. Monks in the who felt that the existing art in the gorgeous church was too “wordly” were in charge for a time and almost destroyed the church while cleansing it of everything beautiful. They are called the mad monks by the locals. After they left, many of the lovely pieces were returned by parishioners who kept them safe in their homes. The building is still being restored, and the stunning needlepoint may not be in it’s rightful spot yet. The tiny stitches are mind boggling to me. The piece is now under glass and the work is touching it, and I was told that they believe it is too fragile to repair the missing stitches. But even given the years of neglect, the skill of the needle workers is still amazing. It is about 150 years old, if I remember correctly. I searched for a picture and only found one that doesn’t give you a feel for the fantastic workmanship on their Facebook page.
     There are many exquisite pieces available to see on the internet, and many of my favorites were showcased by Nordic Needle in their weekly newsletter. I will really miss the fabulous features showcasing extraordinary projects finished by fans and customers of their wonderful store. I look forward to their emails just as I do Mary Corbet’s! Craftsmenship and perfectionism is evident in all of her pieces and she inspires me to improve and experiment in my own pieces. The internet is a wonderful place to find needlework and history.

     385

     1. Monks in the who??? I have no idea how in the who was inserted there. Just Monks was adequate LOL

386. These scissors are beautiful & the box is perfect. I am not a collector of beautiful scissors, but with these I could start.

     386

387. My favorite piece of needlework is an antique that I was fortunate to receive. It is a Scottish Sampler. It is a bit out of the ordinary as it has thread painted Tudor roses on an
     embroidered arch. It does have the house and Scottish letters all in counted 5read stitches. I loved it at first sight because it was different. Later I realized it reflected my stitching, I started as a surface stitcher and have added counted. We are a pair of undecided stitchers. I love her.

     387

388. I had to find that piece of embroidery from Judith Montano’s book – Elegant Stitches. The piece is called Just Over That Hill is My Home. It is a vast mixture of embroidery stitches, ribbon embroidery, applique, findings, beads – and just overall beauty!! I check back on it every so often – because it is an artist’s rendering of what’s in her heart. Thank you for the chance.

     388

389. About 20 years ago we went to visit my brother in Alaska. While traveling through that gorgeous state we stopped at many points of interest. I happened to wander into a shop that had a wall hanging behind the register. The owner shared that it was made by her grandmother. It depicted all the spectacular animals of Alaska in a mountain setting. It was exquisite in the different type of stitches and colors used to bring it to life. It was not for sale but I stared at it for a very long time. Wish I had taken a picture.

     389

390. The unicorn tapestries at Stirling Castle in Scotland. Even though I know they are reproductions, they still amazed me.

     390

391. All stitchers stitch each project with love. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so they say. I have to agree that the reproduction 17th century jacket done by the group with Trisha Nguyen of Thistle Threads, is just amazing. The detail, the colors, the amount of work is incomparable with any thing I have seen (and remembered).
     The most beautiful piece is the crewel Jacobean Tree of Life by my Mother. She worked hard & long on it, making comments in her letters to me about how it was coming or not coming along. As I stitch, I try to stitch as well as she did.

     391

392. The most memorable piece of needlework I remember is the Fannie B. Shaw Prosperity Quilt. It is such a simple design, but it says a lot. I grew up hearing stories of the depression era. I also inherited quilts from that time. Many of them display well-worn shirts, dresses, etc. in the designs. I well remember it and was pleased a few years ago to be able to find it on the internet.

     392

393. I don’t know if it’s the most beautiful piece of needlework ever – but I stitched a Lanarte alphabet that was an old German alphabet with little cherubs entwined in each letter. Each letter was on a separate piece of paper, and I had to figure out how to put them together in a sampler form. I stitched on this piece for 10 years – drug it to every basketball tournament and event my kids had through their junior high and high school years. Lots of memories stitched into that piece – it’s hanging on my living room wall. It’s about 4 feet by 2.5 feet. Every day when I see it, I’m reminded by why needlework is so important in my life – documenting our memories and remaining for generations to come.

     393

394. This is a very difficult question to answer Mary but after reflection I think I have my answer!
     This fall I was in St Petersburg Russia and whilst we were touring one of the incredible palaces I was fortunate enough to come across a display of Russian Textiles.
     The work was incredible and I do not think I have ever seen gold work and stump work as beautiful as the work on some of the ball gowns. Many of the gowns and other pieces of work were very old but so beautiful and each must have taken hundreds of hours to stitch.
     These scissors are exquisite.

     394

395. I love living in California and am less than a two hour drive from the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley, California. While they have many wonderful exhibits the pina embroidery shawls do take my breath away as they are so delicate looking and vary. I loved one that was embroidered with black threads almost like black work.

     395

396. I’m lucky enough to volunteer with the Royal School of Needlework, maintaining their supporter database, which means I get to see the commissions and conservation work being done by the fabulously talented studio staff. It’s no trouble at all to bring to mind an amazing set of liturgical vestments they have produced this year, which are set to make their debut appearance at Midnight Mass. I am sure there will be photos around on the internet for people to admire when they have had their first outing. The silk shading work is just magnificent.

     396

397. The most beautiful piece of needlework is an impossible choice. A favorite, partly because of the inspiration, was a child’s christening dress I saw in a museum. It was done on fine linen with care. I imagined the love that went each stitch!

     397

398. When I was a teenager (many, many years ago) my mother made a wedding gown for a friend of the family. She then hand embroidered and beaded the bodice, and I thought then, and still think, it was one of the most beautiful pieces of stitching I’d ever seen. I think that was what sparked my passion for needlework.

     398

399. I have seen many lovely cross stitched pieces but I was at Jill Rensel’s framing shop in Ogden, Utah in Oct. 2016 and saw an amazing piece that had just been framed. It was titled Green Fairy from the Absinthe. It was designed by Maxine Gadd and stitched by Marlene Permar. I don’t know these ladies but I am envious of their work.

     399

400. In one of the museums in Williamsburg, there is a section of (mostly) clothing from the 18th century. There is an apron – but not anything you would put on to fry the bacon for breakfast! It’s on fine silk gauze and embroidered all over in white silk. It’s a bit more than a yard square (I think). I have stood at that display and tried to imagine what it would have been like to embroider something that fine and who would have worn it for what special occasion. Surely it went over a beautiful silk petticoat (skirt) and was worn by a fine lady (or someone who wanted to be one).

     400

401. The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal Cumbria. The 77 vibrant embroidered panels were made by 4,000 men, women and children from 15 countries between 1981 and 1996 (over 40 panels are on display at Kendal).

     401

402. The most eye-catching work of art I’ve seen was a gold-worked pomegranate, a stunning beauty.

     402

403. These scissors are lovely. Thank you for the contest! Have a Merry Christmas!

     403

404. The first piece that amazed and impressed me was an antique sampler in a museum in Aviano Italy in 1993. To see that work from so long ago still with us today is a blessing and inspiration.

     404

405. very beautiful scissors

     405

406. There are so many gorgeous pieces to choose from!
     I think I’ll have to go with a particular pair of gloves which set me on a path I never expected, involving so much gold work and needle painting.
     The second pair from this wonderful post, specificallyhttp://isiswardrobe.blogspot.dk/2013/09/17th-century-embroidery-at-royal.html (and the other items in that post aren’t bad, either!)

     Thank you for your many amazing giveaways, and your fantastic blog in general.

     406

407. The most beautiful piece was at an exhibition of 17th Century embroidery. I saw a cabinet of curiosities. I was also amazed at Jenny adin Christie ‘ 3D Wren
     Signed up to attemp both!

     407

408. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen goes back when I was ten (I am 72 now). There were two butterflies hand embroidered on the square collar of my dress. I loved wearing the dress and as I walked, I would hold onto the butterflies, making sure they were still there and not have flown away. The butterflies were hand embroidered in light yellow and light blue. Right then I promised myself to learn how to embroider beautifully!

     408

409. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is the Bayeux Tapestry. Seeing it was the highlight of a trip to France. I love the story and the details below the main part that add dimension to the story above it. It amazes me that it has survived in such good shape with great color and an intact ground cloth. The story just drew me along. What a treasure! I wish I could have spent hours examining it more carefully.

     409

410. The most beautiful piece of needlework I remember is the crazy quilt my grandmother gave us when I was a small child. It had been made of various fabrics, some velvet, and stitched with beautiful colors of threads. I loved curling up in it and feeling all the textures, studying the different stitches. It might not have been the work of art that I remember, and I recall that my mother didn’t value it because the fabrics were all such dark colors, but to my memory, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

     410

411. I have seen many gorgeous embroideries but two stand out:
     One is a embroidered and shisha tent door from 18th century India.
     The other a blue silk Chinese imperial robe covered in couched gold work.

     411

412. The most beautiful needlework that I recall is a scenery done entirely in French knots. The realism and texture was truly impressive.

     412

413. The embroidery I remember well is by Jane Nicholas. This is a large example of Jane’s work showing many techniques for Stumpwork. I am delighted to say that I have been a student of Jane’s from her first class. She is a most delightful person and a very special teacher and friend.

     All good wishes.
     Susan

     413

414. I am still in awe of a hand-quilt show I saw at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway several years ago. The imagination and skill of the presenters was enough to silence me as I wandered through the displays.

     Linda

     414

415. A friend of mine lives in Boston on Beacon Hill. In her home she has a stunning, framed Japanese kimono. It is truly a work of art. My attempt for a photograph, in order to admire the piece, at will, does not do it justice. I suppose I will either need to visit more often, or just recall my feelings upon my first glance.

     415

416. I recently visited Filoli, an estate in Northern CA. This is a beautiful landmark filled with history and exquisite gardens. As I toured the home, I was stunned by the paneled needlepoint in one of the rooms. It had been stitched by the Tuesday Stitchers from the Assistance League of San Mateo County, taking four years to stitch. It was presented in 1983. The two panels are easily 10 feet tall and depict the beautiful gardens of Filoli. The detail of the flowers and buildings on the grounds is magnificent. I believe there were 26 stitchers involved in this beautiful work of art. This was a highlight for me to see on my visit to Filoli. Thank you to Dale, the owner of Luv 2 Stitch for recommending I visit this beautiful historic place!

     416

417. The piece of needlework that left the biggest impression was the 1st embroidery project my grandaughter did this sumer. She’s 4 and it was fun to watch her work quietly and then to see the finished piece: uneven stitches, weird color choices, but she got all the stitches going in the right direction.

     417

418. Most beautiful piece I have witnessed was a cope made in the 1600’s on display in London. It was originally made for the Arch Bishop and done in real gold thread on linen. That whole exhibit was amazing and even my husband enjoyed seeing the emboridery work placed on the face coverings for the horses that matched the colors of the family and rider. It was a small remnant from the 1500’s. Who knows when someone will discover our work some day. Make sure you label it with your name and date!

     418

419. It was a kit I ordered from Sweden. The piece was difficult, but so worth the effort. It is a beautiful sampler with the most exquisite detail. The whole alphabet, both upper and lower case letters, done with entwining flowers, butterflies, and bees. The border is an arbor of flowers that encases the whole piece. It took almost two years to complete. I did it in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary. A true remembrance in so many ways.

     419

420. Unfortunately, I have been unable to travel much to view beautiful embroideries in person. However, I would have to say that the embroidery on Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown of the shamrocks, thistles, etc. was most amazingly beautiful and symbolic.

     420

421. I was taking part in a re-enactment of a 17th Century Household at Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire, England, they have a day cap worn by Charles 11 exquisiteley embroidered in silks and precious metals. It is a sight to behold.

     421

422. First of all, this is a totally unrealistic and impractical question! But secondly, it will be awe-inspiring to see some of the responses! There are SO MANY beautiful pieces of needlework, I couldn’t possibly chose one. But MAYBE, the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in France? Or some lacework done by my friends in the bobbin-lace world? Or some stump work? Goodness, an impossibility Mary!!

     Hoping so much to win the scissors to continue my adventures in gorgeous needle work! Thanks Mary!!

     422

423. I have been fortunate to see many pieces of beautiful needlework, but there is one I will never forget. I was at a lacemaking conference, and one of the attendees brought a framed piece of stumpwork from her collection. It was probably close to two hundred years old and the goldwork was mostly tarnished. The stitching was utterly exquisite. She didn’t let it out of her hands, but I was close enough to touch it (not that I did.) There was an area she thought was a stain, but I’m betting it was a mark for a missing caterpiller, which would mean it was technically unfinished. Sigh.

     423

424. The most beautiful needle work I have ever seen is the amazing embroidered narratives by Susan Boardman of Nantucket, MA. I am so lucky to be the owner of one that is from Moby Dick. I treasure this lovely work of art.

     424

425. It is hard to say the most beautiful piece that I have seen, but probably the most memorable was a vintage silk embroidered linen that was eventually quilted by Kellyclinequilting. Red roses and gold on ivory, it made my heart beat fast! These scissors make me feel like that too!

     425

426. I have been fortunate to have seen the Unicorn Tapestries located in The Cloisters in New York City. The shear scale, not to mention the thousands of hours they must have taken are beyond description.

     426

427. I saw this sampler’s verse in a library book in the 1980s. The verse refers to a devout mother who has died, which reminded me of my mom. I decided to make a sampler with my version of the verse. It took over two decades to finish that because I was very new to counted cross stitch then and didn’t know what I was doing.

     At some point in my readings I discovered the original sampler with the verse on it was in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I wanted to see it and go garden touring in England, so I went with my husband and my cousin Sue. It was strange to find it in the museum and touch the glass panel on top of this piece that had meant so much to me. I don’t know that I can say the stitching itself is beautiful, but the verse it contained was beautiful to me and makes me recall my dear mother.

     427

428. The most beautiful piece of needlework to me is the petite point autumn scene done for me by my Mother-In-Law many years ago. She worked from a chart created by Babs Furhmann who had a wonderful shop on Mount Pleasant Road in Toronto. Lovely ladies both.

     Merry Christmas to you Mary – I’m one of your many, many fans!

     428

429. The piece of needlework which has stayed with me was at the DeWitt Wallace – the Ann Holewll sampler. At the time I was working the kit by the Examplarery. When I saw the original, it took my breath away. The original is much smaller (6 inches wide) than the reproduction. The tiny stitches are exquisite. One day I shall try to stitch it on 50 count linen to achieve the effect of the original – which the reproduction can not match.

     Thank you for the fun!

     429

430. I think the most beautiful needlework I have seen in person is the Martha Edlin display at the V&A. Her casket, mirror frame and other small pieces were incredible and woke in me a desire to learn about her time and replicate some of the work 17th century stitchers had accomplished. It was a lovely lovely moment when I saw them in person.

     430

431. 20 years ago, at a Boston museum, there was an exhibition from China. A woman (a national treasure) was embroidering on sheer silk with gossamer thread, so fine, that when she raised her needle, the AC blew the thread. The piece she is as working on was two-sided and different pictures on both sides. And she was doing this with one thread! I watched her for almost an hour, fascinated at her technique. I can still see her work today

     431

432. I really love Scandinavian design ( being Finnish and Swedish) and love the work of Kirsti Rantanen – modern and contemporary but so lovely! I love the textures. Thank you !

     432

433. One of the most beautiful pieces of needlework I’ve ever seen is a pair of Mock Tudor sleeves at Wightwick Manor in England that are attributed to May Morris. She created a lot of lovely needlework in her lifetime.

     433

434. A beautiful embroidered box at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was the most beautiful piece I have seen.

     434

435. I once was given access to the Royal School of Needlework’s whitework collection. There was this bonnet in it that was so delicate and had the most intricate and fine stitches. I could hardly believe my eyes. I wanted to do something like that when i grow up.

     435

436. I have a small apron, embroidered by my mother over half a century ago. She traced my infant drawings – “our house”, “mummy and me and a cat”, “a man driving a train” and so on, then she transferred them to the apron and embroidered them. It became her “ best” apron, and she wore it when we had “afternoon tea”. I still have it, and it’s more precious to me than any far grander piece of embroidery. When I look at it I remember watching her stitching and the comfortable feeling that went with it.

     436

437. The embroidery that is most impressed upon my mind is the Imperial court wear of the Holy Roman Empire in the history museum in Vienna, Austria. It is truly spectacularly embroidered with gold and silver threads, and jewels. The other embroidery that sticks in my mind is the Hungarian lace embroidery for sale in Budapest – it is beautiful handmade work. I asked a lady that was making a piece how long it took to make a piece about 24″ diameter, and she said about a month. And you could buy it for less than $100. Needless to say, a piece came home with me.

     437

438. The most beautiful pieces of needle work I treasure are a “Welcome” cross stitched piece done by my mother and an afghan with cross stitched birds done by my mother, until her eyes got too bad, and then finished by me. I also have several other family pieces which are beautiful because of the memories of the stitcher they bring back. Thanks for the give-away. The scissors are beautiful.

     438

439. For me, the Margaret Layton jacket at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is the piece that has had the biggest effect on me. I can still see it as if I were standing in front of it. It’s design, execution, age and provenance still fascinate me!

     439

440. The most lovely and breathtaking piece I’ve seen….was made by the EGA nationwide Guilds. It is a four section piece of the US, showing all the main points of interest with the animals, birds, sea creatures, and such found in each area. Our Guild here in New England did a part of the seashore and a bit inside the land. The section was sent to all Guilds in the US, and we didn’t see it until our quarter of it was done. The final, all parts together , was shown at a Seminar, and we were all amazed at how great it was. Loved seeing our portion in retrospect to the entire thing.

     Would love a pair of such beautiful scissors. At 85, I think I’m due for such a pair.

     440

441. This website has the best information and instruction for needlework. Absolutely love each news letter . Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest. The scissors are “out of this world” gorgeous !.
     Janet Odom

     441

442. Elizabethan and Victorian dresses in a National Trust Exhibition in Great Britain

     442

443. Just recently an 80 year old friend of mine shared with our quilt guild her completed Dear Jane quilt. It had taken her many years to finish, so it was beautiful for all of us to see and to share her pride in her accomplishment.

     443

444. Ooh Mary this is a tricky question … there are just so many beautiful pieces of needlework that have stopped me in my tracks, but I’m just remembering a beauty from an early issue of Inspirations magazine. I think it might have been around issue #34 (which was when I discovered it) … a beautiful lilac embroidered footstool cover in so many different shades and weights of lilac silk it made me feel slightly dizzy just looking at the thread list! I will probably never work the pattern but I love to get it out and look at it every now and then … and then go work something quite a bit easier, but still feeling very inspired by the greatness before me! 🙂

     444

445. I would love to win this pair of scissors, I turned 60 last week, a pretty big milestone. The most memorable piece of embroidery was the most exquisite piece of whitework my eyes have ever seen by one of the students at the Royal School Needlework. Since then I’ve been slowly teaching myself different whitework techniques, but have a way to go to meet this young ladies standard. Regards Mandy

     445

446. A nice pair of scissors is an essential tool, but I know I have a pair of no brand scissor that have been with me for a long time. I just can’t replace them. I just imagine all the things I have cut with them and the projects that I used them for.

     446

447. I can’t think of anything I’ve seen in person that has specifically stuck with me, but overall ribbon embroidery has probably been the thing that I have most seen and gone, “Wish I could do that.”

     Those are all some amazing scissors. That’s probably the tool I underspend on the most, which is really silly because I am primarily a sewer (sewist, person who sews, whatever), and I really should have something that can cut the precise bits of felt and teddy-bear mohair and such that I use.

     447

448. As you said, this is very difficult. The piece I remember most was not the most beautiful. My daughter and I were on a road trip, with a stop at the Shelbourne Museum. Among the pieces on display, was a white wholecloth quilt. It was intricately covered with machine quilting, from a time just after the invention of the simple sewing machine. It took my breath away. As always when looking at work of past centuries, I am in awe of what they accomplished with the tools they had.

     448

449. I am fortunate enough to belong to a ladies guild filled with talented women. These women showed me the art of needle work. One of these women, Marian, generously gave me one of her pieces after she had entered and won in the county fair. The amazing detail, color combination, beauty and realizing the number of hours it took to stitch this work, I am just honored to be the recipient. It inspires me, a beginner, to improve my skills to be able to accomplish something as beautiful. I’ve also been growing a love for the tools to be able to accomplish the work. I think it’s all part of the needlework experience. A beautiful pattern, beautiful thread and beautiful scissors I never realized existed. This is my idea of an exciting, fulfilling and meaningful craft. I walk by her piece every day, several times a day, always stopping to admire it, appreciate the skill and can’t believe my great fortune in receiving it.

     449

450. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I ever saw was a dress made for Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of a visit to Canada. It was embroidered with dozens of green maple leaves in various sizes, encrusted with beads and gold thread. I saw this in a display of clothing through the ages, in Ottawa, Ontario when I was 16, and the marvellous stitching took my breath away. The other pieces in the exhibit were lovely, but this piece was actually worn by someone and there was an accompanying photograph of her wearing it at the ball. It was the first time that I saw embroidery as something so glorious! I have seen it again in the intervening 45 years of my life, but my first sight was most memorable.

     450

451. The scissors look so beautiful, I’d just want to hold and look at them. To me the most beautiful piece of embroidery is a piece of work completed by my mother over 50 years ago. Mum didn’t have money to spare but was given an oddment of printed fabric that had flowers and exotic birds on. With oddments of wool and thread obtained from various garments she embroidered the picture using ideas from a book on crewel work then made it into a cushion. After her death I had the cushion cleaned and the panel framed which now has pride of place in my home. It is thanks to my parents, (Dad also did needlework) that I have found so much pleasure in embroidery. Thank you Mary for yet another year of beautiful Stitcher’s giveaways.

     451

452. The most memorable piece I have done is a kit I ordered from Sweden. It has the most exquisite alphabet, both upper and lower case letters, all entwined with flowers, butterflies and bees. The border is an arbor of flowers and twinning vines. It took me almost two years to complete. It was so worth the effort. I celebrated our 25th weddding anniversary and the completion of the piece. A beautiful remembrance.

     452

453. I have seen a lot of really nice needlework, but the most impressive is the Peacock Dress at Kedleston Hall. An amazing all gold and silver embroidered dress by Worth

     453

454. Oddly, the loveliest piece I’ve seen was several decades ago, long before I began my own needlework journey. My brother’s mother in law (she passed away 2 weeks ago) was an amazing crafts woman. Once we were both visiting at the same time and there was a work in progress that took my breath away! It was an exquisite little rabbit in a field of flowers & grasses. The lovely, subtle colors and textures were so lifelike and detailed. Now, I know that she was using thread or needle painting to create this piece. But it literally took my breath away as I’d never seen anything like it.

     454

455. Wow! Tough one. I’d have to say it was a mirror that was completed by Amy Wilson and the design was by Amy Mitten.

     455

456. I was most impressed with a piece of work in the National Art Gallery in Ottawa… although this was quite long ago and I can’t remember any information about it but it has since inspired me to use more colour variety in my own pieces.

     456

457. Stitcher’s Christmas Giveaway #9

     Finalment! La pièce de résistance! What needlework practitioner would not want a pair of exquisite scissors from M. Roulot?

     In our family travels, we have seen many magnificent works of embroidery, cross stitch, crewel and tapestry. We lived a short while in Europe when our daughters were small and every outing and adventure typically included a visit to a folkart museum of some sort. One of our trips was to the Normandy region in France, where we had the delight of seeing the Bayeux Tapestry in person. What a marvel! Through the years since then, I have studied the history of the tapestry as well as its craftsmanship. This work of art has influenced and inspired my own interest in needlework.

     Wish me luck!!

     (And thank you for a very fun Stitcher’s Christmas! Brilliant! Merry Christmas, Mary!)

     Erin Rodewald

     457

458. Not the fanciest, but I’m going to say the tapestry at Bayeaux, France. It’s kind of like the Vietnam Memorial. At first it looks too simple, and not impressive enough, but as you begin to walk it’s length, you stop l, pause, look at a detail, continue walking – and after a while, you realize that you’re still walking. That you’ve seen quite a bit, but that you’re not even halfway through…and the sheer size of the project starts to overwhelm you. You start to visualize the women, working on huge masterpiece, day after day…apparently undaunted by the scope of their project. Imagine how they felt when they were finished…where they happy? Or a little sad?
     That’s my favorite piece, and because of what it represents: the telling of an important story – including the death of a King – and the combined efforts of a devoted group of needleworkers – The Bayeaux Tapestry wins my vote for most beautiful.

     458

459. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen (and will soon be doing) is the Hanabatake utility clutch from Inspirations magazine. I got the kit last month and can’t wait to start. I will finish my current project first so I can give it all my attention.

     459

460. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen is the Hummingbird project that a lot of you finished. I could not finish it at that time but maybe someday.

     460

461. This one is not hard for me to answer. My daughter-in-law gave me the most magnificent piece of counted cross stitch I have ever seen. It is a sewing room with a very old Singer sewing machine, a cat and hundreds of lace, buttons, and miscellaneous sewing implements in the background. She spent so many hours working on it and I truly love it. She is a true treasure too.
     Cathy

     461

462. My sensae (teacher ) of Japanese embroidery Kasano san, did the most exquisite work on kimono and obis. I remember a cart of flowers most in a show only because she spoke to me of the design just days before in the planning process. It was not one of her masterpieces but truly a example of the master’s hand flawless done. I was in awe of her efforts. Now some 20 + years later she is a national treasure of Japan.

     462

463. An embroidery in dilapidated hallway in a stately home in England showing two tigers. The big cats were so detailed and really ‘painted’ that you could see each individual hair and hear them breathe – simply breath taking.

     463

464. I was at Callaway Gardens for the exhibit and market during their school and saw an antique piece of stitching, I think it was the Virgin Mary. I so wish I had snapped a picture of it because it was one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen.

     464

465. The most memorable piece of Needlework was one of the items on display at the Kent State University museum a number of years ago. It was a cope with gold work including teeny tiny bees. It was astounding and I wondered how this beautiful work could be done without modern lighting.

     465

466. I have a pair of his sissors. Not only beautiful but beautifully functional. I’m VERY careful if I take them somewhere. I’d hate to lose them. A true artist, my work doesn’t come close to his work.
     marcie weiler
     denver colorado

     466

467. I think the most beautiful piece of embroidery work I’ve seen is the Plimoth Jacket. It is a recreation of a jacket from the Victoria and Albert Museum. I would love to see the original, but the repro is magnificent. I am humbled that I was chosen to work on this project.

     467

468. Many years ago I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Walking up a flight of stairs there was a large glass case filled with beautiful artifacts. Among them was a small fragment of linen from Egypt. Sitting delicately, on that small fragment of 4000 year old linen was a small, exquisitely embroidered bird. I stood transfixed in front of that little bird – tiny, wondrous stitching on fragile linen. I thought of the individual sitting patiently working the design, never imagining people 4000 years later would witness their artwork – patience, expertise. I thought of the empires, wars, human pathos of all that time, gone, forgotten, returned to dust. And here sat this little fragment of linen as fragile as human flesh itself, still incredibly beautiful and inspiring, tangible, visible. It survived! I was awed. This little embroidered bird still carried the song of some unknown Egyptian artisan. All the folly of power and wealth had not overshadowed the voice of an artisan working embroidery on linen, 4000 years ago. That beautiful little bird’s song seemed an incredible gift! A small fragment of linen and thread. It was breathtaking!

     468

469. I have been admiring those scissors for years. Totally out of my budget but fabulous to look at and I’m sure they cut like a dream.

     469

470. Hello, I’ve been very lucky in life to have seen many tapestries and it would be hard to pick just one. On a trip to France to see many of the castles I also went to Normandy. I wanted to learn more about the Americans that went over to help the French. On this visit I also went to a museum and I am unsure of the name although I do remember one of the tapestries. It was the Bayeux Tapestry. It was the largest one I had ever seen. It was measured in feet, not inches it was so large. The detail was amazing and I believe that it was stitched with wool thread. I stitched a piece 30 years ago with all wool thread and when I took it out it was destroyed by moths. I wondered how this one had survived. It was not the most beautiful tapestry I had seen. I guess, in this case it was the size that had amazed me and it left an impression on me. Also, it had been an emotional trip because of my visit to Normandy. I will never forget it and now that I am older I would love to go back and take more time there. I have bought beautiful scissors as gifts for others. If I win one of these scissors I will be a bit selfish and keep it for me. Thanks for this opportunity to enter your contest and to bring back the memory of this tapestry.

     470

471. The most beautiful needlework I have seen was in Inspirations magazine recently. I think it was called Strawberry Fayre and shows a heart shaped needlework case containing everything you would need in beautifully embroidered cases and pockets. I can sit and drool over it for hours and one day I might even start stitching. I also sit and drool over Monsieur Roulet’s scissors but I know that, realistically, I could never afford to buy a pair. Fingers crossed for your Christmas giveaway as that is probably my only chance of ever owning a pair of these exquisite scissors.

     471

472. Quality at one time was standard.
     Today it is not. Sadly, most can not afford to by quality products. I could not pass in getting a chance to obtain these fine, precise and artistic scissors. Than you for the opportunity.

     472

473. Mary Corbet, you make it so difficult to choose just one memorable piece of needlework because I just love all of your work and those of my fellow stitchers!

     However, for this time of year my most memorable needlework piece was stitched by a lovely woman in her eighties. Edith stitched a beautiful triptych of the nativity scene. She stitched by hand without a hoop and her stitching was flawless!

     Merry Christmas Mary!

     473

474. First of all, thank you so much for arranging these wonderful Christmas gifts for someone in the community. And the many retailers and crafts people who have given of their time and skill. I have always found the crafting and particularly the stitching world to be very generous. At any event I have attended informal lessons spring up all around. If someone had forgotten an essential tool, many hands start digging through bags to offer replacements. When a charity needs items in my town, stickers give from the abundance of their heart. I finally splurged on a fine pair is scissors last spring as a stitching convention and I have lost them. In my own house. From my own chair!!! My grandson has all but climbed inside it and my brother and brother-in-law and shook it – still no scissors. So I would love to win these. But even if I don’t, I’m sure they will find a good home. The most memorable piece of stitching I ever saw doesn’t even seem possible, but I saw it and so did my friend. I wish I could see it again. A group of Chinese artisans from various disciplines come to a college near me. An elderly woman was
     Doing a silk embroidery of a scene. The silk was so fine you could almost not see it. Every inch of the large piece was covered. That was special enough. But when you walked around and looked over her shoulder, an entirely different scene was appearing on the back of the fabric. I stood and watched almost an hour, moving back and forth. On the front was a lovely garden and koi pond. On the back was a distant view of a mountain range. I have never seen anything like it again. I so wish I could. So everyone have a very merry Christmas.

     474

475. Starry starry night with all the Beautiful swirls.

     475

476. In the Ouray County Historical Museum in Ouray, CO is a crazy quilt that was pieced and embroidered by a local woman sometime in the late 1800s. The embellishment on it is exquisite; this lady knew what she was doing. It’s not displayed as well as I would like; it’s high on the wall, in a stairwell. The lighting is iffy, and there is no way to either stand back far enough to take in the whole piece nor to get close enough to thoroughly inspect more than the lowest section. However, that lowest section…!!!! I have stood in that stairwell multiple times, in awe of the level of skill displayed in this work of art. I think crazy quilting sometimes gets a bad rap from the needlework community, and this is the piece I would point to in defense of that art. If ever you visit the San Juan Mountains and are anywhere close to Ouray, this little museum is well worth the stop.

     476

477. I was incredibly impressed by the Plimouth Jacket. It is a reproduction 17th century jacket that has beautiful silk and gold embroidery. It is beautiful and a remarkable piece of work, some threads and metals had to be recreated. I am particularly fond of silk and goldwork and this piece takes the cake!

     477

478. I wouldn’t say it is the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen but it is certainly the most moving for me. It is a small piece worked by Mary, Queen of Scots while she was being held in captivity by Elizabeth I. It is in the Victoria and Albert Museum along with two or three other pieces. Every time I visit the museum I walk through the English galleries and marvel at all the needlework on display. History and embroidery, it doesn’t get any better than that.

     478

479. Hello Mary, and Merry Christmas! I look forward to your posts in 2018! Gosh, the most beautiful piece of embroidery I recall was a Brazilian embroidery floral design someone entered in the state fair. The first time I looked upon the brilliant colors and the flowers with petals sitting off the base, I was enamored! I went home and did a web search to learn about Brazilian embroidery! However, back then, there was little information on the web about it and tutorial kits were over $100 each, making it too expensive for me to learn. Fast forward about 20 years and I saw a beginning class offered at the annual quilt show in Portland, OR, and I had to take it! The rest, they say, is history!

     479

480. You have got to be kidding…just 1 beautiful piece? Ok, my friend, Gerry Kruger of the olderrose blog, has done some amazing crazy quilt embroidery. Her cottage series has inspired me the most. As far as the scissors, if I should win,would be gifted to Sherrie, who loves and collects scissors. She does amazing needlework and shares her talents with moi. Merry Christmas.

     480

481. Not too dramatic or in a museum, but the piece that had the most affect on me was Scarlet Ribands by Long Dog Samplers. It was in a shop in Topeka, KS displayed on an easel. I immediately bought all the same supplies used and have it in progress. Lucky for me, I eventually met the stitcher (we’re now in a FB group together!) and was able to tell her how much I loved her piece.

     481

482. Ohhh I have seen many beautiful pieces but the one I remember from when I was a young girl is seeing Elsa Williams embroidered chair – I was in awe!!!

     482

483. One of the most exquisite pieces of needlework that comes to mind was done by two beautiful ladies. It was a triptych at least six feet wide and four feet tall of a Japanese garden with beautiful women in kimonos. The stitchery, the subject matter and framing were stunning. Beauty stays forever in ones mind, heart and memory.

     483

484. I have been searching now for that special piece to embroider next and I have chosen candle wicking a bedspread. I have done my research and am choosing good quality components to get started. Am really motivated and excited about my next piece as it’s very special amd relates to my childhood and a very special lady my nana god bless her. In her memory.

     484

485. Being a lover of museums I have seen many beautiful sewn pieces but one has stayed in my mind. Several years ago while visiting Fredericksburg, TX, I wandered into a building and on the wall in the stairwell was a huge embroidered piece. It was a depiction of the town. I loved it so much that I stood there carefully looking at each item on it until my husband reminded me that it was time to meet our friends.

     485

486. The most beautiful embroidery work I have seen is my grandmother sampler from her school is so small and well done. It is from the early 30s

     486

487. Hmmm…I haven’t seen it in person, but I’d probably have to go with the Syon Cope. It is beyond gorgeous in photos and video…and I can only imagine what it must look like close-up.

     487

488. The Bayeux Tapisserie is the most beautiful needlework to me bécause it is an original, beautifully stitched and a signifiant historical pièce. When i walked along the wall, studying the tapisserie, I could feel the “soul” — women stitching, recreating a major event that affected so many peoples’ lives.

     488

489. Wow, talk about a tough question to answer, so I thought about my interest in gold work, especially Medieval ecclesiastical embroideries, and Nue, or shaded gold embroidery, and a great example is the Mantle of the Golden Fleece. Enjoy!

     489

490. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen was a baby quilt that my grandmother made me as a little girl. The blocks are 4×4 squares and little animals on them. It is amazing the tiny work that has survived for it to be passed onto the third generation in our family. She used DMC floss which had fade very little over the years.

     490

491. My friend has a beautiful needlework picture hanging above her fireplace that her grandmother made years ago. It is of two girls showing their long hair and is rather big. It is eye catching!

     491

492. I love the tutorials on this website. I have recommended this site to many of my stitching friends for tutorials.
     I do slot with wool and fancy stitches.
     The scissors are exquisite.
     Cross stitch is another love of mine.
     Happy Holidays

     492

493. One of the most stunning pieces of stitchery I’ve seen was a butterfly made by a friend. It was appliquéd with silk fabrics, and elaborately embroidered with silk threads. There were so many details that one could look for hours and find something new to discover. It was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring!

     493

494. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have seen is “Miuraya Agemaki” From Sukeroku, The Flower of Edo. It is a Uchikake (ceremonial robe) with New Year’s motifs. It has a black silk background and is covered in embroidery including pine branches, bamboo, temari balls, shuttlecocks, seasonal flowers, persimmons, fern branches, and a giant red shrimp adorns the back. The obi sash is a giant carp swimming up a waterfall of long golden threads. It was seen in the Seattle Asian Garden. I have a photo of it also if you would like to see it.

     494

495. You are right— that is a most difficult choice to make! There are so many exquisite embroidery I cannot choose that! However, I am a quilter and one year at the Houston Quilt Show, I saw a quilt made by a Japanese quilter– the pieces were tiny– unbelievably tiny. But as I stood before the quilt , something very emotional came over me . Tears came to my eyes. I wondered if I might be feeling something the quilter may have been experiencing as she made this masterpiece…Is that possible? I wonder if others may have experienced similar emotions……
     Thank you for these wonderful “gifts” you are offering us!

     495

496. I am most amazed by pieces of needle painting. So many stitches and such an eye for color!
     Pick me!

     496

497. Dear Mary

     Wow these are beautiful so much so I have to enter and thanks for these beautiful give-away scissors. A piece of embroidery which really stands out and impressed itself on me and that I can still recall is a Eggsembroidery and Annie Garcin French artists who embroiders on eggs. Her designs are so beautiful and inspiring they are a piece of art especially the painted victorian shoe filled with embroidered flowers using both ribbon and thread it is exceptional. She drills holes in the eggs and then embroiders through the holes. Here on Needle n’ Thread Mary has embroidered on eggs and has written about the process. I have tried eggsembroidery and believe me it is very difficult you need a lot of patience and time to accomplish a completed embroidered egg.

     Regards Anita Simmance

     497

498. I’ve seen many beautiful needlework pieces, but my favorites are seeing in person the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeeux, France and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in the Cluny museum in Paris. Awe inspiring and stunning! Thanks for the chance and Merry Christmas!

     498

499. Today sitting enjoying my cup of tea before a busy day ahead I recall the most beautiful needlework piece I have seen was a large table cloth done in hardanger stitching with intricate crosstitch Embroidery, Nothing I can write could describe the beauty of this piece. Years of loving work went into it ,a true heirloom! Thanks again Mary for all you do for us stitchers! Happy Holidays! Cheers from Pat

     499

500. That’s a hard question to answer. I’ve seen so many beautiful pieces of needlework and to have to pick just one …. I don’t think I can do it. However the piece most special to me is one my daughter stitched when she was 10 – a simple circle of pink cross stitched hearts on Aida with the words ‘Of All Gifts Love is the Best” . It hangs in my bedroom and I look at it every morning

     500

501. This question is such an easy one for me – back in 2006 I enrolled in a class that worked, throughout the year, on a piece of embroidery from Sarah’s Sampler. The piece encompassed so many different embroidery techniques, from pulled work, drawn thread, and weaving of those threads, hardanger, blackwork, Assisi work, and the list goes on. It is the one piece that I had the most fun working on, as well as learning from and has been prominently hanging on my wall in my home since that time.
     Thank you, Mary, for your wonderful give-away – the scissors are just exquisite and it will make some lucky person a lovely Christmas gift.

     Merry Christmas to you and your family, and happy stitching in 2018.

     501

502. I think the most beautiful Embroidery I have ever seen is a pair of cranes done in Japanese Embroidery. They look like they could fly off the silk. It is as though both the sun and moon light are reflecting from them. Most definitely something to aspire to, someday in the distant future.
     My second most beautiful piece is the Loretta embroderies at the Royal School of Needlework. The teeny tiny French knots are perfect! All of them!

     502

503. Trish Burr’s needle painted lilac breasted roller and bee eater. Just magnificent! The colour blending is incredible !

     503

504. I had always cross stitched, then I went to an event. For the first time I saw Hardanger. I was in love! Now that’s all I stitch. I was hooked. All the pieces were beautiful.

     504

505. The first needlework project that impressed me was a 5 foot by 3 foot Maggie Lane dragon done in basketweave by a guy.. Not a female.
     Simplicity still created true beaury.

     505

506. I just got to see part of the Quaker Tapestry this summer. A group effort stitched about conflict in the world and triumphs as well. It was very inspiring!

     506

507. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was a tiny, perfectly executed metal thread, silk embroidery, spangle, and bead piece depicting a curtail. Exquisite beyond belief!

     507

508. The most incredible work of needlework I have ever seen was in a museum in Finland. The Hardanger piece had goldwork birds woven into the open spaces. It was so detailed and perfect that it inspired me to take up gold work.

     508

509. The most beautiful piece of needlework for me is a pair of crewel work curtains worked by May Morris and her friend for her friends house on the Scottish Isle of Orkney. It features the Tree of Life with birds and animals. The linen and wools were hand woven. May and her friend were known to hand dye and spin their own wool from local sheep. The design, colours and the thought of two friends working together inspires me. The curtains were kept in the family until 2014 when they became known as being in existence and purchased by the National Museums of Scotland

     509

510. Probably the most beautiful piece of embroidery is one in my possession, luckily, made by a dear friend here in the UK who at the age of 85 is many more years older than I. She made (and not just for me) beaded and gold work scissor keeps (mine is I n shades of gold and blackberry). Her work is absolutely exquisite and she makes many pieces of delight every year for lots of people – I only wish I could show you a photo. The advantage of owning it as opposed to a piece in a museum is that I can use it and look at it whenever I like, so I would like to give this a mention as opposed to something I’ve seen elsewhere.

     If I could win these scissors I would love to give them to my friend, Gwenda. Thank you.

     510

511. I love Alison Coles “Little Red Riding Hood” so much so I have booked a class with her for next year.

     511

512. Mine is a piece by Marilyn Pappas, “Nike of Samothrace with golden wing”. Cotton and gold on linen. Seen in the Boston Museum of Fine arts. It is so amazing, one of the largest modern works I’ve ever seen. The texture and shading makes the work flow as if it is moving on its own.

     512

513. I think the most beautiful piece I’ve seen is a Southwest needlepoint Design by Sylvia Porter

     513

514. I am new at cross stitch, so I really haven’t had the opportunity to see all of the magnificent pieces that have been mentioned. I wasn’t going to enter this for that reason, but decided to enter anyway.
     So the piece I saw that is memorable to me because I love birds, was a piece I saw on Facebook, it was thread painting, it was a Parakeet, it was magnificent!

     514

515. Oh Mary, what a question!! How to decide which is the most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen…… I want to say one of Trish Burr’s sumptuous needle painted pictures, but that would be too obvious. I think I’m going to opt for a historic piece – the Bayeux Tapestry, it’s not only beautiful but awe inspiring too. Considering it’s age, most of the colours are still vibrant and clear. I was a 12 year old child when I saw this magnificent piece of work and it instilled in me a love of textiles and, particularly, stitching, that has stayed with me all my life. How I would love to create something that would still be admired hundreds of years later!
     Thanks for the chance of winning the exquisite scissors, and for the inspiration that your blog gives all year round. Wishing you and those you love a very Merry Christmas and a very healthy and stitchy 2018!

     515

516. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I ever saw and I can see it in my mind today was a turn of the century Christening gown. It had lovely white on white embroidery all over it and little white pearls worked into the design. It inspired me to try my hand at making Christening gowns and I made quite a few over the years after seeing that gown.

     516

517. On tour, I saw a set of medieval Irish liturgical vestments that were made of gold thread. So old and yet so well executed. Timeless beauty,

     517

518. Trying to decide on one memorable, beautiful stitched piece is almost impossible. Something that does come to mind is actually a series of four canvas work pieces by Linda Lachance of Northern Pine Designs. The series of stained glass windows represent the four seasons Spring, Summer, Fall (my favorite) and Winter. They are counted works that use a series of specialty stitches and fibers on mono canvas. The colors are vibrant and eye catching and the finished pieces really brighten a room.

     518

519. The most beautiful (and amazing) piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was an embroidered tent in a museum exhibition. I didn’t get to see it in person, only in photos, but I almost envied the persons who had the fun of stitching on it. It might have been very hard to do however so I’m probably better off stitching small items while sitting comfortably in my easy chair.

     519

520. I have a new friend who does a lot of embroidery on felted wool. She showed me her “Cuppa” wall quilt…..pattern by Sue Spargo….and I found it to be truly amazing work. It so inspired me that I have purchased another of Sue Spargo’s pattern books and have begun a wool embroidered quilt of my own. I love learning all the new stitches.

     520

521. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen would have to be a delicate handkerchief crafted from french lace. I have several antique lace hankies in my collection and when I take the time to study them, I am amazed at the intricacy and the overall theme of each one. They are extraordinary!

     521

522. The most beautiful , exciting, unbelieable piece of needlework is the Berlin Sampler in the

     The most beautiful, exciting, and wonderful piece of needlework I have seen is the Berlin Sampler at the Victoria and Albert museum. It is dated 1596!!!! Has glass beads and gold thread on it, even then. A man found it in his attic in 1963 and now shares it with the world. I still think about this. I have a reproduction that I hope to finish one day….
     S. Vadset

     522

523. It would have to be a pic of The Last Supper done by a friend!

     523

524. Whoa! What a Christmas Gift!! Could I be lucky THIS time?!!!

     My best piece seen — that is actually an easy one, I was able to go to Blair Castle last summer and see Lady Evelyn’s Needlework collection — ALL of it. There are about 9-10 pieces that can be seen on the regular castle tour, and you can arrange to see more, if you plan ahead. Any ONE of her pieces were the Absolute Best things I have ever seen embroidered. (And she is somewhat contemporary – died in 1939.) I can only aspire to be a fraction as good as she was.

     524

525. Most beautiful needlework? Certainly one that I remember most clearly. It’s a quilt at Mt. Vernon. I think it ws done by Martha. The stitches were so tiny, so fine; the workmanship was incredible. How could they do that with only seasonable daylight and candlelight?

     525

526. One of the prettiest pieces I’ve seen is Spring Splendor, a silk and metal design by Kay Stanis. Even better, I will be enrolling in Kay’s EGA Group Correspondence Course this year. I hope I am able to do this piece justice, but how lovely it would be to use these scissors while working on it. Thank you for the opportunity.

     526

527. Japanese gift cloths at the Chicago Institute of Art. Exquisite silk embroidery.

     527

528. One of the most beautiful pieces of needlepoint I’ve ever seen was the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux France. The piece is done using one stitch, was stitched in the 1070’s, is 230 feet long and tells the story of events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings. An amazing piece and even more amazing that it is still around to enjoy.

     528

529. Magnificent scissors

     529

530. Thousands of images flipping through my mind as I attempt to nail down my favorite… museum pieces, classmate work, jaw-dropping work from my mother, teacher examples, magazine showcasers, on-line delights…

     The one that keeps jumping in line is a piece my then 6 or 7 year old daughter did totally without my knowledge – from a scrap of fabric she found and threads “borrowed” from my stash. It’s a simple design of her name – crudely stitched, but full of pride. I was so delighted that my sweet daughter got a piece of the creative gene from my momma’s side of the family. Clearly I need to go find it and have it framed!

     Merry Christmas!

     530

531. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was a 100 year old crazy quilt on display at a church bazaar in Minneapolis. The embroidery outlining the patches was absolutely beautiful and unique. The fabric in the patches was a stunning variety of satins, velvets and silks. There were very exquisite motifs in many of the patches and despite its age, the quilt looked brand new. I can only imagine the love and skill that went into the making of this treasure.

     531

532. Ann in Wrightstown. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen was done by my Grandma Hattie. It was a bedspread done in mourning glories and edged in intricate crochet. It’s very old,Grandma died in the early 70’s at the age of 991/2, probably done in the 40’s or earlier, some of the stitches are missing from numerous washings with Fels Naptha,her laundry soap, but I love it and I am lucky enough to own it and treasure it.
     The scissors are very beautiful. If I don’t win perhaps I will buy a pair. What a thrill every time I would pick them up to snip a thread.

     532

533. I was so lucky to get to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I spent the whole day there. The exhibition was English Medieval Embroidery. While not the oldest piece there, the one that I remember best was a coffin vestment for fishermen. Covered with all the beauty of the sea. The whimsy of it! I loved the the mermaid holding a mirror as a symbol of her vanity, in which her reflection is delicately embroidered. So clever, sweet and creative.

     533

534. I saw so many pieces of particularly exquisite Chinese embroidery, but the piece that lingers in my mind is a delicately embroidered bird on a sheer fabric, stretched taught and secured in a delicate black lacquer round frame with a handle, meant to be a hand-held fan.

     The beauty of the M. Jean-Marie Roulot scissors take my breath away.

     Thank you for the opportunity, and for the education.

     Wishing you a blessed and joyful Christmas, and a successful New Year.

     Maripat

     534

535. One of my stitching sisters was wearing a georgeous cross stitched Santa brooch recently. The background was black with Santa’s face. His beard curved half way around the brooch. There were gold stars around Santa

     535

536. The most memorable needlework for me was on a man’s vest that was part of a colonial fashion exhibit I saw at the Dewitt-Wallace museum at Colonial Williamsburg some years ago. The embroidery and cut work were exquisite. I went back to it several times before leaving the exhibit.

     536

537. Exquisite! I would treasure these scissors.

     537

538. Embroidery in my family began with me, at the age of 7. Years later, when my daughter and her friends were young women, they expressed an interest in learning, and we spent many happy hours together as I was privileged to teach them the basics. My favourite piece of needlework is a cute little Christmas “Noel” sampler that my daughter completed, framed and hung in her own home. Each year, as she brings out her decorations and I see the sampler again, I am warmed anew by the memories of teaching and learning together.

     These scissors are so gorgeous. Being left-handed, I have always had a sort of love/hate relationship with scissors, going all the way back to my paper dolls. I tried left-handed scissors but found them equally difficult. I learned eventually to use right-handed scissors competently by bringing the work in the left hand towards the blade, rather than the other way around.

     538

539. What a wonderful gift! Embroiders are so choosy about their tools. Fine scissors are high on the list. I do a lot of hardanger and feel these scissors would be very useful as well as wonderful to own.Rosein Canada

     539

540. My Mother’s simple embroidery on dish towels that I still use today even though she died years ago—an ongoing legacy!

     540

541. The most beautiful and inspiring piece of needlework was a painted canvas stitched by a friend showing a variety of needlepoint stitches and threads. This piece so inspired me that I joined EAC and started attending classes and seminars wanting to learn as many new embroidery techniques as I could as soon as I could. It became a passion opening up a whole new world for me which included not just beautiful pieces of embroidery, but beautiful friendships with like-minded people throughout the world. Thank you MJ.

     541

542. The Lovers purse by Tanya Bentham at the WordPress blog Opusanglicanum. It is just brilliant and has a sense of humour too.

     542

543. When I was in Germany, I saw a Hunting Theme tapestry. It took my breath away. Unfortunately, we were on a tour and I couldn’t look at it as long as I wanted to.

     543

544. Some of the best stitching I have seen is on some needle work that my secret santa did for me.

     544

545. I visited Vienna when my husband was stationed in Germany in the 90s. I was blown away when I saw the Golden Fleece treasure- and in particular the Virgin Mary Cope. That was the first real exposure to goldwork that I had, until then I thought of embroidery as cotton or silk floss. Now that I’ve done goldwork and or nue myself, I appreciate the cope even more. Truly beautiful and astounding.

     545

546. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen (that I’d also like to do) is called Diagonal Ribbons by Ilse Altherr. It’s pulled thread work. I love pulled and drawn work!

     These scissors are beautiful!

     546

547. A friend of mine did several of the Lavender and Lace Angels and they were exquisite! Merry Christmas. Hugs,

     547

548. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a few years ago at the State Fair of Texas. I’ve wanted to win a blue ribbon for my needlework since I was a little girl (I still haven’t…but I have a few red and white ribbons). The Best in Show winner a few years ago was a lovely little piece of needlework that was truly amazing. I couldn’t get my nose close enough to the glass to see it. Her stitches were so perfect and flat. I even tried to find her on Facebook to send her a message about it. I was so impressed…I still look for her name in the winner’s lists every year. 🙂

     548

549. I had ever seen a cross stitch sampler in person, I thought I might see on on a day I took my young children to the Margret Strong Museum in Rochester NY, but to my surprise they did not hve any samplers on dispaly. Reguardless we had a wonderful time.. at the end of the afternoon we were about to leave but desided to go through the gift shop, to my surpise they had two reproduction sampler kits by the Exanplarery for sale. One was Joanna Ellenwood and the second the Shepherdess. I purchased the shepherdes, determined I could stitch it because the package said it was done by a young girl…so why cannot a adult do it? This was stitched on 36 count white linen with dmc floss. I found a 4in hoop and read the instructions. Taking my time I stitched away and read the instuctions almost daily. .Witin four months I saw the most impressive needle work piece I had ever laid my eyes upon! This came out neet, professional looking,I feel I had really done something here! This was the early 1980’s and I have been stitching ever since.

     549

550. About 10 years ago, I was fortunate to be in England and went to Portabello Road to browse antiques and looking for inexpensive sewing tools. In one of the stalls, high up in the corner, I saw a striking antique sampler with a pinkish red floral border. It was out of my budget, and I wish I had asked the vendor if he would have allowed me take a picture of it. We had a lovely conversation about needlework and travel. While I don’t remember all the details of the embroidery, the time spent admiring it and talking about it and other things made for a wonderful memory.

     550

551. I LOVE scissors. They have always fascinated me. As a small child I thought that having my own was the greatest.
     I have several pairs. Rabbit. Eiffel Tower. . I love them all. It would be wonderful to have such a fine pair as the ones that you are giving away. It would make this holiday season so memorable.
     Merry Christmas.

     551

552. Grand Rapids Michigan, has an annual art show in early October. Viewers get to vote on their favorite project, they are placed all over town. During the 2017 show a friend took a picture of an EMBROIDERED OWL and posted it on her Facebook wall. It was fabulous, absolutely gorgeous, too realistic for mere words. That photograph made me begin to look more closely at long and short stitching projects.

     552

553. I so agree with you . I enjoy using tools that are beautiful as well as very well made. Of all the tools used in sewing & needlework of all kinds, I believe scissors are among the most important. Without good tools,needlework is just a job & not a pleasure.I

     553

554. A college girl contacted me last year after she heard I did handwork. She saw a small purse w a red bicycle on it w flowers. In fact I bought the linen from the French Needle. I found all the supplies plus the purse frame, helped her trace the pattern on. She came to my house in May to put it together. A lot of people thought it has been done on a machine. She did silk flowers in the basket and around the wheels. Her embroidery was just perfect.

     554

555. One of my favourite pieces of embroidery is Ruth O’Leary’s goldwork dragon.

     http://www.rutholearytextileart.co.uk/content/dragon/

     It’s simply magnificent!

     555

556. I think the most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen and still recall it is a geometric piece from Ink Circles stitched by a beautiful stitcher I’ve known for 20 years that passed away just recently at the young age of 52. She used a very fine silk such as Gloriana Tudor on 52/60 count linen and it is such a comforting color of overdye she used and the thread is so delicate, it just left an impression of delicacy on me. It was on display with several other of her pieces at her funeral this last Monday and I hope one of her family members will keep it as a true remembrance of her and her beautiful stitching skills.

     556

557. The most beautiful piece of enbroidery, that I will remember forever, is a sampler my Mother made while she was carrying me. It had my name, she had already decided on, and a background of flowers and hills. I wish I still had it, but after 80 years it has gotten misplacd.

     557

558. I’ve always been a “tool nut” myself and, like Mary, it was always just the “right” tool to get the job done. It wasn’t until my daughter in law gave me a needle minder that I sort of, turned the corner on tools. Now I’m not just a tool nut but a “beautiful” tool nut! I want my tools to be both beautiful AND useful. These scissors have the benefit of history on their side to make them beautiful, useful and historical!! I sure hope I win them.

     558

559. It would have to be The Lord’s Supper, done by a friend.

     559

560. I’d love to see the Bayeux tapestry “in person” but have only seen very many photos of this beautiful piece online. The reason it is memorable is the images it depicts and the history it shows. One day I will travel and see this beautiful work. For now I can look and wonder at it’s beauty.

     560

561. I love embroidery of any kind, Brazilian, stumpwork, it is usually so beautiful and delicate. I was at a quilt show a few years ago and saw stumpwork, it was amazing, I don’t exactly remember the project but the stitching was awesome!! Am still interested in learning it.

     561

562. It’s hard to pick the most beautiful piece of needlework ever seen!! I remember some antiques owned by Gigi Ries where young girls did exquisite work showing what they had learned in school!! I especially love the old samplers and the white work!!

     562

563. I saw so many breathtaking needlework pieces at Winterthur but I am always captivated by the crewel canopy bed coverings. They do take me back to another century when wealthy estate owners, lords and ladies employed “guilds” to make these gorgeous household items. I can’t remember the exact details (where it came from or who it belonged to) of the bed chamber recreation at Winterthur but it was gorgeous, traditional. I appreciate the opportunity to win these lovely scissors from France – I have dreamed of owning a pair but they are just too extravagant for my pocketbook. Merry Christmas Mary – blessings to you – you bring so much to so many. See you in 2018! Melody Bryan

     563

564. Without a doubt, the Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters Museum in New York city.

     564

565. Such an exquisite pair of scissors! Would love those. I have to say I am partial to the needle works that have been passed down to me that my great grandmother stitched. My great aunt has given me several pieces including dresser scarves (which no one uses any more but me! ha) and a quilt that has the 49 states embroidered on it. I am always amazed with the detailed stitching, whether it is the pulled thread technique or the tedious finished edges. They still inspire me. They did so much with so little.

     565

566. When I saw Long dog samplers I was absolutely mesmerized m the celtic ones I completely fell in love.

     566

567. The piece of Needlework that has the biggest impact on me was a school girl mourning sampler I saw as part of an exhibit in CT. The sampler was of a weeping woman crying over a gravesite urn with a weeping willow overhead. The stitcher used the hair of the deceased to stitch the hair of the cry woman. To me it exemplified the passion and intense emotion stitchers often being to their work.

     567

568. The small circle wasn’t more than two to three inches across but the small space was filled with gold work and silk thread. There were minutely couched gold threads and delicate gold Perle. The long and short stitches were placed with precision and the shimmer from the silk sparkled. This small circle was a joy to behold as the floral centerpiece was revealed with the beautiful shades of pinks and purples. The edges were worked with gold work that radiated sunshine. A one of a kind masterpiece.

     568

569. A white work sampler hanging in a friends house. Wish I had taken a picture. Just remember it was intricate, detailed and exquisite!

     569

570. The most beautiful needlework that I had the opportunity to see was the Ross Tapestry in Ireland. The pieces were not only spectacular but the workmanship, the threads everything about these undertaking by volunteers was well worth the price of the tour that I was fortunate enough to be on.

     570

571. Yes, they are beautiful scissors! One of the most impressive beautiful embroideries was something I came across browsing the web. It was a very detailed wedding dress that the bride had done herself. It depicted the relationship of the bride and groom in pictures all the way around the hem of the dress. It was so breathtaking.
     Merry Christmas, Mary!!

     571

572. I still recall the Bayeux Tapestry I was privileged to view during a college trip many, many years ago. Amazing!

     572

573. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I have seen is a Jacobian sampler created by my sister Alecia which hung in the entryway of her home in Atlanta!

     573

574. The most beautiful sampler I have seen personally is Ann Holewll. I saw her when she first was purchased by Colonial Willimasburg.

     574

575. The piece of work that I consider the purest example of perfection would have to be, “the British Arms” by Lady Evelyn Murray. The piece took her 7 years to complete and in my eyes all 7 years were worth it. This piece shows a complete understanding of form with extraordinary detail and the skill she used to execute it takes my breath away. I am honestly humbled by the sheer beauty of it.

     575

576. What a difficult question to answer, but I think it has to be a stunning tudor stumpwork piece embroidered onto a covered box I saw in a museum. The work was exquisite and the little animals and figures so charming!

     576

577. Another amazing giveaway Mary – thank you to you and to all the wonderful businesses who have taken part! To answer the question of the day….I would have to say the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen has to be anything created by AnneMieke Mein or Michele Carragher (who creates the costumes for Game of Thrones). Their work is absolutely stunning and I can but dream that I could ever be even a fraction as good as either one of them. I know that’s not picking ONE favourite, but I simply can’t choose just one.

     577

578. I’ve seen a lot of exquisite needlework through the years, including many of your items that you display on Needle ‘n Thread. However, the one that always comes back to me is an antique wool quilt one of my relatives owned when I was a little girl. It was wool applique, but it was embellished with the most beautiful embroidery. I will always remember it and it is what inspired my interest in needle crafts. Thanks again for another awesome giveaway. Have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New.

     578

579. I have to say, my grandmother’s hardanger embroidery on the table runner I have is my most memorable piece of stitchery. The design and every stitch is perfectly finished. The close second, is her crochet trivet of bottle caps to create a cluster of grapes. I still have the first but, sadly, not the second. I aspire to her skill with the needle and treasure her three very fine gauge crochet hooks (which I use) and her tatting bobbin (which some day I will learn how to use.) Thank you for asking these questions.

     579

580. The most inspirational piece of embroidery I have ever see was crafted by Mylène Bélanger and was published in the Australien Magazine Inspirations. She perfectly embroidered the most beautiful and colorful peacock I have ever seen.

     580

581. Japanese kimonos – on delicate silk, with floral or geometric designs, perfectly stitched by hand – continue to dazzle my eyes just as they did when I was a youngster and saw my first one. Of course, my mother’s love of everything Japanese helped my passion grow. And still, I imagine myself in a bamboo room, sitting quietly and stitching, surrounded by a bounty of silks, colored thread and stork scissors.

     581

582. I have a friend who does the most exquisite blackwork you’ve ever seen. She did a piece that turned into a Chemise on handkerchief linen with embroidered sleeves and embroidery on the body that took five years. It’s such a stunning piece and truly amazing in it’s detail.

     Every time I think about the 100’s of hours she has put into that shift it just stuns me by it’s beauty.

     582

583. The most beautiful needlework piece I’ve seen is a small altar hanging woven by a local artist. It shows the Madonna and child with a background of lilies. There is a companion piece featuring Joseph, but the details and colors of Mary and baby are truly radiant.

     583

584. The Overlord Embroidery in Portsmouth England is my choice. An amazing 34 panel (272 feet long) embroidery commemorating the D-Day invasion during World War II, it tells the story of Operation Overlord prior to and through the invasion. Truly breathtaking.

     584

585. Oh my. This is SO hard. Guess the most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen hand stitched quilt blocks my great grandnother stitched and were given to me by my grandmother. Priceless gems.

     585

586. Most beautiful design and work………more times than I care to mention, I have thought awesome, there cannot be a more beautiful piece, then I will look into another book or someones designs from long ago or also from now time and find another that I think is the perfect example. So, I say to you, the most beautiful is yet to come! There is no limit to the piece(s) that would be considered the most beautiful; I would not be a competent judge.

     586

587. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is imprinted on my heart — life-sized bunches of carrots and celery embroidered by my grandmother that hung in her kitchen. As a little girl I was fascinated by the french knot celery seeds; I can still see them vividly in my mind’s eye.

     587

588. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was the coronation robes for the emperor of Austria ‘s coronation in 1108. The robes were in perfect condition and stunning. Sell worth a trip to the museum to see them.

     588

589. Years ago my university’s museum of art had an exhibit of Middle-Eastern artifacts. There was one particular textile that I’ll never forget. It was a circle of black velvet, about 6 feet across, completely encrusted in goldwork swirls and spirals and gold sequins and beads. I camped myself down next to it with my laptop so I could keep looking at it for hours while I did some homework. I didn’t know who had stitched it or the details of when or where–though it was certainly old–and the plaque said they weren’t sure of its purpose, if it was simply a wall hanging or something more specific. But there was just something so magical about the intricacy and care with which it had been crafted.

     589

590. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have seen is in the Embroiderers’ Guild U.K. collection, an Elizabethan coif. I made arrangements to see it several days before I visited them (still at Hampton Court at that time), and was absolutely awed when the box holding the coif along with a pair of white gloves were laid on the table in front of me. I had seen photos of this coif in stitch books for years, but to see it in person was to understand the piece in all its parts. The small dots that I had assumed were French Knots were actually tiny silver sequins that were no longer bright and shiny. I spent several hours drafting aspects of it in my sketchbook, making notes as to color and stitch, and left it most reluctantly.

     590

591. This IS a hard question, not because it’s hard to choose, but because it’s so difficult to describe. Years ago I saw a beautiful Crazy Quilt. It was all neutral, almost-solid fabrics, elegantly stitched with threads of pale, pale colors. Every stitch was so perfect, every seam so flat, and every stitch by hand. The effect was so perfect and so unusual. Embellishments seemed almost to be invisible. Translucent. It was colorful, though not at all like the traditional Crazy Quilts I’ve loved to examine. No photography allowed, of course. It was awesome. As for those scissors! I’ve never seen anything like them. In fact, I had no idea there existed scissors like these. I do not own expensive sewing tools. Is that what I’ve been missing? I loved the website and look forward to regular visits. Thank you for a chance to own them.

     591

592. I think the most beautiful piece I can remember is a needlepainted piece of a small sleeping fawn surrounded by flowers (https://chloe-giordano.squarespace.com/fawn). I wish I could see it in person, but I have a feeling I’d just want to touch it and that would just get it dirty 🙂

     592

593. The piece that always sticks in my mind is a piece that hung on my Grandma’s dining wall. It was a crochet piece. A vase and flowers, framed. It was rather large. The colors of the flowers were beautiful and glowed with the combination used. The beads sparkled. And this was before beading was common with crochet. The vase used a gold sparkly thread running through. As a child, I would just stand and admire. I know it was one of my ancestors that made this fine art but I don’t know who. My Grandma died when I was ten so I don’t know what happened to it but have often wondered. I have never forgotten this piece . And in my mind I don’t think anything could equal the beauty.

     593

594. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is the sampler Ann Dale by Shakespeare’s Peddler. It’s gorgeous in it’s symmetry, color palatte, and silk threads. This one is in my start list for 2018. Those scissors, *gasp*, thank you for such a lovely gift.

     594

595. When I was young, my elderly neighbor gave me a beautiful old crazy quilt to thank me for helping her. She had been given the quilt by another neighbor that she had helped when she was young. It is tattered and frayed but the stitching is exquisite. Clearly many people worked on it including a very young child. Beautifully embroidered motifs cover the quilt , birds, baskets, spider webs and even a painted flower. I still see something new whenever I look at it as my awareness of embroidery grows with my own efforts. Someday this lovely old quilt will go on to the next generation, but for now it’s enjoying it’s place on top of my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine where it is much admired and loved.

     595

596. Beautiful scissors, case, and an informative article.

     596

597. Those are the most beautiful scissors I have ever seen! So very, very generous! The piece of needlework that stopped me in my tracks is the Beatrice Potter Quaker Sampler–a cross stitch. My friend actually was able to see it in person in the Potter Hilltop Home in England. There is a pattern by Needleprint that I have and I’ve bundled all the supplies together to do in the upcoming new year, 2018.
     Merry Christmas, Mary and all!

     597

598. The scissors truly are exquisite! Wow! It’s hard to pick the most beautiful piece of needlework but one that has stayed in my mind for years is a needlepoint design I saw at a store in Arizona. It was a southwestern version of Noah’s ark with all the animals that are native to the southwest in the designs, along with Saguaro cactus, mountains, etc. I have never forgotten that piece.

     Judy Hudgins

     598

599. About 18 years ago we went to an exhibit of ancient Chinese Artifacts in the Smithsonian. There was a fragment of embroidery that was around 4,000 years old. The colors were still amazing and you could see that it was very small chain stitch. I had never imagined that the fabric and embroidery could last that long. It has made me realize how important it is to keep textiles that you want to save out of the sun and in hopefully dry places.

     599

600. I have recently taken up embroidery after a 27-year break and joined the Ecclesiastical Needlework Committee of the Toronto (Ontario, Canada) Anglican diocese and am currently learning how to make altar linens. I am privileged to have the opportunity to work with and learn from the dedicated and very talented and experienced members of the Committee and hope to one day be able to make altar linens for my church and, if I am able to develop the skills, to assist in restoring aging vestments in need of repair. There are two pieces of needlework that “tie” for the most beautiful work that I have seen. One is a set of vestments at my church, known as the “wedding set” (the fabric came from a wedding dress) that was made by the Royal School of Needlework over a hundred years ago. The work is highly detailed and beautiful and I find something new in it every time I look at it. The other piece is a cope that was also made by the Royal School of Needlework and is being lovingly restored by the Toronto Ecclesiastical Needlework Committee. A new cope has been made as the original fabric had deteriorated over time and the original goldwork embroidery – which is truly breathtaking – has been transferred to it and new trim has been added. It has been a 2 ½ year labour of love for members of the Committee and it is astonishingly beautiful.

     600

601. A very good friend of mine made a lot of quilts, but the one that was a true masterpiece was from a pattern called CInco de Mayo by Karen Keystone Quilts. It was made up of hundreds of very small triangles pieced in circular design in lovely. vibrant colored fabric. Reminds me of your color palette. Perhaps not a true “Needlework” but beautiful, none the less.

     601

602. In recent years the most beautiful embroidery I have seen is Sylvia Murariu”s Windy October I saw on Pinterest. It so intrigued me that I finally got in contact with her niece about the project. Unfortunately, Sylvia had just recently passed away. Her niece, Laura helped me to piece together the materials I would need to stitch the Brazilian embroidery project. It is next on my list to do!

     602

603. A beautiful piece of embroidery I recall clearly was the altar front in a tiny chapel in Yorkshire, it was beautifully embroidered with hedgerow flowers.

     603

604. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen in person was Helen Richmond’s work for Ely Cathedral in England. She was commissioned to replicate one of the knot designs found on a garment (cope) from the 14th century. Her gold work is exquisite. I was lucky enough to take a class with her some years ago when the RSN came to Williamsburg for a class.

     604

605. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen was the gold work in an exhibition of early Jewish handwork that I saw at a temple in my home town.

     605

606. Magnificent scissors!!!! Hands down Bayeux Tapestry for its historical significance and when needlework was the great art of the day (as it should be now!).

     606

607. The piece of Needlework I remember was a screen of three crewel work panels. It is an amazing piece of beautiful stitching , design and colours. A piece of Needlework I’ll not forget.

     607

608. Beautiful scissors, sure to be treasured by the lucky winner

     608

609. I was at a local quilt show years ago and saw Brazilian Dimensional embroidery for the first time and had to learn how to do it. Since then, I discovered your website. Your work and tutorials are so inspirational. I have learned so much since following you. I have also almost completed my first piece of goldwork.

     609

610. although i’ve seen so many exquisite embroideries, my favorite has to be the crazy quilt that my grandmother made. she taught me to embroider and she was a very talented stitcher. i cherish having stitched with her and now having her quilt. she probably made it in the ‘30’s.
     thanks for sharing your knowledge too!

     610

611. Ohhhhh I love those scissors. I have a serious weakness for small sharp scissors but have never seen any this beautiful.
     The most beautiful price of textile work I’ve ever seen was a boundweave hanging made by a now deceased friend of mine. The quality was just outstanding, and the actual design and pattern was exquisite.

     611

612. I think the most impressive piece I have seen is one a co-stitcher stitched of Blackwork Journey by Elizabeth Almond. It is a great piece and I commend Elizabeth for making it available for free!! I have printed the pattern because it is a great resource for blackwork designs.

     612

613. The Jane Bostock Sampler at the Victoria and Albert Museum is the piece of needlework that impressed me the most. It was a joy to see such an historic piece of needlework.

     613

614. If you’re talking about needlework seen in person, then I’m very limited on that (mostly just cross stitch I and an acquaintance have done). If things seen online can count, then I easily know my answer….the Marian Medallion project! Now, I realize that could possibly seem like flattery, but it is truly the most amazing needlework I’ve seen; and not only that, finding that (thanks Google search) a few years ago is what connected me to Needlenthread and all the lovely needlework ideas and links and connected resources that I’ve found since then. I actually bought myself a very simple pair of embroidery scissors that were pretty (after years of using utilitarian fold-up first aid scissors) because of Mary’s scissors posts and have enjoyed the added bit of beauty in my daily stitching life. I’ve never dared even drool over scissors as nice as posted in today’s give-away!

     614

615. Well, I’m going to throw my hat in- – what a gorgeous scissors! Thanks to you and The French Needle, Mary.
     The most gorgeous piece of needlework I’ve seen was in a castle in England- it was something of a bed valance and had exquisite embroidery and really impressive beading. This was as a little girl that I saw it and I have wanted to create something similar my whole life; I’ve been collecting silks and beads for that very purpose. Merry Christmas to all!

     615

616. What immediately comes to mind is the beautiful Plymouth jacket. This was a reproduction of a jacket in the V&A museum. The jacket project was the brain-child of Tricia Wilson Nguyen. The jacket resides at Plimouth Plantation.

     616

617. The most beautiful needlework that I can recall. Recall is the key word here. I have seen many needlework pieces that are truly amazing but the one I recall is Di van Niekerk”s piece called “Hydrangea” in her out of print book “Dreamscapes”. I really enjoy and find very beautiful her artist play with the thread and stitches. She does more that just embroidery. She feels the stitches and connects them in a masterful way.

     617

618. Wow These are beautiful scissors.

     618

619. To this day I am in awe of Lucy’s Wedding/Funeral dress designed by Eiko Ishioka for the movie Bram Stoker’s Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The headdress, collar and all the detail in the body of this costume are exquisite.

     619

620. I think the old pillow cases I find with a crocheted lace on them. Just Love them!! So inspiring!!!

     620

621. I was fortunate to view the entire Tales of the Gengi that was embroidered over a lifetime. There are no words to express the beauty of these exquisite pieces.

     621

622. I don’t think I can name just one needlework piece that is the most impressive to me. I have been fortunate to travel to Europe multiple time to view and study needlework in several countries both in museums and in private collections. I would have to say that the needlework collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum is the most impressive. Sadly it is no longer open to the public, but when it was I was able to spend a full day there studying the magnificent collection. This is not to say that collections I have seen in Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands are not also impressive.

     622

623. Thomas Kinkade Christmas Stitchery’s Love them reminds me of when I was young Christmas without all the commercialization .
     Thanks Bonnie

     623

624. The most beautiful needle work, that is tough. I am new to hand needlework but one of the most inspirational pieces I have seen was a thing where a lady did a stitch a day for one year. The end result was very random yet beautiful. I loved how you could see the year come together in the form or art. I tired this year unsuccessfully to do the same. Time did not allow it but I will be trying again next year. 🙂

     624

625. On a trip to Scotland, I so enjoyed a visit to Holyrood. Upstairs in an exhibit was a baby’s baptismal gown for a very special baby, indeed. It had everything! Drawn thread, pulled thread, lace, and special embellishments by the yard. Never to be forgotten. So glad it is being carefully tended to there for preservation.

     625

626. A beautiful gift for which I have just the beautiful friend to gift them to. (Fingers crossed).

     626

627. Mary and French Needle…you are so wonderfully generous to donate one of these absolutely fabulous scissors. I have admired them for years but never dreamed of actually having an opportunity to own one. I lived in France for a year back in the 1960s when I was in the USAF and my husband’s father was born in France, so I have a long connection with France. I so admire the craftsmanship that goes into making these heirloom scissors and the gorgeous case.

     I have seen so many beautiful needlework pieces stitched in years…EGA/ANG/NSCAE/NAN that it’s hard to narrow it down I’ve also visited museums in Europe. I think that the queens that Gay Ann Rogers has been creating in this century match any of these works of art. Her Catherine and Eleanor of Aquitaine are at the top of the list…of course I’m partial to Eleanor.

     627

628. While visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum with my husband I was very excited to see the sampler collection. My husband was not nearly as excited as I was and casually went over to a random cabinet and pulled out a random sampler. Even he knew which sampler he pulled—Jane Bostocke! So famous, and I did not even have to search for it! I was in shock, a very pleasant shock. The sampler has great meaning to me as it has the date of my birthday on it—November 23. Of course just a few years later! Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year for the Needle and Thread community.

     628

629. I think every piece of embroidery is beautiful in its own way but I think the most beautiful ones I have seen are the linen handkerchiefs my mother, grandmother and aunt used to keep tucked in their sleeves. They all had delicate flowers and crocheted edges. I love utilitarian items that are adorned with such beauty. The scissors are stunning, thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest. I enjoy your posts immensely ! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

     629

630. One of our EGA guild members designed and stitched a very large spanish galleon for an exhibition. It was amazing in detail and included goldwork and silk. It won best inshow, of course, and even was featured on the EGA magazine.

     630

631. Lovely article , good luck everyone! Whoever wins is very lucky. I really loved the embroidery in the Bayeaux Tapestry in Hereford, England. I saw this as a little girl on a school trip 40 Year’s ago. I think of it often and hope to see it again one day. Happy Christmas to you all.

     631

632. Melissa Shirley….birds with flowers on their heads

     632

633. The needlework samplers on display at Colonial Williamsburg are my favorite pieces of embroidery because each one shows the skills of the women who stitched them.

     633

634. I don’t know that this is the most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen (that might go to the rose that you showed us in this article on silk shading https://needlenthread.wpengine.com/2017/11/cotton-or-silk-embroidery-threads-for-silk-shading.html) but the one that sticks in my mind best is this turtle eating a strawberry that I saw on facebook.

     https://www.facebook.com/ElzazEmbroidery/photos/a.579006052125514.151628.576114682414651/579006102125509/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

     I LOVE the expression on the turtle’s face. This makes me happy just looking at it. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a photograph. (It was on my phone) When I realized it was stitching, I was very impressed!

     Thank you for the opportunity to enter this give away. I hope you have a great holiday!

     634

635. Decades ago I went to an exhibit of Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party (in Chicago) and was blown away by the beautiful embroidery. At that time I’d never seen such beautiful work. Her work holds up: it is still beautiful and impressive. I’d love to see it in person again.

     635

636. It probably isn’t the most beautiful, but I clearly remember seeing a small piece of embroidery in the textile room of the Victoria and Albert Museum back in 1991. I can’t even describe it clearly other than to say it had bright yarns sewn on a black ground. I think it was a pair of gloves or a hat. I thought it was beautiful.

     636

637. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen that I can remember vividly is a cross stitch my mom did of the Rose Window from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. She and I visited the Cathedral together, so not only is the cross stitch exquisitely done, the memories it invokes are priceless.

     637

638. When Pittsburgh still had a women’s bookstore, the Gertrude Stein Memorial Bookshop (Gertrude was originally from the ‘Burgh), often there would be one or two pieces of art for sale. One week, a piece was a goddess, gorgeous, colorful, and—split stitch embroidery, full frame. I’d been doing some redwork with colors, usually of fantasy/sci-fi subjects. This piece was the first I’d seen that used only split-stitch to make an entire piece look like a classic painting. I may have actually gaped at it. If I’d had any money it would be on my wall now. That one piece made me realize the beauty and power that could could come from one simple stitch that made every piece a painting. So my walls are covered with my own work now, and I’d love to find that stitcher and thank her.

     638

639. Nothing of significance stands out like the other readers have described; but as lame as this sounds, I’m always so pleased with the color scheme I picked out for a pillow project I made for my daughter. Your newsletter inspired me to pick up the needle again and give embroidery a try after many, many years of saying some day . . . .

     Thank you for sharing your passion and talent. You are a gift.

     639

640. That is a hard question. I think the most beautiful was on my trip to Asia. Gorgeous needlework on Japanese kimonos, and when in Hong Kong all the fabric items had wonderful stitches on them.

     640

641. When my mom passed away in 2007, my sister and I were trying to decide what she would wear to be buried in. We went to one of the larger stores in our area, and searched the women’s department for something special. My mom’s favorite color was blue, and I was always fascinated by embroidery. Well, there on one of the racks of clothes, was a beautiful embroidered pastel blue skirt suit. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be mom’s. It was beautiful, just like it was made for her. A memory that will always remain with me.

     641

642. I recently saw a piece of black work depicting a 40’s pin up lady in suspenders and stockings. It was such a complex mix of light and shade and clearly worked by an artist and well as a needlewoman. Inspirational indeed.

     642

643. What a piece of art indeed! Am thrilled to know someone still does this. Plan to check out this artisan. Using something this beautiful while making something beautiful….. Awesome!

     One of the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen was from Peru, a wall hanging of all colors with small animals and people made separately and then attached. I suppose it would be considered a bit like crewel, but it totally inspired me to go back to embroidery. It showed Llamas and gardens and beautiful countryside.

     643

644. I saw some beautiful bobbin lace in a museum, but the piece of needlework that melts my heart is the piece my young grandson gifted me after I showed him how to cross stitch! Oh the scissors are spectacular…what a treasure they will be!!

     644

645. I have enjoyed so many embroidery piece. The French and Japanese artists have always caught my attention.

     645

646. I honestly believe the most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was Drawn Thread Sampler by Gay Ann Rogers that my friend Mary Doerder stitched. Every stitch was beautifully done.

     646

647. ❤️ embroidery and these exquisite scisorrs are so lovely!!!! What a treat!!!

     647

648. I’ve never seen those scissors before. Just beautiful, so elegant. Hope Santa sees them….

     648

649. Gorgeous scissors! My love is cross stitch and one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen stitched is His Eye is on the Sparrow Sampler by Heartstring Samplery. In fact, I’ve purchased the pattern and threads to stitch this sampler myself. I’m just trying to decide on my stitch count at this point because it is such a large sampler. Once I make that decision, I’ll buy my fabric and start working that needle to have this piece in my own home.

     649

650. When i was 12 we were on vacation in Wisconsin. My cousin Tommy took me to a museum and there th dwas a tapestry of a forest with deer, wolves and flowers.
     To this day I still think of that day and that beautiful tapestry.

     650

651. The piece that most impressed me is a design by Maureen Appleton Sorenson called Floral Finesse. It is a tribute to DMC and used all 290 of the colors available at that time. I loved it so much I did it on black over 1 and it hangs in my living room.

     651

652. The most awesome piece of needlework that I have seen is a miniature quilt that was hand appliqued. It was made by Jill Burton of St. Mary, Kansas. She sized a pattern for a large quilt down to a size about 10″x 10″. The pieces were so small I can’t believe she could get them so small and look so perfect.

     652

653. This is a tough question! Hard to pick one, so I picked two.

     First is/are the stockings my Nonni cross-stitched for EVERYONE in the family. They are beautifully done and have our names in them.

     Second is this amazing vintage embroidery piece I saw from France. How can you go wrong with that combo, right? Just the time it took and attention to detail. So beautiful and so delicate. And so girly

     Just makes me smile thinking of them both.

     Thank you for such an amazing giveaway. Those scissors are stunning

     653

654. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen would have to be some embroidered easter eggs I saw on TV. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen them in person but I saw a TV special several years ago about embroidering on real eggs. The designs shown were so intricate and to me it just seems impossible to be able to sew on such a fragile object. They were similar to these (http://www.travelwestukraine.net/2013/03/easter-motifs-embroidery-and-applique.html). I personally do a lot of cross stitching and the most impressive needlework I’ve seen in person is the Heaven and Earth Design (Story Time by Lisa Victoria) that my sister is currently stitching for me and my daughters. It is a labor of love!

     654

655. Oh My! Amazing, wonderful scissors. The most beautiful embroidery…A piece that I will always remember. It was at an Embrolider’s Association of Canada Seminar, a piece a member had submitted. It was a stumpwork Hibiscus flower, about 5” across and 3” high. The petals were of a white organza fabric with the center of the flower in various colors. The amazing part was that you could not see a single stitch on the petals…. It took first place. Sally Savaglio

     655

656. I still remember seeing the Bayeux tapestry. Not the finest needlework, but breathtaking in its ambition and scale!

     656

657. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was a Chatelaine design. I don’t know the name of the design but it was done in blues and had beads and metallics throughout. The framed piece was hanging in a needlework shop in Williamsburg, VA. I vowed to soneday stitch a Chatelaine and am still working on two, but nowhere finished. I do hope I complete one as dazzling as that jewel in Williamsburg.

     657

658. There are so many embroidery pieces that take my breath away… Trish Burr with her thread painting and white work with color remain among my favorites. I also love seeing the 15th to 17th centuries tapestries when I go visit Chateaux in France….

     658

659. We visited a historic plantation house on Kauai a few years ago and the main sitting room had a lovely settee that was completely needlepointed. The scene was from the island and the woman who stitched it had to send to New York for the wools used. It was beautiful even after almost 100 years of use. I can imagine the stitcher waiting for the ship to come in with her needed wools to continue stitching her work of art.

     659

660. Hi Mary 🙂

     I think the most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was on the show “Outlander”. It was in the first season of the show, the wedding episode. The dress was just beautiful, and it looked just like it described in the book. It was wonderful to see it come to life on screen. The only thing better would be to see it in real life, lol.

     I asked the question to my lovely 19 year old daughter, and her answer was so sweet. She picked one of my finishes, a SAL by Papillion Creations called “Castles in the Air”. The SAL was offered in cross stitch or specialty stitches. I did the specialty stitches and gave it to my mom. I got it back after she died and want to get it framed.

     Thank for chance to win such a lovely prize. Happy Holidays to you and yours 🙂

     660

661. How beautiful these scissors are. I would love to have some.

     661

662. Thank you to the French Needle and Mary ~
     This is any easy question for me. A few years ago I was at Lacis in Berkley, CA. In their museum at the time they had some 17th century lace on display. It was the most exquisite thing I have every seen, not only the beauty and detail, but the history of its making. I was so lucky to have been there on that day (they were taking down the display the next day). It is certainly a most memorable experience. Since I was so lucky that day in 2009, just maybe I will be the lucky one to win these exquisite scissors – another work of art.

     662

663. Yes, ive seen many pieces in museums…..but most memorable to me is the tiny squared 30s fabrics put on point thay my Ohio Grandma needled for me in 1936..this was a quilt made for my dolls…its beautiful tiny needled stitches inspired me to make many quilts in my lifetime….i have yet to figure out why only 3 squares were put in depicting white bunnies with big ears on a blue dotted background….her name was Sarah Jane Dolby and she is still quilting in Heaven for angel robes……

     663

664. I have not had the pleasure of seeing it in person of course, but this piece just defies description – I’ve never tried goldwork but this… this is just incredible!
     https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143341200619605620/

     664

665. By far the most beautiful piece I’ve seen is The Witch of St. Kilda by Katie Tume (Mother Eagle Embroidery). It’s a stunning combination of very simple surface embroidery stitches in black, silver-colored goldwork, and iridescent and white beading to depict a Great Auk skull. It’s visually mesmerizing and emotionally powerful.

     665

666. I love seeing clothes from different time periods. I once got to go to an exhibit in Nevada of clothes that the museum had (not open to the public) from the 1800’s. I also grew up in Germany so I got to go to a lot of the museums and castles and see the history and clothing. I just get wrapped up in whatever needlework I see, current or past. It just amazes me what women did with the lighting and materials that they had back then.

     666

667. Although I never got to England while living in Europe, it is impossible for me to remember the names of the most beautiful embnroidered items at musems in Spain and Portugal. Those magnificent gowns, coats, embroidered in gold and lush laces, worn by royalty are out of this world.
     I guess this leaves me out of the competition, which would be of no surprise to me.

     667

668. What a beautiful and generous gift! Some of my most favorite historical embroideries are the Unicorn Tapestries. Not only have I loved unicorns since I was a little girl, but I am fascinated at the long hours of work these must have taken. Such beautiful pieces! Thanks to you, Mary, and The French Needle, for this wonderful opportunity!
     Sharon L. Greeley, CO

     668

669. the finest piece of embroidery I ever saw was at Versailles. it was an embroidered footstool. i took several photos of it because I loved the piece so much and thought maybe one day I could duplicate it!

     669

670. Hi Mary, I dislike insects in my home but to see them done as an elaborate work of art takes your breath away. On pinterest I came across a trio of Goldwork insects that did just that. It said the designer was Maxine Foxwell in Surrey. I pinned the picture so I could enjoy them whenever I want. Those insects would be welcomed in my home anytime. Just a note that I do try to respect insects in my garden. Have a Fantastic and Merry Christmas!

     670

671. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is a collection of works — “soldiers’ quilts” or “convalescent quilts” now displayed at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City (–until January 7!) — intricate florals, stars, geometrics, pictorials — absolutely stunningly mesmerizing. These quilts were hand-sewn and hand-appliqued, hand-embroidered, pieced to perfection, inlaid, intarsia — many of the pieces are no larger than one inch. Soldiers created these quilts during idle moments or while ill or recovering from injuries. They utilized the wool from military and dress uniforms dating from the mid-1700’s, through the Crimean War, Prussian and Napoleonic wars, and throughout the 19th century British Empire. One quilt has as its center a replica of an etching based upon a painting done by a British artist — all hand-embroidered…people, tables, drapery, carpet, furniture, the plasterwork ceilings — simply astounding!

     671

672. My current “wow!” piece of needlework is the cushions around the outer stone bench at Exeter Cathedral. They tell the history of the area and are a wonderful way to show people that needlework lives on and has a place in modern times. This project also involved quite a few stitchers!

     672

673. I haven’t seen the “most beautiful” piece of needlework in person. However, I have long been enamored with the Unicorn Tapestries held by the MET museum in N.Y. at the Cloisters. I’m in awe of these pieces for several reasons. The quality of the materials (they have existed since the late 1500s), the workmanship, the planning that went into their creation and the sheer beauty of the pieces inspires my imagination. I think about the people that made the tapestries and the people that have owned them, as well as all of the ‘admirers’ like myself that have collected reproductions and information of these one of a kind needlework wonders.

     673

     1. I hadn’t read your entry when I wrote mine but…YES!

674. Oh! How I would love those georgeous scissors! I have better quality scissors but nothing to compare to these. One of the most georgeous embroidery pieces I have seen is in a book by Di van Niekerk Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork. It is called Interpreting Nature’s Splendour. I have the kit but can’t get the confidence to start yet. It incorporates many techniques.

     674

675. You must be a sweet talker because you have had some fabulous items for your Stitcher’s Christmas. I have seen many beautiful needlework pieces and quilts, but the thing that most blew my mind was a display of beadwork at a Native American exhibit. I’d never seen peyote beading up close. The colors, patterns and intricate details took my breath away. We were allowed to take pictures and I think I took tons just to remind of the beauty of their needle/bead work.

     675

676. Those are lovely scissors. I really have enjoyed you site and emails. My family has always made embroidered tea towels to use and I have always enjoyed handwork. My range of projects has soared since finding your site.

     676

677. I am going to be naughty and not just choose one but I saw them all together. The V&A held an exhibition in 2011 of Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City. The hand stitching was exquisite and some of the pieces dated back to 1644. The colours were still vibrant and alive. Merry Christmas Mary. Happy holiday stitching. Thank you very much Mary

     677

678. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was at the Seattle Science Center when they had an exhibit of textiles from China. They had two sided embroidery in round frames that were fantastic. Each side had a different picture, and they were done on sheer silk chiffon or organza ( it has been about 40 years, can’t remember exactly the ground material) How they can embroider two sides at once, hide all of the end threads and produce two different images that are so realistic they look like photos is just mind boggling.

     678

679. I went to Spain many years ago and came upon a tiny lady in a very small town, stitching the most stunning artwork on such everyday items. All freehand, and so quick! The was cream on cream, blue on white, red on white, colours on white. All just stunning. To this day I wish I had bought more of her pieces as they were all for sale. She didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Spanish, but we understood each other somehow!

     679

680. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen is a cross stitch picture that my mother made in her 80s. It was an old fashioned winter street scene with snow falling. It was extremely detailed and each snowflake was a small cross-stitch with a crystal bead attached. I often told her that when she passed it was the only thing I really wanted. When she died at 93 other family members cleared out her assisted living apartment and I never saw it again.

     680

681. Ooh, those are stunning.

     I’ve been privileged to see a lot of incredibly beautiful needlework and I’m not certain I can pick just one piece. The ones that I remember tend to be pieces with emotional resonance rather than technical precision. I’ve never forgotten seeing the Changi quilt – a small piece of simple hexagonal patchwork, stitched by the Brownie Guides in a prisoner of war camp in Singapore for their leader. They used old hankies, dresses they’d outgrown, scraps from pockets and linings, and made it as a surprise for her. Just beautiful.

     681

682. The Plimouth Jacket. Absolutely stunning work…best appreciated in person!

     682

683. Every tine I see one of Jenny of Elephant’s designs, I am inspired to stitch! The designs are beautifully simple but take my breath away every time!

     683

684. Wonderful article.

     684

685. My most memorable piece of needlework I have ever seen is not liturgical or even museum quality. It is a piece my grandmother made for me and my sister when I was just a small child. I am the lucky one to have it hanging over my bed, which it has done for 40 years. Every time I look at it I think of her and how much love of the needle she instilled in me.

     685

686. Love these sissors!

     686

687. I think the most beautiful embroidery I’ve seen is Trish Burr’s Redouté’s Finest Flowers in Embroidery. I got the book several years ago and I still like looking at it.

     687

688. I have seen so many beautiful stitching over the years that I really had to think what I love the most. First and foremost I love antique samplers. Among those I love the Quaker Samplers the most. I love the colors and all the different motifs. There is a geometry and symmetry to them that is very pleasing to me. To reproduce one of them with hand dyed linen and hand dyed floss is a pleasure beyond compare.

     688

689. The most stunning and intricate needlework that I have ever had the preveiledge of seeing was a goldwork beetle designed and stitched by Jane Nicholas. It was not large at all, perhaps 10cm square, but wow – it packed a punch. Predominantly, goldwork threads were accompanied with silk threads and miniature glass seed beads. It was exquisite! Breathe-taking! Life changing! I just had to know how to create with gold threads and so, embarked on a year long metal thread embroidery class. Of course, there is no comparison of my work to Jane’s but neverthesss, I’m grateful for her inspiration. Funny, how some embroidery pieces are so powerful!

     689

690. The most beautiful needlework piece I have ever seen was a photo of a handmade lace veil that the train was several feet in length – just stunning!!!!

     690

691. Although it is probably not visually the most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen, the most beautiful in terms of telling a story and recording history is the Bayeux Tapestry. On a linen background, which has colored with age, the story is sewn with wools of 8 different colours so it certainly isn’t bright and shiny but is a piece of embroidery, (even though called a tapestry,) and each time I see it, I see something new and wonderful.

     691

692. Right now, I am crushing on the piece on the cover of the current NeedleArts (EGA’s magazine). It is a stumpwork Owl and the Pussycat. The cat is needlelace (and looks a bit like my baby, Dulcie!) and has multimedia foliage all around the frame. It is so whimsical and delightful. It is definitely one of those pieces that I wish I had done or could do – maybe someday.

     692

693. When I was cleaning out my deceased Uncle’s house, I came across a table runner that had cross-stitch and embroidered flowers in the corners, along with some openwork. I asked my Mom if she stitched it when she was younger, but she said my Grandma, her Mom, stitched it and she forgot about it. The table runner is not fancy, it’s not museum quality, but it represented a part of my Grandma’s lifelong relationship to making. I saw her sew and knit, but I never knew she stitched. She passed on the love of making to my Mom, and then to me, and now I have daughters who stitch, sew, knit, and dip their toes into different types of crafting as they become interested. There will always be beautiful impressive needlework pieces that I will see in my lifetime, but nothing will compare with the little table runner that is the oldest stitched piece in our family of makers.

     693

694. Such amazingly beautiful craftsmanship! Would be a joy and a delight to work with these. Happy Holidays!

     694

695. My mother made a beautiful picture of old jerusalem with chain stich only and without any gap in the canvas. She used the shapes and colours as imagined by an ancient european painter who of course never visited the site…so that jerusalem resembles …any european city.

     695

696. That is a tough one! While I’ve seen beautiful embroidered garments at various museums, the Bayuex Tapestry is the most memorable. Maybe because of the size and historic value.

     696

697. Being fairly new to embroidery, right now I focus on felted wool embellishing and not fine, intricate embroidery. Perhaps someday, my skills will get better and I’ll be able to move into Mary’s realm of beauty. My favorite piece is from Kerry Stitch Designs entitled “Crazy for Embellishment,” a hexagon shaped table topper with flowers, leaves and a center bee skep.

     697

698. I would have to say Hazel Blomkamp’s Jacobean footstool which appeared in Inspirations Magazine a while back.

     698

699. The most captivating piece was one stitched by my friend Stacey. She made a beautiful angel to honor her grandmother who passed away from breast cancer. She donated the piece for an action to raise money for breast cancer research.

     699

700. I am a hand quilter, cross stitcher (with a magnifier these days) and I love embroidery. A day without a needle in my hand is not the best day. Maybe not the most beautiful, but surely one of the most impressive examples of needlework I have seen was a quilt at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Omaha Nebraska. The applique was perfect, the little bugs embroidered in the border, and the quilting! Fourteen stitches to the inch. I know because I got out my tape measure and counted. It was old, with somewhat faded red print fabric. It inspired me in many ways to be a better needleworker. It is unforgettable.

     700

701. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen was on the back of Sarah Fergusons dress when she married Prince Andrew. There were thistles, bees, and beading that were exquisite.

     701

702. My great aunt was an old fashioned farm wife, but her needlework was absolutely beautiful! She made a pair of pillowcases with pansies on them that were just breathtaking. As if they were painted with needle and thread. I can only hope to be as good as she was, one day.

     702

703. The most memorable stitching I have seen was this beautiful quilt I saw in Asheville, NC. It was a quilt depicting a craft room, and it was embellished with ribbons to make the piece 3 dimensional. Really intricate and beautiful!

     703

704. I grew up in Ireland and I can still remember the first hand embroidered Irish Dance dress my mother made for me. I was so proud to dance in that dress and it helped me win a few trophies too. I wish my mom had kept the dress but even so, the memory is still vivid and very sentimental.

     704

705. The most beautiful piece of needlework i’ve ever seen was a silk shaded/gold work piece. it had beautiful shades of red and blue mixed with the gold.

     705

706. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was my nieces wedding dress that my sister did. It was white on white with just a light touch of pearls. It was absolutely beautiful. Definitely a family heirloom.

     706

707. The most beautiful needlework I ever saw was possibly the Unicorn Tapestries at The Cloisters in New York. The recreated monastery where they resided was so evocative of the atmosphere of sacred service through the work of dedicated hands that it brought to my mind the vision of unnamed needleworkers who lived and died during the many years it took to create the tapestries. Just remembering it takes me to another level of awareness.

     707

708. Last year, my mom and I took my kids on a trip to the UK. Since we saw a lot of cathedrals, we saw a lot of impressive needlework, but this thing in Bath REALLY caught my eye. It was a series of diptychs of calligraphy and textile art illustrating scripture verses from the life of Christ. Just beautiful embroidery art. It turned out to be part of a series by Sue Symons, and I just now found out there’s a book about it, so…. maybe a last-minute Christmas present, dear husband?

     708

709. This past summer I visited an exhibit at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The exhibit celebrated the 1960’s Summer of Love. So many items that brought back fun memories. But the clothing with amazing embroidery work was humbling. Also there was a free form crocheted piece of art. Some would call a blanket. It was done in colors that reminded me of the ocean, churning just a mile or so away. So impressive, It was unforgettable!

     709

710. I love beautiful scissors,

     710

711. My mother’s interpretation of an Eygptian art piece is the most beautiful needlework I have ever seen. She will love the scissors! Season’s Greetings!

     711

712. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I can remember would have to be Queen Amadalah’s wedding dress from Star Wars episode II: Attack of the Clones. Did you know that the costume designer stayed up the night before to finish the beaded embroidery on the dress made from recycled antique linens? Just breathtaking!

     712

713. WOW! This is a hard choice. I see so many beautiful things on Pinterest. The one that sticks out the most is this collar of a dress I think. Done in very fine thin cotton like the old summer dresses of the 1900 era. Lovely white work. The collar feathers up with embroidery not a fold in sight it has scalloped edges that lie along with the slope of the neck down the front with handmade buttons. It looks more like lace but isn’t. The delicacy of the stitches is exquisite.

     713

714. My mother was blessed with a high energy tomboy daughter….certainly not one who would sit and learn needlework. Patience…NEVER! Over the years the need to climb trees, fall off bikes, ski down icy slopes has been replaced by the desire to master those skills my mother wanted me to learn. You would not say that my mother made needlework masterpieces, but I have found the beauty in the pieces that she did very memorable. She excelled in embroidering designs on pillowcases…young girls with wild flowers. They are small projects filled with a mother’s loving touch. Maybe not perfect stitches, nor colors that attract attention, but they are the most wonderful masterpieces to me.

     714

715. Those scissors are so lovely. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen (up close) is hidden away in my cedar chest, waiting for the day my lace making skills are good enough to finish it. When I was about 10, oh so many years ago, my grandfather gave me some lace and fabric pieces that he gathered up when he was readying his great aunts house for an estate sale. One of the pieces was a table topper, embroidered with the most heavenly violets. The embroidery was all done, but the piece was never finished. I think because the piece of lace that was bundled up with it was about 2 inches to short to completely go around. I looked at it again a few days ago, and even though the piece has to be at least 60-70 years old, the colors in the cotton floss are still as vibrant as anything you can find today. It’s what started my love of embroidery and hand made lace. Thanks Grandpa and Great great great aunt Mariah.

     715

716. An older member of our guild has a collection of embroidery. One piece I just love – it is a long strip of Leek Embroidery. Long and short stitch flowers outlined with gold. Technically probably not perfect but gorgeous colours and historically very interesting. There is not much written about Leek Embroidery but it is worth looking it up. Early 20th century English, mostly ecclesiastical.

     716

717. I have a very small hand-knitted lace doily perhaps four or five inches square that I found in a charity shop, a small square of lace with a lace edging sewn on.. I have no use for it but bought it because it astounded me; the thread is finer than sewing thread and the stitches are exceedingly tiny. I wonder whether it was knitted as a sample or school exercise, or whether the knitter just use a pattern intended for coarser knitting and so ended up with a tiny doily by accident, or perhaps it was one of the smaller mats of a duchess set…

     717

718. In 2007 I had the good fortune to travel to China with my parents. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. While we were touring through the “silk region” we watched two young girls thread painting a very large picture of water birds, herons, I think. The jewel tones colors were exquisite and the preciseness of their stitching with the silk resulted in a beautiful sheen on the objects they were stitching. I could have stayed there and watched until the entire piece was completed! I wish we could have taken pictures!

     718

719. My Mother was a master of Crewel Embroidery. She did a large crewel embroidery of rabbits that was incredible. Not hanging in th Louve in Paris, but hanging at my brother’s home and very beautiful none-the-less.

     719

720. The most beautiful piece of needlework to me was a William Morris screen done in silks. When you walked one way it was dark and then as you slowly walked in the other direction it seemed to magically change colours from dark to light. I can still remember walking back and forth stunned. I haunts me still. It was then I realized the magic of silk threads.

     720

721. The most beautiful work I’d have to say that I’ve seen is a really tough tie between Chinese silk embroidery (in particular, this a lily pad made with nothing but blue tones) and the work done by Maison lesage in haute couture embroidery. I really loved this one piece from a few seasons ago where the embroiderers worked to create a layered plaid pattern with crystal emebellisbments with solely thread and beads on plain fabric.

     721

722. A very tough question. Mine would be a white on white queen size crazy quilt. It was quilted by hand but the most impressive part of it was that it was embroidered with Brazilian Embroidery. I can’t even begin to describe all the different stitches and motifs that were used on it. It was stunning.

     722

723. The Cluny tapestries – the Lady and the Unicorn series. They are in the Cluny Museum in Paris. How these six tapestries survived from the 1500s is incredible.
     I was reduced to tears.

     723

724. I don’t know that this is the most beautiful piece of needlework that I’ve ever seen but it is one that I still remember after seeing over 30 years ago. It was (still is, I assume) in the V&A Museum and is a silk & metal work showing a group of people giving an elephant a bath. The workmanship is exquisite, of course, and the details remarkable.

     724

725. Rachel Watkins had an original crane piece that was in a traveling needlework show from EGA. It was a stunning and very intricate silk and metal piece. It was a WOW.
     Speaking of WOW, these scissors are also a WOW. Wish I could be so lucky.

     725

726. I keep thinking back to the 5 years I lived in NM, and the beautifully humble and functional colcha work done on blankets and clothing and household items; Spanish in origin, with native american influences, colcha is worked on cotton using wool thread; Heavily surface worked, very little stitching shows through on the reverse of the work, and yet there is a vibrancy and an irresistibly tactile warmth to the work! It is embroidery that elevates the ordinary and touches the spirit of the wearer or the viewer . . .

     726

727. I was awestruck by the embroidered vestments at the Imperial Treasury in Vienna. I saw them just after looking at the crown jewels and really, the jewels just couldn’t hold a candle to the embroidery. I’d never really seen metallic thread embroidery in person before. And the detail of the stitching was incredible. To say nothing of the sheer quantity of vestments. Almost too much to take in — just display after display of the most gorgeous work!

     Mary, wishing you the very merriest Christmas!

     727

728. I know there are more impressive pieces of embroidery, but the piece that comes to my mind is a vintage tablecloth I purchased at a yard sale. It’s quite large with an all-over floral design. What makes it remarkable is that instead of lazy daisy stitch, it’s all done with bullion stitch. The hours it must have taken!

     728

729. On the cliffs above the Columbia river is a wonderful museum named Maryhill. It contains many beautiful things from Romanian royalty, including a gorgeous court dress. In another section there are Native American articles of clothing,regalia,accessories even toys that are intricately embroidered and embroidered. Talk about sensory overload!

     729

730. The most beautiful embroidery piece I have ever seen was at the National EGA Seminar in San Francisco. It was gold work and other metalics it was a geometric. I don’t recall the artist or the designer, but I can still see it hanging there at the seminar and went back every day to see it.

     730

731. What beautiful scissors, they are exquisite and such a generous gift to be giving away at Christmas. One which everyone would love to own. The most beautiful embroideries I have ever seen were in the Royal School of Needlework’s Stories in Stitches Exhibit this year at Hampton Court. There was gold work, stump work, blackwork, silk shading and many, many more techniques which were all executed precisely and perfectly. The designs were just fabulous and where the designers come up with the inspirations is simply amazing.

     Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with many pleasant hours of stitching.

     731

732. There was a piece I saw when I first started embroidering that has always stuck with me. It was a embroidered Golden Orb Weaved Spider with its web. It was about 12″x12″ and done using single strands of filament silk thread. It was extremely lifelike and very beautiful.

     732

733. Hello Mary, the piece that I remember most is a curtain, on which my mother boards a very large peacock, it was taller than me at that time, with many colors, on the lower edge it had a crocheted lace. The curtain hung on the door of the room I shared with my sister. I was five years old, I do not remember seeing my mother embroidering, since she died two years later, but this embroidery will be forever in my mind. Greetings and blessings, happy holidays.

     733

734. When visiting the Hirst Castle in California the room off of the refectory has a large tapestry of a hunting/forest scene. I believe it came from Europe for Hirst’s collection. Quite a beautiful and very large piece. It’s now been years since I’ve been there, but this piece is still clear in my memory.

     Merry Christmas to all my stitching friends.

     734

735. The most beautiful types of embroidery to me are those done in silk; the sheen and glow absolutely enchants me. Before I ever saw it, I read about it in Chinese folk and fairy tales. And then I saw it in pieces of antique Chinese embroideries my family collected; to this day, Chinese textiles including the forbidden stitch, pieces of kesi/kossu, gauze, and folk embroidery are my obsession. The loveliest textile collection I have seen is at the Asian Art museum in San Francisco, where a piece of minute Korean pojagi patchwork, done cathedral-window style stole my heart.

     735

736. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen was a cushion cover I saw recently at the V & A Museum, London. This exquisite work of stitching, made about 1600, is a wonderful example of English embroidery. Stitched on a background of silk satin is a magical story of English rural life with noblemen hunting with hawks, while gardeners gather fruit and train vines in an orchard. Turkeys, dogs, stags, birds, insects and a butterfly mingle among the thistles and apple tree. The stitches are wonderful and the color used in the work is warm and inviting. However the really interesting feeling when viewing this beautiful needlework is the connection of the marvel of these stitches made in 1600 with today. Originally made to make hard seats more comfortable this needlework goes beyond comfort where the element of the stitch creates a common bond between needle workers.

     736

737. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is was when I was six years old. For Christmas my mom made a beaded and embroidered wedding dress for my Madam Alexander doll. It was a satiny white dress with embellishments in all the right places. A veil and a little purse she made was included. I knew mom had been sewing something special that I couldn’t or shouldn’t see. I wasn’t that interested in what she was doing because the school dresses she made for me weren’t like those from the store but….this Madam Alexander wedding dress was the definition of beautiful. It was beautiful to look at and it was beautiful from the heart of my mom. I still have the doll and dress sixty years later.

     737

738. Exquisite scissors! I think the most beautiful embroidery I’ve seen is Elizabeth II’s wedding gown with all the symbols of the United Kingdom on it. Just gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaways, Mary.

     738

739. The most beautiful piece I’ve seen is an 1895 sampler stitched by a man while he was dying in Springdale, Newfoundland. He completed it. There were spelling mistakes and when he ran out of room in some areas he squeezed the words either above or below the line or outside the border. I think the story behind the sampler made it beautiful to me!

     739

740. The most beautiful needlework piece I have seen is “Not Quite White Work” designed by Northern Expressions stitched by Michele Mann (Portland, Oregon).

     740

741. Hi Mary and friends,

     Merry Christmas to all. You have asked one of the hardest questions to answer. I have seen so many beautiful pieces of embroidery that it’s near impossible to pick just one. My favorite categories to choose from would be in the birds and floral designs. I have picked out one piece that truly is beautiful and unique. And what makes it a is the unusual single color and the fact that because of the stitches and color it tricks the eye into thinking your looking at different colors because they stand out. It is a piece done by Tanja Berlin called Graceful Butterfly. I fell in love with it as soon as I got the first glimpse of it.

     And what A timely choice of give-a-way pieces. I have wanted a pair of scissors that were very sharp and finely pointed but the expense was well out of my purse strings. Thanks for having the opportunity to try and get a pair.

     741

742. This is going to be full-tilt-boogie sappy, warning is only fair.
     My all-time most exquisite needlework piece memory was a stamped cross stitch with clumsy stitching and pretty awful colors. It had a sailboat and the phrase ‘Don’t wait for your ship to come in, sail out after it.’ My family was very much against my going to college, even though I had earned a full ride scholarship and had been accepted to a great school. ‘Girls don’t need college because they have fathers and husbands.’

     Much to my surprise, after traveling to college with apparently no support or fanfare from my family, I opened my single trunk at orientation weekend and that framed sampler was on top. My mother, never a skillful stitcher, had put her heart and hands into her secret gift to me.

     It hung on my wall right through graduate school and when I taught fine arts.

     No glorious embroidery from some talented stitcher would ever be more ‘exquisite’.

     742

     1. Do you still have it?

743. The most beautiful and memorable piece of needlework I have seen is the Martha Edlin sampler that is in London’s Victoria and Albert museum. And what is truly amazing is that she embroidered it at the age of 8yr old. She also stitched an elaborate stumpwork casket and an intricate white work sampler but her silk band sampler remains my favorite.

     743

744. The most beautiful piece of needlework is my handmade grandmother’s baptismal gown. Just the thought that so long ago one of my female ancestors took the time and care to make this is humbling. It has been used by children in our family for generations, and I am the descendant with the honor to care for it. It is a constant inspiration.

     744

745. The Hunt of the Unicorn. Stunning, mysterious and so intricate.

     745

746. One of the most beautiful needlework pieces I have seen was a Chinese piece done in the “forbidden” stitch given to me by my daughter. Such tiny and exquisite stitches!
     Thanks, Mary, for the opportunity to win the scissors! They are gorgeous!

     746

747. I have seen the Bayeux Tapestry which is a work of art. I have also seen the magnificent OverLord Embroidery in Portsmouth England at the D Day Museum which depicts scenes of D Day WWII – the work is stunning and very moving. My favourite embroidery is The Great Tapestry of Scotland which I saw in Kirkcaldy Scotland when it was on tour. The embroidery is absolutely stunning. The tapestry tells the history of Scoltand right up to today. Each area of Scotland produced the panel representing their particular history. I went every day for five days to reabsorb the amazing stitching and colour plus I learned a lot of Scottish history.

     747

748. The most striking embroidery that sticks in my mind is The National Tapestry: America the Beautiful. The traveling exhibit presented by the Dogwood Chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America is a five-panel tapestry depicting flora, fauna, and natural wonders of the United States created over a period of six years by 1,000 people. At this time when the country is more divided than ever before, the piece represents so many good things about our great country. I think of it often.

     748

749. The most beautiful piece of needlework I ever saw, was a beautiful three – paneled nativity cross-stitched on very fine dark blue linen. The work was as near perfect as I have ever seen, stitched with beautiful threads. Until memory fails, I will be able to picture this exquisite piece of needlework. The maker of the piece has had a needlepoint ornament placed on the White House Christmas tree. She is very skilled in crewel, pulled threadwork, tatting, and stained glass.

     749

750. I have lusted after these and the rest of this artisans scissors fir a long time. Good, sharp scissors that fit over my now arthritic finger joints are always a must and I do have a number. But not this lovely and well crafted. Sigh. Will be looking under my pillow 12/26☺️

     Jane Modjeski

     750

751. One of the most beautiful pieces of embroidery I’ve seen was in recent years at a stitching show. It was a piece made by an individual and entered into a contest that detailed her family history from herself back to her immigrant ancestor. It was personal and heartfelt. It was simple in its presentation of her family but was highlighted with a frame of lovely vines and flowers.

     751

752. Wow! Just Wow! These are stupendously beautiful scissors. Thank you for your great articles. Love reading about embroidery in its many forms. Merry Christmas.

     752

753. Ha! That’s a tough one! The two that stand out most dominantly in my mind are your pomegranate and a needle painted turtle eating a strawberry. I remember and love so many that it’s hard to pick my favorites!

     753

754. I’m sorry if this is a duplicate post, but my iPad crashed while trying to comment, this is via laptop.

     The most beautiful embroideries to me are those made of silk, specifically, Chinese embroideries. I first encountered them in print when reading Chinese folk and fairy tales as a child, and then in person when I got to see pieces different generations of my family had collected through the years. To this day, pieces of forbidden stitch, of kesi/kossu, on silk gauze fascinate me to the point of obsession. I was lucky enough to acquire a pair of sleevebands that incorporated couched peacock feather filament. The mind boggles at the difficulty and time it took to work these pieces.

     The loveliest collection of needlework I have seen in person was that at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Never mind all their to-die-for jades! The piece that stole my heart was an exquisite and minute piece of Korean pojagi patchwork, done in Cathedral Window style.

     754

755. What I remember that meets your criteria (that we remember details) is your humming bird project. That was the project you were on when I found your blog and it helped me get back into the hobby. I especially remember that you used yellow around the leaves which really made them pop. I never would have thought of that.

     It is a gorgeous piece.

     755

756. The most beautiful pieces of needlework I’ve ever seen were all of the exquisite pieces of Opus Anglicanum in the exhibit the Victoria and Albert Museum ran recently. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the exhibit in January before it closed and it was truly amazing. You can look at some of the items online:
     https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/opus-anglicanum-masterpieces-of-english-medieval-embroidery
     Close second, anything from the late 16th early 17th centuries PLUS the wonderful Plimoth Jacket, the project spearheaded by Thistle Threads http://www.plimoth.org/jacket

     756

757. I was lucky to be able to tour China a few years ago with an American tour guide Pat Dalton) who took us especially to needlework related sites. So we saw many outstanding pieces. I was most impressed by a floral piece that was identical on both sides, on silk gauze.

     757

758. Last year Nordic Needle had a collaboration piece for its retreat. The colors were gorgeous and it had lots of specialty stitches. Unfortunately I was unable to go to the retreat!

     758

759. I don’t know who’s it is, but there is this large tapestry piece on a bright-deep blue silk back. It was exuberantly embroidered with nature motifs in bright colors. I dream of being able to do something like this. 🙂

     759

760. The most beautiful needlework I’ve ever seen was a black silk dupioni jacket that was silk embroidered by Beverly Sheldrick. It was stunning!

     Gina

     760

761. This is easier than you would think. When I was young my grandmother made me a quilt with every other square done in embroidery. The quilt was hand stitched, my grandmother never owned a sewing machine. Unfortunately I was allowed to use this quilt when I was too young too appreciate what it really was. It was a double bed quilt!! I learned my love of embroidery from my grandmother.

     761

762. These scissors: a breathtaking combination of form and function. Also thank you Ms Corbet for your daily inspirational emails.

     As for memorable needlework, I remember a tablecloth made by my mother’s mother during one of her visits from Europe. She crocheted it out of ecru thread. I was a young child but I remember very clearly wondering how she could crochet and talk and listen at the same time. I don’t know where that tablecloth is today- maybe still at my mother’s house.

     762

763. The most beautiful needlework I have seen..well I have only seen it on line and in books, so far. I have several books with pictures of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which is really needlework and not tapestry. It is so old and so well done. I have a framed piece which was a kit sometime in the 1970s of part of the Bayeux Tapestry and I bought at an auction in the 1990s. I love it because it is so well done and tells the story of 1066 and the Norman Conquest. Amazing! Hope to see it in its museum someday.

     763

764. I love all of Trish Burr’s gorgeous and lifelike bird thread-paintings, but I think my favorite is Lilac Breasted Roller. The colors are so beautiful and delicate and, of course, the stitching is perfection.

     764

765. There’s a woman on Instagram that I follow who does pet portraits. In miniature Her name is Jessica Richter.
     thimblethistle is what her name is on Instagram. So much detail in an inch. They’re AMAZING!

     765

766. it’s a tough question, but if I have to describe, from memory, one specific piece, rather than refering to a stitcher’s general body of work, then I think I have to say the fawn stitched by Chloe Giordano. I think it is breathtakingly beautiful exquisite and lovely. Stitcher’s I wish I could be more like and whose work I admire include Trish Burr and Sharon Boggon and Mary Corbet and and and … 🙂

     766

767. Ok, I have to admit that I made a Janlynn Counted Cross Stitch Kit Winter Cat Sampler and finished it this fall. It is up on my wall and I believe it is the most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen – even though I made it myself! It is special because 1) I love it, and 2) I kept it for myself!

     767

768. The most beautiful piece of Needlework I have seen was a 17th Century tent stitch picture at Witney Antiques in England several years ago. It was a biblical scene which was fully stitched (all the background etc) and because it was unfinished it had obviously been stored away for centuries and the colours were unfaded and absolutely glowed. This viewing ignited my love for fully stitched, fine tent stitch pictures in silk and I have now completed several. Thank you!

     768

769. My mother had a series of craft books from the seventies. Each contained projects ranging from knitting, crochet, macrame to crafts involving painting and pottery. One day when I was fifteen I was looking through these books and in one I found a picture of a lovely woman done mostly in satin stitch. I had never before thought of embroidery as a medium for artistic expression-it was just something to decorate pillowcases and such. Well this photo changed my whole outlook and is the reason I took up the needle shortly after to make my first overly ambitious attempts at needle art. While I have seen even more beautiful work since, this is the one I remember all these years later because everything I have done goes back to the day I saw that photo and a new area of creativity opened up to me.

     Thank you for all you do and Merry Christmas!Shannon

     769

770. When I was in high school I was taken to a traveling exhibition of Chinese art at a nearby air force base. One of the exhibits was a gorgeous embroidered tapestry full of foliage, flowers and birds. That left an indelible impression on me for many years.

     770

771. When i was a child my mom free hand recreated a 4 foot by 5 foot needlepoint picture of a woman sitting in a chair winding yarn with a little boy. The picture had a window with 2 boys looking in. She re-did the womans nose many times. She had never done needlepoint before. I still think its the most beautiful needlepoint picture in the world. No pattern, no experience – just wanted to preserve the image of it cause it was very old and falling apart when she inherited it. I believe it had been used for advertising a yarn company at the beginning of the 20th century, She proved again there was nothing she couldn’t do. thanks for asking. I truly love your email – its a little gift every time i receive it. many thanks marion

     771

772. I have seen many pieces of Hardanger that are beautiful. However, the ones that are just as beautiful on the back as the front are the ones that I find the most beautiful.

     772

773. I love these scissors! They are beautiful. To be honest, I am having trouble coming up with just one piece of stunning needlework. My mind is going on a collage of several pieces. They display of pieces for next year’s EGA national seminar had many stunning pieces. One of my favorites was a stumpwork story box. Another I will never forget is a photo of an embroidered rendition of the Creation of Adam. Complete with a very interesting bullion knot. Yup. That ones *sticks out* in the memory banks.

     773

774. Years ago I had the good fortune to go to the Flager Museum in Palm Beach, Florida. At the time they had a lace exhibit which was breathtaking. There was a wedding veil entirely made in needlelace. The background net was entirely handmade one fine stitch upon another and then overlaid with floral motifs. It was French, I believe from the 19th century. If something is too good to be true, this was it.

     774

775. My friend has two beautiful pieces of embroidery hanging in her dining room. They were embroidered by her Aunt. They are Jacobean crewel. The stitching is so pretty and the colors are awesome. I wish I had them for my dining room!

     775

776. Beautiful workmanship! It is so much more enjoyable to stitch when using good quality tools.

     776

777. Really looking forward to following the comments on this one.

     The piece that left a lasting impression on me was a 16th century polychrome nightcap at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston (acc. # 43.250). The colors are faded but all the flowers and birds and little insects always keep me looking at it. And then there are the stitches, and the goldworked coils. And let’s not forget that gold lace! I had an opportunity to study this up close and personal several years ago and will never forget it.
     16th C is one of my favorite periods for needlework, in part because we have so many surviving examples of domestic work and I like to wonder what that fellow stitcher over 400 years ago was thinking as she worked her piece. I know it was a lot harder for her to find her materials, and she did not have patterns that helped her decide what color, or stitch, to use where. I have also never seen a beautiful pair of scissors like this among any surviving 16C needlework tools. I think she would have envied us our scissors, in particular.

     777

778. Perhaps it isn’t the most beautiful compared to museum pieces, but my childhood home had a crewel work bell pull. My aunt stitched it and I would stare at the it for hours.

     778

779. I find that many of the early cross stitch samplers that depict alphabets and numerals and were worked by young women that needed to learn the basic needlework skills to be some of the most beautiful pieces. Many of these were in the 1700 and 1800s and many were elaborate pieces with decorative motifs. One in particular was may be Loara Standish, who was from Plymouth Colony and this piece was done approximately 1645. The piece is a floral sampler and can be found at the National Museum of American History.

     779

780. The Chinese Embassy in Bonn, West Germany, in the ‘90’s, had a very large embroidered piece which looked like an aquarium from a distance. Once you got up close, you realized that it was embroidered fish on very fine, almost transparent silk. The fish were the same on both sides, stitched in silk. The work was amazing and I can still picture it in my mind today.

     780

781. The most beautiful stitching I’ve ever seen is actually pretty humble. My grandmother cross stitched a baby blanket for me when I was born. It’s not terribly intricate and it’s not very showy but it’s pristine and so full of love you can’t help but adore it. I would go to sleep under it, rubbing my fingers over the tiny little x’s, knowing just how much I was loved. My mom still has it and now my sons go to sleep with it at their grammy’s house.

     781

782. The most beautiful piece of needle work I have seen is a simple cross stitch of Jesus as a shepherd. It is a piece that my MIL’s mother made. It is probably at least 75-80 years old.

     782

783. The tapestry that immediately came to my mind was the series of tapestries on display in the Musee de Cluny in Paris, France, The Lady and the Unicorn. They are so beautiful that I have never forgotten them.

     783

784. At the Community of St. John the Baptist in Mendham, NJ, I saw the most beautiful ecclesiastical embroidery that I have been able to see up close in person. I was there for a class in gold work and was truly inspired.

     784

785. The most beautiful and the one that got me embroidering is the painting of Mary Cornwallis, in stunning blackwork. I could not believe it was stitched and not printed and the translucent sleeves in linen….I was smitten.

     After that I really started looking at embroidered textiles and I could wax on from here.

     Bess of Hardwick had so many beautiful embroideries that I fell down a rabbit hole for 6 months studying them. Nothing I’ve seen in this century is even close to the Opus Anglican. So much beautiful work, so little time.

     Merry Happy, Mary.

     785

786. The most exquisite embroidery I have ever seen was the Coronation Robes of Queen Elizabeth. I saw them as a child along with the Crown Jewels.. They seemed more beautiful to me than all the diamond tiaras. You can check them out online!

     786

787. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen was an Altar cloth embroidered with Newfoundland wildflowers at one of our local churches in St. John’s, Newfoundland

     787

788. I decided since I love stitching dresses for half dolls I picked Giulia Pinto Antichi. I have stitched some of her designs as well as I have designed some of my own. Her half doll dresses have been a great inspiration to me and my little lady collection. Thank you for the great give away.

     788

789. I loved the handwork I saw at the Cluny museum in Paris. And my sister has done the Japanese needlework called Shishu. At this moment, the ultimate needlework I’ve seen escapes me. What I see you do on your site often gives me pause. It is beautiful.

     789

790. Merry Christmas to All! I saw these scissors and wooden case and the word that immediatey came to mind was exquisite, and I see this was a word used to describe M. Jean-Marie Roulot’s creation. She makes beautiful scissors in a world of mass production with poor quality materials. The needlework that I own and treasure is an 18th century Renaissance style handmade needlepoint petit point tapestry fragment of a lady, lion and unicorn.

     790

791. My personal viewing experience has been limited to the US so far. I would have to say the most beautiful piece I ever saw was a casket, fully stitched on all sides and top box, at the Woodlawn show many years ago. Now some 20 years later, we rarely see a piece of this complexity and intricacy. I recall researching needleworked caskets for a long time after that, thinking I might undertake to make one.

     Thank you again for this give away. I would cherish these scissors.

     791

792. I think it is Mary’s Late Harvest! I enjoyed watching along the progress made by Mary and seeing her/your beautiful stitching. I din’t live in an area that has old tapestries etc to go and visit but who knows whats in my future! I can spend hours looking at embroidery on Pinterest tho! Lol
     Happy Christmas everyone!

     792

793. Thinking of what might be the most memorable . . . beautifully worked samplers, silkwork pictures, crewel bed hangings, whitework, goldwork vestments, wholecloth trapunto quilts but I’d have to say possibly the most memorable was the red and white spiral quilt which was hung high above the entry to the red & white quilt exhibit in New York a number of years ago. I believe this quilt may appear on the cover of the book published in connection with the exhibit.

     The scissors and case are wonderful and a very special finish to the holiday giveaway.

     793

794. These scissors are so beautiful that I’d be afraid to use them.

     794

795. This is tough! I had a friend who’s grt grt…inlaw had made a quilt in the 1890’s. It had all hand stitching, equisite details, & fit a king mattress easily. I know it’s not embroidery, but still done 100% by hand needle. Sadly, her home was totally burned. What the firemen could save of the quilt was a 3′ piece of crispy, burned, fabric. As a gift, I contacted dozens of museums world wide to get advice, or help. The cost was thousands, out of our budget, & not a guarantee anything could be done. For 11 years, I have been very slowly repairing on my own the best I can & plan to frame the salvaged corner. A small 12″×12″ piece.

     795

796. Tree of Life by William Morris. Unsure of the designer but it was fabulous!

     796

797. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen is an embroidered bedspread sampler. Each block was hand embroidered. The reason it was so special was that it was done by my mother who is now 95 and is still sewing!

     797

798. The piece of needlework that I have been impressed by was a counted cross stitch version of Holly Hobby done on a tiny count aida cloth. The details of the work were incredible.

     798

799. That’s a tough one! The image that comes to mind immediately, though, is of the various quilts I saw during my first visit to the Houston International Quilt Festival (2016) – especially those that had any type of surface embroidery or thread work. One, in particular, was a large image of a sea-shell, where the threads were worked on the surface, to give the characteristic mother-of-pearl shine to the shell. One had to almost touch the surface to ensure it was not oil-painting, but actual threads!

     799

800. The most beautiful needlework I have seen…..that is a tough question. There are several drool worthy pieces I have seen. But I think the most beautiful I have seen was a finished version of a huge painted canvas piece called Moon Goddess. The lovely maiden sitting on the moon with the rabbit was breath taking.

     800

801. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was a large American flag by rosewood manor. It’s a sampler made up of quilt blocks of each state and their representative blocks for that state. The blocks make up the flag. I liked it so much I bought the pattern fabric and floss. It’s still a wip but I look forward to finishing it one day soon. I think I love it so much because I’m very patriotic and an army veteran. Improv of that flag and what it stands for.

     801

802. Mary, what a wonderful opportunity to strive for cutting perfection,,,ahhh…dream on!
     As to the most beautiful piece of embroidery..well remember,it is in the eye of the beholder. This exhibit touched my heart and brought me to tears. The exhibit was at the Peabody Museum in Massachusetts. The exhibit featured World War II POW’s needlework done with unraveled thread worked on handkerchiefs, shirts and the inside lining of their jackets. The brief messages were touching and heart breaking. CJS, Freehold

     802

803. I believe it was the Pilgrim girl’s sampler made when she was a teen on very high count linen. Stitched by daylight and free form, almost six feet long. Unforgettable!

     803

804. Tho most beautiful piece of handwork, was a ribbon, flowers and embodery framed and having antique buttons on the edge of the piece.

     804

805. The most beautiful needlework piece I have seen was Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. The symbolism and fact that people are still able to create gorgeous handwork utilizing traditional methods encouraged me to look up the RSN and Jenny Adin Christie- I love white work and found that she provides workshops on same. I ordered kit from her and instruction. Maybe some day I will be able to take a class from her in person-
     Thank you for the contest and for intro to the various vendors- a fun thing to look up as the holiday season winds down in 2017. Merry Christmas and happiest of holidays to all –

     805

806. The most beautiful piece of embroidery that I have ever seen was an embroidered tablecloth that was to be part of a trousseau for a middle eastern princess. I was fortunate enough to see this on one of my trips to Madeira. The table cloth was stunning – cutwork, padded satin stitch, and Madeira applique’ were a few of the techniques on this gorgeous work of art, but what made it so special to me was that this was a collaborative work. The group of women who stitched were lovely, and had learned their art literally at their mothers’ knees. They did not have fancy lighting or expensive tools, but simply a needle, a thread, and the goal to provide for their family.

     806

807. I will never forget the first time I saw And They Sinned at the Charlotte Needlework Market. I took every opportunity to stroll by and take it in. I was motivated to stitch my own ATS, over the course of 10 years, but it proudly hangs now in my house. Thanks for this opportunity of a lifetime!!!
     Stasi

     807

808. In September I visited the Ursulines Convent in Quebec City, Canada. On display were some of the most gorgeous works of embroidery I’ve seen in person. These pieces are very old and include goldwork and precious stones and beads made by tribes indigenous to that part of Canada. Some of the stitches I could identify, but there were some I had no name for. We couldn’t take pictures, otherwise, I’d share them with you, Mary. Simply gorgeous vestments and altar cloths.

     808

809. The most memorable piece I can recall was a combination needlework/pin cushion. The top was stitched in a textured, filmy spring green and forest green thread, in a satin stitch with red French knots dispersed between the threads. There were glossy red and peacock blue beads, in different sizes, scattered randomly within the stitches. The stitchery formed a circle in the center of the pin cushion. The pin cushion fabric was cotton, but in a matching plaid design. This pin cushion was not only functional but beautiful to look at.

     809

810. The most beautiful piece of Needlework that comes to my mind was a quilt I saw at a quilt show in Hayesville, NC. It had birds in a tree. Each bird, as well as each leaf, was appliquéd as well as embroidered. It was exquisite. I love all kinds of Needlework and have tried lots of them. Those scissors are a work of art themselves and I would cherish them.

     810

811. Mary, You are right, this is a hard one. I have seen so many beautiful things that stick out in my mind. I think I am going to say that it is a piece of Needlework that is done of Mary Queen of Scots by a member in our EGA. It was flawless intricate beauty with stones and pearls on it. This piece won the Grand Prize at the Utah State Fair. It is one that took my breath away with the beauty of it.

     811

812. My grandma had a pair of stork scissors that fascinated me: so fanciful, yet still useful. What a concept! Because of those I have always loved tools that are beautiful or whimsical, beyond their actual use.
     My little sister determined that she wanted to embroider and quilt a full-size bed spread all by herself when she was 12. Everyone told her it was too much and too hard, but she persevered over almost four years. Her initial efforts began to look childish once she gained expertise, but when it was finished at long last, her shining eyes and deep sense of personal accomplishment made it the most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen. Sadly, it was later destroyed by mice while in storage, but the impression it made on our family will last forever.

     812

813. My first cross stitch i ever seem to make me start learning cross stitch is the brand called Mirabilia. Their fairy collections with alot metallic thread and beads which make me in love with this craft work.

     813

814. Jane Nicholas’ stumpwork beetle collection.

     814

815. I don’t know that I would say the piece I remember most is the most beautiful I have ever see, BUT it is the one I remember the most and inspired me to keep stitching and to attempt different techniques. I still remember it and it still inspires me.
     A family friend, Mr R. had a needlepoint piece framed and hanging over his dining room buffet. When I asked him about it he told me his Grandmother had made it; Mr R. was in his mid to late 80s, so that made this piece well over 100 years old then. When Mr R passed away, I was helping his sons close up the house and neither of them wanted this piece but I insisted that the son with a daughter take this piece home and give it to her when she was old enough to appreciate the history and techniques in the piece.
     When I removed the piece from the wall to pack it, I noticed all the techniques in the piece and wrote them down so his daughter might appreciate the workmanship in the piece. I also took a picture of the piece, but because it was under glass and before digital cameras, the picture was of poor quality. The piece was a pictorial scene with a young couple. It appeared to be stitched on 12 count Penelope canvas. The faces were stitched on silk gauze and appliqued to the canvas, they also appeared to be padded; the hair was French knots. The couple’s hands were stumpwork. The foliage was stumpwork and needleweaving. This scene was an oval and the surrounding oval matting was gold work, and it was tarnished with age. The piece was under glass in a shadow box frame. The piece was large about 18 inches by 24 inches framed.
     I was so impressed with the techniques in this piece and knew Mr R’s grandmother must have been a stitched for a very long time and this was a cherished piece. I never asked Mr. R but I always wondered if this scene might have been his grandmother’s original of a place she and her husband might have enjoyed.
     Years later, I heard from Mr. R’s granddaughter; she was a doctor by profession, and had the piece appraised. It was valued as an antique of exceptional quality and workmanship. She thanked me for caring enough to save this treasure for her. She assured me it would stay in the family for years to come.
     Think of this piece often and especially when I try gold work, raised work and stumpwork. And after trying some of these techniques I realize what a truly accomplished stitcher Mr R’s grandmother really was. This piece would be well over 150 years old now. Sue D in Kansas City (sudu)

     815

816. The most beautiful piece, the piece that impressed me the most was a Piecemakers pattern from several years ago. Piecemakers used to offer a calendar each year with a pattern per month. One year their calendar had patterns of cottages. One of our guild members, when I first joined the guild, had made one of these cottages. I saw it hanging on the wall across the room. It was hand embroidery, with floss, silk floss and silk ribbon. It looked like a piece of porcelain, it was amazing and gave me a whole new goal with my embroidery.

     816

817. When I think of beautiful needlework, I think gorgeous colors, textures, workmanship and embellishments. Sue Spargo, Allie Alder, Sharon of Pintangle (Down Under) are just a few names that come to mind. My mother was a beautiful embroiderer, and I still have some of her work. They all impress me, mainly by the quality of their work and the pride taken in their craft.
     I have watched a video on handmade scissors, and that is a disappearing trade. I would love a pair of such high quality scissors! I would have to WIN them cause I certainly could not afford them!! Thank you for the chance!
     Blessings, Sheryl

     817

818. One beautiful piece I love is the Lord’s Prayer decorated with roses that I would like to reproduce for myself. The most important is the painted thread piece my daughter stitched for me of a rose. Being from western Canada, I have not seen many great works but I appreciate the hand sewn and decorated dresses in the museums – many from the best fabrics and threads available in the area at the time because they were wedding dresses or christening gowns. Thank you for the amazing tools and materials you have highlighted. Thank you for your work.

     818

819. The Quaker Tapestry telling the Quaker Story I went witha group of Lacemakers to see the display in the 1990’s and have never forgotten the wonderful work done by the community. Sections were worked in Australia. America. Eutope and the UK.

     819

820. I have seen many beautiful pieces of needlework but the one that has always remained foremost is an embroidered casket I saw in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
     It was created in 1671 by an 11-year old girl named Martha Edin.

     She used metallics, pearls, silks to create animals, women and creatures. By using a variety of stitches, she was able to create dimensions. I have to remember she also undoubtedly stitched by candlelight!

     My maternal grandmother taught me to embroider when I was 8 on a fabric that was stamped with the design. Rather a humbling experience to view and remember this masterpiece.

     820

821. I love ribbon embroidery. If I shut my eyes I see Di van Niekerk’s Roses. It is such a beautiful way to showcase all of her hand painted ribbons. One can not have to many Roses!!

     821

822. The most exquisite needlework that I have ever seen was a piece created by my great grandmother. Her stitches were so even as to not look possible by human hands. The colors she used….a beautiful piece including a Cardinal or sometimes called a redbird…were so rich. I’ve never seen anything so beautful except I have to say I find your work too Mary to be amazing! And my comment has nothing to do with trying to “butter you up” haha! Have a beautiful Christmas!

     822

823. It’s hard to pick, but I’ll go with the gorgeous piece of Armenian needlelace (made with needle and thread). It was just so intricate, so delicate, and so balanced.

     823

824. Threads of Light is a book I found among many treasures at my local library. A collabration of Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute (SERI) in China, and photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum. The artists recreated some of his photographs, and the work is fascinating, stunning, sublime, beautiful…words are insufficient to describe the depth of beauty! I have poured over this book and borrowed it many times. It is at the very front of my mind when asked your question, Mary.

     824

825. Merry Christmas Mary! I have seen many beautiful pieces of needlework in my travels to places like England, Scotland, Italy and Greece as well as work here in Canada. But the piece that impressed me the most was the Diaspora from Scotland that travelled to Canada. I was lucky enough to see these wonderful squares of exquisite embroidery done by woman from all over the work who had a link to Scotland. It was so impressive to see the different interpretations of how the Scottish immigrants helped shape nearly every country in the world. Beautiful threadwork, stumpwork, gold and silver work from all countries in the Commonwealth and beyond. The imaginations used to put into a drawing, then to put into needlework to tell the story of each countries’ Scottish foreborers was spectacular and something that I will never forget.

     825

826. Would love to add to my collection of scissors from my family. Including are a pair of silver curved pointed scissors I have had quite sometime.

     826

827. Loving hands produce beauty. Time and thoughts adds to each piece one produces. How can one choose.

     827

828. Recall a Brazilian embroidered piece that was depicting the mountains of Colorado. This inspired me to learn how to do this technique.

     828

829. The Syon Cope in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Worked mainly in underside couching and split stitch, it is hard to imagine this being done without our led lights and magnification. I was lucky enough to go to the museum and do a workshop on Opus Anglicanum (as the technique was called) this autumn with Sarah Homfray teaching. It was brill!

     829

830. I am 81 years old and cannot remember a time when I didn’t stitch something. Scissors have come a long way; these are beautiful.

     830

831. Years ago my husband and I drove to Kansas to see an exhibit from Russia, I believe from the Armory Museum. Breath taking. Gowns worn by Katherine the Great; Alexandra; clergy garments; all were extraordinarily embroidered. What I found most spectacular, both in size and mastery was a tapestry taking the entire length of the wall where it was displayed. There were several of these; my memory will not allow me to choose my favorite. Just standing before them swept me away to another culture and time that kept me enthralled throughout the exhibit and for days afterward. Another example was a mitre so finely done that I just had to see how the top was decorated. Standing on tip toe I was almost able to see it when I lightly touched the sides of the glass case it was in–and a gaurd arrived telling me to move on. I did and I understood. Beauty is so able to surround and capture your spirit its difficult not to experience all that you can.

     831

832. I absolutely love Trish Burr’s designs and don’t know that I could pick just one as a favorite.
     I have never entered before but the prize is worth going outside my comfort zone. Thank you for all your expert tips and advise.

     832

833. My great-grandmother made a baptismal gown and every baby who used the gown had their name embroidered on the family tree on the gown. Thank you, Linda

     833

834. I’m fortunate to have seen the Cluny museum’s ‘Lady and the Unicorn’ tapestries. So detailed, impressive and awe-inspiring! I’m also obsessed with embroidery scissors. These are beauties, so thanks for the opportunity to win them. Happy holidays Mary.

     834

835. I recently received a beautiful embossed card of a detail of embroidery on a velvet ophrey with shaded silk flosses and couched and laidwork Japanese gold thread which is part of The Elizabeth Hoare Collection in Liverpool Cathedral. I will never see it in person, but I have returned several times to the web site gazing at and zooming in on the exquisite embroideries in the collection. I can only dream and have framed my card. I recently showed my husband the wonderful scissors made by Monsieur Roulot, hinting strongly, but he is not computer literate and is deaf in that ear. I think all my remaining Christmases will have come at once if I was a lucky recipient of these beautiful scissors.

     835

836. Those are beautiful! A welcome addition to any needle person’s collection! Fabulous!

     836

837. I saw a small roomful of embroidered costumes for performers in the courts of Chinese dynasties. This was a small exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I remember a continual desire to touch them. There were ten or twelve of them and although they were in cases and the lighting was soft, the colors and textures were more exquisite than any catalog could capture. But the Bayeux Tapestry has had the biggest impact for me. I have only seen it in a coffee table book. I look at it often, for ideas, and for day dreams. The close-ups are marvelous and so is the commentary. I have even tried the Bayeux Stitch with underwhelming results. But that the world still has an almost complete original of a huge embroidery that is nearly a thousand years old adds to the wonder and romance of just how much anonymous embroiderers have left for us to enjoy and learn from.

     837

838. I love these scissors. I have always been fascinated by pretty scissors and especially love and treasure a tiny pair of embroidery scissors that I have inherited from my mother in law. I have seen many beautiful pieces of embroidery so it is difficult to choose one. I think I might choose a piece that is unnamed that was done by a former teacher in England, Elizabeth Gilbert. It was crewel embroidery, and the central motif was a tree of life w/a small lamb nearby. The stitching was incredible…every stitch was immaculately executed as to size, color, and the manner in which it (the stitch) was laid. Each stitch was laid perfectly…no overlapping or looseness or tightness…very evenly…everything was precise. You could see w/your eye and heart, the tenderness, care, and love of embroidery in the entire piece…all that went into the stitching. I have a copy that I made as a project in the class (the one that I chose to do), and I am so proud of it tho I don’t think it comes near being as lovely as Mrs. Gilbert’s.

     838

839. The most memorable needlework I’ve seen was an archbishop’s cope on display at St. Paul’s in London. It was created for a special anniversary of the cathedral and was embroidered in silk, and gold and silver threads. The motif was an all-over interwoven pattern of all of the church steeples in London in exquisite detail. It was jaw-dropping.

     839

840. I had an opportunity to visit in Northern France in Normandy and was dreading having to see the WWII war sites. On an impulse, our tour guide diverted to see the
     Bayeux Tapestry, which is not actually a tapestry, but embroidery on linen with woolen yarns. It is dated from the 11th century and is still vibrant and amazing, despite 900 years. It is housed in a museum of special lighting. It is not as big, as you may imagine, but incredibly long. Being a history buff, as well as, a stitcher,
     this was a dream of a life time! I’d love to have a pair of these scissors from France.
     With gratitude for the opportunity, KLM

     840

841. The most beautiful piece of needlework was the one my friend Ellen made. It was a cross stitch sampler she made which described the history of her lovely family. She had her name and place of birth on the left and her husband’s on the right. The color palet was colonial colors and fairly muted but very attractive. Below each name were the alphabet and numbers. Next, were many cross stitch figures that depicted an aspect of her personality and interests and those of her hubby. For example, she had a basket with all sorts of needlework pouring out of it. Her husband, an avid sailor, had a magnificent and very detailed vintage sailboat under his name. Below were the initials of their children with birth dates. At the very bottom were those of the deseased relatives who were loved but not forgotten. I confess I had to fly all the way to Holland to see this masterpiece and it was well worth it. Ellen taught me how to cross stitch last May while we both attended a week long embroidery workshop. We have been friends ever since. Teresa Rodriguez

     841

842. There have been so many beautiful needlework pieces seen at exhibits , and within our guilds. A very sticking piece was a very large alter frontal being worked on in the RSN workroom a number of years ago. It was the reflection of a cross in water ….gorgeous blues and turquoise .
     Thanks and Happy Stitching.

     842

843. WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST MEMORABLE NEEDLEWORK I HAVE EVER SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES WAS MRS. ARCHIBALD CHRISTIE’S EXAMPLES FOR SAMPLERS AND STITCHES. IT WAS ON MY FIRST VISIT TO ENGLAND , IN THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, IN THE TEXTILE STUDY ROOM (SADLY THIS HAS GONE). WHEN I PULLED OUT THE CASE WITH HER WORK I CRIED. LUCKILY NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND TO SEE THIS LOONY AMERICAN CARRY ON! THE JANE BOSTOCK SAMPLER, SEEN ON THE SAME DAY, IS A VERY CLOSE SECOND.

     843

844. I found a very old ventre piece at a second hand shop. It is delicate . Pulled thread work , roses , trendils. The most finely stitched hem. I cannot describe how fine and so beautiful stitching. I love that it sits on my sewing table. I admire all the time I am sewing.

     844

845. Hello, I think any piece of needlework/ embroidery is beautiful in its own right. If someone has taken the time to make a piece as a gift it has to be treasured. Not many people I know sew or knit especially the younger generation. My grandma started me off embroidery in my early years, and I have grown to love it ever since.

     845

846. Best needlework ever….The “Glamis Castle” crewel work pillow. Still saving up for that one!

     846

847. When I was in New Zealand this past summer, visiting my daughter in Wellington, we went to one of her good friend’s home. This friend does beautiful cross stitch work and has them displayed all over her home. Most of them are 18 x 24 inches and they are done so exact, that it is just unbelievably beautiful. She has some William Morris cross stiching too, that she has done. Her home looks over the Wellington harbor and it is so peaceful and fun to sit with this friend, enjoy coffee and talk about cross stitching. I hope to be back someday for a visit…

     847

848. Bayeux Tapestry. Nothing has ever come close. That artwork permeates most of my creations.

     848

849. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is a piece by Jen Goodwin. It is a modern take on Goldwork featuring a flower and a leaf. It is coloured like thread painting, and looks like crewel work at a glance.

     849

850. Just one!! It is very hard but I have seen many beautiful pieces. I received a quilt made from the members of my chapter of EGA pieces of needlework done for it when I finished serving as president.
     It is so beautiful and a privilege to have received this donation of their time and
     efforts on my behalf. It is so special and speaks to my heart.

     850

851. The most memorable piece of needlework was at a quilt show in Charleston, SC. It was a quilt that had many Charleston landmarks worked in bluework( I think that is what it is called,redwork in blue color) in squares with piece work surrounding. Then hand quilted with fine stitching. It was beautiful. I have looked for the embroidery patterns and have not had any luck, yet. I learned a long time ago that treating myself with the highest quality tools I can afford will make my stitching experiences so much more enjoyable.

     851

852. Mary – you’re right – the scissors are beautiful!! How wonderful for all the companies to offer these gifts to us. As to impressive needlework: I’m a hand quilter, and one day I saw a beautiful quilt with the panels all embroidered flowers. It was a WOW. Now, learning how to embroider has been on my ‘to-do” list ever since. I’m working on it…..

     852

853. I image how lucky someone will be to own such a beautiful work of art. How much more special it would be to have something so precious when coaxing the beauty from linen and thread. What a great Gift.

     853

854. Unforgettable is a remarkable velvet cushion, Francie of Fowler. From my first viewing of it at Hardwick Hall, it forever lives in my mind’s eye. It is a long cushion, velvet with applied needlework motifs worked with silk and metal threads combined to rich and varied effect. I adore the seated
     man wearing a hat who is holding a plant. His Elizabethan costume is
     superb. The other costumed figures, architectural and
     plant details are very special indeed.

     854

855. I have a piece of Chinese embroidery that is done on silk gauze. It is mounted in a round frame, sits on a stand, and can be viewed from each side. This one is remarkable because one side shows an orange cat, and the opposite side depicts the same cat in gray. You can not see any starts or stops on either side.

     855

856. Needlework always gives me a moment of breathlessness – from the folk museum in Zagreb – all those exquisite ribbons left me weak at the knees; to liturgical vestments; to modern, whimsical, humorous needlepoint canvases; to crazy quilts; to the Australian Tapestry Workshop; to the work of Artists such as Erwan, and many others – I carry it all around in my heart.

     856

857. One of the most beautiful pieces of embroidery was a antique Chinese 4 panel screen. The embroidery was done with such a fine thread and the work was exquisite. Even the wood was hand carved and beautiful. Thank you Mary for all the lovely give aways this year. I have not been fortunate enough to win one, but I have enjoyed your blog all year. Merry Christmas and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

     857

858. How appropriate that I should discuss the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen, after viewing the most beautiful pair of scissors I’ve ever seen. I have to say that Natalia Frank’s Tree of Life petit point picture – which I first saw right here by the way – left a lasting impression. In fact, I decided to learn petit point; I enjoy it very much; and I’m lucky enough to be working on Natalia’s Tree of Life Kit #2. Plus, I have to confess it’s fun to watch people’s faces when I tell them the ground fabric is 56-count silk gauze – stitched over 1.

     858

859. Dancing blades
     exquisite detail
     Golden color
     I gaze and stare
     Sparkling and glowing
     What a lovely pair!

     859

860. Long ago I saw an exquisite collar that was all flowers, leaves and an amazing bird. It had a small pearl for a button that would fasten it it the back. It was in a museum, as well it should be because it was a true piece of art. It was so delicate , whatever top it was worn over would peek through. I thought how special the lady wearing it would feel.

     860

861. I would have to say it was a kit my mother did when I was a child. This was before I knew it was a kit and not her own creation but still. Wow I was a tree sceen. With woodland creatures.

     861

862. Paula Heckman made a cutwork embroidery piece with the Embroiderers’ Guild of America logo for the front cover of their magazine (NeedleArts) in the 90s. It was an amazing piece of white on white embroidery and it was beautifully photographed for the cover.

     I had met Paula and taken a cutwork class from her which also made it stand out. I knew how long it took me to make the tiny class piece.

     862

863. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen … on a trip to Russia, we were treated to seeing some vestments. One piece in particular stands out. Beautiful, red, and embroidered exquisitely.

     863

864. It’s really difficult to choose one because I have had the privilege of seeing magnificent embroidery on Chinese clothing at the Met in New York, and have toured museums in London, like the Victoria and Albert which display many royal pieces, all incredibly beautiful. However, the piece I have loved the most is a simple child’s muslin apron done in running stitch and French knots. My grandmother taught me to embroider on this apron, and though it only has my name and a border, it has pride of placement in my home because it reminds me that this art must be passed from generation to generation

     864

865. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a 17th century whitework sampler at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. I was able to see it outside of any case or frame, laying on a table for examination. The lacework and 3 dimensional figures were amazing.

     865

866. While pregnant with me, my Mom bought and sewed a crewelwork kit, thinking it would be cute to put in the nursery room. It’s a little square (postcard size or so) of the word “LOVE” in an open picture frame. I’ve always loved it- the bright colors, the different textures, and the cute little ladybug on the “E”. When I was little, I used to stroke the stitches and look at it when I was upset. It sat on my bedside table- and it still does, even now when I’m married and have a child myself.

     I’ve really enjoyed reading the others comments- there are some stunning embroidery works mentioned.
     Thank you for the gorgeous giveaway and good luck to everyone!
     Happy Holidays!

     866

867. I love reading Mary’s emails and seeing her beautiful embroidery. I especially love anything with flowers. The scissors are truly exquisite!!

     867

868. Have been following your website for a long while, and today just wanted to say those scissors are just exquisite – a tool anyone would be proud to own. You wrote about your enjoying all needlework tools and I definitely agree with You whole heartily. I am a member of LIEGA, and over the years there have been so many beautiful pieces of needlework done by teachers and students it would be impossible to pick one. Please continue your beautiful work and information. A Happy Holiday to All! Alene

     868

869. I’ve seen several stump work caskets that simply took my breath away – and they are still inspiring me to this day. Merry Christmas!

     869

870. Although I have seen incredibly lovely handwork in museums, I think my grandmother’s lovingly stitched tea towels are the most remarkable pieces that have left a wonderful memory for me. My grandmother did not have much in the material realms of the world, but far exceeded many in the matters of the world that mean so much more. Her love of church, family and embroidery has helped shape my life. She is the person that also first ignited my love for stitching, threads, and sewing. Merry Christmas to all of you. May you find joy always.

     870

871. Dear Mary
     I think the most beautiful embroidery, that has moved me the most, was on a visit to the UK and costume museums at Bath and the V n A where I saw 17thC and 18thC embroidered clothes. Having seen them in photos nothing prepared me for seeing them up close. Named by/for the wearer, I could only think of the poor women who’d sat for hundreds of hours perfectly embroidering exquisite bodices, jackets, and gowns, and often by candle light, but whose names have been lost from history forever. Perfect colourists, creating beautifully graded and matched colours, or minimalist creams/whites on blues, or black on white, creating a vast range of floral designs that are as fresh today as they were when sewn. The men’s jackets and trousers presented some of the most detailed, delicate and beautiful work that left me breathless; silk velvets and silks in matching shirts, waistcoats, and jackets richly embroidered, all with gorgeous hand-made and embroidered lace cuffs and cravats; and then the gloves too! But when I turned around and saw the baby bonnets so delicate in silk organzas and fine cotton with heart-stopping embroidery, I shed some tears. Such artistry, beauty and technique: perfection. As a modern piece of embroidery I also loved the history of UK monarchs in a large wall panel embroidered and appliquéd in blues. So much talent, so much beauty to inspire the heart and the mind. Thankyou for your part in helping women today to continue this fine tradition; it gives us all so much pleasure whether we embroider or we dream about and love embroidery. And of course to match such work, it requires fine beautifully designed and embellished scissors! Now these scissors are really Something! Thankyou Mary, and Mon. Roulot, and all the best for 2018
     Kind regards
     Jillian

     871

872. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen is a linen table cloth that I picked up at a tag sale. It is cross stitched and the work on both front and back is flawless. I don’t know how the stitcher started and stopped her threads. I look at it in awe. It is truly a treasure. Only wish I knew who had stitched it.

     872

873. Bayeux tapestry, just thinking of all the hands it took and time to do it. It is just wonderfull.

     873

874. What a great Stitchers Give-away finale! This has been so much fun. The most impressive needlework I ever saw was at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IN. I never expected to see anything at all related to needlework at a car museum, but there was a display of period costuming worn by owners of these luxury cars. I was mesmerized not only by the stitching, but the beadwork and the obviously well-constructed dress now hanging on a shapely form. I even tried to draw some of the patterns to try to duplicate them. I will have to find that sketch again. It’s probably in my stack of memorabilia waiting to be saved in a scrapbook!

     874

875. The most impressive embroidery I have ever seen was an embroiderie anglais christening gown that was made by my great grandmother Elizabeth Larcombe in 1863. It was so intricate with tiny stitching all over the fine lawn gown. What impressed me the most was how on earth she was able to sew intricately as she travelled on a sailing ship from England to New Zealand through the roaring forties and raging seas with poor light below deck. Or did she sit on deck to sew? We just don’t know but it is a treasured item in our family 154 years later and has been used by numerous descendants for the christening ceremony.
     Although I do not possess this As it now lives at the other end of the country I will never forget it.
     We were able to use it for my eldest granddaughter 18 years ago before it left the area.
     Jenny Mayne

     875

876. Emily W, you beat me to it! That jacket figures in my dreams.

     In second place, nearly anything in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s embroidery collection, especially the caskets. They’re an embarrassment of riches.

     876

877. At last year’s Blue Bonnet Studio Time Retreat, I saw a preview of Cristina Badillo’s Baroque Goldwork Rose. It was such a stunning example of goldwork, I just had to sign up for the class. Can’t wait!

     877

878. William Morris tapestry at the V and A in London. That man always amazed me!

     878

879. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I have seen is the one I stitched for my 1st Granddaughter. It is a Victoria Sampler birth Sampler with hardanger work done monochromatic on a teal evenweave fabric

     879

880. The most exquisite piece I have seen and remembered is “Mother Earth and Her Children, quilted and hand embroidered by Sieglinde Schoen Smith, an expert embroiderer, award winning quilter and artist. I love it so much that I ordered the children’s book by that name, illustrated with her work.

     880

881. The most beautiful piece of needlework that has impressed me was an antique needlepoint/Petit point piece of a young girl sitting among beautiful flowers. It was about 2×2 1/2 feet large in a gilded frame…just gorgeous. It hung on a wall in my grandmothers living room. I thought it must have been stitched in the 1700s, but never got a chance to find out because it got sold. I will always remember it and think of her.

     881

882. I had the pleasure of seeing several 17th century embroidered caskets at the Clothworkers Centre in London. My favorite was item 745:1 to 8-1891. It had the most amazing stumpwork including little animals.

     882

883. The embroidery that impressed itself on me was a Needlework Sampler by a ten year old Scottish girl Margret Begbie. It was embroidered in Scotland approx. 1790-1840, and “the Botany Bay scene was probably used as part of a lesson in Geography or history and relates strongly to the descriptions, objects and information flowing back to a curious Britain from the colonies in Australia”. The rest of the sampler seems to be Scottish.
     This impressed me so much that I stood for a long time taking in the detailed workmanship, the colours which had been embroidered by a ten year old girl. It is very sad indeed that today children are not taught in schools the fine art of embroidery or any craft that helps in the art of making a house a home.

     883

884. One of the most memorable pieces of needlework I’ve ever seen was when I lived a while in England. They have some stunning examples at the V&A, but if I must pick one, it was a remnant of a short cloak with gorgeous gold couching trimming all edges. It consisted of a wide band of embroidery, about 1.5 inches wide and included some satin stitch roses (Tudor) holding jewels, as well as some vining, all done within a couched gold pattern that is almost, but not quite a geometric frame. There are paintings of cloaks like this, especially the one of Edward VII in black velvet, standing alone as the little king.
     I could never accumulate enough gold colored cord to imitate this embroidery but I’d like to try it. When I try I can’t quite get it to lie straight and not “wiggle.”

     884

885. I don’t know if you consider tapestries, which are weavings, to be needlework, but, I am still in awe of the Unicorn Tapestries in the Cluny Museum in Paris. I have bought kits to reproduce two of them in petit point. I remember sitting in the room in which they are displayed looking at each in sequence and then looking again at the detail. I bought the book which shows each animal and flower used in the design hoping it would inspire my own reproductions. The kits that I bought will have to suffice.

     885

886. My friend made a wedding sampler for her niece and it was absolutely gorgeous. Watching her, I learned so much on how to do stitches, color and style.

     886

887. The most beautiful thing I saw stitched was a picture from Japan and as you moved around the room the colors changed from sunup to sundown. I still can see it today when I close my eyes I still want to learn how to do type of sewing.

     887

888. The most beautiful needlework creation I have ever seen was an embroidered priest’s vestment which was part of a Vatican Collection Exhibit here in Florida. The silken cloth was magnificently hand-decorated with golden threads and jewels. Each stitch seemed to breath, to reflect the ambient light, and appeared almost magical. It was simply breathtaking! Such talented hands. The artistry has stayed with me for many years. A joy to behold.

     888

889. I was lucky enough to attend Christmas in Williamsburg earlier this month and take 2 classes from Lorna Bateman. Lorna hails from the UK and I have admired her work via Inspirations magazine for many years. To actually see the pieces and hold them in my hand was such a thrill. Her stitching is exquisite. Her pieces are the most beautiful pieces of needlework that I have ever seen.

     889

890. This is embarassing! I have belonged to the Embroiderer’s Guild of America for years … and seen a lot of glorious pieces. At this moment, though, I cannot recall one in particular that I’d name as my favorite. Sigh. This getting old business is definitely NOT for sissies.

     🙂 Linda

     890

891. The most beautiful piece of embroidery that I have seen – it is a hanging in the Coventry Cathedral (I think!). It is a Madonna, in blues and gold, and has a floating cloak in a sheer blue fabric. The embroidery under the cloak is exquisite. One day I will attempt something similar, although it can never be as good. If anyone knows the piece I am talking about, and it is somewhere other than in Coventry Cathedral, please let me know!

     891

892. There have been so many beautiful pieces of embroidery that it is hard to pick just one. Ones that have lead me in certain directions would include the Edlin casket, Helen Eriksen’s vase of ribbon flowers, Jenny McWhinney’s threadpainted camels, Jane Nicholson’s stumpwork panels, Tanya Berlin’s black work and Alison Cole’ goldwork. But the piece that first attracted me to embroidery (before I knew how to do it) was a piece by Catherine Howell with mice in the garden. It was threadpainting and I never believed that I would have the patients or skills to do it. I’m so glad I decided to learn how.

     892

893. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen no longer looks pristine. It is a small beautifully hand quilted pink and white doll’s blanket made for me by my Grandmother. Her quilting stitches were perfect, even for a child’s gift. The little quilt has been laundered many times and is a bit frayed around the edges. I wasn’t much into dolls as a child, but at age 67 I still treasure the little pink and white quilt made with love for me. Needless to say, Nana is the one who encouraged my love of all things stitch.

     893

894. Santa would be extra nice to leave a pair of scissors like these under my tree. They are just beautiful and the case is also lovely. I hope I have been good.

     894

895. My favourite piece of embroidery was seen in a documentary about the RSN. It was a large silk thread embroidery of Christ and his Apolstles. The silk thread shading was magnificent and the colours beautifully vibrant. Although over five meters in length and several meters high, not a single piece of the baking fabric could be seen, it was so richly embroidered. It took my breath away.

     895

896. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is a needlepoint cover for a small antique foot stool, made by my grandmother and left to me. It is a boquet of roses stitched on a black background. I’m sure such a treasured heirloom is memorable to me because of who made it.
     Thank you Mary, for your inspirational and most helpful site.

     896

897. I was perusing the Koala Convention Brochure for 2011 and fell in love with “Playing with Lavender” by Jan Kerton. I loved it for its simplicity and stitching techniques to depict the varieties of Lavender.

     897

898. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen was one done by my friend given to a new bride. It was of a framed picture of a beautiful bride on her wedding day. My friend was born with only one arm and hand and it took her a long time of steady embroidering to finish it on time. It was a beautiful, loving, priceless gift.

     898

899. St. George slaying a dragon worked in silk thread.

     899

900. Describe the most beautiful piece of needlework you’ve ever seen, that impressed itself on you so much that you can still recall it! – one of the members of my EGA chapter does beautiful reproduction samplers and has finished several, including a mermaid mirror (many parts ti put together) a couple of exquisite housewifes, (stitched on both sides) and she is currently working on a sampler from the Burrell collection with beautiful insects, and bugs and dimensional flowers

     900

901. The most beautiful embroidery that I have seen must be the Syon cope from the Opus Anglicanum exhibition at the V&A last year. There are many wonderful works, many beautiful but when I think of how it must have been in medieval times, without the modern tops that we have with electric lights, magnifiers and highly fooled scissors, the work that was created is extraordinarily intricate and wonderful.

     901

     1. I meant to type tools, not tops, predictive texting!

902. What beautiful kit.
     Just what I need!!

     902

903. Most beautiful piece of needlework seen is Bayoux tapestries lady and the unicorn. The scale, the workmanship and recording of subject matter stay with me despite having seen it in the flesh so long ago

     903

904. The embroidery that I admire the most is the level 7 class at Ecole Lesage called Ravel. The piece uses a variety of unusual techniques with ribbon., floss leaves and bullion stitches as well as sequins and beads attached with a tambour hook. The ribbon is piled and twisted on to make the flower petals then surrounded with beads mixed with tiny sequins that are standing on edge. The leaves are shaded floss outlined with lines of back metallic thread with tiny black beads intermittently spaced. The shading of the floss leaves and the black outline give them such depth they seem to wave in the breeze.

     904

905. The most inspiring and memorable piece of embroidery I have seen was the stump work jacket of Margaret Layton in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London…..stunning..

     905

906. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a casket at the V& A in London back in 1992. It was fascinating and beautiful and inspired my love of needlework!

     906

907. Although not specifically needlework I’ve seen was a group of weaving artists repairing a tapestry at a Scottish castle. Amazing to see each working on a separate section and to know it would all come together.

     907

908. The most beautiful and impressive embroidery I have seen was done by an Armenian old lady on velvet and it was called Marash embroidery. Her embroideries were exhibited in Library of Congress during President Clinton time. All her embroidery was done on black velvet. She was an Armenian genocide survival and the style of embroidery was from her homeland.

     908

909. The most beautiful piece was a miniature box that I saw at Woodlawn Plantation. I don’t remember much about it anymore, but I remember thinking it certainly deserved the award it won.

     909

910. Yes, this is a difficult question to answer, as I have seen so many beautiful pieces of needlework. If I have to choose, it would a piece of double sided embroidery – different flowers on each side, I saw at an embroidery school in China.

     910

911. I was enchanted by a goldfish, stitched on organza, it seemed to float.

     911

912. This maybe a somewhat predictable response, but the embroidery that impressed me the most was the Bayeux Tapestry. As a historian, I was engrossed in what could be learned from a piece of needlework about the event and about its historical context. What is so marvelous is the sense of life displayed in the embroidery. Animals decorate the bottom of the work, and people (both clothed and unclothed) suggest the variety of human experience. There’s an energy in the embroidery that speaks across the centuries.

     912

913. Oh bugger, this is a hard one. I think for me, it’s not what I’ve already seen in person, but what I *want* to see in person. I have this great desire to see the Loara Standish sampler in person. There are also quite a few samplers housed by the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge that would make the list as well. Wow, hrm. Thanks!

     913

914. What a wonderful gift. My husband gave me a pair from the scissor man for my birthday several years ago. I use them for silk threads. They are very special.

     I am not sure which piece of embroidery I would pick as my favorite. I would have to say one of the beautiful silk embroidery pieces I saw in Japan at a kimono show. The metal thread and silk work was wonderful.

     914

915. Those are truely lovely scissors.
     And the most memorable beautiful needle work I have seen is the little wren made by Jenny Adin Christie.
     I wishe I could make things like that. Beside that it is also a useful object. The beak can cut your thread and the back to hold your thimble.

     915

916. The articles with trees was an inspiration to get stitching and the palm tree is perfect for friends in FL!
     Pat Creech

     916

917. Thank you for hosting the Stitcher’s Christmas 2017 give-away! Goodness, you & your partners are killing us with kindness. The most beautiful piece I’ve seen is at the Cleveland Museum of Art. It is mostly red, gold & blue, about 23” in diameter & the subject is the Coronation of the Virgin. I took several photos in 2013; they are still on my phone & a joy to behold! There are many wonderful embroideries out there, but the tender subject matter of this one combined with its excellent condition make it very special indeed. Press the “way back” button—you posted pictures November 9, 2013. It is no longer on display in Cleveland, so thank you for making it accessible to us all.

     917

918. Mr Roulot scissors are pieces of art, and a delight to cut with. I admire them at every needlecraft fair when he is there. The specialty ones are so gorgeous, I dream of having one pair in my collection. It’s difficult to decide which is the most beautiful piece of needlework, but the Bayeux tapestry certainly stands out, such detailed work on that never ending piece.

     918

919. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve seen I think would be from an exhibition in Melbourne Australia. Some stunning pieces dating from centuries ago

     919

920. I adore scissors and love to keep and look at them. The embroidery that fascinate me the most is the wonderful stitching that tells a story or details of history. They may not be the most beautiful in terms of threads but the composition/design tell so much, i.e. the Bayeux tapestries and the Quaker tapestries are some of my favourites.

     920

921. The beautiful Sisters Uffindel samplers done by two sisters when they were 10 years old is unbelievable especially for their ages.

     921

922. I saw a stunning quilt that has been an inspiration to me. The workmanship was exquisite, the choice of pattern and fabric amazing.

     922

923. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was the Bayeux tapestry. I love the way it told a story and history behind piece was thrilling .

     923

924. My mother made a beautiful beaded color, the kind that was worn with a sweater to dress it up. It had these beautiful pearls and was done with a silver thread and had silver ties. I still have it and cherish it to this day.
     Carol b

     924

925. One of the loveliest, well balanced pieces of embroidery I have seen is Margaret Light’s Tree of Life. Her choice of colour arrangement and stitches is very effective. I think her work is beautiful.

     925

926. The most beautiful piece of needlework has to be a piece my aunt stitched for my mom and dad‘s 25th anniversary in 1973. It is a Dutch needlework picture in the Merklappen style. Lots of different motives that are indigenous to the region my mom and dad grew up in.I love that piece so much and I actually inherited that piece this year and is hanging in my house. I have tracked down the style of pattern or that pattern but have yet to purchase it.

     926

927. Maybe not the most beautiful, but poignant. In our NSW State library collection is the embroidered pieces of a waistcoat (silk on silk) being created by the wife of Captain James Cook for him to wear to court after his third voyage. Cook navigated the east coast of Australia, but this was the voyage where he lost his life in Hawaii. The embroidered fronts are pastel colours on blue-grey silk. It was emotional to see an eighteenth century piece made by an ordinary wife and mother sitting at home waiting and waiting….

     927

928. I didn’t have to think about this. The Ros Tapestry in New Ross Ireland. My daughter and I chanced upon this after visiting a smaller tapestry nearby. The tapestry was planned for a church and soon outgrew its home. The panels are about 3-4’ and arranged to follow the history of the Irish people. The embroidery depicts the Norman invasion of Ireland and includes animals and people as well as scenes of life . They are the most brilliant colors I have ever seen in a tapestry/embroidery and are still so clear in my mind. The embroiderers are all volunteers and work on a ‘current’ panel in the lobby so one gets to see the progression and speak with the most talented stitchers. I long to go back!

     928

929. The most beautiful needlework piece I have seen is an unfinished embroidered pillowcase done by my grandmother in the early 1900s.

     929

930. What a beautiful give away!! The most beautiful needle work I ever saw was a rich crazy quilt with gorgeous yellow seam treatments and lovely embroider ed motifs on it. The most beautiful was a deer.

     930

931. I don’t really have a most beautiful needlework moment in my life that stands out…I think most needlework is beautiful in some way or another. That being said, I seem to remember seeing something similar to illustrated letters (ie, the Book of Kells) in embroidery, but I really don’t remember exactly where or when.

     931

932. The most beautiful needlework I have seen are liturgical vestments. I cannot name a specific one, but I love the combinations of silk and gold work. for fun, I often surf the net just so enjoy pictures of this eye candy.

     932

933. Almost too pretty to use. A fantastic addition to anyone’s stitching treasures.
     They would join my grandmothers well used thimble, and my mothers prized embroidery hoop that I use regularly.

     933

934. As a collector of scissors I was blown away by these. I have never heard of them. As usual…thanks for more wonderful info.

     934

935. Many years ago I was doing a goldwork day course at Hampton Court Palace. I needed a break so wandered off and in the corridor a door was ajar and I could see the most beautiful sampler 17th century, that I had ever seen, I went in to get a closer look. Someone arrived and ushered me out, I was in the Principal’s Office! I returned to class, a little later on someone arrived carrying the sampler so I could get a better look! The back was glass and you could see all the stitch construction and the vibrancy of the colours! I will remember that sampler to my dying day!

     935

936. I was attending the third annual seminar by Historic Needlework Guild where their was both a sale of antique needlework by a husband and wife dealer from CT. As well as the introduction and signing of Betty Ring’s 2 volume “Girlhood Emroidery”.
     I stood in front of a 24×24 red linen sampler done by a 7 year old (wish I could remember name) and while I pondered buying this piece, the deciding to so I turned to the dealers about my desire and someone had taken it off the wall to purchase it so I was told well it’s theirs..I was heartbroken…it was gorgeous

     Thank you and blessed holiday season to you

     936

937. There are many beautiful historical pieces of needlework that I have seen but I would have to say the most beautiful piece that I saw was a pillowcase embroidered by my Mother. My Mother didn’t know a lot of different stitches but she worked hard at her creativeness which inspired me to want to have her show me how to do some of the stitches. Her favorite was the French Knot and I can truthfully say that has become my favorite too. I’ve done whole embroideries just with a French Knot.
     I would love to have a wonderful pair of scissors such as these. Thank you and Merry Christmas. SNIP, SNIP!

     937

938. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is the one my four year old son made for me in secret. Will secreted threads and fabric and scissors to make a picture for Christmas. This was many years ago and to me it is very special.

     938

939. The most beautiful needlework piece for me is a Quaker sampler made by Martha Pettit in 1804. Martha’s sampler is about 12″ high and 18″ wide; framed, the piece measures 15″ by 21″. It falls into the genre of Quaker motif samplers and is made of silk threads on linen. The colors that Martha used in her sampler, as well as her precise stitching, are what make it so beautiful in my eyes.

     All of Martha’s motifs are floral. She stitched six medium to large motifs featuring multiple flowers, as well as several smaller, single flower motifs. All of her flowers are blue or white. She used 2 shades of blue, one darker than the other, which I would characterize as a medium blue. The blue colors are pure and clear and they shimmer – I can think of no other words to describe the beauty of these colors. The white silks used in the flowers are also a pure, clear, pristine white, and they, too shimmer. Martha used several shades of green for her stems and leaves, ranging from a blue-green to a dark green. They are not as bright, so don’t overpower the beautiful colors in the flowers. Martha stitched her first and last names in the center of the sampler with the date made – 1804 – centered underneath her name.

     Martha was about 15 or 16 years old when she made her sampler. She and her family lived in several locations in southeastern Pennsylvania. The year after she made this sampler, Martha entered Westtown School, a Quaker Boarding school in Chester County, Pennsylvania, that is known for its samplers. She made two more samplers, both dated 1805, perhaps while she was enrolled at Westtown. Martha married a physician named Dr. Charles Shaw and they had four children.

     939

940. The most beautiful piece I have seen is The Caswell Carpet. It’s a handmade embroidered carpet that was made in the early 1800s and took three years to complete. It is on display at the Met Museum.

     940

941. The most beautiful needlework I recall is a gorgeous bowl of Temari balls pictured in the National Geographic Magazine. They were indigo and white. I just had to know more about them and how to make them. Many years later I found a book written in Japanese that read from back to front. Thankfully there were numbers to each photo. I made some that enclosed all my thread snips from a year. I gave all but one away over
     years of making them.

     941

942. The embroidery of daisies on the yoke of a blouse my mother made for me as a 6 or 7 year old has always stayed with me. They were stitched in single thread satin stitch in primary colours, and I still have the yoke.

     942

943. Hard to believe. I did not know about hand-embroidery or even cross stitch. The first and most precious piece is when my first child was born and my mother did a cross stitch pattern with my daughter’s name and date of birth. I was living five hours from home and when she brought it to me I thought it was so pretty and so perfect for my new bundle of joy. I was “over the moon”. It will always be my favorite.

     943

944. The most stunning piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is part of a quilt my mom made. The quilt itself was amazing — hand cut, hand pieced, hand stitched and quilted. But what really set it apart was the tatted lace she made and incorporated into each quilt square. I so wish I had the magic her hands had

     944

945. Oh, Mary. The answer is so simple. It is a silk embroidery on silk done by a young Quaker girl. The embroidery is of the world map at the time she needled it. I was overwhelmed at how fine the lines were and the spelling of the country names. I understand that back then, Quakers were only allowed to embroider items that were practical and useful. What struck me was that a practical item could be so elegant and equally amazing was how young the creator was…11 years old. Happy holidays to you, Mary! I used all your stitch videos in making my Caroline Pearce House and was inspired to get her book by your blog. Thank you!

     945

946. When I was born, Grandmom was already part of our household. She had become a widow when my Father, her only child, was 9 years old. She took care of me while Mom worked and had dinner ready for the family when everyone came home from work or school every night. She was a great storyteller and mentor. When I was quite young she showed me some counted cross stitched pillow cases that she had made as a young bride. They were my Grandfathers initials in a reddish single thread on a cotton fabric. I was amazed at the fine work. They were an elaborate Gothic script and I could hardly believe that she had done it by counting. At this point in my life I was very pleased with myself because I could do a Daisy Chain stitch on a printed cloth. I will never forget that inspiration. By the way, diplomat that she was, she suggested that I ask my Mother to continue to teach me to embroider as she had taught me the Daisy Chain Stitch.

     946

947. I’m sure I’ve seen more beautiful needle pieces than the one I’m going to talk about, but this one stuck with me and inspired me to pursue, let’s call it a higher level of needlework than hobby store kits. I was taking a needlepoint point class and this woman brought in a embroidery piece she was working on, I think she called it a British railroad sampler. Maybe Victorian. This was 30 years ago. It had all sorts of small motifs and different techniques. I was captivated. I’d never seen anything like it. And I swore, if I ever got the opportunity, I would stitch one. I’ve seen similar samplers since, and I’m proud to say I’ve learned the techniques, or most of them, to do it. But I’m still waiting for THAT ONE. That was the most beautiful piece.

     947

948. The most beautiful needlework I ever saw was a crazy quilt my Mother made. She created stitches & showed off her skills on a daily basis. I loved coming home everyday & seeing the joy of needlework thru her stitches. She sparked a joy in me for needlework that lives on to this day.

     948

949. The most beautiful needlework I have seen is a needlepoint piece of a chameleon. It combines a variety of stitches and threads on painted canvas. It hangs at Aristea Needlepoint in Santa Monica.

     949

950. I’m always awed by stitching done by Audrey Francini. Not only is her stitching beautiful but she is a beautiful person and has shared her knowledge with others for many, many years. And it would feel awesome to snip threads with those beautiful scissors as I work on my current projects.

     950

951. Most beautiful piece of embroidery I can recall was in an Erica Wilson Book , designed by Louise Chrimes.

     The French scissors are just beautifu.

     951

952. These scissors are a true work of love

     952

953. I love the beauty of the tiny sea silk scarf, with a wavy pattern. It is seen in the video of Vigo on BBC Travel. The pattern is lovely and simple, while the thread is a beautiful gold color and very fine. The story of the threads is mesmerizing and sad. So fun to think of kings and queens many years ago wore these threads.

     953

954. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I have seen was an exquisite silk embroidered gentleman’s waistcoat from the 17th century. Beautiful floral designs, and the most exquisite hand stitched button holes I have ever seen. Each hand made button was embroidered with a floral motif, down to the tiniest buttons imaginable. I will never forget it. It was stunning especially for a man. I saw this at an exhibition at Kensington Palace many years ago.

     954

955. My first “shock and awe” moment seeing a beautiful piece of needlework was a finished Angel of Love by Lavender and Lace. I’m also infatuated with Teresa Wentzler, Marie Barber (who I worked with for a very brief time) and Ink Circles. Thanks for doing this giveaway, those are gorgeous scissors.

     955

956. I have seen very pretty stitch projects , but I guess the most beautiful projects I have seen on your website

     956

957. This is a difficult question! I like many different styles of needlework, especially religious embroidery and ribbon embroidery. But since I need to pick one, of the most interesting and beautiful pieces of needlework I ever saw was a costume made for a ball jointed doll. The doll was probably about 17″+ and the artist had created a costume for her consisting of a kind of jacket and pantaloons set. I believe the costume was made out of black velvet, and the artist had embroidered every inch with beautiful white flowers and white ornate stems and tendrils. Just two colors–white and black–but there was so much texture, such pristine satin stitching, and so many tiny details. I was so impressed by it, that I immediately saved a picture and decided to make something similar for my own dolls someday!

     957

958. The needlework that has most fascinated me is a cape made of cloth woven from the silk from millions of golden orb spiders which was then embroidered with the same threads. I believe that at one time – and maybe still- it was on display at the Victoria and Albert museum. Please see the video on their website about its creation.

     Thank you, again, Mary and all those who contributed, for the series of Christmas giveaways!

     May our whole needlework family have a joyous Christmas season!

     958

959. What magnificent scissors! I’m full of admiration for the art of M. Roulot!
     The most beautiful needlework I’ve ever seen was featured on your own blog, Mary: Nita’s Aquatic Sampler from June 2009. As I saw it the first time, I was immediately just… twitterpated, as you call it. 😉 It is overflowing with imagination and detail, so bright and colourful, just as I imagine life under the sea. Every time I look at it, I discover something new. I’ve downloaded the pic and put it on my desktop, so I can enjoy this little piece of art every time I need a bit of inspiration and motivation.
     There’s more “most beautiful” embroidery out there, though, as for instance “Dresdner Weißstickerei”, also known as Point de Saxe. I will always remember this stunningly beautiful whitework on sheer muslin, so delicate as if made for elves.

     Angela from the Ore Mountains

     959

960. The most beautiful and impressionable piece of needlework I saw was in the National Gallery of Victoria. They held an Exhibition called Exquisite Threads and I finally saw in person a Stumpwork Casket. I spent so long looking at it and trying to take in every detail I could. I loved it. I’m fortunate enough to now be participating in Tricia Nyguen Wilson’s Cabinet of Curiosities and I still love looking at all the details in photos but it was very special in real life. Thanks, Sue.

     960

961. Easy question! I had just joined an embroidery guild and one of the members had brought in her just completed counted cross stitch picture she had framed. From a distance it looked like a women’s face but, as you got closer you could see it was actually a family of birds. It sounds strange but this was actually very beautiful and one that I will never forget. It was called Family of Birds by Octavio Ocampo.

     961

962. These scissors are really beautiful.

     962

963. Gosh, Mary, you’ve picked a hard question. I’ve seen so many gorgeous pieces of needlework of all sorts. I think the one that stands out most in my memory is the Plimoth Jacket. The amount of work that went into tracing the history of the designs, sourcing the threads- to the point of convincing manufacturers to bring back long-discontinued types, and the sheer amount of hours that went into doing the actual embroidery and construction of the final product has really impressed the value of our craft onto my soul.

     963

964. The needlework pieces(s) that have impressed me the most are my grandmother’s satin stitch monogramed linen napkins. It may not sound impressive, but those gifts to me were very lovingly
     stitched in near perfection. I was always amazed that this Irish farmwife was equally skilled at butchering her own chickens as she was at plying a needle through linen. Such a beautifully crafted
     pair of scissors as here offered would never have been found in my grandmother’s sewing basket. As
     a modern day embroiderer I would love to have these scissors and hope to someday come close to such
     peices as my grandmother produced.

     964

965. There is a tapestry in the Australian Houses of parliament which is exquisite. It was stitched by a group of ladies and covers the one wall of the room where they hold diplomatic dinners. It is stitched to look as though you are among a forest of eucalyptus tree trunks, no leaves or tops to the trees, just trunks. The skill is amazing.

     965

966. The most beautiful needlework to me is needlepainting of which I could give many striking examples that I have saved in Pinterest, such as, the Iris Spartan: designed by Trish Burr, stitched by Margaret Cobleigh – exquisite.

     966

967. My most memorable piece of needlework was made by my great-great grandmother. It was a beautiful crazy quilt made with silks and had the most exquisite embroidery completed on it. I don’t know whatever happened to the quilt but it definitely lives on in my memory.

     967

968. The most memorable piece of needlework was actually a quilt that was completely hand appliquéd and hand quilted. If it is needlework embroidery it has to be the Bayeux tapestry in England.

     968

969. Mary….long after my Grandma passed away, I found a handkerchief that she had embroidered that was hidden within the folds of a table cloth that I had inherited. I could tell Gram had stitched it because it had her initials and the year 1924 embroidered on it. Today, I can only see it in my minds eye…because somewhere or other in the past many years I have lost that hankie! Gram was my inspiration to learn to knit, crochet, embroider, and quilt. I miss her still.

     969

970. I love Serengeti by Chatelaine. I can’t wait to stitch it in 2018 ! I saw this one a few years ago, and fell in love with it…The detail is gorgeous, as all of Martina’s are, but I fell in love with this one first!

     970

971. I have only seen photos of Chloe Giordano’s wonderful animals but they rank towards the top of a quite large list of impressive and beautiful needlework. I’m sure they are even better in real life.

     971

972. these scissors are breathtaking.

     972

973. I am member of a EAC guild. This year, we lost a wonderful stitcher Erma. She stitch some marvellous white work pieces of embroidery my favourite one is her whitework sampler . I do not know if it is the most beautiful but for me this year it is an exquisite work.
     Nicole

     973

974. Good day Mary, hope you are ready as well for the festive times ahead, celebrating with your family! If I was to play on words I would say that these are chiseling beauty! Speaking of beauty, I think that Japanese silk embroidery pieces are sooooo beautiful I remember my first encounter with the squirrel you showed us on one of your post, this little creature was breath taking. The fine details, the delicate attention to lighting was incredible.

     Thanks again for hosting such treats, and happy new and fulfilling year!

     974

975. This was a hard one, Mary! There are so many wonderful pieces of needlework that I couldn’t choose just one. I think the most amazing piece of needlework I have seen is a counted thread sampler in the Williamsburg collection done on 75 count linen. How the stitcher could work on that count of linen without all of the magnifiers and lights we have available to us today is a wonder! As far as most beautiful, I would have to count Jane Nicholas’s stumpwork and goldwork pieces among the most beautiful. I also love Betsy Morgan’s early pieces, with all of the little animals and dainty florals – they are amazing! So you see, I couldn’t choose just one piece!

     975

976. Up, over 5,000 ft., sits Bassetts Station-once, in the 1800’s, it served as a stage stop. Today, the cafe, store & motel are a welcome sight for all visitors. Unexpectedly, one will find a beautiful stitched bouquet in one of the motel rooms. I always am eager to return there, for so many reasons, but mainly to see that year-round, framed bloom!

     976

977. The wooden case is as exquisite as the scissors themselves! Most beautiful–I love the Jacobean style jackets like the Plimoth Jacket, but Trish Burr’s sweet little bee eaters continue to amaze me. She’s truly captured the beauty and delicacy of these fascinating birds in thread.

     977

978. The most beautiful and memorable piece of needlework I have sever seen was also the largest, The Great Tapestry of Scotland. It was on view at the Scottish Parliament in 2014 and I went back to see it three times!

     Like the Bayeux Tapestry, it tells a historical story, that of the history of Scotland in over 150 panels. Each panel was stitched by local groups in Scotland: Embroidery Guilds, local craft groups and even those who had never threaded a needle! It was the huge, coordinated effort by so many needle workers that impressed me as well as the stitched pieces themselves. Each panel was labeled with the name and location of the group that stitched it as well as the name of the event depicted. The best part was that some of the stitchers were always in attendance and were able to chat with viewers about the tapestry: how the event was selected, how they chose the stitches, the difficulties they had in conforming to the general “look” chosen for the whole piece…and all the fun and godtimes they had doing it!!! I particularly admired how they coped with stitching faces and hands on the many figures featured in the pieces. It’s had to make them look good when you have such a small space to stitch!

     978

979. The piece of embroidery I have been most in awe of was an Elizabethan Casket. The needlelace slips were worked in the finest thread and the detail in every element incredible. Such a monumental undertaking for a girl of 12yo and yet such an inspiration to so many embroiderers hundreds of years later!

     979

980. These are beautiful scissors! Thank you for the opportunity to win them.

     980

981. I will never forget Trish Burr’s embroidery of the ‘Common Kingfisher – beautifully realistic!

     981

982. The most exquisite piece of stitchery that I have ever seen in person was a miniature quilt in the quilt museum in Kentucky. It was just extraordinary with so many unbelievably tiny pieces and then the most wonderful embroidery embellishments. I can still recall the jewel like colors, the detail and the precision of the piecing and the embroidery. At the time I stood transfixed staring at it I thought it must have been made by fairies…surely someone with tiny fingers!!

     982

983. I think the piece that has impressed me the most is Dutch Beauty. To see all those motifs done so finely by such a young lady is quite amazing.

     983

984. I’m sorry that I can’t give you a name of one particular piece. We lived in Italy for 2 years and I was able to see so many wonderful needle work pieces that I can’t recall just one, nor remember the name!

     984

985. About 4 years ago I went to the Pittsburgh PA quilt show where I saw the work of Karen Phillips Shwallon. I had never seen embroidery up close and had never seen dimensional embroidery. I was hooked. It was her original work with dimensional fantasy flowers and a crazy quilt border. The amazing mix of color, texture, stitches, and oh so many details. All her work is exquisite and meticulously executed. That was my introduction to embroidery – the most wonderful art in the world.

     985

986. I have seen several beautiful pieces at the DuPont estate, Winterthur.

     986

987. What a lovely, lovely prize for some lucky someone! The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen – that is a tough one for sure. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in my case because the most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is very odd – it is the first and only attempt at cross stitch that my brother ever made – he was about 4.5 years old. I have it in one of my crazy quilts – what makes it beautiful is that it reminds me of not only him (he is still alive of course but has done NO needlework since then as far as I know) but also of my granny who taught us both to cross stitch when she was minding us. She got us to do this because we told her we were bored! Wrong answer in my grandmother’s house. And thinking of my granny also leads me to think of her knitting and then of my mother who did beautiful handwork no matter what. So it’s a weird piece to be “beautiful” but it is the memories that make it so.

     987

988. The most impressive embroidery I can still recall would be a work of art by a Japanese woman (unknown identity), the stitching was so perfect, the colors made you want to smile and the design was just one simple rose. It was an uncomplicated design, but it was graceful, flowing and elegant. Her work inspired me to continue embroidering when I was ready to put it away forever.

     Although I am no expert and a far cry from doing her artwork, I continue to explore any information to improve, try new stitches and study any written or YouTube tutorials I can get my hands on. Her work still makes me want to do perfect stitching. I am hoping someday my daughter and granddaughters will look at their keepsakes pieces I am doing for them, and maybe carry on this hobby. Maybe even use my hoops too!

     I recently discovered your websit and am very excited to have found answers to many of my questions. Your instructions are easy to understand, thank you.

     Have a wonderful Christmas, I hope you will be joined by all your family and friends. God bless you and yours.

     Candy L. Sloan

     988

989. Describe the most beautiful piece of needlework you’ve ever seen, that impressed itself on you so much that you can still recall it! Well, that is, indeed, a tough question. If I close my eyes and try to picture different pieces of needlework, a lot of them are of historic importance (such as Jane Bostocke, or Dorcas Haynes’ samplers, or Martha Edlin’s magnificent casket). But one piece that really comes to mind is the sampler of Elizabeth Burton. I was first struck by the name, realizing that the actress Elizabeth Taylor’s name was Elizabeth Burton for a long while, but it’s sheer beauty soon eclipsed the name. This is one of the Judah Hayle samplers that surfaced some years ago for study. Judah Hayle’s students all produced wonderful samplers, and they have a lot in common (not least, the prominent mention of their teacher). But Elizabeth Burton’s color choices and overall design stand out for me as the most beautiful of them all… Here are a few photographs of one person’s reproduction stitching: http://s389.photobucket.com/user/lrdavis714/library/Elizabeth%20Burton%20Sampler?sort=3&page=1

     989

990. The most beautiful needlework that I can say that left an impression on me was the Last Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I was really young when I saw the completed work, but it always stood out to me in many ways. I have seen many beautiful works, and have been impressed by how beautiful they are and the artistic talent, but I must say that the one of the Last Supper was very inspirational and spiritual and really touched me deeply.

     990

991. Many years ago when I was doing market research I was invited into a home and there on the main wall was a life sized embroidery of Picasso’s Guernica. The impact was amazing and it must have taken years. Many different stitches used and perfectly executed all done in the dark palette of browns, greys and beiges. An embroidery of a city bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1937 should have been depressing but finding it in a ordinary home here in Australia was extraordinary. Thirty years later I still think of it and the hard work involved!

     991

992. It’s so lovely that in this day and age one can still buy an heirloom pair os scissors. One that will give us so much pleasure just looking and handling it and thstbone day we can pass it on with lots of love and memories to someone who we love dearly.

     992

993. I hope I have managed to leave a comment. A technical glitch is telling me I’ve already left a duplicate comment, but I am not sure. If not, here is what I said:

     Describe the most beautiful piece of needlework you’ve ever seen, that impressed itself on you so much that you can still recall it! Well, that is, indeed, a tough question. If I close my eyes and try to picture different pieces of needlework, a lot of them are of historic importance (such as Jane Bostocke, or Dorcas Haynes’ samplers, or Martha Edlin’s magnificent casket). But one piece that really comes to mind is the sampler of Elizabeth Burton. I was first struck by the name, realizing that the actress Elizabeth Taylor’s name was Elizabeth Burton for a long while, but it’s sheer beauty soon eclipsed the name. This is one of the Judah Hayle samplers that surfaced some years ago for study. Judah Hayle’s students all produced wonderful samplers, and they have a lot in common (not least, the prominent mention of their teacher). But Elizabeth Burton’s color choices and overall design stand out for me as the most beautiful of them all… Here are a few photographs of one person’s reproduction stitching: http://s389.photobucket.com/user/lrdavis714/library/Elizabeth%20Burton%20Sampler?sort=3&page=1

     993

     1. Please disregard this comment. The first one was, indeed, left properly. I wish you could go back in and delete or change comments…

994. A great site

     994

995. The 1796 sampler stitched by 10 year old Nancy Anne Moulton exhibited at the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA. It was a large linen and silk sampler with lots of flowers, letters, numbers, etc. While the colors may have faded a little over time, they were still very lovely. I remember being in awe of the fact that a 10 year old could embroider this pieces and that it was the oldest piece of needlework I had ever seen.

     995

996. Hello!
     The most B-E-A..utiful needlework I have ever seen was on a kimono in a Japanese restaurant in the Seattle area. Whenever we’d get sushi I was always mesmerized by how intricate, delicate and stunning this piece of clothing……really art….. was.

     996

997. I have seen many beautiful pieces of Needlework, I have seen some wonderful historic pieces some stunning, innovative pieces and many pieces where you can see the love stitched into them. The piece of Needlework that stands out for me as most memorable was being present as a professional Embroideress was working on a commission for the impending birth of the Royal baby in England, Prince George. The excitement of knowing this beautiful piece of work was going to be given as a gift to the Royal baby has remained with me.

     997

998. The most memorable piece of needlework that I gave seen is the garments a statue of Our Lady is wearing in a very poor town in Spain, La Linea. So much time and effort went into its creation by a group of very dedicated women. The embroidery is absolutely exquisite.

     998

999. Cindi Needham does beautiful quilt work. She uses old dollies, scarves, pillowcases, laces, and buttons to make her outstanding quilts.

     999

1000. Some of the most beautiful embroidery I’ve seen were altar frontals for Salisbury and Bath Cathedrals done by Jane Lemon and the Sarum Group. They were of modern design done in the large scale necessary for the huge spaces for which they were intended.

      1000

1001. About fifty years ago on the homeward journey from a family holiday we stopped to visit Blair Castle in Blair Atholl, Scotland. There was an exhibition of embroidery made by Lady Evelyn, one of the family of the castle. I was totally in awe of the work, especially the most exquisite depiction of the British Coat of Arms. It is stitched on the finest ( like gauze) linen and is monotone (white). I was still in my mid teens at the time and even at that age I thought it was the most amazing piece of work.

      1001

1002. The scissors made by M. Jean Marie Roulot of the French Needle are positively gorgeous! Currently I own 2 scissors…one for material and one for snipping threads on my embroidery projects. I would dearly LOVE to own something as lovely as this!
      Back in your December 31st 2014 Needle ‘n Thread I Saw a project you were working on called Hungarian Redwork Runner. It had 2 hummingbirds facing each other circled with flowers and leaves that I just thought was beautiful — I still go back to look at it every now and then. The colors are just great together and I would really like to try it but am afraid I wouldn’t do it justice. I like especially how the bills are shaded on the birds. One day I will get brave enough to try it!

      1002

1003. I think anything by Trish Burr makes my heart sing. Especially her white work with color. They are so lovely. But really I can look at any embroidery and love it knowing the hours of work that went into creating it. The love that went into creating it. Isn’t that why we do it. To show our love?

      1003

1004. My favourite piece of embroidery I was fortunate to view was in Cape Town, South Africa in the shop of Di van Niekerk. Absolutely exquisite! It was a sampler of silk ribbon embroidery for her book Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork. After seeing this I embarked on a learning journey of her designs, enjoying each one for the ability to teach me new techniques and to think outside the box.

      1004

1005. The most beautiful and inspiring piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a stumpwork wedding cap that won a ribbon at Woodlawn Plantation needlework show. It inspired me to start learning dimensional embroidery techniques.

      1005

1006. Some 50+ years ago, while on a holiday with my parents, a very kind lady befriended me one evening. I was a little bored with the events of the evening sitting quietly as I was told to by my parents……children should be seen not heard…was a staple of my upbringing. This lady started chatting to me and listening to me. I was fascinated by her. During the exchange she produced an exquisitely embroidered hankie which she told me she had done herself. I couldn’t stop looking at it so much so, she offered to show me how she had embroidered it. I can’t remember the woman’s name now but I do remember the thrill I had each day of the holiday, sitting with her while she set me off on my embroidery journey. As I sew these days I see her face often and find myself smiling.

      1006

1007. I unfortunately have not seen many historical pieces of needlework in person. I’m sure I have viewed many in books. But one of the most exquisite pieces that Ikve seen in person is a “pillow” in my possession that was stitched by one of my husband’s ancestors in the 1830s. The detail is amazing! I have pillow in quotes because it looks like a small cushion (maybe 6”x10”) however when you touch it is very solidly stuffed with something hard like sawdust! There were originally 3 pillows and one given to each of my MILs 3 granddaughters.

      1007

1008. An exquisite museum piece of Chinese goldwork worked predominantly in navy & gold that was about 300 years old – such fine stitching that the couching was almost invisible — amazingly beautiful!

      1008

1009. The most beautiful and bright dress I was on an antique crazyquilt in a museum exhibit of crazy quotes. Some of the crazy girls were quite pedestrian but this one was amazing with different stitches in different combinations on every patch.

      1009

1010. I’m not really sure it is my favorite piece of embroidery but it certainly made a lasting impression on me. It’s called the New Forest Embroidery. It is an English piece done in the 2nd half of the 20th century – not sure of the decade. It was a communal effort celebrating the history of the New Forest which, oddly enough, dates back centuries. It reminds me a bit of the Bayeux Tapestry. It is one continuous piece but proceeds in time from the early days of the English monarchy through the present.

      1010

1011. Actually this one is easy. I had the opportunity once to see a piece of double-sided silk embroidery from China. This was museum quality stitched with the finest silk threads on silk fabric so sheer you could barely see it. It looked as if that gold fish was swimming in air, no matter from where you were looking. I have never seen anything else like it. I later took a class in reversible stitching from Tanya Berlin which only increased my appreciation for the work I had seen.

      1011

1012. I have seen. So much embroidery, from ethnic type. Work to high art embroidery. I will never forget theme first time I saw a stumpwork casket at York Museum with its beautiful little figures an plants and animals. It has inspired me to do this type of embroidery

      1012

1013. A pair of pillowcases that my mother embroidered and won a prize for at the state fair in the 1930’s is the most beautiful and inspiring embroidery I’ve ever seen. Mom was so proud and they were made with so much love that I will never forget the moment that she showed them to me. It was the beginning of my passion for stitching.

      1013

1014. Most beautiful? I think I’d have to go with a Qing Dynasty dragon robe in the SF Asian Art Museum. I love Chinese embroidery in general and this was magnificent.

      1014

1015. I love scissors and I know this pair would be at the top of my list. Absolutely beautiful.

      1015

1016. Our group was privileged to view the linen sampler embroidered with silk and metal by Jane Bostock in 1598 at the V&A. Not so much beautiful as astounding that her lovely work has survived over 500 years. Would that we will produce something that will be so valued!

      1016

1017. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was a huge whitework and cutwork embroidered, heavy damask table cloth. It would have taken the stitcher’s whole life to work. It was exquisite. I can still picture it clearly to this day and I saw it some 40 years ago!

      1017

1018. I don’t have one specific piece of needlework I remember most, but I remember many pieces of needlework by my Grandmother. It wasn’t intricate or “exquisite.” It was precious to me because she had done it. She spent time putting embroidery on tablecloths, pillowcases, wash clothes—well just about anything that would stand still! She’s been gone a long time, but I still cherish those “everyday” pieces of embroidery.

      The scissors are BEAUTIFUL. I’d love to win them.

      1018

1019. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was found in the discard bin of an Italian dress designer. The fabric was handwoven in finest linen with sheaves of wheat and berries embroidered in silk in stripes along the length of the fabric. The embroidery was accented with tiny pearls. I was told this fabric was used for a ball gown and this was the only scrap remaining. It lit the flame of my life long desire to embroidery very fine and intricate patterns using silk, gold, pearls and beads.

      1019

1020. The most beautiful piece of embroidery work I’ve ever seen was on the door of a 16th century carriage. My husband and I went to the carriage museum in Lisbon, Portugal. The museum had carriages from the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The panel on the carriage door was made of velvet and had a coat of arms in silver work. The stitches were mainly back stitch, bullion stitch, French knots, stem stitch and what appeared to be herring bone stitch. It was a coat of arms with a central animal figure surrounded by swags and (possibly) laurel leaves. I was blown away!

      1020

1021. My dad went to Ethiopia when I was in my teens (it was part of an effort to coordinate aid for Ethiopian Jews who had gotten stranded in Addis Ababa) and he brought back traditional cotton dresses for all of us with embroidered decorations. Mine was the brightest, with beautiful red and purple and gold geometric designs on it. (He said the ones my size were for women who were looking for husbands, so they were all more decorated than the ones for little girls or married women.) The thickly worked embroidery contrasted with the light cotton fabric – it was a really amazing piece.

      1021

1022. I think the most beautiful embroidery work I’ve seen is in Judith Montano’s book where she includes some hand painted cloth, many different stitches and silk ribbon to complete a cottage scene. I need to get my ribbons out to enhance my original embroidery designs!

      1022

1023. My grandmother made beautiful crocheted lace. One of the most beautiful pieces depicts a basket of flowers. I am privileged to have it mounted under glass on the wall in my home.

      1023

1024. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen is the cross stitch on 72-count linen my daughter made for me for Mother’s Day several years ago. Took a first at Woodlawn, it did! And hangs forever in my bedroom!

      1024

1025. My first encounter with significant historical weaving, lace, and embroidery was in the original Textile Museum of Barcelona, housed in a spectacularly moody 15th century mansion on calle Moncada. The collection, now in a very modern building, was arranged historically starting with amazingly fine linen fragments from ancient Egypt, continuing with the breathtaking fabrics of Islamic Spain, followed by astonishing Medieval and Renaissance embroidered ecclesiastical textiles, and on through the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century Belle Epoch needlework marvels. Each piece of this extraordinary collection was a connection to a real human being who used, essentially, the materials and tools that we use today. It’s humbling and inspiring to be part of a tradition that has thrived since ancient times and which promises to continue as long as there are hands to work with needle and thread.

      1025

1026. The piece that sticks out in my mind is a piece by Karen Phillips Schwallon. The piece is called welcome and is embellished with wisteria a tree with a nest in it and on each letter there are flowers there’s a grasshopper hidden in there bees and ants and completed with a beautiful sunshine. All her work is absolutely gorgeous but welcome I think is my favorite.

      1026

1027. Every time I go the Japanese Embroidery Center’s website I scroll theough their gallery. Each piece is more beautiful than the last. I love them all! Merry Christmas!

      1027

1028. I own the white work bedspread and pillow shams that were in my Grandmothers trousseau – she married in 1928. The linen is exquisite, it has hand made insertions of Bedfordshire lace and darned net and trails and trails of stem stitch and satin stitch vines and leaves and hundreds and hundreds (thousands ?) of tear drop shaped eyelets. I haven’t used it for about 30 years but have loaned it a couple of times for exhibitions. That ensures it comes out of its archive box and is laundered. It will go to the Embroiderers’ Guild Archive one day as I am 100% certain that none of my nieces or great-nieces will love it or care for it in the manner it deserves. If there were a fire/flood/earthquake etc it is the thing I would grab first.

      1028

1029. My dear mother, who today is battling her 13 years of dementia, was a wonderful sewer and embroiderer during her life. She made copious amounts of beautiful creative embroidery pictures, and embroidered creative gifts using bullion stitch and other stitches. She taught me to sew and embroider from a young age and instilled in me the love of sewing and all things beautiful. Her lovely collection of scissors have found their way into my ever growing collection – just love them. These scissors would be a most wonderful addition and much loved. My mother would love them too.

      1029

1030. The most memorable and beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was at Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s exhibit “Fashioning Fashion”in 2010-2011…it was a silk and metallic embroidery altar frontal ( French or Italian 1730 – 1740).There were many beautiful and distinct embroidery pieces to be viewed on costumes…but this piece stood out.
      This embroidery was on the par of the embroidered mantuas on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
      It can be viewed on pages 124 – 125 of the catalog, but even great photography could not portray the magnificence of this unforgettable embroidery.

      1030

1031. My most favorite piece of needlework is the Plimouth jacket. I was very luckly to have seen it twice at Winterthur DuPont estate in Delaware. It was presented in a case that you could walk around 360 degrees. The fabric on the shirt was was beautifully done and set off the jacket very well. The embroidery was exquisite. The blouse had beautiful handmade lace around the neck and sleeves. It was covered with spangles that sparkled like diamonds. You can imagine in candle light all those many years how lovely it looked. I believe it was based a jacket in the V&A museum in London. I will truly never forget this piece of needlework

      1031

1032. What a tough question! I’ve seen so many beautiful pieces. Recently, however I finally ticked off my bucket list, the Bayeux Tapestry, on my first trip to France. Wow. 70 metres long and so historic. I bought a kit whilst there, to stitch my own panel as a reminder of how amazing the original really is. This has been a true life highlight.

      1032

1033. I went to a museum and saw an exhibition of the work of Helenn Rumpel. Honestly there wasn’t a piece that wasn’t breathtaking.

      1033

1034. Maria Vasilyeva’s 1-thread embroidery capturing enduring Renaissance portraits, particularly her work of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, is so exciting to view and ponder.

      1034

1035. I was attending a needlework show a few years ago at Woodlawn sponsored by E.G.A. There were many beautiful items but what struck my eyes was a beautifully executed box done entirely of crewel work on all sides. Never forgot that beautiful piece of art expertly finished.

      1035

1036. I’m fairly new to embroidery. I’ve seen lots of pictures of beautiful embroidery. But my teacher Susy has the most beautiful stitches and I never get tired of looking at them. It’s nice to be able study each section.

      1036

1037. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen in person is a 14th century altar frontal at The Cloisters. It is silk on linen, and most of it is pretty faded, but several sections show the bright, beautiful colors.

      1037

1038. The most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen was a cross stitch of a nativity done with hand dyed thread, accented with metallic floss and beads, on hand dyed fabric.

      1038

1039. Those scissors are definitely a work of art. As far as a special piece of needlework goes, Jan Messant’s art/embroidery immediately come to mind. Any piece in her book on Celtic, Viking & Anglo-Saxon embroidery (published by Search Press) qualify as memorable to me, but my all-time favorite in the book is the Bayeaux Stitchbook. Her interpretation of that famous tapestry in embroidery stitches is truly amazing.

      1039

1040. I had the privilege of visiting the Bristol school in England, and seeing
      Their private collection. Most were done in a single color on very high
      Count linen, and although none were perfect to me they were so beautiful
      Knowing they were done by young children, just learning. Their perseverance
      Stayed with me and has spurred me on when tempted to give up a project,
      So beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Nothing I have seen since has
      Stayed with me like those simple samplers did. The scissors are beautiful too
      And I would be so touched to have them come live with me, if I were so lucky.
      Have a stitch happy Christmas EVERYONE! Sue In Bermuda

      1040

1041. The most beautiful needlework piece? What a tough question! I have a piece of fine pina embroidery that is a delicate wonder. How anyone could make threads so strong and find boggles me.

      1041

1042. One of the most exquisite needlepoint pieces I’ve seen and have coveted ever since, is a fruit wreath created by Kelly Clark. The details of each fruit are amazing and the total affect is beautiful.

      1042

1043. I think the most beautiful embroidery I ever saw was done by Lady Evelyn Stewart Murray. It is an embroidery of the British Arms. It was worked with #250 and #700 threads on glass cambric. It took seven years to complete. I can’t imagine doing an embroidery this fine with such an investment of time. A picture of it is in the book “Lady Evelyn’s Needlework Collection”. It is on the dust jacket and on page 90. Skills to aim for! SC

      1043

1044. The most beautiful embroidery I saw was my dad’s Christening gown. All hand stitched embroidery by my Gran for him. She did 6 years apprenticeship for no pay. It’s over 100 years old now & Dad gave it to me before he died as I was the only one who took after her & could fix it if anything happened to it.

      1044

1045. This is a *very* tough question! However, I think for me the answer must be a haute couture evening gown covered with sequins and beads, all applied by hand using tambour embroidery. The idea that such a large expanse of fabric was covered using a technique all hand done is fascinating, plus the design was quite beautiful.

      1045

1046. The Berthold vestment in the Melk Benedictine Abbey. The age of the vestment and the quality and expertise of the stitching was amazing to see. As beautiful as the whole Baroque style abbey.

      1046

1047. I have my grandmothers autographed embroidered quilt that she had on her bed for years. It has all the names of her schoolmates and family members. It is worn and threadbare but I remember her tracing each name and telling me stories of her girlhood.

      1047

1048. The most wonderous needlework i recall was a piece of crewelwork that my grandmother Mary made in the 60s. She was continuously crafting and i so admired her work. This particular piece showed a colorful bunch of flowers that reminded me the oklahoma wildflowers she lived among. This began my life-long love of all types of needlecraft!

      Thank you, Nancy, for all you do for us! Happy New Year!

      1048

1049. I saw a gorgeous crazy quilt in a museum when I was a teenager. It contained embroidery, tatting, lace work, beads, ribbons and so much more. It sparked a life-time love of crazy quilting.

      1049

1050. The most amazing embroidery piece I have seen (unfortunately not in person) is the amazing work of That Embroidery Girl and her amazing goldwork, in particular I love the latest unicorn series! She is so so talented!

      1050

1051. I’ve seen several beautiful embroideries, but one that sticks in my mind was a Hardanger wedding dress on display at the North Dakota State Museum. I had my face pressed up against the glass like a kid in the candy store. The Hardanger was worked down each sleeve, across the hem and down the front of the dress. It was exquisite and gorgeous. I thought of the woman or women who stitched it, creating this stunning wedding gown, and hope it was worn with pride and passed down to future generations before going on display in the museum.

      1051

1052. I’m much in agreement with William Morris:

      “If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

      It’s a good way to live. The problem is that I find so much embroidery to be beautiful…

      1052

1053. The amazing panels on any of the coffins chest impress me still. Lots of embroidery, lots of detail, just lots!

      1053

1054. So difficult to pick one … but the embroidery done on 18th-century clothing (especially men’s jackets and waistcoats) is incredible. Thank you for the extraordinary giveaway!

      1054

1055. I think the reproduction of the Bayeaux Tapestry is magnificent.When you think of the number of hours & the number of people working on it beggars belief.!!

      1055

1056. Merry Christmas!

      1056

1057. Immediately comes to mind an embroidered quilt, using and recycling antique embroidered (and not so antique!) doilies, lace handkerchiefs and old material etc. All pieces had a meaning or a little story to the maker. It was a wonderful “story” piece. Took ages to make and is very beautiful.

      1057

1058. I wandered into a quilt and sewing show and saw a display of needlework. One piece was a traditional piece of hardanger–white on white. I was fascinated by the intricacy of the work and its beauty. Several years later I met an expert hardanger stitcher who introduced it to me by demonstrating some of the techniques and the rest is history.

      1058

1059. I think the most remarkable piece I have seen was in a museum, it was a Mayan cloak made up of tiny feathers, not only was it beautiful it was amazing that it survived at all.

      1059

1060. The most beautiful piece of needlework … I believe it was a free standing little cottage house which was actually a sewing “box” the roof came off and it was full of little tools such as a pin cushion, thimble holder, scissor holder, needlebook and a place to store you threads. The outside was stitched with various trees and vines and small animals. It was just lovely!

      1060

1061. I took a stumpwork class with Jane Nicholas. She showed us boxes of her gold beetles. They were amazing. So tiny, so intricately stitched, so detailed. Pictures seem to flatten the goldwork and mute the color. In person, they were utterly amazing.

      1061

1062. When I visited the Victoria and Albert museum I saw some beautiful embroidered jackets. I can’t recall their age, just remember being overwhelmed at the intricate work. And couldn’t imagine the time it took to complete them.

      1062

1063. Embroidery is my most favorite method of stitching. Whenever I see hand embroidery on beautiful linen, it always impresses me. It’s so fine and detailed and lays so nicely. The one I like the most is a blue and yellow on white background tablecloth that I stitched myself. I entered it in my county fair and got a blue ribbon. I treasure that tablecloth,knowing in my heart all the many hours I enjoyed stitching. Thread and scissors are important pieces to have when it comes to sewing!

      1063

1064. My most beautiful piece of needlework is a counted cross stitch Sampler on very fine linen that my daughter stitched for my birthday. The stitching is perfect.I look at it in awe and smile, it is beautiful. I have admired the scissors from The French Needle. That would be a treasure to have.

      Thank you, Barbara

      1064

1065. The most stunning, beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a very large horizontal quilted piece that included applique. It was the artist’s interpretation of a birch forest bathed in rays of sunlight. From left to right, the tiny pieces of fabric grew into the larger pieces of the foreground. The fabrics and colors of the leaves and trunks of the trees were incredibly realistic, and I felt as though I was literally walking into the woods. It was the Grand Prize winner of an arts festival that I saw in Grand Rapids, Michigan a few years ago.

      1065

1066. Couldn’t possibly remember the most beautiful pieces of needlework I’ve ever seen. I do remember though being in awe of some of the works at Boston’s MFA textile exhibits. The huge bed drapes, tapestries etc are stunning pieces exquisitely crafted probably long ago in very poor light.

      1066

1067. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was that of Annemieke Mien, an Australian textile artist, who made textile art before most people thought of it. Her extremely large scale insects and nature were so beautiful and so realistic and well researched.

      1067

1068. I have seen so many beautiful pieces of embroidery that it is hard to name one, I was inspired as a child by the embroidered table cloths that my mother and grandmother had, and whilst I have since seen more magnificent and spectacular work my love of embroidery was inspired by my mothers and grandmothers work.

      1068

1069. I was and am mesmerized by Trish Burrs’ work. When I first saw her pieces I had to look closely to see if it was embroidery or a painting. Everything she does is beautiful.
      This wasn’t a fair question, there are so many embroidery artists and beautiful pieces to choose from, including Ms Mary Corbet. Love getting to know you through your newsletter and web site.
      Merry Christmas
      Dianne

      1069

1070. As a quilter, two or three years ago at Quilt Fest in Houston, the winner was a Lady from Japan. Her quilt was all floral appliqué pieces so tiny but you could not see a stitch. My Daughter and I just stood there in awe of her piecework and tiny hand quilting, all equal and even stitches. I took several pictures which I love to keep for my self as inspiration. Many quilters in Japan use old kimono fabric for the exquisite quilts. Embroidery, Erica Wilson, of which I have a couple of her kits but never could equal her beautiful embroidery work, was a consummate author of the most beautiful embroidery of the time. I have seen so many pieces in stitch shops that are so intricate they put me awe, but to say I could remember them, I am getting too old. I will try to purchase the scissors none the less. Good luck to others, and a really great question to ask. Merry Christmas Mary, may you have happy and blessed Christmas.PS…your work is nothing to sneeze at, just saying.

      1070

1071. PS…Mary, just went to the website and WOW, now I understand your comment about “having to work for it”, no way I could afford to buy myself those scissors, so good luck everyone that responds!!!!

      1071

1072. All needlework is beautiful in different mediums . Love it all!

      1072

1073. It’s almost impossible for me to choose the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen as I’ve had the opportunity to view so many exquisite items in museums, books and on the internet and to study with so many talented needle women. I am particularly impressed by miniature needlework work pieces as I know the extra skill involved in creating such fine detail on such small items. Therefore, I would have to say that Jane Nichols’ stump work – which she uses to create tiny insects and flowers – is the most impressive of all the magnificent stitchery I’ve ever seen. When I saw her Corncockle and Dragonfly design, I couldn’t believe the details and couldn’t wait to take her class to try to reproduce her design. Under her skilled teaching, I did it and have since completed a second project from one of her books!

      1073

1074. The most impressive piece I have seen is the Overlord Tapestry in England that depicts
      the Normandy invasion. Its size, how it is displayed is remarkable and the dedication of the stitchers cannot ever be overrated.

      1074

1075. The scissors created by M. Jean-Marie Roulot of Nogent, France, are equisite! Such beautiful artistry in each pair.

      The most beautiful piece of needlework I had seen in the early 1990’s was a floral afghan designed by Maureen Appleton of the Heart’s Content. I loved the style and use of colors. This is the needlework design that started a lifetime obsession with cross-stitch and other forms of needlework.

      Thank you for this informative article.

      1075

1076. I love crazy quilts. My favorite crazy quilter is Betty Fikes Pilsbury and my favorite quilt of hers is called Paisley. Her paisleys are unique and beautiful and this quilt has an off center finish that I really like.

      1076

1077. Those scissors have always made me SWOON!
      Okay, let’s go back to 1988 when I was honeymooning in Italy. We went though the Vatican Museum and those tapestries absolutely blew my mind. I remember being so overwhelmed, wondering how they could do such magnificent, detailed work so long ago without all the threads and tools (and LIGHT!) we have now. I was much more impressed with them than with the “artwork” or sculpture. I could not believe they had survived so long, and was so thrilled they had. It really impressed on me how much careful and beautiful handwork could leave such a tremendous legacy and beauty in the world. It forever changed everything I have ever sewn since.
      It’s a great memory -‘thanks for letting me share it!
      Jo

      1077

1078. Such lovely scissors! I have seen so many beautiful pieces of needlework, it’s really hard to pick one, but I would have to choose one that is perhaps not particularly colorful or intricate. Many years ago, in Art History class in college, I was introduced to the Bayeux Tapestry. This monumental piece, completed so long ago, captured my imagination. Who were the nameless women (and/or men) who created this? Who designed it? How long did it take them? Where did they stitch it? I loved the fanciful animals in the border, and even now, many many years later, I still find new things to see in it.

      1078

1079. It’s extremely difficult for me to choose one piece of needlework that impresses me. I love it all and no one piece stands out. I really like gold work and any piece done in it.

      1079

1080. A friend of mine was teaching an ESL class, and some of her students were Cambodian. She noticed their clothes often had small embroidery patches of exquisite detail. She commissioned on young lady to create a picture for me. I recognize the technique as needle painting. The piece is worked in gorgeous silks on linen. It’s a treasured piece that hangs in my entryway.

      1080

1081. Most impressed embroidery I saw was my grandmother. Living thru depression era and still manage to embroidery by hand and run a farm . It leaves a lasting memories. It’s nothing fancy but simple flowers and outlines stems leaves with crocheted edges on pillow case. The crochet edge was ruffles of pink Crochet thread matching the pink flowers.

      1081

1082. The most beautiful piece of needlework i’ve ever seen is the one that got me started in embroidery at the age of ten. I was strolling in the park with my mom when i saw a stand with different table runners, all embroidered by indigenous women (i live in Mexico) the vibrant colors, the composition, so complicated yet so simple, and the texture they created in that piece of fabric were so beautiful i thought i wanted to learn how to do such a beautiful ‘thing’. Years passed before i could explain my mother what i wanted, i had to try different techniques of embroidery (most of them self thought), before getting to the one i enjoy the most.

      1082

1083. The last time that I can remember a piece of needlework that I saw in person, that I had hoped to see, didn’t come up to my expectations. My mother and I were in Williamsburg VA and visited the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. On the wall in one of the hallways was this work. It was a picture of two people in a park-like setting on a piece of cloth (silk, probably). The dress of the lady was embroidered. There may have been other items of clothing embroidered. Ones I had seen online had everything except the faces of the people and the background embroidered–that’s was I had hoped to see. It still was beautiful, and I can clearly remember it.

      1083

1084. I saw a picture of May Morris’s Maids of Honor panel and was blown away with the beauty of it. The birds in the corners, lettering in a circle flowers in the center. Incredible !

      1084

1085. The most beautiful piece of embroidery for me is the last piece my great grandmother stitched that was found in a box that had been marked “trash” by other family and rescued by someone to give to me. No special techniques, nothing worthy of entering into a judged competition, but exquisite. I never knew she did handwork! She works many retail positions, finally working overnights stocking because she had such bad arthritis she was “embarrassing” to have on the floor with customers.

      Otherwise, a needlepainted bird so caught my eye because it looked like a photo – only on closer inspection could you see all the stitches and colors. I aspire…

      1085

1086. I have seen many exquisite embroideries over many years, however there is one that inspired me recently it is called the “Bird Cage” I believe it was designed by Christine Bishop, the embroidery is a work box which looks like a birdcage with a assortment of useful embroidery tools insde the box such as a pincushion, needlebook and the list goes on, the inside is as ,much a surprise as the outside.
      I love beautiful scissors and this one is among the best I have seen.

      Flora C

      C

      1086

1087. I think the most beautiful pieces of needlework I have seen is the Darleen O’Steen sampler called the Cranberry Sampler. It is one made up of motifs and alphabets from that period and the back is done to be as perfect as the front – no dangling ends, no crossed threads, just a mirror image of the front. And it is stitched on linen from a loom 500 years old that is broken and will never weave more.

      1087

1088. There was a small display of needlework in Newport, RI about 5 years ago…at it was this pretty alphabet sampler. Just the alphabet, over and over in different colors.

      1088

1089. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve seen was on a vestment I was trying to repair at the Diocesan Altar Guild. It had the prettiest combinations of colors and various floral and greenery designs. Someone had found it at a garage sale! And they brought it to us to repair the places where the silk had frayed and come loose. I spent several Tuesdays tacking things down so that the beautiful embroidery could shine through.

      1089

1090. I can’t bring anything to mind, but any of Mary’s pieces can certainly qualify!

      1090

1091. A couple years ago a friend and I went to a quilt show and there were some beautiful quilts. One that stands out in my mind was a crazy quilt done with some of the most beautiful embroidery on it. There was even some ribbon embroidery as well. The colors and variety of stitches was astounding. It was a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for this opportunity and have a wonderful holiday, sharing it with all those you hold dear.

      1091

1092. The first time I went to the needlenthread web site and saw breathtaking embroidery. I cross stitch and needlepoint but I come back here often to see the beauty of embroidery

      1092

1093. I’ve never forgotten the small remnant of an ancient Peruvian linen with incredibly beautiful colors and stitching – a textile museum piece. It was so inspiring!

      1093

1094. I saw an antique needlework beaded runner in deep red and cream. It was beautiful.

      1094

1095. I have seen pictures of beautiful needlework. I have seen beautiful needlework in museums and wished the light was brighter and the work of art closer so I could see the detail. But I am lucky enough to own a family heirloom which is a silk handkerchief from Japan that is over 100 years old. It is embroidered over almost the entire surface with all sorts of stitches. The best part is that it is equally beautiful on the front and the back.

      1095

1096. Dear Mary,
      MERRY CHRISTMAS! Only two sleeps to go! Good embroidery tools make stitching a joy. But these scissors go waaa…….ay beyond that. They are a beautiful masterpiece!!
      The best piece of embroidery I have ever seen is hard to think back about ……… but the one that came immediately to mind was a black velvet draw-string bag with five panels that were embroidered with silk ribbon flowers. It was a winner at our local agricultural show. It was very, very pretty!
      Thank you!

      1096

1097. I have admired M. Roulet’s for quite some time at the French Needle. All are beautiful in their unique way. As you shared, when I was younger, scissors were scissors but as I got older I gained a new appreciation for them! I have different types for varied projects, and actually my husband told me the other day— you are getting more scissors? The pair you show are exquisite and I love the delicate, well made carrying case. As always, thank you for sharing beautiful tools and projects in your updates. I always find a new place to explore my habit! Hope this year leaves you feeling well and recovered!

      1097

1098. I love M Roulot’s sizzors! I would LOVE to meet him someday & visit his workshop. The piece of embroidery that left a distinct impression on me was Beatrix Potter’s sampler at Hilltop. I had been a fan for years and it was a dream come true to visit Hilltop while part of a needlework seminar near there. Having read all her books, she wasn’t just some random unknown person. I plan to stitch a reproduction of her sampler some day.

      1098

1099. I was at a quilting retreat and a new person came as someones guest. She was working on Maria Freitas Brazilian embroidery project, “ABC Apples to Zillions” (or something like that.). Well, her stitches were so beautifully done and it was like nothing I ever seen, that I introduced myself and begged her to teach me! That embroidery project of hers inspired me from sewing machine to an embroidery needle. So that project of hers was special to me.

      1099

1100. I would like to stretch the category of needlework to include The Unicorn Tapestries, which are the most incredible form of fiber art I have ever seen. They are woven, not needlework per se, but such an incredible inspiration for those who love the textile arts. I would visit them again and again, if I could. They are on display at The Cloisters in New York, and very much worth a visit. Or two.

      1100

1101. One wonderful piece of embroidery I know of is an old style luncheon table cloth all embroidered in white. It was probably my grandmothers. She gave teas and recitals. I have what’s left of it still. Treasured.
      Merry Christmas everyone!

      1101

1102. So beautiful! Even the case is a masterpiece!

      1102

1103. It is really hard to select just one. For me the most beautiful one is the lace tablecloth my mother made for me. She crocheted one for each of her eleven children. Her workmanship was so fine, just exquisite. Of course it is even more of a treasure because of the love that went into it, an heirloom for sure.

      1103

1104. This question is very easy for me to answer. I’ll never forget 2 amazing needlelace pieces I saw at the Grand Floridian resort in Disney World. They were huge pieces behind glass on the walls of the main building. I guess they were table cloths. The design details intrigued me.
      Thank you, Mary for the wonderful holiday give aways. Those scissors are something very special.

      1104

1105. We have a stitcher in our group who does HAED designs – over one. She has finished several and they are all gorgeous – beautifully stitched. Did I mention she’s 82? I wish I had her skills!!

      1105

1106. Wish I could win. Christmas wishing. I would give it to my friend to see her smile.

      1106

1107. Christmas wishing. I would give it to my friend to see her smile.

      1107

1108. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was an antique set of Mass vestments from the 1920s, located in the museum at St. Joseph’s Old Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Amazing the amount of effort that went into those vestments!

      1108

1109. What beautiful scissors.
      My favorite beautiful embroidery is at the Norton Gallery in Shreveport, LA. It is the Declaration of Independence done with very fine white thread on a pale blue fabric. It is exquisite.
      Merry Christmas.

      1109

1110. Gay Ann Rogers “Catherine”…

      This piece has continued to intrigue me. Of course I missed the opportunity to stitch this piece since she no longer offers the kit. It may be the time period of the subject…but I just love the color composition and movement in the piece when you look at her head piece.

      1110

1111. The Needlework of eleven year old Martha Edlin showcased at V&A museum. This has inspired me to work with the reproduction threads of that era.

      1111

1112. It’s very hard to choose but one that I remember vividly is a beautiful piece of Chinese embroidery work by Margaret Lee. Her skill with Chinese silk ‘painting’ is quite amazing and has inspired me to attempt one of her kits with Chinese silk threads.

      1112

1113. Every day I see beautiful work by so many people . I can’t just pick one. I am just so happy that needle art as I call it ,is alive and doing well ! So many people think it is a waste of time but I beg to differ. If they would just pick up a needle, floss and fabric and give it a try, they just may find there creative soul 🙂

      1113

1114. The most beautiful needlework I have seen was a piece of children’s clothes with English smocking. I know that smocking is pretty simplistic compared to a lot of the things I see on this website, but it was enough to spark an interest in embroidery for me when I was only 23 years old. I smocked for years and branched out into other forms of needlework, including Hardanger. These scissors would be perfect for Hardanger as precision is key to success with that needlework form!

      1114

1115. Most impressive needlework ~ very tough question Mary. I always remember an embroidered bench cushion, done in crewel wool with the most beautiful flowers. This was many years ago at an embroidery guild show in Akron Ohio.

      1115

1116. First of all, beautiful scissors and the box is a work of art also. My answer came quickly as I just saw the 30 minute film “thru the eye of a needle” about Esther Nisenthal Krinitz. It is a Holocaust survivors memories of Poland when the Nazis came. As an adult she made 36 pieces depicting the invasion when she was a child. I have seen the film several times and wish I could see the embroidery in person but have been so impressed with her art. I have never seen any art like this before. Thanks again Mary and to the French Needle for the chance to honor this lady. Merry Christmas!

      1116

1117. To me, the most memorable pieces of needlework, was when our Textile Tour Group had a behind the scenes look at many exquisite pieces at the Royal School of Needlework, UK.

      1117

1118. A friend of mine purchased an old sampler in a junk shop thinking it was probably not old. As it turned out, it is old. It has such a beauty to it that I just love; the subtle colors and design to me are just perfect. I hope to one day be so lucky as to find one like that to treasure.

      1118

1119. I have seen many beautiful pieces of embroidery. The one that is unforgettable to me is the Chinese silk embroidery for a screen in a beautiful wooden standing frame. It was in an exhibit at the Kimbal Museum in Ft. Worth.

      1119

1120. For me the most beautiful piece is the sailboat from the embroidery artist Emine Seremet with its floral sail that float on a goldwork sea. It is a delicate Embroidery!

      1120

1121. I usually say a cook is only as good as her utensils….and I say the same is true for stitchers! These scissors are Delicate, equisite and precise…perfect!

      1121

1122. I really haven’t seen actual fine embroidery in person but I love what I see in Inspirations Magazine.

      1122

1123. I am in awe of the exquisite scissors & of course of the French Needle j Needle ‘n Thread!

      1123

1124. The scissors are beautiful! Thanks so much to the French Needle for offering them. I have seen many beautiful pieces of needlework, but the one that made the biggest impression on me was the Bayeux Tapestry. I bought a book about the tapestry and pull it out regularly to look at the pictures.

      1124

1125. Mary, I’ve never seen such a beautiful array of scissors, absolutely breath taking.

      My favourite piece of embroidery was at an exhibition at our arts centre, there were all sorts of beautiful antique objects, dresses, embroidered tiny gloves, samplers, but my favourite was a stumpwork casket, just divine.

      I have purchased a number of stumpwork books…….have only had time to start one piece so far, but I have plenty of ambitions!!

      Julie in Australia

      1125

1126. A few years ago we had an electrician doing some work in our home. During the time he was here he saw me doing some needle painting – he asked to see it and when I showed it to him mentioned that his daughter-in-law was from China and that she had inherited her great Grandmother’s wall hanging she had done when just a little girl around 10 – 12yrs old. He offered to bring it to show me – which he duly did, and I was blown away at how breathtakingly beautiful it was and the stitches/colours all perfectly executed. He told me it was done towards the end of last century. I’ve seen some amazing Chinese embroidery – but to think this was done to the high standard that it was, without all the “modern” threads/tools etc by one so young was mind blowing. It had been carefully rolled in tissue paper and passed down over the years. Just exquisite.

      1126

1127. There used to be a blog called “Plays with Needles.” I think the way she uses a variety of materials and techniques is amazingly beautiful . The scissors are WOW!

      1127

1128. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was the figure of a woman in a lovely gown. It was her hair and profile that were exquisite.

      1128

1129. A Roman style chasuble, likely several hundred years old, with a beautiful cross covering the entire back, edged in goldwork, and filled in with a stunning image of the crucifix. It’s why I want to stitch.

      1129

1130. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen was by my grandmother. She had a touch of arthritis but it never stopped her from her “stitching”. She deftly moved her needle through the fabric creating beauty with every stitch. It was amazing to watch.

      1130

1131. What an amazing way to spend your life, M. Roulot! The craftsmanship of your scissors is exquisite. I hope to own a gorgeous scissor someday. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is a piece stitched by my friend’s grandmother and it hangs in my friend’s home. It’s a French chateau and is beaded on part of it. It is simply exquisite and been very inspiring to me.

      1131

1132. The most beautiful pieces of needlework I’ve seen were the kneelers at the Washington Cathedral in DC. Each one had an individual design in a chapel set apart from the main sanctuary. During the worship service I quietly took out my phone and took a couple of pictures. They were stunning.

      1132

1133. These are exquisitely beautiful scissors!

      The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen (actually 39 separate pieces by as many needle artists) are the table runner/placemats under each place setting in Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party, a collaborative multimedia artwork that was produced between 1974 and 1979. I saw the installation in the mid 90’s, and it’s a breathtaking, thoughtful, and powerful assemblage. If you’re not familiar with the work, it’s definitely worth Googling!

      1133

1134. Stitching, whether on a garment or a 28 count, gives me great pleasure. I spend lots of time on my craft, but it’s not lost time because of what I have accomplished. Finding friends who have the same interest has awakened my mind to all possibilities. I love working with the needle on my hand.

      1134

1135. I recently attended a quilt show, and while visiting the vendor hall, came across Liberty Rose Designs with Sharon Stewart. She had a Halloween quilt that was applique on display. The tiny pieces, with needle turned applique was stunning. I so hope to make that quilt with the pattern I purchased.

      1135

1136. The most beautiful needlework that stuck in my mind was done by Di Van Niekerk of a cottage in the woods with a path leading to the door and surrounded by flowers of all kinds. It was exquisite.

      AND, the scissors are EXQUISITE too. Thank you for this opportunity.

      1136

1137. beautiful!

      1137

1138. These scissors are beautiful
      I would love to use them!

      1138

1139. It’s hard to name one item. Your Christian embroideries are beautiful.
      The gorgeous embroidered gowns I saw in England are breathtaking and makes me wonder how they could accomplish these.
      You are correct. I think beautiful scissors that are also perfect tools are few and far between and an item most of us could never afford.
      Thanks to all for the wonderful chance to enjoy our needlework even more.
      Merry Christmas Mary.

      1139

1140. These scissors are a work of art and would be a pleasure to use!

      1140

1141. The most memorable needlework for me was a piece completed by my sister in law. It was a needlepoint of a young girl in a vintage outfit. She had it framed in a vintage frame and it is beautiful. Those scissors are magnificent.

      1141

1142. The Flamingo Show Curtain fro the Civic Threatre in Auckland, New Zealand. Reproduced by a group of volunteers when the theatre was renovated. Lovely to see a piece on that scale and in an amazing setting.

      1142

1143. The most memorable embroidery I have seen was on the wall of my state’s Embroidery Guild. It was a snarling tiger, done in silk and gold. It was obviously an antique but the skill used is awe inspiring.

      1143

1144. There are gorgeous scissors on that site but I will never be able to afford spending that much money!!

      1144

1145. A little dish of embroidered moss. I love wooded scenes and delicate moss. And I LOVE scissors… those are simply beautiful.

      1145

1146. Tough one but something that springs to mind is a silk shading reproduction of a National Geographic magazine cover with a crane in full flight.
      http://anniecolors.tumblr.com/image/48700435612
      I love the idea taking a photograph especially one on a well recognised cover and turning it into another expression of art.

      1146

1147. The most memorable piece of needlework I have seen was at a museum in the Netherlands. I was on vacation my first time in Europe, which was memorable enough, but this floral silk embroidery was so delicate and lovely I can picture it today.

      1147

1148. I believe that the most beautiful piece of needlework that I’ve seen was an embroidered and beaded antique gown in a museum. The stitches were so delicate and the colors still so fresh and soft! I was in awe at the time that it must have taken & in wonder that someone would wear such a piece of art.

      1148

1149. I’ve seen many beautiful pieces over many years , but the most beautiful is the first piece finished by someone who just learned to stitch , because they are the future continuation of this art form we all love ❤️ And oh my how I would love to win those gorgeous scissors to add to my collection of scissors and fobs !

      1149

1150. The most memorable needlework I have ever seen was a crossstitch of the Sistine Chapel. The detail, hours of work both in designing, choosing threads and stitching are amazing to me. Google le cross stitch Sistine Chapel for photo and information.

      1150

1151. I got to go to the Smithsonian in 1963, saw incredible
      needlework. Especially beautiful embroidery on an
      1800s ladies garment…
      I remember the awe I felt at the workmanship!

      1151

1152. A true master artisan whose exquisite work is reflected in these heirloom scissors to be treasured.
      Most beautiful embroidery seen at L’ecole Lesage in Paris

      1152

1153. I’ve seen many beautiful pieces by very talented designers, but it was the beautiful needlework I saw in my Mother-in-law’s home that made we want to do needlework myself, and that has been an inspiration and a gift.

      1153

1154. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen up close and was able to study it a long time was a Baltimore Album Quilt from the 1850’s owned by a lady who lived in Prescott. Arizona. I was thoroughly impressed and never forget it.

      1154

1155. It was two years ago I attended a Patchwork/Craft expo here where I live and they had the Embroiderers Guild also displaying their items. I saw the most beautiful peacock you can imagine, it was perfectly done (wish I had a photo). the colors were wonderful this was all worked on a piece of silk (pearl/gold color), then the blues purples greens of the peacock with gold beading just seemed to float, as if it was a 3D picture. I have never forgotten this image, we were not permitted to take photos, but I don’t need one, all I have to do is close my eyes and he is right there, standing regal and proud, an outstanding specimen of peacock perfection. Thank you.

      1155

1156. Aahhh! Easy question! Although I am fortunate to have viewed and even held several stunning pieces of needlework, the one that has stayed in my mind and heart is an ecru cut work table cloth my grandmother made. Perfection!

      1156

1157. I attended the Just CrossStich Christmas Needle Arts Festival a couple of years ago in Williamsburg, Virginia. I took a class by Joan Harvey of the first known American sampler by Laura Standish, which her original sampler is on display at the Plymouth Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
      There was a lady there who had entered her version of Laura’s sampler in reverse stitch, meaning the back was as good as the front, in the competition and I think she won!
      Obviously I was very impressed and remember her piece!
      I have a love of reproduction American samplers!

      1157

1158. There is no specific piece that comes to mind, but I really like the colors and designs of Czech embroidery. Of course, that might have something to do with my heritage!

      1158

1159. It was actually a pair of scissors I seen on your, let call it show and tell, almost 2 years back……small embroidery scissors the same as here today, but was exquisitely designed and also in a box. They very expensive, and I often think of them. I’ll have to go back and search to find. Knowing I could not afford, but never forgot the beauty. This would be a wonderful gift, this is very beautiful and in a box

      1159

1160. The most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen is Ray Dugans reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry. It’s been on display in Canada and US. You can spend hours admiring it. It’s just an incredible feat and accomplishment.

      1160

1161. I’ve seen many wonderful needlework items over the years, but this summer I had the chance to see the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries at the Musee d’Cluny in Paris. They were magnificent.

      1161

1162. The piece of embroidery that impressed me so much that I can still recall details was a flowercart embroidered on a child’s pinafore. Large black lacy wheels & “wrought iron” in black. A canopy with fringe, then the cart overflowing with flowers filling the cart. The flowers were embroidered using all sorts of stitches and in beautiful colors.

      The pinafore was a pastel teal and was worn over a blue & green plaid dress.

      1162

1163. The Birth Sampler embroidery I made for my daughter was so beautiful to me … I remember looking at it lovingly before she was born and,naively,thinking I would finish it In hospital after her birth !
      It is a gentle reminder of a joyous Occassion

      1163

1164. The piece that impacted me the most was a piece done by my High School sewing teacher. It was a beautiful Australian themed piece that she had completed whilst at university studying to be a Home Ec teacher. It was exquisite, such delicate stitches, she incorporated many different stitches, the colours of the Rosella birds were so vibrant, it was ringed with a wattle pattern that included I think 1000’s of “Wattle blossom” French knots . It inspired me to not only start my embroidery journey but prompted me to always strive to do my the very best I can.

      1164

1165. Although I have seen and admired many beautiful and exquisite embroideries the one that has left a lasting impression with me is the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy. As I walked along its length admiring the work, taking in the history and committing the story to memory I could ‘feel’ the warmth and presence of the time and the people who had embroidered it. It was quite eerie. I purchased a small replica piece to bring home to embroider, such was the inner feeling that it left me with. M Roulet #40 scissors would be a perfect accessory when completing the small replica piece of the Bayeau embroidery.

      1165

1166. I am always excited by the embroidery of Beany & Littlejohn. They have always been so innovative.

      1166

1167. The most beautiful piece of needlework i remember was when I was a young girl. It belong to my grandmother. It was her first sampler she made at a very young age . She would bring it out and open the tissue she had used to store it and I would run my fingers over the stitches. I could see it’s age and it’s beauty ! Many years later after she had passed my aunt gifted me the sampler and now I have it preserved and on my wall to enjoy always. Since then I have seen many beautiful and much more intricate pieces of needlework but for me it was my grandmother’s sampler that has brought me joy and love for needlework.

      1167

1168. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is the wind blown traditional Santa cross stitch pattern by Mary Engelbreit. It captured, in my memory, the wonder and magic of Christmas AND my desire to always believe in the spirit of Santa and of giving!

      1168

1169. The most memorable piece of needlework I have ever seen was at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. We called it the “moaning sampler.” It was red lettering on about 3/4 of the fabric. It was the story of a poor woman’s life. She had been assaulted by an employer and had tragedy upon tragedy in her life. Several years later Piecework had an article about the sampler. I have never forgotten it because women’s stories are so rarely told in history and she documented her life as tragic as it was.

      1169

1170. I love The French Needle and purchased an embroidered feather kit that includes silverwork after browsing their site. Excellent eye candy and I spent an evening just admiring their products! The most beautiful needlework that comes to mind for me is a raffle quilt made by a Minnesota quilt guild. Some people didn’t care for it because they thought it was too busy but it just took my breath away. Hand appliqued wildflowers and green leaves in a collage of color that I instantly fell in love with. I did not win the drawing but I did have an opportunity to take pictures and someday I would like to make my own version of the quilt. I asked about a pattern for the quilt but was told it would be too difficult to make a pattern because there were so many stitchers and pieces to the collage. I imagined the quilt hanging in my house and the hours I would spend looking at every detail. Some lucky winner is doing just that I’m sure!

      1170

1171. I was very fortunate to be able to visit the Eye of the Needle Exhibit at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England in 2014. There were so many beautiful pieces of embroidery from the Feller collection of seventeenth century needlework, but I will never forget the Cabinet depicting the life of Abraham. It was so finely wrought, so exquisite, that I kept going back to it and marveling over the intricate stitches and the beauty of the embroidery.

      1171

1172. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen in person was a Japanese silk shading piece. The thread and workmanship made the bird come alive,

      1172

1173. The Cluny Tapestries

      1173

1174. When I was a teenager my parents took me to Montreal and we visited the exhibits from the World’s Fair that had been held there years before. The Chinese exhibit had embroidery of flowers that were exquisite–very fine embroidery with beautiful design. The threads used were so fine they were hard to see–I was impressed as a young person and still remember the thrill of seeing it decades later.

      1174

1175. My most beautiful and treasured sewing tool is a simple well worn slightly out of shape brass thimble. This worn mishapen thimble would be quickly over looked by many but I use it often and as it sits on my finger I am comforted by memories of my great aunt who wore the groves and dents in this tiny treasure. Inside the thimble is rough with years of use. I am close to my great aunt who instilled my love of stitching so many many years ago. She didnt have much to leave when she died but I was lucky enough to be gived this tiny mishapen brass thimble that means the world to me.

      1175

1176. Four years (or so) ago, I went on a field trip with my granddaughter to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, to the annual heritage festival. I was fortunate enough to see embroidered children’s clothing from the 1800’s. The perfect, tiny stitching on cuffs and collars, although faded, were awe inspiring when one takes into consideration the time period (circa 1836), conditions (pioneers during the fight for Independence from Mexico), etc. It makes me so proud of my heritage and the strong resilience of all our ancestors and what they could accomplish in the worst of times and conditions.

      1176

1177. The project I recall best is “The Secret Garden” Embroidery project that you posted in 2014. I bought the book and fabric and the floss……still working on it.

      1177

1178. The most unforgettable piece of needlework I have ever seen is in the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace workroom. It is a large silk on silk embroidery of Chrysanthemums in whites and yellows. It is kept in a hallway out of direct sunlight in order to preserve its beauty. Another piece that impressed me was a wedding Kimono of a vibrant red and the embroidery of jewel tones took my breath away. Every time I see the beauty and artistry in a piece of needlework, my wish is for another lifetime so I can learn more.

      1178

1179. The summer I turned 9 my grandmother taught me to embroider. I loved it. The next school year my class went to MIA where I saw my first 17th embroidered casket. It was all done in stump work in the most minute detail – people, buildings, animals, insects, flowers, trees – all in 3D with secret compartments as a bonus. I could hardly believe my eyes. The MIA docent told us that school girls starting at our age (9-10 years) made these boxes as part of their school. I could hardly make a french knot let alone do this type of embroidery! So my 9 year old self stood in that museum that day and wished that she could make a box like that some day. Life went on and I continued to stitch. Then on day 6 decades later I am sitting in a class with a teacher named Tricia Wilson-Nguyen (Thistle Threads) and she says that she will soon be teaching an online class on 17th embroidered caskets. I almost fell off my chair. I’m working on my own casket now. My wish came true!!

      1179

1180. There is so much beautiful stitch in the world. My most memorable have been 17th century embroidered caskets. First at the V&A in about 1994. Then in 2014 I had the opportunity to study a collection of the Met. Just me and them in a room in the Ratti Textiles Study center. Almost completely overwhelming.

      1180

1181. Hi Mary,
      The scissors are exquisite – amazing intricacy so thank you for sharing them with us, competition winners or not!
      Pardon my long reply – but your question made me think about these things and I wanted to share. I hope someone else gets joy from this or it jogs their memories too.
      Difficult to say the most beautiful piece of needlework – at different stages and abilities our tastes change and so from my Nanna’s tapestries, to Mum’s cross stitch and then works by Ruth Stoneley, Judith Baker-Montano and Jane Nicholas have all had their place.
      However I have been fortunate on two occasions to view something privately that has stayed with me to this day……
      one was an old lady who had polio since she was a child and walked with calpier/sitcks, but embroidery was her outlet. I cannot recall the details of all the individual pieces but the sheer scale and scope of items displayed in her home was AMAZING – every wall covered with frames only inches apart. She extended printed canvas designs to add her own touch and told so many stories of where they came from and how she stitched them or modified patterns. She has since passed on, however I often recall the feeling of awe and inspiration I felt in the presence of her and her life’s work, and wonder what became of her work – it was truly like a gallery.
      The second was not an embroidery, but an elderly man in our community, who knowing our interest in stitching, invited my Mum and I to view a piece of furniture he owned – it was a timber octagonal side table with a single leg and three small feet to balance, which was an antique pedestal sewing box. The lid lifted up to reveal fabric lined storage trays around the edges for tools and threads and the centre went deep enough into the central leg for the fabric of the stitching project to be placed in there. It was green velvet. Although this was not a piece of embroidery, it was the most beautiful and stunning embroidery accessory I have ever seen and I can visualise it so easily. This was about 15 years ago, he was in his 80’s and it had belonged to his aunt. The wonderful thing was that her sewing tools and bits and pieces were all still in the table. Magnificent – I wonder how many beautiful pieces of embroidery were worked using this table and contents!?? I have only ever seen one other like it in an antique store – way out of my price range, and not as inspiring as it was empty and somehow missing some of its’ soul.

      1181

1182. I remember so many beautiful pieces of needlework it is difficult to name just one as each magnificent stitchery has a story to tell of a time, a place, and the creativity of the maker. The most magnificent piece of needlework for me is really a set of several pieces. They tell a story of a little girl and her mother sitting at the dining room table weaving threads of pinks, greens, yellows, and mauves into waterlilies and flowers on huck. This was our special time together. For over 50 years those dresser scarves adorned my parents’ bedroom. My dad would not part with them when he moved to assisted living. I’ve often wondered which one has my stitching. They adorn my bedroom now and bring back many wonderful memories of a time long ago I spent with a beautiful woman who moved to heavenly bliss way too soon. Tucked in a little basket in my sewing studio are also the small DMC perle cotton #8 and #5 threads we used for stitching. They are now parts of little flowers in some of my stitchery.

      Jan in CA

      1182

1183. An EGA member created a goldwork trilobrite for submission as an example of her artistry. The simple fossil form looked stunning gleaming in gold.

      1183

1184. I have apiece of drawn thread done on the finest volume it had a crochet edge 4inches wide.I was given to my mother in 1929 after she nursed the maker back to health after a difficult birth.I treasure it every day.My husband says there is no more room for scissors but I would find a spot for these.

      1184

1185. happy chrismas and best wishes ; thank you for this year 2017

      1185

1186. At Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland, in Mary Queen of Scots’ bedchamber,
      the cream canopy and panels surrounding her bed are covered in exquisite needlework in the Jacobean style. The blues and greens are still vivid and the pattern is just lovely. What wonderful skills went into creating those beautiful things and we can still admire them today (on-line if not in person). Definitely fit for a queen!

      1186

1187. i believe the most beautiful needle work i have seen was a bird my mother sewed when i was very small i liked it so much she told my grand mother to teach me to embroider over the christmas holiday,she said i was to keep an eye on her while she was cooking dinner,my grandmother was disabled in a car crash when mymom was a round12 years old an d she was sent to a home because she had a bad head injury, and back then thats what they did, the only thing she could remember how to do was embroider,i think i was about 10 at the time ,she taught me basic embroidery stitches, and showed me how to make the same little bird, my mom had made when she taught her to embroider, they both have passed, away years ago but i still embroider today , and i taught my grand children to embroider,surprizingly my grand son likes to sew more than my grand daughter, but i can hear my mom saying well at least you tryed… well thats my memory,that was the only christmas i remember seeing my grandmother she died the following year but i will never forget her, i still have the little bird my mom sewed. i look at it now and realize how truly ugly and simple it is, but it is and always will be beautiful to me.

      1187

1188. I have seen some beautiful pieces on line and at fairs and from members of my guild. Some were beautifully colored, expertly stitched, true masterpieces. Others were carefully stitched, well done pieces.
      But one I can still see and has to be my favorite was a small piece, a thread painted pansy. The detail was exquisite. It was so beautiful and true to life. It reminded me of the beautiful flowers in my grandmother’s garden, the pansys I picked and presented to her. My grandmother told me these flowers were delicate and would not last very long if picked, but if we left them in the bed, they would be there day after day to enjoy. I believe a piece that brings back memories, a piece that is more than just the threads is a very special piece. I would love to do such beautiful work.

      1188

1189. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I ever seen was/is a Christening gown that a lady from Spain made for me and my siblings.
      I was nine years old when I saw these magnificent piece of art. Which made me want to learn to do embroidery like hers.
      It is entirely made by hand. It has panels that are embroidered with bouquets of flowers surrounded by lace insertions. Every single panel has embroidered flowers that cascade down. It is embroidered by hand with a very thin white thread.
      Many years ago, I asked my mother if she could give this Embroidered Christening gown for me to keep and she did.
      This gown open the door to the world of fine needle work for me.
      The french nuns of my growing up years taught me a lot of different stitches and techniques about needlework. I was in heaven every week during the embroidery class.
      I took six years of embroidery and enjoyed every minute of it
      Today at 64 years old, I am still doing it. I have taught embroidery in the past as well. It is a passion that got ignited when I was a little girl….and will continue until I die

      1189

1190. Ah – What a dream it would be to own these scissors! Really – lovely little works of art. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful Stitcher’s Christmas event.

      Mary in MN

      1190

1191. My favorite embroidery piece is a quilt top sewn by my grandmother. Can”t date how long ago she made it but it is a treasure to me. It is done in redwork, quite crude in her stitching but that doesn”t even matter to me. It lookes beautiful on my quilt rack. The scissors are truly beautiful and I can not imagine how grand it would be to win.

      1191

1192. The Ohio state seal, embroidered by hand in silk thread. An antique from pre 1950 post 1900 that somehow ended up in our family. Lots of satin stitch. Really stunning and wonderful to look at it up close. First Time I ever saw hand embroidery.

      1192

1193. Only one favourite? Depends on my mood, what’s happening in life, and how much sleep I’ve had! I’ve appreciated beautiful, intricate tapestries which have held my interest and imagination, and I have equally admired childrens’ crude, delightful beginnings. We are fortunate to be a part of the traditions.

      1193

1194. I very new to embroidery so I haven’t seen a lot of exquisite embroidery pieces yet, but I have been really impressed with the incredibly beautiful work that Trish Burr has done in some of her books (thanks to the pictures you have given in your book reviews and blog posts!)

      Thank you again for hosting these wonderful giveaways. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

      1194

1195. I also love beautiful sewing tools. My sewing friends think i am a little crazy with my scissor’s collection. But, they are not only beautiful, they each serve a purpose. As for my scissors, I don’t lend them out, I like them sharp and cared for. Love and care for your tools and they will love you back. Ann Graf

      1195

1196. I haven’t seen much other than everyday embroidery on dishtowels, pillowcases, etc. One set of pillowcases was given as a wedding gift to me, and I just loved the burst of colors that my mothers cousin had used. She had been for decades and still was a missionary in Bolivia. I believe their sense of color was what gave hers that extra bit that after 39 years of marriage, they are still in great condition as they are rarely used. I just love looking at them.

      1196

1197. The most beautiful embroidery I had ever seen was of Christmas bells stitched by my mother. I remember watching her as she stitched them and was in awe of them every Christmas as the picture hung in our living room. I still see them in my happy Christmas memories!

      1197

1198. The needlework that stands out in my mind is a needlepoint tapestry that had amazing small detail, shading , and dimension. I am in awe how how lifelike thread can be.

      1198

1199. The Scarlet Letter’s “Eleanor Parr” is my most memorable stitched piece I have seen. I saw it at The Attic in Mesa, AZ. I fell for n love with the beautiful bird border and two sweet girls depicted on the sampler.

      1199

1200. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have seen is the nativity scene that consists of several parts and is several feet high. It is mounted in a special frame that has hinges and the entire piece is joined together. It would look spectacular on my mantel but I don’t have it in me to take on that large of a project. Don’t know the designer but it is an older pattern.

      1200

1201. I have only seen the Dorcas Haynes sampler in photographs. The first time I saw a photo, I nearly swooned. This is the most beautiful band sampler I have seen. I thought of it immediately when I read your question. Why do I think it is so beautiful? The proportions, the symmetry, the arcaded bands, the stitches, the colors, the stitching (!). It is such a pleasingly harmonious sample. It is a delight to my eyes.

      http://webapps.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/explorer/index.php?qu=Name:sampler&oid=110904

      1201

1202. Tough question! I think the most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen was an embroidered hand sewn wedding gown. I think it was the most beautiful wedding gown I ever saw and I can’t even remember where I saw it. It had tiny beads and sequins embroidered all over it so that it glistened in the light.

      1202

1203. The Nativity by MarBek in 2000 after returning stateside from being stationed in Iceland. Amazing!

      1203

1204. The most beautiful needlework I have seen that impressed and inspired me and that I have visited three times in Paris is the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. I love the design the colours the richness of the clothing and setting and, being a gardener, I love the millefleurs flowers. I have read about these tapestries on many occasions and I learned today that they will be on show in Sydney next year while the Musee de Cluny in Paris is being renovated. What a treat in store!! I did not think I would ever see the real ones again as I probably won’t be travelling overseas again. I am so excited!

      1204

1205. Because I live in the region of Italy where Aemilia Ars originated, I have seen many examples of this lace technique in local museums and exhibitions. Some samples made by schoolgirls in the early 1900s, which are on permanent display in a museum in the heart of Bologna, are just stunning: they had clearly mastered the technique and their work is exquisite. Any time I have a chance to see them is a treat for the eyes.

      1205

1206. I was fortunate to see a display of embroidered items once belonging to the royal family and now in the care of the RSN. There were many that I liked and the item that I admired the most was a beautiful gown worn by Edward VII as a baby. It was embroidered in Ayrshire work and exquisite. This beautiful gown will be remembered forever.

      1206

1207. Gosh, that’s a difficult one. I’ve come across so many exquisite embroidery pieces. As my own skills have improved my assessment of “exquisite” has changed. That said, the embroidery that stays with me is that of Martha Fieber. Her landscapes are breathtaking me, especially her woods and forests.

      1207

1208. Without a doubt it was Four Seasons, by Marjolein Bastin, cross-stitch which was on display at the Embroidery Guild exhibition in 1999!.

      1208

1209. The most beautiful embroidery that I have ever seen is my friend Annette Rich’s collection of Australian wildflowers done in silk stumpwork. I will never forget the first time I saw them at an exhibition- quite literally took my breath away ! If anyone is interested they are featured in her book Botanical Embroidery. Those scissors are exquisite Mary thank you for the chance to win. These give-aways have been fun.It is good to read everybody elses thoughts on all sorts of topics Happy Christmas all you stitchers out there
      Chris M from Australia

      1209

1210. The most beautiful piece I’ve seen was a work in progress by an RSN student at the Knitting and Stitching show. It was a silk shaded flower, with what looked like 50 parked threads! It was beautifully worked and I just stood and stared in awe as she carried on stitching.

      Thank you Mary and Merry Christmas!

      1210

1211. Good question, Mary. My favourite piece of embroidery is a reproduction medieval sweet bag which I have long admired in one of my books. It is simply exquisite with delicate flowers in silk and gold. I keep promising myself that one day, I will try to make one. I even came across it in an exhibition once but was too shy to speak to the owner, a lady by the name of Collins, I think.

      1211

1212. The most beautiful needlework that inspires me to continue learning and stitching is created by two wonderful local tutors- Jane Nicholas and Margaret Light.

      1212

1213. I think the most beautiful stitching I’ve ever seen hangs on a friends wall, it is an amazing goldwork seahorse… maybe from inspirations magazine????? not sure.. But there are still pieces of needlework around the world that I would love to see, particularly some of the historical garments/robes/dresses in some of the museums in UK or europe or tapestries…. bayeaux??? scottish diaspora?
      so much amazing stuff out there waiting to be seen by me 🙂

      1213

1214. Quite recently, I saw a Chatelaine (https://chatelaine.de/) stitched up, and it was so gorgeous and detailed, that I could barely take it all in. With the recent passing of the designer, the stitching community is really feeling the loss, and this experience has become more memorable. I own a few of Martina’s designs, and look forward to when I am able to begin stitching one of them. We are all very fortunate to have her talent shared for many to enjoy and appreciate.

      1214

1215. The most beautiful embroidery piece I have ever seen would have to be the Cluny Tapestries (strictly not embroidery) I had the privelage of viewing in 2014. I sat in the room and cried and had goosebumps I was so overwhelmed with how magnificent they are. I still recall many details and think of them often. I have since become fairly obsessed with medieval and Elizabethan embroidery.

      1215

1216. The most beautiful embroidery are the small pieces my Mum did for my daughter when she was a baby. It inspired me to embroider and is a wonderful reminder of my Mum who has been deceased for 10 years.

      1216

1217. How to choose just one, when the world is blessed with so many inspiring works of needlework! One piece I admire greatly is by a contemporary embroidery artist, Danielle Clough from South Africa. She has many astounding pieces done on fabric that ranges from linen to canvas sneakers to tennis racquets, but my favourite is “Iris” https://www.danielleclough.com/#/iris/. I’ve seen it in person and the photo, as usual, does not do it justice. Danielle’s work reminds me of the time when painters traded in their fine tiny brushes for larger ones, painting dramatic expressive strokes of unexpected colour. Her works are very small but have such an exciting use of colour. She recently gave a workshop in Sydney, Australia, where I live, and I changed my plans so I could attend, and have been hooked on trying to move this form of needlework forward in my own way. It’s exciting to see all that is going on in the world of embroidery, and I love following it all.

      1217

1218. Happy holidays everyone!
      The most beautiful piece is not a spectacular piece for me. It’s the embroidery my grandmother made. I grew up surrounded by embroidered linens that my mother inherited from my father’s mother: table clothes, napkins, bed linen, all decorated with flowers, monograms and other symbols. As a kid, when I was bored during long family dinners, I would day dream watching these naive designs… I’ll never forget them (also because we’re still using them!)…

      1218

1219. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen which impressed me the most was the Grand Prize winner at the 2012 Beating Around the Bush stitching week held in Adelaide, South Australia. It was a blackwork piece called ‘Rosita’ by Maria del Valle Olivera from Spain. “The picture was inspired by an old postcard that Maria bought in Buenos Aires. The message on the back is from a girl to her aunt, signed ‘Rosita’ and dated 1915. The detailed blackwork embroidery is worked with one strand of thread onto hand-dyed 25 count Lugana.”

      1219

1220. The most breathtaking and memorable embroidery I have ever see in person was at the National Gallery of Australia. A breath taking exhibition called ‘Exquisite Threads’ displaying embroidery from 1600’s-1900’s. To choose just one piece would be impossible, the rich history behind each labour of love was beyond words.

      1220

1221. Many years ago I saw The Queens coronation gown. It is made from duchess satin, richly embroidered with national and Commonwealth floral emblems in gold and silver thread. It is an amazing example of history being recorded in embroidery.

      1221

1222. When I saw the Litany of Loreto Embroideries on display at Hampton Court Palace they took my breath away. The stitching is exquisite and so fine, they are truly beyond beautiful.

      1222

1223. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen is a sampler done by my great-grandmother when she was at primary school. Whilst technically not the most complex or perfect piece I have seen, the personal connection is priceless. I have been lucky enough to inherit it and I now have it hanging on my craft room wall.

      1223

1224. The scissors are just gorgeous!
      The most beautiful piece I’ve seen was at out State Fair one year.
      It was a Sampler that used all of the DMC colors, it was designed especially for that piece.
      The colors were all just gorgeous!

      1224

1225. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was only a work in progress. But I was only 6 or 7 years old and I remember my Great Grandmother sitting in a rocker on her sun porch working on embroidery stitches on a white tablecloth. Her stitches were so meticulous! She worked on her sun porch, she said, because the many windows flooded the porch with sunlight to help her see better. She started my love of hand stitching over 60 years ago!

      1225

1226. Hi Mary and a very happy Christmas to you and your family.
      The most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen lives in Blair Castle in Scotland. Lady Evelyn Murray, daughter of the Duke of Atholl, travelled abroad for her health and took up needlework whilst in Belgium. She suffered from depression and found relief and solace in her needlework (as do many of us!) and in so doing she created a masterpiece of whitework in the form of an armorial panel. It is exquisite and so finely worked that one wonders how it could be achieved in the days before good lighting and magnification! Kindest Regards, Sandy.

      1226

1227. I love reading about the things that are happening. Wishing everyone Happy Holiday season. Wonderful stitching in the new year.

      1227

1228. What a wonderful give a way. I have to say that I have two pieces of stitchery that have impressed me to the point of wanting to earn to do more stitching. The first was a special and personal gift that was given to me by my Aunt and was tatted by my great grand mother. It was a small tatted piece that read,” PINS” which she may have made to be part of a pin cushion eventually. That was a treasure for sure and makes me want to learn how to do tatting. The other piece was on a larger grandeur scale. It was a wall tapestry at the Biltmore House in North Carolina. I had never seen such glorious stitchery in such a grand scale before. It was truly awe inspiring. Thank you for the chance to win such beautiful scissors. ~Gin K.~

      1228

1229. I’m not sure it’s the most beautiful, but it was the most fascinating. In a Glasgow museum there was a piece of Mary, Queen of Scots embroidery, hung in a position that allowed you to get really close. I fear I have to report that Her Majesty did NOT cross all her cross stitches in the same direction!

      1229

1230. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen? It’s nearly impossible to pick just one, but I’ll have to choose a simple and tiny coverlet for a dollhouse bed, done in whitework. Why have I chosen this? Because it was done – to perfection! – by a 98 year old woman with limited vision for her great great grand-daughter. A testimony to the human spirit!

      1230

1231. Oh my those scissors are a work of art! It would be amazing to handle and use them. So how does one choose a single piece of needlework that we’ve seen that we still remember? There are so many after so many years!! I think I’ll go with Judith Baker Montano’s lovely ribbon work and embroidery. I am always inspired by her work and often times transported to a place in my mind that her work reminds me of. Thanks for the amazing giveaways and Merry Christmas

      1231

1232. I have never really seen a museum piece but I have seen all the stitching you Mary have done and to me they are beautiful and perfect. Maybe sometime in the future I can see a beautiful museum piece of great and beautiful stitching.

      1232

1233. This blog is really fun- I’m a new subscriber. Here’s my offering for the most beautiful needlework that I can recall. I have a friend who is now a quilter but in the past she did wonderful needlepoint and embroidery. She made four different Santa figures that are about 10 inches tall. They are beautifully done with many different stitches and threads! They have their own display table at Christmas. I’ve never seen anything like them. They are spectacular and gorgeous!

      1233

1234. As a child of 6 or 7 I can remember examining the runners and furniture covers my great grandmother made. They were Sicilian drawn thread embroidery and I thought they were the most beautiful things. Elaborate geometric drawn thread borders with understated white on white embroidery in the centers. To this day I am a sucker for drawn thread borders on any thing!

      1234

1235. I’m not sure it’s the most beautiful, but it was the most fascinating. In a Glasgow museum there was a piece of Mary, Queen of Scots embroidery, hung in a position that allowed you to get really close. I fear I have to report that Her Majesty did NOT cross all her cross stitches in the same direction!

      (This may be a duplicate – my tablet is being a little temperamental! )

      1235

1236. Over 50 years ago, when I was a newly wed and poor as a church mouse, I attended a sale at a local church. There I saw a Christmas tree skirt, done in velvets, brocade and silk. It was appliqued nativity scenes, and heavily embellished. The price was a bit over $100 which was so far out of my reach at the time I had to pass it by. I still see it in my mind, I’d love to try to duplicate it some day. But I do so remember and was very impressed

      1236

1237. I recall my grandmother’s kutchh work on a mauve- colored sari which looked so pretty that it aroused my interest in wearing sarees. Later, I wore that saree on my fresher’s day and won the Ms. Fresher’s Award!

      1237

1238. M. Roulot’s work is truly a thing of beauty. My honest answer is Mary Corbet’s Party in Provence. Your use of color and shading in that piece literally takes my breath away. I can’t wait till you release Party in Provence in 2018. I know it sounds like I am sucking up but you and I have previously communicated about this piece and my appreciation of it.

      1238

1239. I believe the most impressive needlework is that of the Ayrshire women. I was so impressed that I now own several Ayrshire Christening gowns and caps. The work is so delicate and the weaving so intricate that I cannot believe they could do this without magnifying glasses. I have several of the gowns historically framed and you can see them going up my stairs. My husband and I went all the way to the British Isles to see their work in castles and museums. This is now a lost art as I understand you can no longer purchase the delicate fabric and threads in which they did their work. This cottage industry was a way for women to earn much needed income and they were only paid a small amount for such high quality work. However, today they hold a special place of honor in my home for all to see and appreciate.

      1239

1240. The scissors are beautiful. My MIL would call them to nice to use!

      1240

1241. Honestly, the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen are Christening gowns made by friends for eagerly anticipated babies. I have some amazingly talented friends – the gowns are objectively gorgeous – but it is the love embedded in each stitch that makes these even more beautiful than even pieces I have seen in museums.

      1241

1242. Most of the needlework that has amazed me was in books and magazines but I did see Japanese embroidery at the Denver Art Museum that was beyond amazement — the stitches were so fine and perfect.

      1242

1243. Haven’t seen it (yet) in person but the pictures & videos I have seen of the Bayeux Tapestry are by far the most impressive piece of embroidery I can remember.

      1243

1244. I viewed the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry, at Scarborough, Ontario, when it was on its world tour. This series of more than 300 panels, worked by embroiderers in many countries around the world, celebrates Scottish migrants and their adopted communities. Each panel is based on a common Scottish heritage, and the similarities and differences are stunning. The Tapestry interprets hundreds of years and thousands of miles of global history.

      1244

1245. I appreciate the time and skill of hand embroidery projects, especially projects with subtle shading. When you are following a pattern with various shades of the same color it is very challenging to tell with the naked eye the subtle changes in colors. The artistic ability is impressive!

      1245

1246. In January of this year the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry came to the Ottawa Library. Hundreds of beautifully hand embroidered panels from stitchers around the world celebrating Scottish settlers and migrants. It was amazing , panel after panel of hand embroidered scenes. An amazing collage of colour and stitching.

      1246

1247. I learned early on that good quality scissors are “priceless” and you need to hide them well from the family.
      the l wood case with these make them really special.

      1247

1248. Jane Nicholas stump work, love them all, I have some of her books and have sewn a couple of her projects – such fun to make the single elements and then watch the project all come together 🙂

      1248

1249. The Wind Whisper West store and museum in Wabasha, MN has the largest collection of authentic Japanese wedding kimono in the U.S. Each kimono is a work of art and amazingly beautiful. The one that stands out in my mind was stitched using hundreds of thousands of French knots. It’s stunning with its flowers, birds, and gorgeous color combinations. It’s the most exquisite handmade wonder that I’ve ever seen!

      1249

1250. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen – Oh, I can’t even remember as I have loved most all of the needlework I have seen. I have great respect for those who do needlework both past and present. Thank you for this great giveaway.
      Merry Christmas!

      1250

1251. I must admit, I have been fortunate to see many beautiful pieces of needlework. But my very favorite ever is a piece of redwork my grandmother did when my mother was born. It is of a winter scene and it hung in her living room. I spent a lot of time in my younger years at her home and always admired it! After she passed on my sister was the benefactor of it and on one of my visit to her she gave it to me. To this day it hangs in my dining room and every time I see it memories come flooding back. I admire it for its beauty, simplicity and of course because my grandmother’s hands did the work.

      Thank you for a chance to win such a wonderful prize. I have always loved these scissors and know a couple of friends that own a pair. They are just gorgeous!

      1251

1252. Impossible . I love the old Embroidery works many are not perfect ,but I think that is what is so beautiful about them. They also show that you need not to be perfect , just do it!

      1252

1253. Years ago I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum to visit the embroidery and textiles exhibit. There was a silk thread needle painted portrait of Napoleon that was so exquisite I thought he might step out of the frame and converse with me.
      I was not familiar with needlepainting at the time and had limited exposure the the wonderful luster and sheen of silk. I was completely awestruck and inspired.

      The memory of that piece of art remains a pivotal moment in my love of embroidery and the story has often been told.

      Merry Christmas and may your 2018 be filled with blooming good health!

      1253

1254. It was the Plimonth Jacket reproduction. Thistle Threads was instrumental in organizing and researching the techniques used in the jacket. I followed the progress of the stitching and research online. I know several of the stitchers however I never did work on. I find it amazing the stitching done on the original jackets, done in the 17th century amazing also.

      1254

1255. At a NQA show a quilt depicting scene’s from Lord of the rings. And at my local quilt show a huge velvet crazy quilt with all kinds of beautiful stitches with bits of lace and ribbon attached.

      1255

1256. It is very hard to choose some textile which is the best. But the one that keeps popping into my mind is the glorious huge tapestry designed by Arthur Boyd which takes up one whole wall of the Great Hall in Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra. I know one of the weavers who worked on the project and the piece is breathtaking. Worked in Australian fine Corresdale wools the colours reflect the Australian landscape perfectly and there is just so much to see in it reflecting our amazing nature in this part of the world. Even Halley’s comet gets a look in! Absolutely stunning piece of human endeavour with so many wonderful stories to go with it.

      1256

1257. I can’t say the most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen. When I was young, I used to marvel over the exquisite embroidery on the Priest’s vestments during mass. Costumes from the Game of Thrones era are gifts for the eyes. Japanese embroidery is wonderful to see. Susan Elliot’s pieces have been some of my favorites. Far too many embroidery pieces to select just one.

      Merry Christmas.

      1257

1258. The embroidery on Claire’s wedding dress, from The Outlander series was exquisite! It took my breath away with the thickness and beading….rustic yet feminine. ❤

      1258

1259. I don’t think I’ve yet seen the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ll ever see, but I am impressed every day with the beautiful works I see on social media and many of them impress me and stay with me. They inspire me to create and they bring beauty and joy to whoever views them.

      1259

1260. My favorite needlework is a picture my daughter did in cross stitch of fairies. She began it and then realized that she had started it backwards and then managed to complete the entire picture transposing it as she went along. I was (and still am) impressed with her ability to do this.

      1260

1261. Thank you for the great information. I always learn something new from you. Happy hi holidays to you!

      1261

1262. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen, that impressed itself on me so much that I can still recall it is the Home Sweet Home embroidered workbox designed by Carolyn Pearce. In fact it impressed me so much that I asked for the book and received it for Christmas last year. I have not yet started mine but hope to sometime this coming year. This beautiful workbox was done on linen and it depicts a cute little English cottage with thatched roof and of course a flower garden including bugs and rabbits.
      Thank you for the opportunity of winning these beautiful scissors!

      1262

1263. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen – there are so many examples! I have a very small collection of needlework from different parts of the world. When I was living in Colorado there was a small Hmong community who were setting up a women’s cooperative to sell their needle arts. They didn’t have much ready cash but their work – flower cloths, clothing, etc., was so beautiful! My background is information technology, so I was asked if I could write an inventory/point of sale program for them. I did, and in “payment” they presented me with a beautiful Hmong flower cloth. Back in the day flower cloths were just that – intricately embroidered flowers. After the Vietnam war, so many Hmong communities were destroyed they started to embroider scenes of village life, in squares the same size as the flower cloths, to memorialize their former lives. I am privileged to own one of these beautiful hand embroidered scenes of village life. It has such special meaning for me!

      1263

1264. A few years ago I joined my daughter on a Spring Break high school sponsored trip to France. I wasn’t the oldest person in the group but frequently was panting trying to keep up with the teenagers. We had many memorable experiences, including a Spring blizzard which left us stranded in a budget motel for two nights, and a full size tour bus backing up in an icy roundabout at the top of a hill. However the best part of that cold snowy day was seeing the Bayeaux Tapestry. Incredible details and amazing age.

      1264

1265. The most beautiful price of artwork is my daughters counted cross stitch that she gave to me when she was finished
      Beautiful tension. Neatly finished backing. This year I gave it back to her for Xmas matted and framed
      A most beautiful price of artwork to me

      1265

1266. My aunt Helen Christoff a bridal gown designer and maker of many beautiful gowns had her own shop on Michigan Ave and Junction rd in Detroit Michigan,since deceased many years made absolutely beautiful beaded and embroidered gowns as a young child I played in the velvets expensive laces and ribbons underneath her sewing table thus my love for tactile beautiful fabrics and all things needlework I love it all! I recall her sitting embroidering and adding these beautiful beads such shiny and clear and silver such magic she created this dress was the most beautiful piece of work and the bride looked so angelic! I think this Love came through to me as I now sew for my own granddaughters. I miss my aunt I’m grateful for her sharing her sewing talents and still hear stories of the beautiful brides she made in Michigan. I inherited some of her beads, fabric and items it’ s fun to open some of the boxes and drawers and look at works in progress and see how she went about constructing these works of masterpiece just wonderful she left me these to study how she did things when I can no longer ask her. Blessed with beauty

      1266

1267. When I was ten years old and my sister Amy was 8, our grandmother, Grace Brown Love, took the time to sit down with us and talk about embroidery, and how she enjoyed it, and that it was a wonderful skill that she would like to share. At the time, my grandmother lived across the street from us, and we enjoyed popping in on her and learning this new form of art! She taught us how outline stitches, French knots, daisy stitches, cross stitches and much more. We loved the time of learning, and spending time together in this way. We both finished projects that were stamped on fabric. Amy’s was of the nightly prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep,” and mine was “To have a friend, you must be one.” Praying nightly, and being a good friend and spending time with our grandmother who wanted to pass on an important part of her life has stuck with me throughout my life. Although the finished products were from humble beginnings, the beauty of each, the gesture of love, has stuck with me throughout life. To this day, I love stitchery, seeing others beautiful creations, and thoughts of kindness and love from my grandmother, Grace Brown Love.
      Thank you for the opportunity to share, and all the great things that you do!

      1267

1268. What lovely scissors. Mary, I hope your generosity comes back to you ten-fold. I cannot define only one piece of beautiful embroidery, there are just too many to choose from. I love textiles and seeing antique to ancient garments with intact embroidery is fascinating and lovely. But equally beautiful was the very simple tea towel my daughter made when I thought my girls should know how to embroider. It is the only embroidery piece she ever made.

      1268

1269. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen, that impressed itself on you so much was Joanna Lopianowski-Roberts recreation of Michael angelos , Sistine Chapel Ceiling in cross-stitch. Her design contains more than 620 000 stitches it is absolutely stunning and I will never forget this piece, just WOW. Just beauty and detail a true work of art.

      1269

1270. Aged 70, I’ve seen many beautiful pieces of Needlework, but the piece that immediately came to mind was one I saw earlier this year at the Bowes Museum, U.K. As part of a Needlework Tour, our group had special access and was lucky enough to see the conservators’ area, where from underneath layers of tissue, a Christian Dior cocktail frock from the fifties was revealed – fuschia silk chiffon, a fitted bodice and many-layered full skirt. There was minor damage under the arms of the short sleeves to be discretely ‘conserved’ and amazing structure inside the bodice – all hand-stitched, of course- mind-boggling to a non-dressmaker like myself. But the overall impression of this glorious fuschia masterpiece just said, “Party! Now!”

      1270

1271. Mary, what a wonderful job you have done in this Christmas give-away!

      The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen was a photo of Jane Zimmerman’s goldwork leopard in which her couching of the animal was just magnificent. She couched the gold thread such that you saw the animal in all his glory. Every time I look at that photo, I simply get lost in following the thread path.

      1271

1272. I wouldn’t like to call it beautiful because it depicts warfare but the Bayeux tapestry is the most impactful needlework I’ve ever seen. I have never seen it in person, only photos, but it always moves me. Perhaps it strikes an ancestral chord? I can’t explain the emotional connection.

      1272

1273. Despite having seen several incredible antique pieces, what keeps coming to mind is a recent piece seen online from Inspirations magazine of a parakeet (budgie). It was perfection, even full screen, and barely discernible as needlework.
      What exquisite scissors—thank you Mary and The French Needle!

      1273

1274. Those are gorgeous scissors! Thank you for the excitement of a drawing for them!!

      I am not sure what the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is, but the most wonderful pieces to me are what family members have completed. I finished a piece that my grandmother started and made it into a table runner. It’s displayed on top of a cedar chest my other grandmother had made. The tea towels and pillow cases my mother stitched are also precious to me, along with part of a crazy quilt that my great-grandma made. Stitching is such a wonderful legacy of time and love.

      1274

1275. I am a fairly new member of Dallas Needlework & Textile Guild. I am always so amazed at the beautiful needlework the women produce. So, that said, I can’t name one specific piece, but I honor all of these talented women.

      1275

1276. I was impressed by many needleworks seen in museums, but the recent one is the Moroccan wall hanging called a “haiti” at the special exhibition of Matisse in Studio at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. I love the symmetrical pattern and the reverse appliqué on the haiti is interesting.

      1276

1277. The most outstanding embroidery I have ever seen were the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries at the Cluny Museum, in Paris, this past summer. See this amazing work renewed my interest in foing embroidery again. I also saw tremendous work when I toured the RSN at Hampton Court Palace. Watching these talented embroiderers restore ancient church banners was a wonder.

      1277

1278. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen was a silk ribbon rose vase.

      1278

1279. The most beautiful needle work I have seen was done by my nanny and her sister, my aunt Doll. The worked together to make a hand embroidery quilt. There were 50 squares each with a state bird. This was made in the 70s when I was a teen. They made many things but that quilt stands out in my mind.

      1279

1280. The most exquisite and fine hand embroidery I’ve ever seen was done by nuns from the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri. There was a memorable piece that was stitched so that you could discern the tear on the face of Jesus, and the entire face was only an inch or so. Unbelievable, and so lucky to have been able to see this.

      1280

1281. The most beautiful piece of needlepoint I recall seeing was on a wing back chair. The front, back, sides, arms and seat were all done in a panoramic scene that gave you the feeling you had just stepped into a wonderland.

      1281

1282. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen was this Heaven and Earth Designs Santa that was stitched 1 over 1 and was on black fabric!! I could not stop stating at it. It won Best of Show at the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit. Just stunning!!!

      1282

1283. I have seen so many beautiful pieces of embroidery over my years. I can’t just pick one as they all standout in my memory. I appreciate the talents of the many designers as well as the stitchers who complete those designs. I would be thrilled to win the scissors. Merry Christmas Mary.

      1283

1284. I had been doing embroidery for some years using simple stitches (self teaching using the A-Z books to be exact) when my sister and I traveled to Spain on a vacation. In a palace there we saw a throne room with hand embroidered wall coverings. It was such a large scale project, done with such precision and such beauty that is changed my view of what embroidery could be. I remember is being the first time I thought of embroidery as something other than quilt squares. It was the first time that I considered that embroidery could be an art, not just a craft. I can still vividly picture that throne room and honestly so many of the treasures we saw throughout our travels there.

      1284

1285. The most amazing piece of needlework I’ve seen was at a small town craft faire near my home. I don’t remember the artist, at the time I wasn’t too big into needlework, but she had done complete paintings in just needlework. They were mostly Japanese in origin but the colors and technique blew my mind when I saw them. I wish I had gotten the artists name or something, but maybe I’ll stumble upon her again!

      1285

1286. There are so many wonderful artworks of embroidery. The one I cherish the most is a table cloth made by my Great Aunt. I still use this table cloth on special occasions.

      1286

1287. Hi Mary, Merry Christmas and Thank You to all the vendors for the wonderful giveaways! I would love to own the beautiful pair of scissors in the wooden case. My memories of the most beautiful piece of embroidery is a small dresser scarf that was stitched by either my sisters or myself many, many years ago! Even though it is tattered and stitched like a beginner with very long connecting stitches on the back, the beauty of the memories and laughs we have over the years denying who stitched it as a child is something we will always remember and the memories of our mother encouraging us to take up needle and thread are priceless for all four of us. The memories of the fun we had embroidering are more beautiful than the embroidery
      itself. Thanks,
      Mary Ann
      Cincinnati,Ohio

      1287

1288. The most beautiful in my eyes was an antique sampler I saw in a museum. It was beautiful in the way that only something taking so much time and care and perfection could be.

      1288

1289. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen is an embroidered piece for the top of a toilet tank that I came across in my mother’s hope chest 35 years after she had passed.

      1289

1290. The mst beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was a christening gown made by a friends aunt years ago. It was hand smocked, with hardanger and embroidered vines/flowers. I was awe-struck!

      1290

1291. What beautiful scissors. And what a pleasure it would be to use them! I can hope.
      One of the most beautiful pieces of needlework I just had to have and have been working on it off and on for over 30 years now (I really must finish those last, lingering stitches) was a Lanarte design of a bonsai tree. Bought it in a needlework shop in Stratford-on-Avon when I was there in 1986.

      1291

1292. I once saw a picture of a beautiful antique darning sampler that was in near perfect condition. Darning samplers are my favorite, but this one was extra special. It was done on a pale blue fabric with white fibers. Blue is my favorite color & I’d never seen one quite as stunning as this one. It was part of Gigi R’s private collection & she happened to donate it to The Attic for their annual Breast Cancer Auction. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I’d ever be able own something like this. However, a friend bid on it & won it for me as my Christmas gift that year. So not only do I own the most beautiful, stunning, fantastic piece of needlework I’ve ever seen, but someone thought enough of me to do something that sweet & kind for me, and the money went to a cause very close to my heart as I have several close friends who have, or are currently fighting breast cancer. I enjoy that sampler every day, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life, and I remember all of those who are fighting for their lives and winning and those who I will forever miss.

      1292

1293. Oh, this is indeed a poser. I have pondered it. I have thought about a few things from travels, and more things in the beautiful books and magazines I have. I even live just a few miles from Old Deerfield and the blue embroideries and samplers….But I keep coming back to a pillow I sewed ribbon tabs on and hung above my bed on a little dowel rod. It has lovebirds, a large flower, twining vines and many leaves. The colors are delightful and it is worked in silk. I am not sure, but it might be an example of the society silk we have learned about here. The look of the silk and the era certainly fits. It uses only a handful of simple stitches, and their caliber is more homey than museum-worthy. The birds and vines frame a romantic sentiment (today we would call it corny, I suppose). But it is the most beautiful embroidery to me because my grandma made it as a young woman. I imagine the sentiment containing her hopes as a bride. And it is beautiful too, because my grandma had the most beautiful hands I ever saw. I was fascinated by their translucent skin and prominent veins. I loved to touch them. I loved them holding mine. She introduced me to embroidery. I loved my grandma and I am so grateful to have her beautiful embroidered pillow.

      1293

1294. Last year at the ANG seminar in New Orleans, the winner of several awards was a mountain scene beautifully stitched. It was an amazing piece and created from a photograph.

      1294

1295. I have a collection of scissors and this pair would be the highlight of my collection! Would these help me embrouder beautiful pieces? Of course they would!

      1295

1296. Oh my, the word exquisite is perfect for those beautiful scissors—-they look like a piece of jewelry. It sure is a special give away for one lucky person.

      Okay Mary, you certainly did leave the hardest question to answer for last! It is so difficult to pick one particular needlework piece out as my favorite so I sat down and put some real thought to my answer. After pondering for awhile I would have to say that it was a collection of quilts on display at the Museum of the Rockies about 35 years ago. The oldest one was 100 years old and I had to wonder what the maker would think about her quilt being guest of honor in a museum. You could tell that it was made to use but even after 100 years the stitches were still beautiful unfortunately the name of the maker had been lost through the years. Another important reminder for all the stitchers out there—-be sure to document and sign your needlework piece.

      Merry Christmas to everyone and happy stitching.

      1296

1297. The most beautiful and special needlework I have seen in person was the long lengths of kneedlepoint kneeling pads at the front of the Episcopal church I grew up in. It took years for the ladies of the church to complete them, and I have never seen any like them since. Those scissors in the give-away are exquisite!

      1297

1298. The most amazing needlework I’ve seen was at Expo 86 in Vancouver. It was in the China pavilion and I can’t remember the specifics of the scene, but they were embroidering both sides of the cloth. I was amazed by the perfection of their stitches.

      1298

1299. I was in France, and saw a magazine with a stitched harvest mouse on the cover. It was delightful. A needlepainted confection that had me enthralled. My ability to stitch something so beautiful was out of the question, but I bought the magazine. I translated the instructions and again thought, no chance. Then in the copyright, I saw that it was originally a Country Bumpkin, i.e, Inspirations design. The search went on to trace the original and eventually, months later I found the issue on sale on that well known auction site. I was the lucky bidder and both magazines are now in my stash. One day, Mary, one day.

      1299

1300. One of the most beautiful pieces of needlework I can remember was my first piece of cross stitch that was not of the ‘dime store’ quality. At the time I did not know they made patterns for such beautiful needlework. It was an arrangement of flowers that was framed and hung over their mantel. It was about 20 in by 20 in. This piece really inspired me to go out and look for fine embroidery patterns

      1300

1301. oh boy!!! The embroidery artwork that inspired me was at the fairgrounds many years ago….It was of a tiger’s head among tall green leaves and trees. At first I thought it was a painting but the lady in the booth showed me that it was embroidery with silk thread using a technique called NeedlePainting!!! I wish I would have gotten her name or the name of the piece of artwork… but that masterpiece inspired me to begin my embroidery journey….

      1301

1302. At a local fair I saw a beautiful cross stitch floral picture, each stitch perfectly done. It just so happened that the maker was there and she told me that she had made the picture while sitting at her husbands bedside as he was dying. To make such a beautiful thing while going thru his death impressed me.

      1302

1303. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen is a contemporary piece by Britt Hutchinson who works in miniature in astounding detail. It was an image of two skeletons intertwined with tiny flower details in a beautiful oval hand stitched frame. Meticulous! Mary- this is not to discount your own work, which I’m also in awe of. Thanks for sharing your vast wealth of knowledge. Merry Christmas!

      1303

1304. Over 25 years ago, I saw 2 counted crossstitch pieces. The picture, then over the top of the picture was threads pulled across creating an abstract designed above the picture. Those 2 pieces still stand out in my mind because of the originality of them. I have never seen anything like them since.
      Thank you for the ppportunity to win one of these original
      Gifts. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your blog.

      1304

1305. Boy oh boy do I want those scissors. When I first discover Needle N Thread I thought I could never do this. I started simple and moved on to a number of projects from this site. Thank you Mary for producing such a wonderful, easy to understand web site.

      1305

1306. I vividly recall a caftan that was in an EGA show and it put goals in the back of my mind but recently I just can’t get Trish Burr’s Partridge in a Pear Tree from popping up. I have always liked the Twelve Days of Christmas and have produced the imagery in gold foil as a paper cutting and also carved my own set of linoleum block prints. Now I can’t stop thinking of producing an embroidered set.

      1306

1307. A beautiful and unique red crazy quilt. But what really got me into needlework was my grandma’s beautiful pillow cases and tea towels. I loved watching her work…

      1307

1308. My sister made me a bag with starry sashiko pattern which I carried dearly for years, it was exquisite for me as she was still amateur at stitching.

      1308

1309. There are so many memorable stitching pieces, I can’t begin to enumerate them–seriously. Fortunately, we live in a time when we have access to remarkable stitching from around the world, so I have many, many favorites.

      1309

1310. I’ve only seen really beautiful needlework online, most especially on Pinterest, those gorgeous A and E. They truly took my breath away and I still wonder at the craftsmanship involved. How did they embroider such lovely work? and How do I learn to embroider as well?
      I want to thank you for all the wonderful holiday give-aways, they’ve been drool-worthy!

      1310

1311. One of the most beautiful samplers I’ve ever seen is the Mary Antrim sampler. Originally part of the Betty Ring collection, it sold through a Sotheby auction held in 2012 for over $1 million dollars!

      1311

1312. A friend of mine cross stitched a Heaven and Earth piece that is stunning. It is a portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her white charger. She stitched it on 40 count linen over 1 thread. The stitching is gorgeous; it looks like an oil painting.
      When ever I get bogged down on a project, I remember this piece and it motivates me onward.

      1312

1313. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen – I believe would be a full size crazy quilt with all types of fabrics, stitches and threads, ribbons and embellishments. This is an ongoing project By an elderly woman who no longer is mobile but her passion of needlework goes on.

      1313

1314. I cannot remember who the designer was, but the most beautiful piece I have seen is the five panel nativity scene! I absolutely love it!

      1314

1315. One of the most beautiful handcrafted pieces needlework I have ever seen are only in photos…..the work created for Game of Thrones is breathtaking details that portray an ongoing story. However, that being said, my most favourite piece of needlework I have seen in person, is framed work of a Japanese Komono. It is tone on tone creams, approx 20 x 20 and has shimmering threads stitched in for highlights. The work is absolutely beautiful and was stitched by my friends daughter who passed away far too young. You can tell she took great pride in her work and her stitches are perfect (to my eye). Her mom told me both her daughters that stitch are/were precise with they stitching. I love seeing her work in the foyer every time I visit.

      1315

1316. For me, it’s not one embroidery piece but all of Chinese Suzhu embroidery. The faces, the fish, the panda… I wish I could learn their technic! But if I have to say one in particular, it would be the one made by Margaret Lee, the crane, gift for her daughter’s wedding. The color, the thread, the technic… wish I could express myself in English better…

      1316

1317. Susan Elliot blog Playing with needles has a beautiful embroidery of Breakfast with Tiffany’s. I randomly found her site and thought I could never do anything close to what she created. One of the first things I saved to my Pinterest.

      1317

1318. I saw a picture from a book of old silk embroidery of autumn leaves that took my breath away and I’ve never forgotten it.

      1318

1319. The needlework that lingers in my mind are the crazy quilts by JaNita Clairmont, but in particular, her Alice In Wonderland quilt. The embroidery – surface, stumpwork, you name it – is exquisite and tells the tale so beautifully. I could look at this quilt for hours reveling in each and every wonderful little detail.

      1319

1320. The most beautiful handwork you’ve ever seen came from my Mom. She is a talented creative and amazing artist. There have been so many projects that blew me away over the years. It is difficult to choose. The piece that will always stick with me is a hand sewn sequin piece. It is sunflowers with shading and the colors are unbelievably beautiful. When it hits the light it simply takes your breath away!

      1320

1321. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen in person is The Chase, an American sampler stitched by Mary Starkey in the eighteeneth century. Some years ago I was fortunate enough to be able to go “behind the scenes” and see the textile preservation area in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Of all the exquisite needlework pieces there, I enjoyed Mary Starkey’s best, partly because of the composition and the techniques, but also because she is so representative of American samplers of the period The reproduction by Joanne Harvey is also in my stash which adds to the appeal.

      Your give-aways, Mary, have added to the fun of this holiday season. Thank you! And please accept my very best wishes for the happiest of holiday seasons.

      1321

1322. The Bayeux Tapestry is the most beautiful piece of embroidery I have ever seen. Some might question my description of the piece as beautiful. Technically perhaps not, but the dedication to story, to detail and most of all the devotion of a group of stitchers to leave a piece of history for many and a model of narrative for some made it a breath-taking event for me when I saw it in Bayeux. It become a source of inspiration for me, prompting me to reproduce a hand-drawn plat of the original house, grounds and gardens which once stood on the grounds which became an apartment building in Cambridge, England where I lived for nearly four years. It has also inspired me to reproduce drawings in needlepoint of my husband’s four-year old grandchild for his parents and a sampler of important places in my husband’s Italian history. (This last piece I have yet to finish, but all the drawings have been charted.)

      I’d like also to say those scissors are exquisite. A work woman should be known by her tools!

      Anne

      1322

1323. The most impressive piece of embroidery I saw was a 19th century whole cloth quilt that was embroidered all over with floral designs. It was displayed at the shelburne museum in Vermont and I was just so impressed!

      1323

1324. It was a Chinese dragon embroidered on the back of a Tai Kwon Do master’s jacket. The jacket was a midnight blue, the dragon was all in blues and greens, with hints of red and yellow.

      1324

1325. My grandmother’s cutwork table cloths were gorgeous. she was a wonderful knitter, quilter, needleworker. wish I would have taken more time to learn her ways.

      1325

1326. The Unicorn tapestries in Paris and New York were astonishingly beautiful in both scale and detail. I love your treasure boxes and would love to have a box that I could make over with multiple little windows. I also live anything made by my mother who was a skilled needle woman. The scissors are really special.❤️

      1326

1327. I absolutely love scissors and when I see a pair of fine needlework scissors I just have to buy them! I have a pair for every type of embroidery and also lacemaking. My husband tells me that I have too many but one can never have enough! This pair of scissors looks exquisite and I would love to own them and think of you every time I cut a thread!x

      1327

1328. I was invited to participate in the embroidery of a 16th Century royal jacket at Plimoth Plantation some years ago. We were allowed into the archives to see some unbelievable embroidery that had been saved and lasted for centuries. I saw a piece believed to cover a 16th Century casket in which a very well to do woman or royalty would keep her embroidery tools and other treasures of the day. The outside of the casket was covered with scenes done in embroidery often telling a tale. Anyway, we all put on white gloves and a box was opened to share with us a beautiful scene possibly of the woman’s life. The piece was believed to have been done between the 14th and 15th Century. It was exquisite. The faces and hands were done in stump work that still held true to today. The colors were vivid and the details unbelievable. I kept staring and finding another detail to look at and try to impress it into my memory so that someday I could sew something like it. Well, I could go on and on but the history and workmanship was just so impressive. I have never seen a piece like it. I hope you enjoyed one of my favorite little memories!

      1328

1329. On a trip to Bergen, Norway, my wife Erin picked up a pattern for a needlework wall hanging. It was the largest piece she had attempted so far and seemed (to me, at least) too big to complete. But she set to the task and completed it quickly. We now proudly display it on our wall. In addition to the impressive size, the design and colors are so striking that even now many years later, I can’t pass it without it triggering fond memories of that trip to Norway. I think the challenge has encouraged her to continue her needlework and now our home is filled with the beauty of her handwork.

      1329

1330. I’ve seen many because I live in NY and I travel and visit museums wherever I go. But the one that stands out for me is an embroidered quilt that hangs in the Brooklyn Museum at Grand Army Plaza. The embroidery is all floral, with each square embroidered exquisitely with bouquets of assorted flowers, all different. It is finished with an embroidered border of a garland of flowers, but here is where my memory fails me. It may be morning glories but I’m not sure. The shading was exquisite on the flowers. It is the kind of piece you want to touch so badly and get up closer to it than they allow.
      I also was very impressed by an exhibition of school girl samplers that were on exhibition in Santa Fee at one of their many museums when I was there. The fact that school girls did this level of stitching was unforgettable.

      1330

1331. The piece of embroidery that I consider one of the most beautiful I have ever seen is displayed in the Cleveland Museum of Art(Cleveland, Ohio). It is an altar cloth stitched around 1350AD by nuns in a convent in Germany. The cloth is incredibly detailed with white threads on white linen-stunning! Even though my stitching will never reach that level of exquisite beauty, I can certainly appreciate the time and commitment it took to embroider it!

      1331

1332. The most amazing needlework I have ever seen are the needlework casket from the 17th century. They started my love of stump work. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.

      1332

1333. I remember seeing a beautiful embroidered box but cannot remember where I saw it, just the box. It was made in the 16th century, of wood, covered in stumpwork embroidery and the colours were still quite vibrant. Little bits of wood and bone were used for padding which is remarkable, along with bits of textile. It left such an impression on me. I have tried stumpwork myself and don’t know how the embroiderers got such detail using only candles for light. Amazing!

      1333

      1. Perhaps some of the time they worked near a window in daylight?

1334. I’ve never seen it in person, but the Bayeux tapestry has always fascinated me — history, size, age, creativity, skill — all of it.

      1334

1335. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen is at my mother’s house. It is a silk screen of a pheasant in autumn colors of brown and warm rust colors. In the background is a beautiful orange sun. The silk embroidery is so finely done that it looks like a painting. The silk threads give it a shimmery glow. It has been passed down from many generations in our family and was brought here to America when the first generation of our family immigrated from China.

      1335

1336. The most beautiful piece of needlework I remember was done by a friend. It was a stump work casket. It had people and animals and flowers. It was outstanding. The colors and the embroidery work were exquisite. Beautifully and carefully done. I have never seen another that stands out like that piece done by my friend. Oh, to be able to do work like that!

      1336

1337. Hi Mary, I was fortunate to go on the “Jacket tour” with Tricia Wilson-Nguyen of Thistle Threads. I was very, very taken with the early 1600’s embroidered jackets, gloves, coifs and nightcaps we saw. The silk polychrome and metal thread stitching and embroidery, the styles, and the bobbin lace trim made me a huge fan of that era of English embroidery.
      Thank you for the giveaway, Lynn

      1337

1338. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is Appenzel whitework. In particular, a pillow with the most detailed hair and even fingernails on the tiny fingers.

      Would love to win the scissors.

      Merry Christmas and thanks for a fantastic blog.

      1338

1339. When I was a teenager I was blessed with a trip to Europe with my paternal grandmother who was a great art connessuire a well as a needlepointer. She made certain I was able to view the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in the Louve…WOW.

      1339

1340. The most beautiful piece of stitchery I can recall is one made for me by my sweet grandmother years ago. She embroidered a pillow cover for me with very “70’s” colors- oranges, mustard, browns. It’s perfectly imperfect, and I love it for its sentimental value!

      1340

1341. There are so many stunning pieces of embroidery created by many talented people but for me I think the Bayeux Tapestry has to be the most incredible piece of work and most memorable. As for those scissors – well they are just beautiful and I am sure the person lucky enough to win them will treasure them forever!

      1341

1342. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is probably only in my eyes. I have a “Home Sweet Home” hanging in my home that my Grandma made and hung in her home. Years later my Mom had it hanging in her home and now I have it. I love to look at it and think of how special it has been to everyone that has owned it. My Grandma didn’t make many things which makes it even more “beautiful” in my eyes.

      1342

1343. This is very hard to say, but what first comes into my mind is the work of my grandmother who came from Lithuania about 1900 to Chicago. I have her beautiful white work in my cedar chest and use them once in a while on my tables. She made many doilies and table runners. She did an excellent set of pillowcases that a I gave to a collector, since I have no one to hand them down to and didn’t want them lost. I remember watching her and her friend stitching, but she died when I was too young to take advantage of her talent.

      1343

1344. This is an easy question for me.
      I have a quilting friend who has done several really beautiful pieces – that I can vividly remember. One was an embroidered quilt in the Grandmother’s Garden block form. I liked it so much I purchased the pattern. One that she is working on right now is a Christmas scene done in redwork. Santa, stockings, packages, and more. It will be a wall hanging.
      I have seen many beautiful pieces in museums and at shows – don’t remember many of them. I will have to take pictures next time I go to a museum!

      1344

1345. I am the daughter of an American diplomat and I left the US when I was 4 and returned to attend college at 18. I had the opportunity for 14 years to live in countries in Asia, Europe, South and Central America, which allowed me to be exposed to not only different cultures, but different forms of art. I was always drawn to textiles and thread art forms. I will never forget during our posting to Guatemala my father was gifted with the most elaborate blouse or “wuipil” that was woven in colorful threads and had some light embroidery. It literally took my breath away. I lost my father last year and last year I returned to Guatemala after 40 odd years as part of a dental team to treat children in the Mayan highlands. The comfort I felt from being surrounded again by the colorful embroidered textiles and woven fabrics was bittersweet as I grieved the loss of my father and relived warm memories of my childhood as a “Global Nomad”.

      1345

1346. Middle of no where, TN. We broke down and ended up a tiny town trying to get repairs. Ended up in the town library, killing time, as they had signs up for a quilt display. Among those quilts was a small display of needlework by one of the town’s women. They were exquisite. Tiniest, most perfect, stitches I have seen to this day.

      1346

1347. I once saw this very large crazy quilt that a lady had sewn all by hand. It was very elaborate and had so many details I was totally blown away! At that time (many years ago) I couldn’t imagine how many stitch patterns were on this quilt. The animals, children, flowers etc. we’re amazing! Needless to say I wish that it was mine‼️

      1347

1348. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen is my grandma’s embroidered pillowcases. They aren’t perfect, or unusual, but my grandma died before I was born and I don’t have any memories of her. I like to think about her hands making the work. It’comforting

      1348

1349. The embroidery that made a lasting impression on me is not a single piece of embroidery, but the entire collection of Quaker samplers at Ackworth school in Yorkshire in the UK. All of the pieces were stitched by girls who attended the school, and include religious verses and darning samplers, as well as the more well known colourful medallion samplers. All of the pieces are precisely documented matching names, initials and dates on the samplers with information held in the school register which dates back to 1779 when the school first opened (and is available to view if you ever get a chance to visit the school). Although the embroidery is not the most complex, the bringing together of the pieces in the school where they were worked, with details of the girls lives, the dates they attended school, names and ages of siblings, and where they went and what they did when they left the school brings the whole collection to life.

      1349

1350. The embroidery I can’t get out of my mind is Marakatt-Labba’s 24 meter embroidered history of the Sami people. It is beautiful in conception, design and execution. I hope she had some beautiful tools like the M. Roulot scissors.

      1350

1351. An ecclesiastical vestment in Ávila, Spain, from the Renaissance, cream-colored (perhaps originally white?) silk, with very heavy padded and raised goldwork, with gold fringe. It reminds me of Indian zardosi work.

      1351

1352. No hesitation here….Kate Barlow’s ( she is a recent graduate of the RSN ) silk shaded budgerigar, called ‘Smuggler’ is the most incredible piece of work that I can ever recall seeing; it is SO lifelike, and it reminds me of the budgie that we had when I was a child. It is so good that it even made an appearance at a recent summer exhibition at the prestigious Royal Academy of Art (!) gallery in London, finally embroidery is accepted as art.
      It really has had quite an impact on me, a real inspiration to finally give silk shading a go.

      1352

1353. I live in Italy where there is so much fine embroidery. Last summer I saw a a fine linen tablecloth completely embroidered in all types of surface embroidery, pulled thread embroidery. It was incredibly perfect.

      1353

1354. When I was at college (circa 1980) our needlework teacher took us to an exhibition of historic haute couture in the Art Gallery of NSW (Sydney Australia). I can still remember an amazing black velvet evening cape, embroidered in gold. The embroidery was a front-on view of a chariot and horses with rays of the sun behind and clouds of dust rising from the horses hooves. At first I thought it was a printed design (still magnificent) but then realised that it was embroidered. I still think it was one of the most magnificent embroideries (and garments) I have ever seen.

      1354

1355. Anything and everything stitched by Jan Jelen’s! Her thread paintings using a single strand of thread are amazing!

      1355

1356. Mary,
      You are not kidding about that one being tough to answer. It was an embroidery piece on a dress in a museum in Europe. But can’t remember which city or museum as we were in so many. I remember the rich colours and complex design and staring in fascination for a long period of time. Your question brought the memory back but I just can’t remember enough of the details when at the time I thought I would never forget. I will have to do some searching through my diaries and photos.
      Heather M.

      1356

1357. I still remember going to a quilt show and seeing an embroidery embellished quilt that was breathtaking. Flowers, insects, scrolls, bees, spider webs, ribbon, beads, on and on. Not only the skill but the time invested was staggering. Even if the individual stitches are relative simple to do, their combination and execution are what inspire awe. Although not an embroidery I also remember I raised wool runner that was just as breathtaking. Coils and ruffles, large and small, tall and short. That may not sound impressive but it was probably 12 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide and the colors progressed from rose to orange to yellow to green to blue to violet, expertly composed and transitioned. Something so simple as coiled and ruffled wool sewn to a backing that can inspire awe in the viewer is also amazing.

      1357

1358. In 1963 I got to go to the Smithsonian.I saw some beautiful
      needlework.Especially embroidery on a lady’s garment from
      The 1800s. I still am in awe of the handiwork in this beautiful item.
      Love the sissors.I have been collecting them for years.

      1358

1359. There is only one thing to say–the scissors are a work of art and using them would only enhance my passion for needlework.

      1359

1360. Hi Mary,

      The first beautiful piece of Needlework that I saw was one of Erica Wilson’s pieces years ago on her TV show. That piece, which I can’t remember now inspired me to keep on stitching and leaning.

      There are so many beautiful pieces that it’s difficult for me to pick just one.
      – The Cluny Tapestries
      – The Lady and the Unicorn
      – The 17th Century reproduced jacket

      What a wonderful give-away!

      Cynthia M
      Maryland

      1360

1361. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is the Altar frontal (Elizabeth Hoare Collection in Liverpool Cathedral). The entire frontal has five ophrey panels, each identically worked in long and short and satin stitch, couching and laid work. The embroidery was done by a Church Guild and assembled by Watts and Co. Ltd. English c. 1900-30

      1361

1362. I can’t name just one, however, the style Jacobean draws me to it the a Bee to honey. I can look all day at this style of needlework. I also love William Morris designs in Needlepoint, I would love all of them in my home.

      1362

1363. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen was a sampler…the Jane Bostocle sampler. It may not be beautiful in the traditional sense, but the fineness of the stitching and the age of the piece made it beautiful to me.

      1363

1364. The most beautiful piece I recall is not one that is “perfect’ stitching. But it showed the love that the piece had. The piece belonged to an aunt who lived in a small village in Ukraine. On my first visit, the Rushnyk (embroidered decorative towel), was hanging over an Icon in her home. I noticed a patch. This was because a mouse had chewed a hole. The piece was not destroyed , but repaired, and rehung. Before our visit was over, I was given that embroidery; and I cherish the memories of my aunt whom I had only met.

      1364

1365. I love scissors, especially this beautiful handmade pair. You don’t often see craftsman like m. Roulot any more.

      1365

1366. I am currently very taken with the Quaker tapestry. It’s not that the stitching is technically impressive, it’s the intention, meaning and scope of the work that stays with me. I also love the colors, design and the whole feel of the piece. I hope to see it in person one day.
      Merry Christmas!

      1366

1367. Over the years, I have seen so many incredible displays of needlework that it is very difficult to narrow it down to just one. I will say that there is one piece of needlework- a quilt done by an ancestor- that to this day, still has me spellbound. While quilting is certainly not the fanciest stitching, this quilt was crafted with incredible skill and some of the tiniest stitches I have ever seen. I was but a young girl at the time I first studied this quilt, yet I still remember it clearly many, many years later.

      1367

1368. Without question the most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen is in Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland. It is the British Coat of Arms and was embroidered by Lady Evelyn Stewart Murray between 1905 and 1912. It’s whitework on the finest “glass cambric”, using #250 and #750 cotton thread. I’m not a huge fan of whitework but this just took my breath away. You can see a picture of it here:
      https://blair-castle.co.uk/scottish-highland-castle/the-castle/castle-estate-archives/

      1368

1369. The scissors are absolutely beautiful. This site is one of my favorite and I enjoy it a great deal.

      1369

1370. Some of the most beautiful needle work I’ve seen are several pieces stitched by Jan Jellens of southern California. She was a beautiful stitcher. I would so much like to win the scissors you are offering now. I lost my house and all my scissors in the Thomas fire in Southern Calif. recently, so I would very much enjoy the lovely scissors in this give away. Thank you for your great blog.

      1370

1371. I don’t know if it is the most beautiful piece I have ever seen, but it is a piece I see everyday in my home. It is a Double side Chinese embroidery screen of Peony flowers of many colors with butterflies. I can enjoy looking at it every day. Beautiful colors of the silk thread that took two young ladies 6 months to stitch.

      1371

1372. Anne Wilson’s ‘Dispersions’ series. tiny stitches outlining a hole in linen napkins. They were beautiful!

      1372

1373. I fell in love with Trisha Burr’s Kingfisher. Her birds and flowers are so life like. They are so perfect that they look like photos. All her works amaze me. Kim

      1373

1374. That’s a very difficult one! It’s not a particular piece that stands out for me but I had the opportunity to see some very beautiful work done by Chinese Embroiderers. The silk threads on the gauzy material is exquisite. The workmanship in the kimonos is also intriguing. A lot of these pieces take my breath away.

      1374

1375. Oh my gosh, so many come to mind, but a stand out is the Plimouth jacket, both original and replica. It impressed me so much that I bought some of those gorgeous silk threads and spangles to make an Elizabethan Sweete Bag! I have to admit it’s one of my UFOs but I will finish it one day, and wouldn’t those magnificent scissors be a perfect match? Thank you Mary for the opportunity!

      1375

1376. We traveled to Italy 2 springs ago to visit our son and his family. We went to Rome and of course toured the collections at the Vatican. I would have to say the tapestries we saw were something to behold. Imagining the women that did this fine work in natural or by candle light. My oh my! The details of their faces and hands. The scenery. Just wow!
      Thanks for a chance to win a pair of these special scissors!

      1376

1377. Believe it or not, that is not a difficult question for me to answer! It was the medallion of the Immaculate Heart embroidered by Carmelite sisters for my brother’s Ordination vestments. It is just exquistite! I actually have a close up picture of it framed on my desk!

      Merry Christmas, Mary!

      1377

1378. While I can see so many beautiful pieces of work whe I think about it, I am continuously drawn to the needle lace work of Amelia Ars by Antonilla Cantelli. She was one of the masters of this work. Is still something that is a pleasure to look at.

      1378

1379. My mother-in-law was adopted by the sister of a woman named Annie Gilmore Hutchinson who died during her second pregnancy. Annie, while she was alive, produced some of the most exquisite needlework I have ever seen. It won awards at the Canadian National Exhibition and the sale of her work helped her family financially. After Annie died, her sister, Mary, raised Annie’s young daughter as well as later on raising my mother-in-law. It was through them that my m-i-l inherited a trunk full of Annie’s work. My favourite piece is a large satin stitched picture of sweet peas in silk on silk that hangs above my mother-in-law’s bed. My second favourite is a black velvet smoking cap made for Annie’s husband with his initials embroidered in cross stitch inside the crown and small flowers embroidered in bright pastels around the outside of the cap. Last year, my m-i-l opened this trunk of treasures for me to look at and asked me what she should do with it all. (She’s now 95!) I am an Embroidery Association of Canada member and suggested we send it to the EAC Heritage Collection which we ultimately did. An illustrated article was written for the EAC magazine about Annie, the work, and its provenance and we are both so thrilled that Annie’s work continues to inspire all who see it over a century and a quarter after it was created.

      1379

1380. The most wow and inspirational piece of needlework that I have ever seen is Janet Granger’s embroidered casket!

      1380

1381. I remember a beautiful apron my mother embroidered, before she got married in 1938. It was not used and was kept in the linen cupboard. It was worked in long and short satin stitch, and was a beautiful lady in a green suit in front of a very ‘posh’ grey car. Years later my sister and I convinced her to wear it, and of course, the stitching wore out. Such a shame. It should have been framed, it was so lovely.
      Merry Christmas to all.

      1381

1382. The most beautiful piece piece of needlework I have seen is a WWII era Japanese kimono that I own. The coaching of the beautiful gold wrapped cording, the perfect satin stitching with silk thread used to highlight the fabric weave all come together to create what is to me a stunning piece of art. This is one of my most treasured pieces.

      1382

1383. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever had priviledge to see was a travelling exibit that contained a dozen medieval tapestries. The were ancient but still so very colorful and full of so much detail. At the time I was just learning to sew. Now, decades later I have time, instruction books, and a friend who embroiders and finds my goal of learning an amusing one to encourage.

      1383

1384. I was about eleven years old. My Mom came home with an antique tea tray. Under the glass in the tray was black velvet, embroidered with delicate vines, leaves and tiny red flowers. I would sit and stair at the tray simply entranced with the beauty, following the individual threads, and noting the tiny differences between the elements. This was my introduction to fine needlework.

      1384

1385. the most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was a small Chinese piece at a Margaret Lee’s exhibition and in her collection, the most minute French Knots and smallest beads I have ever seen.

      1385

1386. I do not believe I have been lucky enough to see any great needle work pieces except in pictures.

      Thank you for the opportunity to win such gorgeous scissors.

      1386

1387. The Canton, Ohio Museum of Art once had a display of several large, embroidered kimono that represented the changing seasons. They had been the life work of one man which was being carried on by his son. They were spectacular in every way!

      1387

1388. The most exquisite piece of needlework I have ever seen was a vintage handmade gown embellished with silk ribbon flowers and beads! I don’t remember who posted it, unfortunately, but I have a feeling I probably saved it! I do SRE and beading embellishment myself, so I know how much love and attention went into this work of art!

      1388

1389. There have been many beautiful pieces of embroidery that I’ve seen but there is one especially that I remember. When we lived in France many years ago, we went visited Bayeux where I saw the Bayeux Tapestry (really Embroidery). Walking along it’s length, learning the history of the battle as well as the simple, but elegant stitching still remains as a moving testimonial to the artistic and communicative appeal of embroidery.

      1389

1390. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have ever seen would be the Jubilee Cope made by British ecclesiastical embroiderer Beryl Dean and students. The design depicts the spires of the churches of London and were magnificently embroidered, then brought together as a whole. The cope was created to mark the queen’s silver jubilee in 1977 and presented to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where I had the wonderful opportunity to see it.

      1390

1391. The most beautiful piece is the first ornament I stitched, it was a baby floating on a cloud, it was a time when I found out I could not have children but loved to stitch anything to do with a baby.

      1391

1392. The 14th century linen quilt in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London that is one of two or three or even a larger one divided into pieces. Because of their age, their survival is near miraculous, let alone the scope of the Tristan legend. For a time, they were in a barn and were covers for a hired man for a long while til the estate owner retrieved them. For me they mean that no one ever knows where one’s stitches may arrive.

      1392

1393. When we lived in France, many years ago, we visited Bayeux in Normandy and I saw for the first time the Bayeux Tapestry, really Embroidery. It was displayed in all its length as a stunning historical example of the beauty and effectiveness of stitchery to convey the significance of a key historical event as well as the artistic demands of the medium.

      1393

1394. Inessa Timonina from Russia’s silk embroidery. The Proud Peacock being my fave, and the one that motivates me to push beyond cross stitch!! It was because of her that I ordered an embroidery kit from TFN and begin to learn the basics of embroidery! I’m still not ready to move to silk, but her beautiful work keeps motivating me to keep on keeping on!! She doesn’t have a blog, but there are lots of bloggers that post her creations. Here’s one of them, along with the Peacock that is so beautiful, I almost want to cry.

      1394

1395. The embroidery scissors are beautiful. I remember visiting an exhibition in Brisbane (Australia) of needlework loaned from Britain I think fron the Victoria and Albert museum. One of the exhibits was a very beautiful Elizabethan casket with very fine silk embroidery on all visible surfaces

      1395

1396. To me the most exquisite piece of embroidery that I have seen is a double sided (same stitching on both sides) piece of embroidery from China. In the 1990’s my friend was teaching English in China and she bought one piece for me and one for herself. It is framed in a round wooden frame (about 16″ in diameter) set on a matching wooden stand. The embroidery is of three fish swimming amongst seaweeds. The thread is very fine, the embroidery beautiful and my friend and I have tried to find a beginning or ending thread without success. Truly amazing. And I am, of course, so thrilled to own it.

      1396

1397. Hi Mary,
      What beautiful scissors! I love good embroidery scissors, but can’t imagine anything like these.

      The question is so difficult, as I have seen some beautiful needlework through the years. I think I would have to pick the few embroidered caskets I have seen in museums or stately homes when travelling. The lovely embroidery and stumpwork, coupled with the luscious threads and beads, plus the figures depicting some tale–beautiful and useful both.

      1397

1398. I have seen lots of photographs of absolutely stunning embroideries, but in person the one that stays with me was in a pretty down-market Chinese restaurant in Manchester, England in the 1970’s. Actually it was a whole series of beautiful silk embroideries hung around the large room. They were exquisite and I have not seen anything yet to rival the colour and stitching.

      1398

1399. My favorite work of art in embroider is Trish Burr. How does she do it! Those little birds and flowers are amazing. I want to learn to do that too. Those scissors are a work of art too. Thanks Merry Christmas.

      1399

1400. Kingfisher by Trish Burr has made such an impression on me. The blues and the golds blended together are so exquisite! It is such a beautiful artistic expression! I love the long and short stitch and there are so many wonderful pieces of art to be accomplished with that technique and so much more! I so love Trish Burr’s work that I have acquired most of her books.

      1400

1401. the most memorable quilted piece – still haunts me. It was at PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL QUILT SHOW a Few years ago. A Small piece, with little inch long dolls, like “worry dolls ” I played with and kept in my pocket as a child. Arranged in an arch, some smaller toward the point, some larger along the sides, packed next to each other. I didn’t think too much about it until it hit me what it was depicting.: people in a slave ship. I can still see it.

      1401

1402. The most beautiful piece of needle art I have ever seen was a quilt that incorporated embroidery with exquisite hand appliqué and hand quilting. It was so beautifully done that it reminded me of an Aubusson rug. So perfectly designed and executed by Jane Hollihan of NYS

      1402

1403. Last year I got to spend time standing in front of The Bayeaux
      Tapestry. The story it tells and the history it portrays is just incredible
      considering what the women
      endeavored to accomplish. What a thrill it was.

      1403

1404. Some of the most beautiful needlework I have seen has actually been on vintage clothing from the early 1900’s. I have been fortunate enough to work with a group of collectors that collect and wear clothing from that time period and before. I actually own a gown from the early 1900’s that has beautiful hand embroidered roses on it and I reworked a gown from about 1887 that had amazing hand beaded trim that I re-used on the new gown I did for the customer. Working on these pieces I have often found pins that were left in the folds of material from the original seamstresses and I always felt a connection to these women that were long out-lived by their beautiful handwork.

      1404

1405. I’ve seen many beautiful pieces but the one I remember as having the most visceral effect on me was when I visited New York many years ago. My friend took us out to the Cloisters, and I had no idea that the Unicorn Tapestries were there — I rounded a corner and saw it fully dominating the room it was displayed in. I literally teared up. It was an amazing experience.

      1405

1406. What a ifficult favoriteion! I think my favourite embroidery was an amazing bodice done in Spanish Moorish cutwork. The colours and patterns were spectacular and having tried a small piece I am in awe of the embroiderer who made the garment fit the model like a glove.

      1406

1407. The most beautiful embroidered piece that left a lasting impression upon me was an exquisite powder blue 18th century ball gown. It was embroidered with thousands of pastel pink and blue flowers with gold accents. It was one of those “wow” moments that I will never forget!

      1407

1408. It was many, many years ago, but the most beautiful and poignant piece of needlework I had ever seen was a mourning sampler. It was done in silks, in very muted somber colors. It had a mother and child, standing near the grave, urns, willow trees and small animals hidden here and there. I never knew the name of the stitcher, but it was very old, but still remarkably beautiful.

      1408

1409. I have seen some beautiful embroidery over the years, but the most special and precious is the embroidery on a table cloth that my mother made for my sister. Many, many hours went into that. My mother was a very hard working woman and I am still trying to figure out how she made time for this loving gift!

      1409

1410. This week I made my first visit to the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design, where I admired a portrait of the artist’s mother in blackwork. It was exquisitely shaded. I had no idea such a thing could be done with that traditional technique. So it is my favorite piece (of the moment).

      1410

1411. The embroidery which has made the most important imprint on me was the first crewel embroidery I saw in an embroirdery shop many years ago. The texture of the threads and the connection to history intrigued me and I became a crewel embroidery enthusiast.

      1411

1412. I was at Martha Pullen’s School of Art Fashion several years ago, and hanging outside one of the classrooms was The English Cottage Garden quilt made by Gloria McKinnon. It had embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery, beading, dyed laces, buttons, charms and other embellishments on it. It was so beautiful and has inspired me to learn how to do all these things!

      1412

1413. The most beautiful piece of needlework for me is the piece my grandmother made for my wedding gift. It is a tapastry of an English cottage in a garden full of flowers and every time I look at it I think of her.

      1413

1414. The piece was actually a crazy quilt. Each hexagonal block was embroidered with different stitches and content but was a gorgeous sampler of stitches, lace and subtle colours. This would make the ultimate embroidered/quilted project to tackle but I’m a long way from attempting a project with such detail.

      1414

1415. I saw a beautiful silk komono embroidered with gold and silk threads at a Chinese museum.

      Mary in Idaho

      1415

1416. Ayrshire bonnet embroidered in whitework. So intricate and beautifully stitched.

      1416

1417. The stumpwork fruits, flowers and insects stitched by Australian needleartist Jane Nicholas is the contemporary needlework that propelled me to learn those techniques to amuse myself. Good scissors would be a bonus! And a happy new year to all.

      1417

1418. It was a quilt at the Brooks Musuem in Memphis, Tn….it was amazing. Not only the quilting, but all the embroidery. With all the hand embroidering the quilt had to weight 50 pounds. But, what has also had me wondering was in the middle of the quilt was and outline of a child’s hand. If you did not look close you would miss it. I always wonder why, and who little hand print was that…

      1418

1419. This is a hard question Mary! Many years ago I had a friend who did the most beautiful fine Hardanger work. I still remember her fine stitching as I had not seen anything like it before. She totally inspired me and encouraged me to work a hardanger piece. I remember seeing a very early sampler, maybe from the 1700’s, which was worked be a young girl perhaps nine years old, at a embroidery exhibition in Melbourne. That has stayed in my memory as an amazing piece of stitching.

      1419

1420. The most beautiful embroidery I’ve ever seen was a vintage gown by Christian Dior, it like having a colourful garden with variety plants and exquisite flowers on a dress! And it’s because of this, I started to learn embroidery and hopefully one day I could add some garden on my own dress too!

      1420

1421. I have thought about this for a few days, I’m lucky enough to volunteer at Royal school of needlework as a tour guide and see many wonderful pieces by students as well as the collection but I love the lorretos a series of ecclesiastical embroideries by unknown stitchers depicting the holy mother in 12 of her roles. They are beautifully striking in black, beige and cream but always move me.

      1421

1422. We were able at attend a beautiful antique clothing as well as several contempory ribbon dress designs. One of those was a wedding dress for her daughter. The name of the artist escapes me, but I will remember the skill and the loving care the Mother had put into the dress. The silk ribbon alone required hundreds of hours. We also went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and enjoyed the clothing display. There were more than a few I would love to wear myself. the scissors would be a great aid in the hand work that I do, which include cross stitch embroidery, silk ribbon work and smocking to name a few. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

      1422

1423. Thank you for this amazing give away.

      My most memorable piece of embroidery is an alter frontal at the Bendigo Joss House. I visited many years ago on a day when it wasn’t open to the public. A guide had come in to open up the building for repairs and kindly showed around some out of town tourists.

      I was admiring some embroidered robes in the museum area and she said they did have another beautiful piece. We went into the temple and she started carefully folding back alter cloths. It was like a trip through the history of embroidery.

      The very last cloth was a magnificent dragon that ran the full length of the alter. It was solid goldwork. Many types of threads and purls had been used. It was made in the 1860s.

      1423

1424. WOW!!! A beautiful gift for Christmas. Thank you Mary and all the good people involved in this Christmas giveaway.

      A very tough question because I remember many a beautiful embroidery pieces. Which one do I choose? Sigh! I must so the challenging work begins…
      A few years ago I had the chance to visit two places in India that are known for a certain style in embroidery. One was West Bengal known for ‘Kantha embroidery’ It was amazing how the simple running stitch creates bales of embroidered material each unique and intricate. No design is repeated!!! The other place was Kashmir and here the ‘Kashida embroidery’ uses the simple chain stitch to produce amazing designs. Both the places has artisans doing hand embroidery creating unique pieces and they refuse to repeat designs! This trip keeps me enthralled even now. All I have to do is close my eyes and I am transported to these places and I get the strength to move ahead.

      1424

1425. The most memorable piece of embroidery is the piece that made me start making embroidery in the first place – Trish Burr’s Iris.
      Life has changed since that day…

      1425

1426. I think of the exquisitely embroidered waist coats in England that museums are pouring over. Or the many antique samplers.

      1426

1427. The bedspread at Kelmscott Manor, worked by May Morris, absolutely devine.

      1427

1428. The most beautiful needlework I’ve ever seen was a hand embroidered silk gown with the subtle floral melodious motifs which resonates with my soul and remindes me of Klimt masterpiece!

      1428

1429. I have been blessed to be part of a large family of “needle artist ” but have to say the one that holds a special part in my heart is a very large crochet wall mural done by my grandmother of The Last Supper that hung in her church. It was beautiful to just sit and look at it.

      1429

1430. The designs of the recently departed Martina Rosenberg continue to amaze me.

      Every stitches piece contains amazing details. You could spend a tremendous amount of time looking at one piece and still find new details.

      She was an amazing designer who will be sorely missed. Fortunately she left behind dozens of intricate and varied designs to keep me and others busily stitching for the rest of our lives!

      1430

1431. The oriental robes on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the 1970’s took my breath away. Beautiful material was suitable was the superb needlework.
      Thank you French Needle for your generosity. Blessed Christmas, Mary Corbet.

      1431

1432. It is pieces that my Grandmother made for the church ..they were beautifully stitched alter cloths so many years ago…started my love of stitching what treasures they were♥️ Of course I have seen many pieces in museums that are stunning but the love that she put into each stitch was incredible to me that makes it the best! Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year….

      1432

1433. Back in 2006, we were transferred to Laredo TX. We only lived there 2 years, right on the border of MX. They have a celebration every year, The Martha Washington ball (at the same time, they do Pocohontas Ball). The dresses are fabulous and have hundreds of crystals and beads sewn on every hand made ball gown. They start the gowns at least a year in advance and no outsider is allowed to help. I tried to volunteer. These gowns are magnificent and truly a work of art.

      1433

1434. I just discovered this page. Looking forward to reading all the blogs. My most memorable needle art is in The 1st United Methodist church in Fayetteville, Ar. This is an old church. The kneeling pews (there’s 2) are covered in hand embroidered flower bouquets….beautiful flowers! Behind podium are 2 large chairs for the Bishops to sit on and the seats are embroider to match the kneeling pews. The handwork is so exequsite! I was told that the embroidery had been completed by ‘the women of the church’. I wish I had taken pictures.

      1434

1435. I don’t know if I can name just one piece. We saw some amazing tapestries when we lived in Germany. I also see wonderful pieces every single time I walk through the doors of my lns. I think I would have to say the Chatelaine designs created by Martina Weber. Only twice has my husband ever bought me patterns to stitch. One was by Marilyn L Iblum. The other was Taj Majal by Martina. Martina’s St Petersburg piece on black fabric is breathtaking.

      1435

1436. I was most entranced with the results of the Jacket Project that Tricia Nguyen headed up of a 16th century embroidered jacket. When displayed it was shown sparkling and glittering as it would have been seen in a candle lit room of the time. One could only imagine the luxury of wearing such a lavishly embroidered silk and gold jacket.

      1436

1437. thank you for offering this giveaway. as for the embroidery that had an impact, i have been moved by the new artists i find that take their sketches of everyday happenings and then embroider them. this is not to say that i do not love the more traditional, but these are fun to explore.

      1437

1438. This is a tough question. Many embroidery pieces came to mind but I cannot recall the fine details of them like I can an art quilt I saw in a museum display in Michigan. I stood and admired it for a very long time and I can still recall how it took my breath away.

      1438

1439. Some of the most beautiful pieces that I have seen were done by fellow EGA members. Displayed at the semi-annual show, these ladies do beautiful work — lace designs, beading, stump work, gold work. They are truly artisans in their own time.

      1439

1440. Seeing the Jane Bostocke sampler in person at the V&A was thrilling – going into that dimly lit room and pulling out the wooden tray and thinking that this was made over 400 years ago! I often think of that when stitching, that I’m doing something so many women who have come before have also done!

      1440

1441. Many years ago I saw a piece of blue Chinese silk, that gorgeous, shimmering, robin’s egg blue that makes my heart catch. It was filled with birds in song and flight, and the loveliest flowering branches. It was an exquisite piece of 18th century Chinese embroidery and I’ve never forgotten it. It lingers in my memory the way only the most beautiful things can.

      1441

1442. I was totally inspired the first time I saw Tanja Berlin’s blackwork elephant. I immediately took two online courses with her to learn blackwork and plan to do her elephant design. It’s absolutely beautiful.

      1442

1443. These scissors are so beautiful they would have to hang from a wall as a piece of art for all eyes to study.

      1443

1444. My sister has a beautiful piece of embroidery that my grandmother made when she was young. It is on silk material and is of a couple in a sweet pose, holding both hands in each others, looking in each other’s eyes. It is a very small work, done with silk threads. The French knots are so beautiful! The colors she chose are mostly pastels for the woman. I love to look at it. So many memories of my sweet “Oma” and the beautiful needlework she did!

      1444

1445. My goodness Mary — that IS a tough question!! I still remember going to a quilt exhibit at a museum in San Francisco with a sister and a niece. In it, there were 20 or more Amish quilts. All hand done, all done in different styles. I could not get away from the crazy quilt stitched quilt. It was so wonderful!

      1445

1446. I saw an embroidered bedspread in a national trust property. I was very lucky as the guide very kindly allowed me to step over the rope and examine it in more detail. The stitching was beautiful and it was amazing to think it was hundreds of years old!

      1446

1447. Firstly, I love all forms of handwork. Everything. Embroidery was my own first needlework project, an embroidered pillowcase with the word “Mine” encircled with simple purple flowers. But I think was impressed me most was watching a lace maker. I was at a festival in the French Quarters in New Orleans. Lace makers descended from the Canary Islands were exhibiting their craft of bobbin lace. Calling it a craft is really insufficient. The lace was beautiful, intricate, and time intensive. I could no way understand how they kept track of the many dangling bobbins used to weave this beautiful lace. It was art, achieved by skill and patience.

      1447

1448. I have seen a lot of needlework, but the most memorable is at Rose Hall in Jamaica. There is a room that the walls, bedspread and hangings are entirely crewel embroidery. It is lovely and wow, how much time did that take??? Will never forget it!

      1448

1449. A large canvas with a beautiful wooded landscape that I saw at a local show as a young teen. The creatures and some of the foliage were done in a variety of stitches that gave the piece texture and depth. Some of the background was done in the conventional tent or continental stitch.
      It might not have been the most beautiful I have seen in my life, but it was certainly the most memorable, and it helped shape my lifelong love of needle work.

      1449

1450. Oh my, those scissors are stunning! What started it all for me was my Mom’s needlework. Embroidery and later needlepoint. Her work may not have been amazing but it sure was to me. Later I discovered cross stitch and am crazy about anything Blackbird Designs, through your blog I discovered Trish Burr and Inspirations Magazine and I see jaw dropping needlework with every issue. But for me, my Mom started it all. Thank you for the opportunity and wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!

      1450

1451. The “Quilt of Belonging” (Canada) is a piece of needlework that left me in awe. It’s 36 meters long and takes a very large room to show it off. I remember walking into the hall that it was being displayed and it took my breath away, I honestly had never seen such a large piece of work. The part about the Quilt of Belonging that impressed me the most was the number of stitchers who came together to contribute each block….it truly is a masterpiece.

      1451

1452. The most beautiful needlework I saw was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was a set of bed hangings from the 16th or 17th century, stitched all over in crewelwork designs, from top to bottom – they were exquisite, and I hope you get to see them yourself some day!

      1452

1453. The most beautiful piece of embroidery is the one on the front of the book Goldwork. Am collecting all the pieces so that one day I can try to do it. Tbank you.

      1453

1454. I’m relatively new to embroidery but the pieces that has stuck with me the most are little three dimensional woodland animals. It amazed me and still amazes me that the amount of detail and dimension off the fabric that could be created with something as simple as needle and thread. SIMPLY AMAZING!

      1454

1455. The most memorable piece of needlework that I have experienced is the Bayeux Tapestry. The wonderful soft colors, the meticulous detail, and a story told, make it, not only a beautiful piece of art, but also an important contribution to the history of a major event in history.

      1455

1456. Wow tough one is right! I can’t name a specific piece, but the experience of being in the sampler room of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, with only about an hour (seriously) at the right time to be able to pull out drawers to look at them – unforgettable!

      1456

1457. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I have seen was a piece of Hardanger done by my grandmother that I was shown years after she died. I had taken a Hardanger class and after showing the piece I had done to my mother,she brought out the piece her mother had done. My mother had never known what kind of stitching it was until she saw my piece. It is a treasured link I share with my grandmother.

      1457

1458. That is a hard one, Mary! I recently saw the Bayeux Tapestry and while the embroidery itself isn’t the most beautiful I’ve seen, the magnitude of the work is astounding! To think that all that work went into it and it is still surviving is amazing! I had no idea it was a long as it is! Incredible- and a testament to sticking to something!
      Merry Christmas and thanks for the wonderful give aways!
      Blessings, Carrie Plane Nut

      1458

1459. What an absolutely gorgeous pair of scissors!!!!

      The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen: it has to be a seventeenth century stumpwork casket which I saw about 20 years ago at an exhibition at Sudeley Castle, near Cheltenham, UK. It was in remarkable condition; I was already in love with stumpwork – I was taught stumpwork as a ‘needlelacer’ rather than an ’embroiderer’ – and the casket was simply stunning. An inspiring piece of work.

      1459

1460. This is so hard to decide. When I travel I look for needlework everywhere I go and I have a very generous feed of embroidery on my IG account. I love vintage, modern, ethnic, political, samplers…I love them all. But I guess one piece that sticks in my mind is a recent one by Susan Pickard from Whitstable, England. I love all of her work but one in particular is called “Woman and the Sea”. It’s a modern painterly embroidered piece with a woman in a 40s styled dress and hair with her back to the viewer. She’s standing by the sea on a grassy hill and there is a beautiful sky. This embroidery just captures something for me. I think of it often.

      1460

1461. I’m in love with portraits of 15th-16th century Swabian dresses that have black bodices and one sleeve decked out in amazing embroidery and beadwork.

      1461

1462. Had to answer this. The needlework that made the biggest impression on me had to be the pillowcase that I received from from my gramma. I was probably 4 or 5 years old. You know, that familiar pattern of a woman in a hooped dress holding a parasol and wearing a beautiful hat. It was magical. I was instaneuosly hooked. I wonder upon wonders she was patient enough to teach my sister and me how to stitch. And that was the start of a whole new world of textile art. I don’t know who I would even be without textile art!
      Merry Christmas! Thank you for this site.

      1462

1463. The most beautiful piece of stitching is actually several pieces. Thirty years ago, before I knew much of anything about needlework, on a trip, I accidentally attended a needle arts show. I was astonished by the gorgeous work I saw – I had no idea that such beauty could be created by needle and thread. Upon returning home, I discovered that there was a local chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America in my town. I immediately joined and am still a member. Those needlework pieces I saw on my trip were the most beautiful ever as they lead to my deep enjoyment and love of stitching.

      1463

1464. The one piece of needlework that I always remember is a Hardanger angel a friend made for her tree. It was so beautiful. I thought about it for a couple of years before starting on one for myself. Of course, I think all needlework is beautiful in its own way.

      1464

1465. I still remember a piece off Hardanger that a visiting EGA member showed at our meeting. Her chapter was working on this approx. 16 inch piece that was filling with different filling stitches and designs. The work was so detailed and delicate. I thought I never could do such a piece. Now I am slowly learning Hardanger and hope to improve my skills.

      1465

1466. Probably 30 years ago at the High Museum in Atlanta, there was an exhibit of Chinese art. We spent hours marveling, but the one thing that stands out the most in memory is an embroidery of the head of a woman. Talk about needlepainting! I had to look closely to believe it was thread. It was done on very fine translucent silk with very fine silk thread and both sides were the right side! Beautiful hairdo and elaborate hair ornaments on one side and beautiful facial features and the front side of the hair ornaments on the other side. I think there was a small portion of the back side left unfinished with the threaded needle dangling to help the viewer understand what we were actually looking at, although I may be making this part up after all these years. Of course there were no knots, beginnings or endings to be seen. No question, this was the most perfect and amazing needlework ever!

      1466

1467. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was at an exhibition of goldwork – an exquisite casket with all sides decorated with the most beautiful designs I had ever seen. This piece inspired me to try my own hand at goldwork.

      1467

1468. Hmmm. I haven’t made a study of embroidery yet, so have limited memories to draw upon. “The Chase” from the Williamsburg collection is a beautiful piece. I cross-stitched and embroidered this as a young woman–many years ago! A quilt, different category, made by my great-grandmother is so detailed in the quilting–it is quite a masterpiece. I am looking forward to learning, and seeing more, of this art form in the future!

      1468

1469. My favorite memory of the extremely large sampler I saw at an antique show years ago in England with a wonderful saying: “Tell me know and discerning few were i may find a friend both firm and true who dares stand by me when in deep distress and Then his love and friendship most exprels.” The sampler in England had additional verses (all done one over one), but I was too embarrassed to stand there and copy the additional wording. I have since purchased and antique done by an American, who was loyal to the British during the war. I also have a copy of the Queen Charlotte sampler from the Antique Needlework and Quarterly magazine.

      1469

1470. I haven’t ever seen all that much needlework except for my moms, or maybe on the internet. But for the most part, I have seen many that I am impressed with, but none that stood out separate from the others. I love the needle paintings of animals bought 🙂

      1470

1471. My wife does Hardanger and it never fails to amaze me as I watch the progression
      of her projects. You are asking for the most beautiful… I could name the first, last or
      any in between, but to be able to see the birth, growth and maturity of the entire project
      is always beautiful, which is a blessing over and over.

      1471

1472. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen is a needlepoint designed and stitched by my late mother. I have vague memories of her stitching the piece in the early 1960’s, but have very vivid memories of it hanging on the wall above our piano. I really did not enjoy practising the piano for my lessons and the only thing that made paractising bearable was pausing (much too frequently), to admire her design. It was beautiful to me as a child and I still love it, as it was a romantic scene of a graceful pioneer woman in the yard outside her log home, lovingly tossing feed to her chickens. I have no doubt that that picture influenced our purchase of a log home which we raised and shared many beautiful memories with our family for 26 years.

      1472

1473. I really love the “Alter Kranz” (old wreath) design in Schwalm embroidery by Luzine Happel.

      Judy in Wisconsin

      1473

1474. When the cultural exhibit of Qin Shi Huang, First Emperor of China, toured the US, I had the privilege of seeing it in Columbus OH. The exhibit was set up as if you walked through am Imperial Palace. There were very intricate hand embroideries from the period. I purchased the exhibit book so I could enjoy them over & over again.

      1474

1475. “The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen”. That is really a difficult one to answer. There is a medieval piece at the Art Institute in Chicago that I always stop to see when I am there. It is the Spanish retable depicting the Nativity, Magi etc. in the Medieval Gallery. I always picture a group of nuns working over a large frame, by the window of a room with stone walls. No artificial lighting, no magnifiers, probably no heat and certainly no air conditioning. Mind blowing workmanship that is truly amazing.
      In a more modern vein, the contemporary artist. Martha Fieber, from northern Michigan, always makes me say wow! when I see her work. I have yet to see anyone who can match her thread painted landscape scenes. Stand three or four feet away and you think you are looking at a photo or painting. She really has an artists eye. I would gladly drive to the U.P. if she gave classes.

      1475

1476. A sailing boat created by using only cast on stitch . It was only about 5ins long but so very real looking .
      Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all. Doreen,

      1476

1477. Since I was a young girl, I’m in love with pillowcases stitched by my grandmother when she was a young woman. To my eyes, this is the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen because when I was 7-8 years old, it seems it was like princess pillowcases! My grandmother was not an experimented stitcher, nor she have expensive furniture, but I was very impressed to discover the beauty a person can do only with needle and thread!

      1477

1478. Mary,
      Without having to think about my answer for more than a second, I can tell you that an exhibit I saw at The Canton Museum of Art in Canton, Ohio in 2008 or 2009 was the most amazing display of textiles and embroidery. The artist was Itchiku Kubota and his exhibit was called Kimono as Art. He used silk kimonos as his canvas upon which he combined stitch-resist, ink drawing, embroidery, and a complex layering of colors to create beautiful landscapes. The exhibit moved me to tears. His passion and joy for creating these awe inspiring pieces was clearly evident in every stitch.

      1478

1479. In October 2014, I was told I had an extremely rare disease that no one has ever heard of (even most doctors don’t know of it). I had been working so very hard at work, while progressively getting sicker. Earlier, I had signed up with a friend to go on a stitching roadtrip to Murtle Beach, SC. The day before we were to leave, I found out what I have and was told in no uncertain terms I had to see the doctor in the morning and then begin a round of tests. I said no, I was doing something for me for a change and went on my trip (I saw him four days later). While there, I met a woman working on a one-over-one piece. She’d been working on it for years. It was a Cardinal, which she worked on from a photograph. A stunning piece, and, she was winging it along as she went with no graph (she was three quarters done). To me, this showed talent at the highest level and it made my heart so happy to have seen it and witness it. It was something my soul needed, and it was pure chance that I came across this incredible piece.

      P.S. In the end, I had to retire early and my sister and I returned to our old 130 year old manse in a small town. My sister looks after me and I’m in remission. I continue to love what we create, one stitch at a time. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and also health and every happiness in the New Year.

      Danielle Bielenstein
      328 Court Street
      Portsmouth, VA. 23704

      1479

1480. The “Woven Gold: Tapestries of Louis XIV” displayed in 2016 at the Getty Center in Los Angeles has to be the most awesome, impressive, indescribable needlework I have ever seen.
      However, as impressive as it was, especially the clarity of colors, design, size, and details presented in each piece, the items you continually wow us with in images of your Ecclesiastical work has to be hands down my favorite relatable pieces.

      Thank you for inspiring us in your newsletters and images.

      1480

1481. I think the Owl hanging done by students and teachers at the Birmingham School of Art is my current favorite. It can be seen in the May Morris book. The piece encompasses many things I love: Arts and Crafts embroidery, many tiny figures (the spider!), and accurate but stylized flowers and vines. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a neat prize.

      1481

1482. Was 15 years ago when my daughter was 3 we went on holiday to Arendal Norway and the hotels breakfast room had many whitework needleworks hanging on the walls and it was beautiful to look at all of them, there where also silver decor pieces as decoration and it was a most impressive sight each morning at breakfast, forgot the hotel name but that whitework was beautiful in the morning light of norwegian summer.

      1482

1483. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Mary.

      The most amazing pieces of needlework for me are are the 12 embroideries of the Litany of Loreto, as now held by the RSN. What astounds me is the skillful application of the choice of stitch, the beauty of the refrained palette of colours, the perfection of each stitch drawn to exactly the right place. The wonderful synthesis between expert design and expert execution. I could wax lyrical about these embroideries! They are stunning!

      1483

1484. There is a purple iris that Trish Burr stitched. I have seen it all over Pinterest and I can’t get it out of my mind. It is so delicate, so beautiful that you have to study it to know it is not a photograph. All of her work is amazing, but this purple iris looks so real you would expect it to start swaying in the wind.

      1484

1485. The first thing that came to mind was something my Mom made. A bag in lovely soft pink cloth she embroidered on. Not high art but functional and done with her own hand. Mostly she knit so this is the only stitching I have of hers. I also inherited her hankies and one has exquisite fine stitch work. I am going to frame it. Again functional but delicate and ornate. I guess I’m a practical person and what sticks with me are the things that orbit my life.
      Amazing scissors. I have my fingers crossed.

      1485

1486. The most amazing needlework I have seen are the Bayeux Tapestries. So many stitches! My hands ache just looking at them all.

      1486

1487. I have been lucky to see so many wonderful pieces in the flesh but the one that still sings to me is a tudor cushion in the V&A. The rich red colour of the background complements the gorgeous gold hearts in metal thread that are each filled with beautiful and different flowers. I could stand looking at this piece for hours… sigh. And I love it so much I am working on my own interpretation of it. It won’t be a cushion though. My cats would destroy it on the first day. 🙂

      1487

1488. Embroidery is a multi-generational art in my family. At least five generations that I currently know of. One very special piece to me is actually a grouping of seven hand embroidered flour sack towels that my grandmother gave me as a wedding gift. Now she could have bought something more expensive, but this was my hearts desire to have her embroidery with me everyday. Is it exquisite? As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it just doesn’t get any better. Unless you ask my daughters who each have a hand embroidered baby quilt stitched by my mother. All are unique treasures not just because of the skill behind the needle but the love that is in every stitch.

      1488

1489. Gosh, Mary, that is a tough one!

      The one piece I cannot forget was an embroidered and appliquéd wall hanging of the English monarchs, located in the Assembly Rooms in Bath. Perhaps the most impressive pieces would be the Bayeaux Tapestry in France, or the ” Senses” Tapestries in the Cluney Museum, Paris.again, tough choice!

      1489

1490. Most beautiful piece that I recall is one of my friends stumpwork pieces or maybe her whitework sampler, or her Japanese piece, or… she is so talented everything she makes is gorgeous and inspires me to try different types of embroidery, thanks Hannah (Brandywine River EGA) even though I live in the south now I love visiting and see what’s new.

      1490

1491. The most beautiful embroidery I remember was in Paris in the Cathédrale St-Denis on the ecclésiastique dresses. All the goldwork was so beautiful. In 2016, I went to Paris to Aiguille en fête and Mr. Roulot was there with his beautiful scissors. He is an old man and very near to retirement. It will be a very nice chance to win this beautiful pair of scissors. Merry Christmas Mary.

      1491

1492. The needlework that has impressed me the most, which is also the item that started me wanting to learn how to embroider, was on a shirt. When I was younger my Mom made me an outfit that she had a neighbor embroider a geometric pattern on the collar. I wanted to learn.

      1492

1493. The loveliest piece of needlework I’ve seen was an antique crazy quilt. It must have been a true labor of love!

      1493

1494. This came to my mind when I read the question. I always love to go to the craft pavilion at the fair and once I saw a really beautiful quilt. It had really intricate crazy quilting. It won grand prize. The colors were perfect and the stitching was everywhere. Yes! It was one of the most beautiful needlework. Thank you!!

      1494

1495. I would have to say the most memorable embroidery piece as your pomegranate goldwork. It was what I first saw when I started following your site and inspired me to attempt goldwork one day.

      1495

1496. The Bayeux Tapestry!
      Well, not quite. It was the Bayeux Tapestry-inspired opening credits to the 1958 movie, “The Vikings.”
      Later I found a book of the real tapestry with photos of both sides of the embroidery.
      I think my breath stopped. I was completely taken with it.
      I still am.
      I am entranced by the art of it. I am mesmerized by the history it tells. I am in awe of the women who did the needlework. I am overwhelmed by the tapestry’s own history–being confiscated to cover armaments wagons during the French Revolution!
      Pretty? Beautiful?
      No, it is sublime.
      (And, to me, so is the wonderful wooden box and scissors.)
      It is Christmas Eve. A last “Merry Christmas” to you, Mary!
      Thank you for the wise columns and ideas and photos. I have learned so much.
      jo
      ps Here is an animated version of the Bayeux that I really like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtGoBZ4D4_E

      1496

1497. Choosing the most beautiful needlework I’ve ever seen is truly a daunting task. However, I’ve finally picked one because I often think about it. It’s an award winning quilt by Sieglinde Schoen Smith called Mother Earth and her Children. I finally bought a sampler pattern book because I kept thinking about the quilt. One of these days I will have a table runner. I think I really like it because it inspires a story just by looking at it. I’ve always loved nature and flowers…bugs not so much although when you look closely at them, they are truly remarkable. I love looking at the little children in their smocks.

      1497

1498. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen was at the Imperial Treasury in Vienna, Austria. It was a red velvet cloak that belonged to the Austrian emperor in 1830. It is embroidered in gold threads, featuring a two-headed eagle with a sword and orb in it’s claws. The gold thread embroidery was scattered around the hem of the cloak. Just stunning!

      1498

1499. The most beautiful embroidery I can recall is embroidery my grandmother did, all those years ago. She didn’t have floss in skeins, just all colors jumbled together in a basket. She would reach in and pull out a color she wanted and proceed to work on pillowcases. Her color schemes just had me entranced. I regret that I have none of her work now. But it is ever embedded in my memory.
      The scissors are beyond beautiful. Wouldn’t it be awesome to hold a pair?!

      1499

1500. I recall seeing a man’s nightshirt in blackwork in the textile museum in Bath, England. I had stitched some redwork and only read about blackwork. I was overwhelmed with that garment and everything else I saw there.

      1500

1501. I always enjoy reading articles about your beautiful products. There is nothing better than a cherished pair of fine scissors.

      1501

1502. Those scissors are magnificent!

      The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen is Gay Ann Rogers’ Catherine the Great. The way she conveys sheer fabrics and other design elements is amazing. Someday I hope to acquire all of her queens – and actually stitch them .

      1502

1503. I’m from Portugal, where we have several traditional types of embroidery, some more complex, intricate then others. From the most popular “viana” and “castelo branco”, to the most intriguing and original, like the “azores” straw embroidery on tulle, I can say all these styles can capture your heart!
      So, this is a really difficult question… What makes it “worse” is that during late childhood, I was dramatically exposed to Portuguese embroidery, since my godmother use to give me, every Christmas, a piece of Portuguese embroidery… From a “viana” bag to a “madeira” tray doily, those beautiful pieces that I still keep as a treasure, all had the same effect on me.. I was always mesmerized by the beauty and intrigued, thinking.. “how do they make this?…”
      However, the embroidery piece I have the fondest memories is a very simple and colorful flower motif cross stitch tray mat, that my mother has since her childhood. She showed me this piece when I was a very young child, and I was fascinated by the color combination, the cross stitch itself and all the joy and simplicity of the piece: “Love at first sight!”
      Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

      1503

1504. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I saw, and which made a lasting impression on me, was an ecclesiastical robe in a museum.

      1504

1505. The most beautiful pieces I’ve seen was your coloring book hummingbirds. It inspired me to pick up the needle again and I haven stopped yet.

      1505

1506. The piece of needlework that I’ve not forgotten isn’t old but definitely unforgettable. I had an opportunity to see it in person the early part of June this summer. I happened to be among a small group of ladies that were surprised with a viewing of Rachael Kinnison’s wonderful beaded basket showcased on the cover of the Fall 2014 issue of the Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly. I was amazed at all aspects of the piece. It is filled with intricate flora and fruit and wonderful figures – even the box that houses the basket is beautiful. Rachael is an amazing artist and it was a real pleasure to see it.

      1506

1507. Most beautiful…gosh! I’m such a museum addict, there are bits of needlework everywhere if you look. I’d have to say it was a display of early Christian embroidery in Iceland…the mix of clashing cultures, the story behind how far the materials travelled! A gorgeous wonder!! Merry Christmas

      1507

1508. My “can’t forget” embroidered piece would be a very recent one which is the beautifully executed mushrooms in amongst autumn leaves as posted on Inspirations Magazine Facebook post on 23 November 2017. Judging by the comments left by others I was not the only one who found it intriguing.
      A peaceful Christmas to all.

      1508

1509. I was extremely lucky to see the opus anglicanum exhibition at the V&A. The workmanship in the embroideries was breathtaking-to think of the skill, abilities, workmanship and then the equipment that we use and that they were able to make the speciality threads of gold and other beautiful stones, pearls. I was especially amazed with the Butler-boden cope. Such tiny stitches, such beautiful images……

      1509

1510. G’day Mary,
      This mightn’t make it in time.

      1510

1511. G’day Mary,
      This might be past cut off time.
      At an embroidery exhibition in Sydney an exquisitely beaded and embroidered bodice on an evening gown still has me in awe at the thought of it. It was on white with a floral design in silk shading using different shades of cream.
      Cheers,
      Kath from Oz

      1511

1512. One of the prettiest pieces of embroidery I’ve seen was at an antique shop in a small town. I was looking for a teacup and when I walked by this framed embroidery, it stopped me right there. It was a combination of the colors and simplicity of it that made me love it so much. No, I did not find the teacup I was looking for, but I now own a piece of embroidery that still makes me stop and look at it every time I pass it in my craft room.

      1512

1513. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve seen is possibly your own Hummingbirds! I got addicted to your site while following its progress and I would love to have the time and skill to try a similar piece some time. 🙂

      1513

1514. Every day I am able to enjoy the most beautiful piece of embroidery work that I have ever seen. It may be a simple folk pattern of satin and stem stitches but it was lovingly designed and completed by my late brother. He embroidered at a time when most men did no such thing. The craft provided him with much joy,relaxation and the creative outlet utilized to complete his self-designed folk costumes. Later these items garnered much admiration and now, for me, loving memories.

      1514

1515. I’ve been stitching since around 1977. I’ve see so many amazing and beautiful stitched pieces over those years. The one that sticks out the most for me is one very close to home. My mother, who is now ninety and still stitching, did her first cross stitch piece incorrectly although she didn’t know it at the time.
      Her first passion was needlepoint but she was intrigued by Marilyn Leavitt Imblum (I think she was Butternut Road at the time) and decided to stitch the bride. She had never cross stitched before and didn’t know about stitching over two threads. So, she stitched the whole piece over one thread just like her needlepoint! She also did it on linen because that was what was called for.
      That beautiful piece started me on my cross stitch journey and is still one of my favorite pieces of the many she has done over the years.

      1515

1516. Merry Christmas, Mary,

      The most outstanding example I every saw was not technically needlework, but rather a magnificent modern family history using a variety of yarns, needlework and just creative innovations. The center left shows the family of four on a camping vacation complete with their station wagon, a other scenes including in one area their family home. It was large than poster size and truly impressive.

      1516

1517. I was in Scotland at the castle and the renaissance tapestry – don’t know it’s name but it just spoke to me. Lots of photos to recall but to imagine those many years ago, no electric light, no metal needle – how did they do it.

      1517

1518. We were visiting a relative of a very dear friend and in her home, hanging in her family room was. Beautiful piece of. Needlework depicting field of flowers. Exquisite detail and you could see the amount of care and commitment and love that went into creating it.

      1518

1519. Emily W. beat me to it! Trish Nguyen’s embroidered jacket figures in my dreams. If I had to pick another, it would be the embroidered caskets at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Some day I would like to attempt Trish’s casket.

      1519

1520. Everything at the London V&A museum’s Opus Anglicum exhibition last year. Phenomenal!

      1520

1521. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen that always comes to mind is a Japanese Bunka embroidery picture of a delicately stitched Great Blue Heron.

      1521

1522. A few years ago, a friend and I saw the Interwoven Globe exhibition at The Met. Every item was worth seeing but the one that stood out for me was a yellow silk kimono that was stitched on both sides. It was exquisite.

      1522

1523. I think they are all beautiful!! I really don’t think I can say one is any more of my favorite than another one. But I saw the Lord’s Prayer one time in all its splendor and it was beautifully stitched on linen in all red reminding my of the blood of the Lamb. But just gorgeous. It was in a church I had visited years ago. The church has since burned with the stitchery. But it remains burned in my brain. Would love to re-create it again.

      1523

1524. Last summer I saw some Native American beaded embroidery which has stayed wity me. The designs were simple but beautiful and the workmanship was exquisite.

      1524

1525. My great grandmother made and embroidered the dress that my father was Christened in. It is truly a work of art.
      My three children, and two of my grandchildren also wore it. I’m hopeful that when my grandchildren marry and have children of their own, they too will get the honor and pleasure of wearing it.

      1525

1526. As I walked on the streets in Oslo Norway I was spellbound by all of the May 17 National outfits so many were wearing. Each one showcased beautiful hand stitched embroidery. It was an amazing experience. Unforgettable!!

      1526

1527. The most beautiful amazing piece of needlework that I have seen (in person, and actually touched!) was stitched by a friend who had the amazing good fortune to attend the Royal School of Needlework. Her final project in silk-shading class was a partially opened waterlily floating in a pond. I was amazed at how many shades there are of cream and very pale blush pink! Seeing this lovely piece of work outdoors, with the sunlight dancing across the silk threads, was just magical. My friend’s waterlily did two things for me: made me want to work even harder to hone my skills, and made me realize that needlework truly is fine art!

      1527

1528. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen? It’s a toss up between my first visit to the Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, which was filled with so many exceptional pieces in so many styles that it brought tears to my eyes … or else it was the black merino peplum vest knitted on tiny needles over a century ago. It had tiny jet buttons all down the front, a Peter Pan collar and thousands of stitches. It was found in my grandmother’s linen chest after her death, and was in a small size that wouldn’t have fit her since the turn of the century. But she valued and kept it, and I did the same and was able to wear it many times until moths found it and my girth expanded.

      1528

1529. Many years ago I happened on a small stitchery show. Maybe it was in the Smithsonian, just an intense alcove. This was the first time I’d seen art with threads. At the time I was a college fine arts major but had some basic embroidery experience from bed bound childhood illness. The works I was seeing amazed me. Many stitches, bold colors and totally abstract. I had never seen anything like this. I was enthralled. Also, I think the stitcher was a man. Maybe Eastern Europe, or Russian. A revelation that has remained with me.

      1529

      1. It sounds like the work of fibre artist Kaffe Fasset. At least I think that is how it is spelled!

1530. The most impressive needlework piece I have seen is on a special friends bedroom wall. It is a very large needlepoint scene with a Japanese background. The stitches are unbelievable . So much depth and dimension. Who knew needlepoint could be embroidered.

      1530

1531. The most beautiful piece of embroidery I’ve ever seen was on my mother’s wedding kimono. It was a stunning peacock, with a tail that flowed 5 feet behind her. I’ve always associated peacocks with her because of that masterful embroidery.

      1531

1532. In 2003, hubby and I travelled to Australia for a needlework(me)/wildlife(us)/wine(him) visit. We went to Bowral to see Jane Nicholas’s shop. This is where I saw the masterpiece, the embroidery that was photographed and used as the endpapers to Jane’s first book. Jane’s husband John was at the shop and he let me hold it, fondle it (don’t worry….it was framed), look at it from all angles and even take pictures of it and of me holding it. I also saw many of her pieces from her books and from her classes. Jane wasn’t at the shop, but John called her so that I could speak to her. I did get to meet Jane a few years later when she came to teach in California and I travelled there (with hubby visiting wineyards) to take a class with her. I will always remember my travels to Bowral!

      1532

1533. I can think of nothing better to receive as a Christmas Birthday gift!

      1533

1534. My mother was an avid embroiderer. All my clothes and linens were embellished with beautiful handwork. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized she made everything by hand for us because otherwise we would have to do without for economic circumstances. Ever since I equate all handwork with love.

      1534

1535. Since the term needlework could be defined in a broad manner and since I’ve been a quilter longer than an embroiderer, the most beautiful needlework I’ve seen will be a quilt. I have seen many, many beautiful quilts over the years but this particular one is special for several reasons. “Mary Simon Rediscovered” was made by Nancy Kerns and won the Founder’s Award at the Houston quilt show in 2010. As Nancy was stitching the quilt, she kept notes of fabric, techniques, historical bits and pieces and as she stitched, posted that information on the Baltimore Album Quilt Yahoo group. I didn’t know Nancy then but earnestly read those posts. We did meet later and have become very good friends. I was then able to see in person the progress of that quilt, have touched it (!!!) and was so happy for her when she won the award. She researched fabrics and colors of the era – 1850ish – and as best she could, found reproduction fabrics to match. For those who might not know colors of that era, they are bright and vibrant. Nancy’s applique skills are amazing. Watching the progress of the quilt, first through words and then live and in person, to completion with the beauty of the fabrics and the technical skills makes this quilt the most beautiful needlework I’ve seen.

      1535

1536. Such a difficult question to answer! For me, beauty has to be inspirational and moving to my spirit. I constantly see beautiful embroidery by our own Mary Corbett and surely am inspired and motivated. I attend our yearly State Fairs and am inspired by the beautiful needlework worked with patience and competency. When I attend our local guild meetings and fellow stitchers bring their proud and beautiful sewing pieces to share, I am inspired by my fellow stitchers. I have attended workshops by renowned talented teachers and am motivated and inspired. I read Inspiration Magazine and am wowed by such talent in the world. So I feel I’ve “seen” a lot of sewing that is beautiful, inspirational and motivating to keep my needles (and sewing spirit)moving along.

      1536

1537. There’s one of many tapestries in the Vatican museum with Jesus but as you pass by this particular masterpiece, his eyes follow you down the hall…it’s stunning, inspiring, hauntting and a blessing. We visited in 2014 and remember all the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, the grounds, the Roman Catholic city/country and all of Rome’s beauty.

      Merry Christmas

      1537

1538. Merry Christmas!
      The most beautiful needlework piece I can think of was a quilt made of all cross stitch blocks with lots of embelishments and put together beautifully! It was displayed in a needle workshop.

      1538

1539. I don’t have many museums close by with much for needlework. I was so happy when the National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids had an exhibit with many kroje (national Czech costumes) I took part of the day off. Lovely work and so many ideas like stitching on bands of fabric and attaching them to cuffs, using fish scale for sequins with iridescent glow, or what can be done with only a few colors of thread. I was able to take photos, but sadly it was in the days before I had digital camera so they aren’t the best.
      Gail in Iowa

      1539

1540. The most beautiful piece I ever saw was a large, framed picture of Cinderella coming down the stairs. Her gown was white with seed beads embroidered on it in various shades of blue which seemed to glow. I saw it in a needle craft store 30 years ago. It was so beautiful I think I shall remember that picture probably until I die.

      1540

1541. I first fell in love with the Cluny tapestries. They are just so beautiful.

      1541

1542. The piece that I still remember was a gorgeous pulled thread at an EGA seminar. I did not know about the organization at the time but had taken the afternoon off from work to see their exhibit. After 20 years I still remember standing in front of the piece thinking “this is what I want to be able to accomplish”. A wonderful memory.

      1542

1543. Merry Christmas Mary,

      Thank you so much for all you do for us during the year, I’ve learned so much from you, thanks for
      sharing.
      The most beautiful stitched piece I’ve ever seen was from Teresa Layman, she’s a designer of miniature
      pieces stitched on fine cotton broadcloth done with thousands of French knots. I’m not sure the true name
      of it but it resembled the “Tree of Life”, it was stunning. I’ve stitched several of her pieces.
      Also, at the same miniature show held in Chicago, I also admired this miniature rug done in 40ct. silk gauze
      replicating an antique Persian rug 8″ x 10″, in Needlepoint, absolutely exquisite.

      Teri

      1543

1544. Wow, these scissors are a work or art. I would love to own a pair like these

      1544

1545. I was truely impressed by a baptismal gown belonging to my best friend Lulu. It had been in her family for 4 generations. It is exquisite b/c of the attention to detail in the French hand sewing and the embroidery. The delicate cotton batiste fabric, fine thread, Swiss lace and floss used are no longer manufactured. It’s been 30 years ago that I had the good fortune to see this work of art created by the loving hands of a talented woman for the babies in her family.

      1545

1546. Hands down for me it is the four season wall quilt in Deloraine, Tasmania. This work of art was a community project where individuals used a variety of methods of appliqué and stitching depicting a village scene on four very large silk panels. The work and attention to detail is outstanding.

      1546

1547. I have seen many pieces of beautiful needlework in my life but unfortunately I have memory problems and can’t remember specifics. One I do remember, though, is a beetle stitched in goldwork that was in a show of needlework by EGA members. It was a wonderful sight to behold.

      1547

1548. I would have to say that it was an altar front in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It was stitched by wounded soldiers convalescing from World War I. It was simply beautiful and the colors were astonishingly bright. And St. Paul’s was the perfect home for it – magnificent, awesome, and a national treasure. I think that those soldiers must have found peace and comfort in the stitching of that amazing work. Stitching is such a transformative and creative endeavor that it must have helped them in their recovery. It really is beautiful and inspirational – a must see if you are ever in London.

      1548

1549. The Three Magi that my wife has stitched several years ago. It also impressed our eldest son so much, he got “dibs” on it before it was even finished.

      1549

1550. The most beautiful and memorable piece of needlework I have seen was the Unicorn tapestry exhibited at the Cloister Museum in New York City. It was one of several tapestries, but there was something about the subject matter that ‘fed my soul’. I have never forgotten it even though it was over fifty years ago!

      1550

1551. These are the most wonderful sissors that I have seen. It would be the most wonderful thing to use them. Would guatd them like gold so they would never cut anything except thread.

      1551

1552. I love the Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria Facebook page for the variety and beauty of all their postings. Recent ones on felting and Hardanger make me want to try those techniques and the examples of embroidery on contemporary couture make me envious of those who make such beauty and those who wear it. I know this isn’t an exact answer to your question but I am impressed daily by their postings.

      1552

1553. Hands down my favorite needlework is a gorgeous stumpwork garden cottage. I believe it was in Inspirations and I also think you featured it right here. Unfortunately, I don’t know it’s name or it’s designer but I’ll never forget it’s magical beauty!

      Merry Christmas!

      1553

1554. I’ve seen some truly magnificent pieces of needlework in my time but my ability to remember the names of the pieces or the stitchers has gotten unfortunately sketchy. I can tell you that one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen in recent years was your Secret Garden Hummingbirds from this very site. I love the curvy, loopy design, your beautiful stitch work, and best of all those gorgeous colors. Every single photo made me smile. It was an absolute joy watching it develop from inspiration to completion.

      1554

1555. Merry Christmas to everybody!
      It’s not easy to answer this question. I have seen many masterpieces on the Internet but I think I have to give credit to something that I have seen in real life. So,the most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is a silk handkerchief at the Benaki museum in Athens, Greece. It is part of a dress that comes from Istanbul (if i remember well 18th cent). A very delicate and well stitched piece that speaks to my heart.

      Love and peace!
      G.

      1555

1556. My Mum was always doing some sort of needlework when I was growing up. The most beautiful and stunning petit point picture which hung in our livingroom, was what enticed me to start needlework. The flowers in this picture look real with all the shading and colors. It’s beautifully framed with a velvet matting and an antique frame.

      1556

1557. Wow – this was a really hard one to answer as i’ve Seen so many beautiful and wonderful pieces of embroidery.

      I would have to say my first issue if Inspirations – Issue 46 which had several projects for babies. The Round and round the garden by Sandra English and Day Dreams by Libby Vater were what inspired me to get back into embroidery and create pieces I hope are treasured. I own every one of Jane Nicholas’s books and am working up the courage to tryout stumpwork soon.

      Merry Christmas!

      1557

1558. First of all, Merry Christmas!

      The most beautiful piece of needlework I can remember is certainly not the most accomplished: it is a simple crewel work piano bench seat cover designed and stitched by my mother for her mother. A lovely pattern of multicolored stripes in jewel tones. I was about six years old when she was working on it and to me it was like a magic carpet of color.

      Happy holidays to you and best wishes for a healthy and colorful new year,
      Dectora

      1558

1559. The daughter of a friend of mine died at 23. My friend was working on a sampler and it took her a long time to go back to it, but she did. The sampler was lovely, but the meaning behind it was more memorable. She is getting back to some semblance of her life. I think that we create beauty in so many ways and while some of our work will never win awards, it is why we do it and what it means to us that is so important.

      1559

1560. I have yet to see a work in person that fits your description. I need to go to more shows! I am inspired by Nicola Jarvis’ work.

      1560

1561. Seeing the Unicorn tapestries in the Cluny museum in Paris was an amazing experience. I sat in awe for quite a while in the room where they were hanging and can still remember the feeling I had looking at them. I would really like to go back and see them again.

      1561

1562. The most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen was a wedding kimono in Japan. The embroidery was so mostly goldwork and the gown was incredibly heavy.

      1562

1563. Nearly twenty-five years ago I visited Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux, Normandy, France, and viewed the Bayeux Embroidery. Viewing this 70-meter long, 900-year old tapestry remains vivid in my memory even today. It is a beautiful surviving example of Anglo-Saxon embroidery. Its beauty also comes from its historical significance as an example of medieval narrative needlework. I found it beautiful for the richness of its colors after centuries and for the detail of its embroidery. The Bayeux Embroidery chronicles historical scenes leading to and including depiction of the Norman conquest of England. It is embroidered in crewel with wool yarns on linen. Its colors remain vivid to this day.

      1563

1564. The most memorial and beautiful piece of embroidery that I have ever seen in person is the Plimoth Plantation jacket reproduction. It has the bobbin lace that I love, stump work, goldwork, needlelace, crewel stitching. It was researched, stitched by many and awed by everyone who was fortunate enough to see it. A true tribute to the art of needle and thread and those of us who keep these techniques alive.

      1564

1565. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen is the ecclesiastical embroidery in the Vatican museum. Breathtaking!

      1565

1566. The most beautiful needlework: I am primarily a quilter but started my stitching life as embroidery with my grandmother. She didn’t have much money and made pillowcases and tea towels. There are many grander and more impressive works but the most beatiful to me is the doll that was made from one of her pillowcases with the crocheted/embroidered edge as the skirt. My daughter now has it.
      Diana in AZ

      1566

1567. The most memorable piece of needlework I’ve see is the Bayeux Tapestry. Having learned to embroider at an early age, I’ve always wondered what other stitchers were like and under what circumstances they worked. To have captured a remarkable period of one’s history in thread is just an incredible feat and makes me wonder still about those anonymous needle women.

      1567

1568. Thanks to the Internet I have been able to experience many and varied embroideries and needlework. The varieties of styles and materials is astounding to witness. I am enthralled with this and cannot choose one,similar to choosing one candy from a beautifully presented box of chocolates. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

      1568

1569. Beautiful. I would love to have these in my sewing room.
      Thanks so much.

      1569

1570. Scissors- a stitcher can not have too many pairs of scissors. Although, if like me, I have my favorite.

      1570

1571. When I was 16 my stepmother gave me a book on the history of crewel embroidery. In it was a photo of an English bedroom from centuries before. A heavily embroidered bedspread with draperies all around. My teen-aged mind was blown by the lavish work and how long it must take taken to do.

      1571

1572. My hometown is Lawrence, KS. Many years ago, the Spencer Museum of Art had a special dispay of Carrier A. Hall’s quilts. I spent hours studying them and went back numerous times. My grandmother taught me to quilt when I was nine. For years, I thought I was the only one who lived and breathed needlework. Such a revelation to see her work and recognize her passion, also!

      1572

1573. Last year I visited a museum mostly devoted to Native Americans in the Branson, MO area. They had many displays of Native American bead work. I was dazzled by the intricate designs and the gorgeous colors. It took me a long time to go through because I kept staring in awe at the gorgeous floral designs. One day, I’d love to try peyote bead work.

      1573

1574. Hi Mary
      What a beautiful and generous giveaway! They compare in exquisiteness to the Madeiran embroidered tablecloths I had the opportunity of viewing in Funchal a few years back. I can only dream of owning such beautiful items ….
      Wishing you a wonderful festive season.

      1574

1575. Twenty years ago a friend and I went to Europe and it was during this trip I realized the depth of needlework arts which was far beyond my experience of the stem stitch and cross hatch on gingham. What I remember in general was the Italian tapestries, their detail and beauty. However, what I fell in love with was lace making on the island of Burano , which was becoming a lost art at that time. I purchased a beautiful piece of lace that has graced my dresser for all these years. The discovery of handmade lace was an ahh moment for me.

      1575

1576. This is a hard one to answer. I’ve enjoyed thinking about all the famous needlework I’ve seen: Unicorn tapestries at the cloisters, Bayeux tapestry, EGA national embroidery, lovely Asian silk embroideries in many museums, but none of them are the correct answer. I think I’m more drawn to whitework or applique on fine linens, or touches of embroidery on clothing – but no single example stands out. I have to go with the felt Christmas ornaments my mother made each year – they got more skillful each year – but the ones I can instantly picture are her earliest, basic circles with applique, rickrack, braid, beads and simple stitches. These I can picture without looking. They have the colors that first appealed to me: hot pink, red, turquoise, gold – nothing muted. And most of all, they bring her to mind.

      1576

1577. During my time at the University of Britsh Columbia in Vancouver taking a Home Economics degree in the 1980s, I had the good fortune and privilege to see some Pre-Columbian textile fragments at the Museum of Anthropology. It was amazing to imagine something so old being preserved for people today to see. Thank you so much to Professor Bracher for taking us there!

      1577

1578. My Mom started working on a unicorn quilt when I was 7 years old. As time went on, life got busy and the unicorn quilt was forgotten. Today, Christmas Day, at the age of 37, I received that same unicorn quilt that my Mom started when I was 7 years old. 30 years later, I still am in love with the embroidery work on this quilt. I will forever cherish this quilt.

      1578

1579. The most impressive piece of needlework I’ve ever seen was a stumpwork scene from the 17th century at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. It was in a display of furnishings and was hanging on a wall by itself. The detail of stitching was incredible. I took many close up photos of its construction.

      1579

1580. The piece of stitching that impressed me was one my sister-in-law did of a Native American woman. The colors were part of the reason. The rest is the stitches. Her dedication for carefully laying each thread was priceless. She does some marvelous work and I can’t help but remember that piece.

      1580

1581. Merry Christmas! This is a tough question for me. I don’t know that I have only one “most piece of beautiful needlework.” I’ve seen so many breathtaking pieces in exhibits, in museums, in various houses…there just isn’t one.

      I will say I think the most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is coming out of Australia. The stumpwork and ambroidery is just exquisite.

      1581

1582. The most beautiful piece of needlework was the stitching on a cowboy shirt that my mother made. To my very young mind the stitches were perfect and the colors beautiful. I was so proud to see my sister wear it.

      1582

1583. Mary,

      I think that the Plimoth Jacket is the most beautiful piece of needlework that I have ever seen. When I think of embroidery it is the one piece that comes instantly to mind.

      Happy Holidays,
      Heather

      1583

1584. Wow–that’s a tough question! I guess that the most memorable piece I’ve seen was a sampler of Brazilian embroidery by a woman in Wyoming whom I was interviewing. (I am a folklorist, and I interview and document traditional artists–like embroiderers, woodcarvers, Bluegrass musicians, etc.). Seeing that piece got me to go back to my own embroidery work, after about 20 years of not doing it, and it motivated me to learn some new techniques– a journey I am still continuing.

      1584

1585. When I was doing hand therapy, I had a native American come in and as my first degree was Clothing, Textiles & Design, I always have an interest in different styles from different cultures. This woman did the most fantastic beading using the tiniest of beads for all-over work. She brought me on spectacular ceremonial dress to show me and I was awe-struck!
      I feel bad to this day because she brought this dress in an ordinary plastic bag. Well, she took it home and placed it on the floor … unfortunately, her mother thought it was garbage and through it out in the trash!!! I feel guilty that if she hadn’t shown it to me, it never would have been placed in a bag and mistaken for garbage. Maybe I don’t even deserve to win a prize with this story.
      Well, Merry Christmas to whomever does and to all your subscribers!

      1585

1586. Those are beautiful!

      1586

1587. Hi – the most exquisite needlework I have seen was the glorious embroidery on a Victorian era wedding dress in a small, country town museum in outback Queensland, Australia. Tiny, perfect stitches in white thread and seed pearls outlining bird and floral shapes across the bodice and around the hem line. No doubt the stitcher lovingly worked at it over many, many evenings by candlelight after the day’s chores were completed. 130 years later it was still a beautiful piece of embroidery.

      1587

1588. The needlework that has impressed itself on my mind so as to never forget it was done by my grandmother. It is not as impressive as some things online but is still very good. She made a ladies handkerchief of fine cloth and edged it with about 2+ inches of very fine tatting. I still have it and hope to anchor the tatting so that I can remove the cloth and mount it as the part of the edging of a picture frame. I can’t remember any surface embroidery of hers but she likely did some as she also did many other kinds of handwork such as Berlin woolwork, miles of crochet lace, granny’s flower garden quilts (by hand), rag rugs with flower designs, knitting, etc.

      1588

1589. I don’t think it was one particular piece but it was seeing 17th century needlework done in the UK done by Mary Queen of Scots were she intertwined messages with her work,
      .

      1589

1590. I have been deeply impressed by Sue Symon’s Bath Abbey Diptychs.

      1590

1591. The most beautiful needlework I can recall is Katherine Duiguid’s creation of a wedding dress she did as her thesis project. She used silver metallic threads along with beads for her “Dollar Duchess”. I have been fortunate to be in one of her classes and it was a real treat.

      1591

1592. My most memorable embroidery was the 10’ by 3’ (yes feet!) light blue silk piece my Mom bought in Singapore in the 70s. She had it framed and hung on their bedroom wall for 30 years. It had flowers and birds all over it embroidered in brightly colored fine silk. I wish I had kept it as I now have a spot for it!

      1592

1593. Although it is difficult to choose, I would have to say that a favorite of mine was Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress which included the flowers of the four countries in the U.K.: rose for England, leek for Wales, thistle for Scotland, and shamrock for Ireland. Many, many hands work hours on special royal garments. I think it is done by the Royal School of Needlework. These sharp scissors would be essential to do such fine work. It would be wonderful to see these pieces in person.
      Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to all!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

      1593

1594. Having had little opportunity to travel to see some of the beautiful European embroideries, I can’t really say one piece is the most beautiful. However, when I was a child, my mother gave me two pieces for my “hope chest”. a cushion top done in what I now know was Turkey work, and a (rather hideous) ‘Colonial lady” in a combination of tatting and crochet. Both are long gone, never used, but I think they made me want to learn to do needlework.

      1594

1595. I’m going to stretch the definition of needlework a bit and say the most beautiful is a collection of kimonos by Itchiku Kubota. But if we have to go strictly by needlework, there was an embroidered/bejeweled skirt, most likely from a runway collection, I saw displayed in the window of a shop about 2 decades ago that I still remember.

      1595

1596. I fell in love with the Caswell quilt after seeing the tapestry at the Cloisters in Manhatten. The tapestry was exquisite. The details were amazing.

      1596

1597. Years ago when visiting the lace museum in Brussels, it was the lace collection that I can still see in my mind. Just exquisite needlework.

      1597

1598. Happy holidays! This is a very difficult question. Being fairly new to the world of needlework – I have always admired many pieces, and while drawn to them I do not remember the names. While traveling in Europe, I recall seeing the works of art with the most amazing detail, colors and craftsmanship in the Vatican and St Paul’s cathedral. Many of them were actual “clothing” (?) head pieces/hats (?) that the Pope or various clergy wore. (my apologies..not being Catholic, I do not know the correct terminology). As I was studying many of these pieces, I remember thinking how each item must have taken so long to create. Also – thinking that the talent had to have been wrapped in much love and devotion. Some were centuries old. I am grateful that they’ve been preserved for many to admire in awe.

      1598

1599. I think the most beautiful piece I can clearly remember is an Afghan my mother embroidered on for my grandmother. I can clearly recall her working on it stitching pansies on it and working long hours to get it finished in time for Christmas. I am very fortunate to have the afghan now and truly cherish it. Both my Mom and Grandma were very special people and even though they are not here now, they still inspire me.

      1599

1600. Cynthia Jackson’s goldwork shoe . Absolutely stunning goldwork stiletto. Beautifully worked.

      1600

1601. The prettiest embroidery would have to be a vest my mother completed as a child. Although it clearly lacks any sophisticated skill , the beauty shines through the story it tells about who she is as a person. It amazes me to think at only 7 years old she was already creating such creative pieces all on her own!

      1601

1602. The experience of seeing art in person and seeing an image of that work just does not compare. I was just stunned when I saw Sally Mavor’s “Bird of Beebe Woods” and “Rabbitat”in an exhibit. I was familiar with images of both, but the reality is so much more! Sally’s personal take on stumpwork, gorgeous use of color, and impeccable stitching is amazing.

      1602

1603. The most beautiful artwork I have ever seen is a flag sampler by rosewood manor.

      1603

1604. In 1974, LeeWards put out a catalogue called “China in Needlepoint.” I still have it. It has many beautiful pieces but “Gold Fish”, a double-sided silk embroidery piece still blows my mind.

      1604

1605. The most exquisite Embroidery I have seen in person is a 3 x 3 petit point piece. It was a pastoral scene with so many details that were so small. the person that created this owned the shop to go to in Memphis for all your needlework supplies. It was magnificent.

      1605

1606. The most beautiful pieces of embroidery I ever saw were done with 1 strand of silk on very fine gauze. They were large pieces with floral designs or birds. They were truly incredible.

      1606

1607. My favorite changes constantly, but one piece of embroidery that stopped me in my tracks was by Sally Mavor. Her Birds of Beebe Woods that was featured on the cover of EGA’s Needlearts magazine was exquisite! Her 3-d rendering of various birds were a combination of thread painting and stumpwork. Amazing detail. Just phenomenal.

      1607

1608. I have been to many museums and appreciated the beautiful needlework on display but the most beautiful needle work I have ever seen is a pair of needlepointed owls that my mother-in-law stitched for me and my husband. The back of the each framed owl has a handwritten note from her telling my husband and myself how she prayed for us as she stitched them. They are priceless to me.

      1608

1609. It was an elaborate quilt by Marie Anne Codiac named” Now I know my ABC’S”. Marie is a US citizen but grew up in France and learned to stitch beautifully. After she completed an intricate Jacobean pattered quilt with many three dimensional flowers done mostly with Batiks, she outlined each piece with tiny stiches in gold metallic thread. Then the whole piece was hand quilted. She won our Cape Fear Quilter’s Show two years ago and then again in at least two National contests.

      I watch Marie Anne work on this, one block at a time. Sometimes she would redo parts of the design because the colors did not quite fit. Marie Anne used embroidery threads to hand embroider smaller details and give a realistic look to her quilt.

      1609

1610. Describe the most beautiful piece of needlework you’ve ever seen, that impressed itself on you so much that you can still recall it!

      Merry Christmas, Mary!

      In answer to your question, I can’t say I’ve ever seen either of these two pieces in person – but the first one is the clearest image that pops into mind – it’s the stumpwork casket with the shepardess, sheep, lamb, dog under an oak tree, that (I think) is in Windsor Castle. That is a marvel of 3-D stitching!

      The second piece that pops into mind, among many others is Susan Elliott’s Sailor’s Valentine. (And her Bird in a Nest, and the Japanese Bridge, the Giving Tree purse, and oh -well, so many of her pieces.) She tells deeply touching stories through her stitching in her blog. Life must be busy, I miss seeing her work – she’s so inspiring on so many levels.

      1610

1611. I can’t choose one piece of embroidery but can recollect the day many years ago when I visited Montacute House in Somerset (England) and seeing the exquisite Goodhart collection of samplers. This completely opened my eyes to expand my stitching beyond cross stitch and I have learned many more techniques to use in samplers and other pieces. I still love visiting the collection and go most years and still am amazed at the beautiful stitching created hundreds of years ago.

      1611

1612. The Plimouth Plantation reproduction jacket of 1610. Absolutely stunning!

      1612

1613. I was typing my most beautiful and it disappeared. Must have hit the wrong button. Hope it was the post button.

      1613

1614. Have seen much beautiful embroidery since, but I’ve remembered this one for over 50 years. I met a young man in college whose hobby was embroidery. Beyond the fact that it had never occurred to me that men might do embroidery, he was also doing a style of embroidery I’d never seen: very fine threads, which he said were silk; elaborate designs, mostly geometric but some animals; and the same on both sides. He worked on almost transparent fabric so the images looked like they were suspended. My favorite, and the one I remember, was a rather stylized peacock.

      1614

1615. Wow! This is a toughie. My grandmother was am extremely gifted needlewoman. No matter what she picked up, she made it gorgeous. She could take your measurements & lay newspaper on the floor & design a wedding gown. Then of course she made it. But that was only one of the many things she did.
      Perhaps I’m feeling nostalgic but she crocheted an afghan once with a cro-hook & then went back & embroidered flowers all over it. She passed away before finishing it & my dad made sure that I had it to finish. That was in 1978 & it’s still in my stash waiting for me. Maybe before I pass away. I just don’t know what to do with it because there is no matching yarn.
      My New Year’s focus???? Perhaps.

      1615

1616. The most beautiful piece of needlework/embroidery I have ever seen is framed and hanging on my wall. It is a 5′ diameter Christmas tree skirt, with the twelve days of Christmas represented around the entire hem. It was crafted with love and care by my mother, to give to me upon the birth of my first child. It took her three years. The hem has lace sewn all around, and each figure is 5″ of satin, stem, and chain stitch. Underneath the figures is a unbroken “ribbon” of stem stitch. The letters of description are worked in tiny backstitch (they are 3/4″ tall).

      When I look at it, I don’t just see the years, the skill and the patience required to make such a beautiful work of art. I feel her love.

      1616

1617. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen was my mother’s needlepoint version of “1776” to celebrate our country’s bicentennial back in 1976.

      1617

1618. Well, I walked away from the computer to ponder this question, but no one piece comes to mind. I always admire embroidery that I find in museums, and especially fashion pieces from centuries ago.

      1618

1619. A table cloth embroidered by my merchant seaman uncle for my parents. He used Assisi technique and I have now inherited it.

      1619

1620. I visited a small museum in Aberdeen while my daughter was studying abroad there. While not grand like the museums in Venice and Rome that we saw later, this small museum had a lovely crewel worked bed cover that I found totally charming. Perhaps not the most glorious piece of embroidery, but the image has stuck with me 9 years later and I have to think it was my favorite textile piece of the whole trip.

      1620

1621. Doing “handwork” was always a part of life growing up. Soon after I joined EGA , a group of us went to an exhibit at EGA national headquarters. I was awestruck!! I had never seen such beautiful work and so many different kinds of handwork.. I wanted to put away all of my pieces, maybe into the garbage. After a bit of talking to myself, I decided that life was not a contest. Now I am a “sponge ” stitcher, I have tried many, many techniques and and everyday is an adventure with my stitching stuff.

      1621

1622. Forty-five years ago I visited the Bayeux Tapestry, and still find it the most beautiful piece of needlework I have seen in person. It tells a magnificent story in yarn with majesty and little touches of humanity. I worked a small piece of it three years ago, and am more enamored than ever.

      1622

1623. The most impressive embroidery I have seen that I still remember is one I saw at a history museum. Everything was embroidered with only white thread, maybe silk. It was the directions and different stitches that made up the picture and not different colors. The detail of the woman`s face pictured was amazing. I could have stayed there much longer than I did. Unfortunately I havn’t found it since they rearranged the exhibits at the museum.

      1623

1624. I have seen many pieces of beautiful Malaysian embroidery. I am from Malaysia and some of the traditional embroidery is beautiful. I would gift my wife these scissors.

      1624

1625. I love the unicorn tapestries that are at The Cloisters in NYC. I am a knitter and would love the scissors.

      1625

1626. My favorite piece of embroidery, that I will always hold in my heart, was an old Japanese Obi, that was an antique that my mother had found. It had gold work pine cones and incredible plants and flowers, yards and yards worked by hand. My mother usually used it for a table runner on her huge mahogany asian dinner table. I can still enjoy seeing the parts of it in my mind. Thanks for helping me to conjure those memories.

      1626

1627. My favorite piece of embroidery is the Bayeux Tapestry. I even have a tie based on this tapestry. My wife does hand work and she would love these stunning scissors.

      1627

1628. I am making a scissors case in boutis technique, and this scissors would be perfect for it!
      So many memories from when I was a child involve needlework. When my brother was born, my grandma came and helped my mom tie a quilt. I made such a pest of myself because I wanted to help that I was sent outside. My mother received a gift of embroidered dish towels, and I pested my mom until I received a kit to make my own. A blazer when I was a teenager had a gold work badge on it, still haven’t gotten the courage to take that up.
      I don’t remember a specific project at the first show I went to put on by my guild, but the work was so gorgeous I knew I wanted to hang out with these people. I’m still a member.
      Blessings!
      Jane

      1628

1629. I would dearly love to own these exquisite scissors! …As for my most remembered piece of needlework, there is a rare early 1620s French embroidered silk doublet at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City that just makes my heart sing. I love everything about it. The floral motifs, the gold color of it, the detailing and style. The gentleman who wore it must surely have been a beautiful sight to behold!

      1629

1630. While on an embroidery workshop tour in France I was told about The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries on display at the Musée National du Moyen Age (Musée de Cluny) in Paris. I had not heard of these before but made the effort to view them. The images and detail have stayed with me ever since.
      There are six tapestries in the collection, generally interpreted as representing the five senses and a resolution of understanding and acceptance.
      These tapestries are coming to Sydney next year – so looking forward to seeing them again!

      1630

1631. The piece of embroidery that resonates with me the most may not be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen but it’s always the first that comes to mind when asked. It’s the sampler my great-grandmother did in the late 1890’s when she was just a girl. I am blessed to have it hanging in my home. It initially inspired me to pick up needle and thread and it continues to inspire me every day. She passed away more than 30 years ago at the ripe old age of 94 and was always sewing or stitching something and she will always be in my heart. Merry Christmas!

      1631

1632. I believe the most beautiful needlework piece I have seen was a hand appliqued/embroidered/quilted Baltimore Garden quilt displayed at a local quilt show. The colors were beautiful and the workmanship was exquisite.

      1632

1633. One of the most beautiful pieces of needlework I have ever seen is a wall hanging at Standen, a National Trust property in the UK. It is a Morris & Co kit that the ladies of the house stitched. The flowers are wonderful and I love the fact that the family put so much of themselves into the making of this fantastic piece.

      Ann H in Delaware

      1633

1634. I first saw the Quaker Tapestry at it’s headquarers in Kendal, England. I’ve since seen it 3 times and made a piece of my own design using crewel wool and the same woven background fabric. The story behind the tapestry’s original development, the embroiderers, the colours and design of each panel tells it’s own story and the inspiring people who form the Quaker movement. I’m not a Quaker, but it doesn’t stop me being in awe of the beauty in the panels and the story they tell.

      1634

1635. A few years ago, I visited the Abbey at Melk in Austria. There were several examples of religious garments hand embroidered, some of them quite old. One in particular stood out for me, the ‘cloak’ which was displayed to show the back, was exquisitely and densely embroidered in gold and silk threads on a white (satin or silk) background. The varieties of gold ‘threads’ was amazing, using many different embroidery techniques. This prompted me to explore the world of gold work embroidery, and while I have only completed one project, I am keen to continue to learn and improve my goldwork skills – knowing I will never attain the skills that were required for this magnificent garment.

      1635

1636. That is just too hard. I have been to many embroidery guild displays and some of the work is just beautiful. And you think to yourself that you can never get to that standard. But other people think your work is great so dont be hard on yourself. You are the only one to see the imperfections. All embroidery is lovely. Its all in the eye.

      1636

1637. It is hard name the most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen so I will go with the one that inspired me to try more unique, free-form stitchery. The piece is called “Guardians of the Mermaid Garden” in one of my favorite books “Elegant Stitches” by Judith Baker Montano.

      1637

1638. The example of needlework that I found most memorable is not stunningly beautiful or museum quality, but I will never forget how it made me feel. A friend who immigrated to the United States from Russia has in her home an art applique piece she created that depicts her family (herself, husband, daughter, and young son) at the seaside. The choice of fabrics for the landscape and the people and the overall piece was very nicely done, but what was most beautiful about it was the fact that it was a snapshot of this family at that point in time, and the love my friend felt comes through so strongly that I shall never forget it.

      1638

1639. My favorite needlework piece is a Tuscarora beaded pincushion from the 1800s, rescued from a flea market bargain table.
      Though delicate as a snowflake in appearance, its sturdy construction has kept the piece intact all these years. Dimensional flowers, leaves and flourishes of innumerable tiny white and crystal beads set against an age faded red background are a feast for the eyes! It is also a delight to (gently) trace all the glass swirls with one’s fingers.

      1639

1640. The most beautiful needlework I’ve seen is the ecclesiastical embroidery in the Dallas Museum of Art’s collection. Before I saw it, I didn’t realize something created to be utilitarian could also be museum-quality art

      1640

1641. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I’ve ever seen is a beautiful thread painted dog that won best in show at a Woodlawn NeedleArts show. It was a wondrous piece by a very talented stitcher. I will never forget the remarkable likeness of the dog…just touched my heart. Thanks for the opportunity of possibly winning my passion.!

      1641

1642. The most beautiful piece of needle work I ever saw was a collection of gigantic kimonos stitched by Itchiku Kubota displayed at the Canton Museum of Art in 2009. Each piece required a year of work using a technique developed by Kubota. Most of the kimonos depicted either landscapes or seascapes. Some used warm oranges and reds and other used cool blues and greens. I would like to see the collection return to the U. S. so I could view it again.

      1642

1643. I am always in awe of the samplers from early days when they didn’t have all the good lights we have now. In museums I have admired some done on silk with cross stitches so small you can hardly see them and done by young girls. How did they do it?

      1643

1644. I live in a very isolated place and there fore have not seen too many embroideries in person. However of those I hve seen, the ones that were most memorable were the embroidered silk kimonos in an exhibit in the De Young museum several years ago. It is difficult for me to imagine people actually wearing such delicately embroidered clothing.

      1644

1645. The most beautiful embroidery I have ever seen is still the first I ever saw…my mum’s crewel work of a floral bouquet of poppies, roses and irises. I was too little to understand the time and talent that went into it, so the older I get and the more I learn, the more beautiful and amazing it grows!

      1645

1646. My friend is stitching a cross-stitch design by Heaven and Earth. I think it is the most beautiful stitched piece I have personally seen. It is all over 1 and and looks like a painting. Other than that, I love everything you post, it always inspires me to do more and try more.

      1646

1647. My sister and I were on a dream trip to England over 20 years ago and indulged ourselves visiting museums and cathedrals. We saw an archbishop’s cope, maybe the Jubilee cope at St. Paul’s Cathedral, heavy white fabric, gorgeous embroidery, created by many Stitchers. I can’t remember details, but can remember walking around and around the display case with my nose close to the glass and looking at the gold and intricate stitching. When you asked your question, this was the thing that came to my mind.

      1647

1648. I recently saw a completed section of the Thistle Threads casket project. If I had to name one piece, it has to be the most amazing piece of stitching I’ve ever seen. But we also have a few pieces my grandmother did–roses done in padded satin stitch, perfectly stitched–that amaze me.

      The scissors are so beautiful. What lovely workmanship, and what lovely gifts you are offering. I would love to have this beautiful tool to use.

      1648

1649. The most beautiful piece of needlework that I have ever seen is a crazy quilt that a distant aunt made for my mother. She used wonderful flosses and a variety of stitches against many different kinds of fabric. Looking at the quilt now, I realize how many different stitches she used and the combination of stitches for different effects. It is a cherished possession in our home now and I still marvel at its complexity.

      1649

1650. The most beautiful needlework I remember was 40 years ago in “the yellow fever church”. It was an altar cloth at St. Jude’s church & my mother made us attend a novena there. I was amazed at the intricate white needle work & the hand made lace at the edges of the cloth. My mother said the ladies of the parish would embroidery the altar clothes while saying the rosary.

      1650

1651. The most beautiful needlework: handmade edge lace on a family pillowcase, done by a family member, anonymous as much of this work is, but powerful because it was done by an ancestor, and a beautiful decoration for the place you lay your head every night.

      1651

1652. My mother made white sundresses for my young daughters and embroidered Bambi in a forest of flowers along the hem and flowing up the front/side of the dresses. Colors were beautiful and her work was always exquisite looking as good on the inside as outside. Still have the dresses.

      1652

1653. Scissors…scissors…scissors!! I love embroidery scissors! This exquisite pair would be pure joy to have and use. My favorite are are a pair of German stork scissors that my grandmother gave me in 1966. Although a bit wonky, they are still my go-to’s and rest within reach, next to my chair, in a sewing cabinet I use for hand sewing projects.

      1653

1654. I haven’t seen too many needlework pieces in person. One that I did see though that really made an impression was a beautiful large crazy quilt! It was amazing with sequins and spangles- things I would not have thought to use. I just wanted to memorize it forever.

      1654

1655. A good friend and needlework mentor stitched one of Trish Burr’s beautiful little birds. It is so striking and the colours are so vivid, that from a distance, it appears to be a painting. It inspires me to want to be good enough to stitch one myself some day.

      1655

1656. This is a hard question! I think one of the most beautiful items I have seen was at the state fair – not quite as grand a location as some of the other comments. I had only dabbled in embroidery at the time but the purple ribbon winner was of a Norman Rockwell scene and it was so detailed that I was amazed it was stitched. It changed me from a dabbler to full time fanatic!

      1656

1657. The most beautiful piece I’ve ever seen was in Dinon, France. It was mounted on the wall where some very devout nuns were selling handmade lace. I was able to buy the lace. I wish I could have purchased the embroidered scene that they were displaying.

      1657

1658. I think it might be a 17 or 18th century Danish sampler that was part of a collection of samplers that a woman brought in to show our local EGA chapter many years ago.

      1658

1659. The most beautiful and impressive embroidery I’ve ever seen was the first piece I ever saw, stitched by my great-grandmother for my Mom when she left the family farm to move West with my Dad. It hung on the wall above my crib and still hangs in my Mom’s room, 65 years later and reads: “Remembrance is the Sweetest Flower that in a Garden Grows”. It has a gate covered in flowers, and a fountain, and an intricate border. I used to stare at it as a child and thought it so lovely that I wanted to learn how to stitch something just like it when I grew up; and I did.

      1659

1660. The most beautiful piece of stitching I have ever seen was at the St. Louis Museum of Art. I don’t know who stitched it, but there is a dress on display that has the most beautiful flowers embroidered on it! It’s (I think) at least 200 years old. I got to thinking how we have all kinds of special lighting and magnifiers these days, and yet my stitching pales in comparison to the beautiful piece I saw at the museum. I really need to up my game! Maybe new scissors would help!

      1660

1661. The most beautiful needlework I have ever seen was on very old vestments which were being repaired (not by me). In particular I remember the cope, a large ceremonial cape, on which were many different needlework techniques: needle painted figures in silk, goldwork, and stumpwork (particularly on a chalice image). The combination of tiny stitches made the piece “alive”, so very lifelike. At the time I didn’t even know what types of needlework I was seeing, but still I am sure that I could never get tired of examining it, had I the opportunity to see it again.

      Thank you Mary, for sharing your knowledge and joy of needlework, and for your great generosity!

      1661

1662. I have only ever seen amazing needlework in the flesh once, at the Embroidery exhibition at the Gallery (in Melbourne, Australia) about 3 years ago. Normally, living in Australia, you don’t see anything as it all lives in the Old World!

      There were so many beautiful things, but the two that stuck in my mind are an Elizabethan needlepoint done on ~50-count linen, and a Jacobean crewel-work hanging. I had seen both of these types of things in photos many times, but I had no idea how much more amazing in the flesh they would be.

      The crewel-work was so huge and heavy, the motifs came right up off the background fabric like they were going to fall off, and each motif was enormous! The sheer three-dimensionality-ness of it was incredible. The needlepoint was so fine I could barely see the stitches. The scale of each was so much more shocking than in photos, where often everything looks much the same.

      1662

1663. How to answer this. Oh my. I’ve traveled a bit and viewed many historical needlework pieces, but the one (actually two) that come immediately to mind are contemporary pieces, both stitched by the same person. The first is a piece titled Golden Galleon, a original design where the needleartist not only designed the piece, dyed the fabric and stitched the most exquisite ship with family symbolism embedded in the design. This same needleartist also stitched a piece titled Endangered Lives – Big Horn Sheep, so realistic is n the silk thread painting the viewer would most assuredly think the horns on the sheep are real.

      1663

1664. I recall a Susan Portra nutcracker at national EGA in Chicago in the early 1990’s. It was stunning.

      1664

1665. The most beautiful embroidery that I think about a lot is a series of samplers by Mrs. Christie that I saw in the study room at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Each sampler illustrates a different group of stitches. Her imagination and technique are as inspiring to me as the most elaborate piece of “fine embroidery”. There is always something new to learn from them.

      1665

1666. I’ve seen the Bayeux Tapestry which I’ll certainly never forget, but the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen are Chinese embroidery pieces in museums. I can never get over that a person actually stitched those. Happy holidays!

      1666

1667. I have seen many beautiful pieces of needlework, including the Asian quilters entered in various international quilt shows. However the one project I saw in a book entitled Home Sweet Home an embroidered work box by Carolyn Pearce has inspired me to purchase her book. In 2018 my goal is to focus on at least one or more of the accessories to stitch.
      Mary, your needlework is so inspiring to me. I thoroughly enjoy reading your daily e-mails and have utilized your on-line tutorials to learn some of the basic embroidery stitches. Thank you for providing the tutorials. Merry Christmas.

      1667

1668. The needlework that always takes my breath away is fine needlelace — Point de Gaze, Alencon, Gros Point, Rose Point, Youghal, Aemilia Ars. The thread is so delicate and the designs lovely.

      1668

1669. Such a hard question to answer and it has taken some thought as there have been so many beautiful pieces over the years, however, I think my favourite and something that inspires me to have a go sometime is from a beautiful artist from instagram that I follow named mermerje. She is self taught from Estonia and makes the most beautiful stumpwork butterflies – they are absolutely stunning.

      I was originally going to say my very first attempt but the truth is I can’t remember at all what it was just that in showing me how to take stitches my Grannie accidentally caught up a tiny piece of skin from my thumb. It didn’t hurt at all but we had guests as she was showing me and I was too embarrassed to say anything (I was about 6). I was however ‘caught’ (excuse the pun) and the embarrassment continued as we had to unpick to set me free!!

      1669

1670. One of the most beautiful needlework pieces I have seen is the three panel fire screen in the RSN studio at Hampton Court. It is a crewel piece full of flowers, vines, butterflies and insects. The shading is absolutely phenomenal. The variety of stitches used throughout the three panels is astounding. I stood for an hour just examining and studying the whole piece.

      The most magnificent embroidery display that I have seen was the “Opus Anglicanum” exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2015. It was amazing to think of the age of the pieces in the exhibition and the magnificience of the embroidery – that is still in existence today. It was wonderful to be priviledged to examine the work up close and see the stitches and the designs of the bygone era.

      1670

1671. Earlier this month I saw an amazing chasuble in an exhibition on the ancient Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. The red velvet ground was lavishly embellished with pieces of silver repousee, gold trimming, and a variety of precious gemstones. Besides contemplating how all the weighty embellishments were sewn on to the ground, I couldn not help wonder how weighty the chasuble is and if it was ever used.

      Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a blessed new year!

      1671

1672. The most beautiful piece of needle work that I’ve seen is on a very old chasuble that is inside a frame and on display in the basement of my church. It’s of a pelican and her babies. Very intricate and very beautiful. Thanks for offering this giveaway.

      1672

1673. I saw a beautiful piece that was based on a garden in England. So many stitches and colors, the right balance of profusion and chaos!

      1673

1674. Oh, this is easy, the Hillwood Museum in Washington D.C. Originally the home of Marjorie Post. When she died she bequeethed her mansion and grounds to become a museum. Housed in the fabulous building and gardens are some of the most beautiful Russian embroidery examples that were ever created. Marjorie was an heir the Post cereal family, and her husband was the Russian Ambassador shortly after the Russian Revolution. At a time when the Russian people were trying to dispose of and eliminate all things Czar related and from previous political times, she lived in Russia as the wife of the American Ambassador. She attended many, many auctions and estate sales where many priceless Russian artifacts and historical pieces were sold off for pennies. She understood the historical significance of those items and purchased as many of them as she was able to and brought them to the United States. At this point in time, her colletion in D.C. houses some of the most beautiful and historically important pieces of Russian art, and design in the world. If you go there you will find many, many fabulous examples of pre-revolutionary embroidery and Iconagraphy that you will ever see in the world. If you ever get the chance to go to D.C. and you are an embroiderer…go. You will never regret the experience.

      1674

1675. Beauty is such a subjective thing, but this is an easy question for me to answer. I’ve seen much beautiful needlework, either in person, or in pictures, some right here at Needle &Thread. I love color because it brings me joy, and I very much admire fine workmanship, especially if it’s in a technique that I don’t know, or skill beyond my own. The most beautiful piece of needlework I ever saw would probably not be considered beautiful in the conventional sense, but it spoke to my heart, insistently. So much so that I searched for months to find the source & obtain the pattern.

      My husband had taken me to a lovely cross-stitch shop (now, sadly gone) that I frequented when in town. They were having a ‘customers’ favorite’ show of framed pieces. Probably a couple of dozen pieces, submitted by customers, with other customers voting on their favorites. The winner would receive bragging rights & a prize. There was a lot of variety in style, size, fabric & fibers, framing used, etc.; the stitching was, as to be expected, each stitcher’s best. My husband voted for a large piece, a Lavender & Lace angel, stitched in many shades of DMC cotton. Impressive, yes, inexpensive gilded custom framing with special mats. I spent a good while examining the exhibits, and the one that called to me was one of the smaller ones, no bigger than 8×10, in a simple rustic frame. It was the Preamble to our Constitution, worked in overdyed cottons on a rustic linen; the words formed the stripes of our Flag. Not long before, I had seen coverage of the restoration of the Star-Spangled Banner, and wished that I lived close enough to volunteer to participate.
      I asked the shop owner what the name of the pattern was, and she didn’t know, as it wasn’t something they sold. The owner of the piece couldn’t shed any light, either, for a reason I have forgotten. I searched the Internet to no avail. I asked on several needlework forums, and was eventually given a possible lead, which I followed. Success at last! It was out-of-print, but the designer had a few remaining copies, and I purchased one. My way of honoring the Star-Spangled Banner.

      1675

1676. The most impressive embroidery I ever saw was the Bayeux Tapestry in France.
      I could not comprehend how such a huge and intricate embroidery was made and
      always wonder who were the embroiderers that worked so diligently to make such an
      enormous piece of work so beautiful.
      But the prettiest was a Christmas scene a friend stitched and only hung up in her dining room
      at Christmas time!

      1676

1677. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve seen was a creamy white and indigo blue antique quilt, with stitching that enhanced the indigo pattern.

      1677

1678. The altar kneeling cushions at my childhood church were beautifully embelished by the needles and thread of women of the church including my mother.

      1678

1679. The most beautiful embroidery I have seen is the Plimoth jacket at the Winterthur exhibition. It is amazing that this work could adorn an item of clothing. And the work put in by the many volunteers to reproduce this work is a wonderful example of the network of Needlework

      1679

1680. My paternal grandmother took stumpwork classes sometime in the early 1990s and produced well over 100 of what she called her “practice patches.” They were small but incredibly detailed three-dimensional flowers, plants, birds, and insects. I hadn’t yet found my own interest in embroidery at that time, but I was fascinated by these works of hers. She passed away 12 years ago, but I still recall them and they give me something to aspire to.

      1680

1681. I love the work of Jenny McWhinney and my most favourite one was of 3 Camels. I’ve got the kit and will finish it one day! Perhaps 2018 is the year that I should do that.

      1681

1682. The most beautiful piece of needle work I have ever seen is a piece from my family. It’s a needlepoint chair pad with a matching foot stool. I have it in my bedroom, and although I don’t sit on it often, I look at it every day and it brings a warm feeling to my heart to think about the love that went in to every stitch. I hope some day one of my pieces brings the same feelings to some one.

      1682

1683. The most beautiful piece of Needlework I saw was a sampler from 1598 done by a young girl called Jane Bostock. , It was at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and I was thrilled to the back teeth to be there and see the historic embroideries on my first trip to London

      1683

1684. The most beautiful needlework I have seen was cherry blossoms done in Japanese embroidery on stunning burgundy silk fabric. The contrasting colors and exquisite stitching have kept that piece etched in my brain for several years.

      1684

1685. At our county fair there was a beautiful Madonna and child done by someone I didn’t know but it had gold thread used in the work and the colors were bright and clear. I am not fond of soft or muddy colors. This piece just almost shone in the frame. It won needless to say.

      1685

1686. The beautiful scissors brought back memories of a lacemaking demonstration I saw in France many years ago. The delicate designs and the skill of the lady snipping and stitching started my love of learning about lacemaking and whitework. The handmade tools used for sewing these works carry an elegance which grows in appreciation each time one uses them. I hope to add a pair of handmade scissors to my ” treasures” one day!

      1686

1687. The most beautiful piece that I have seen was a piece of Japanese embroidery with leaves in different metallic threads on a black background. It was simple but elegant.

      1687

1688. The piece of needle work that has been impressed on my mind the most would be the needlework samplers from ages past. These works were completed by little hands. The stories they tell are inspirational. The pieces keep me going with a if they could do it so can I attitude. My next project will be the Ann Dale sampler.

      1688

1689. The work deeply etched out in memory remains the wall hanging by my great grand mother depicting Japanese garden landscape with geishas. An art work with a combination of stitches beautiful flowers flying birds and flowy kimonos.

      1689

1690. Oh Mary! This is *tough* one to answer. I’ve seen so many exquisite pieces of embroidery! I do have to thank you for a special walk down memory lane as I’ve debated my answer. I guess I have to go with Jane Nicholas’ Goldwork Beetles (my first goldwork class was 3 of these at an EGA seminar) tied with Alison Cole’s Stumpwork Swallowtail Butterfly. I just can’t narrow it down further. 😉 I’ve dawdled over this answer as long as possible. Time to just send the message. Merry Christmas to All!

      1690

1691. Your scissors are exquisite. Merry Christmas. I enjoy the embroidery from the 1600’s and am particularly fond of the British coifs done in gilt and silver needlelace stitches. Coiling stems and English flowers are intertwined very cleverly.

      1691

1692. The most beautiful piece Of embroidery I ever saw was the first goldowrk piece I’d ever seen. I’d never heard of embroidering with pieces of metal. I can picture it in my head but I have no idea where I saw it or anything about it. I was so amazed by the whole idea I couldn’t think of anything else.

      1692

1693. It was Jane Nicholas’s stump work of insects and flowers. It blue my mind. So when I saw in my garden liliums flowering and a blue bird flew in amongst the flowers.The picture was so great in my mind I put in on fabric and did stumpwork flowers and the Blue Bird as well. It still amazes me when I look at my finished work.

      1693

1694. Of course this is close to impossible. How can one say that one work of art is more beautiful than another. All in the eye of the beholder. I enjoy looking at vintage monograms that were done be hand. I’d like to cast my vote on one of the beautiful monograms that are in the book monograms and antique linens. Stunning.

      1694

1695. This is such a difficult question to answer! There are two or three pieces in the Ashmolean Museum exhibition “Threads of Silk and Gold” that I could choose from and selecting just one is near impossible. If I have to choose one and one only, I think it has to be the Peacocke Screen. It stood and one end of the exhibition room and even from a distance it simply glowed. Up close, and you could get really close, you could see every exquisite stitch and how the layered one on top of the other, just as the tail feathers really would. The birds were magnificant, but equally beautiful, were the humble dandilion weeds at their feet.

      I have a magnet on my fridge with a detail of the male bird and, everyday, I am in awe of this beautiful peice. If I could stitch only one feather that beautifully!

      1695

1696. The most beautiful piece of needlework I’ve ever seen, is a purse embroidered in silk and gold from the 17th Century. I saw it recently in the Museum for Purses (Tassenmuseum Hendrikje) in Amsterdam.
      It is a lovely museum in a very old house in the center of the city and they have over 5,000 purses from everywhere. Have a look on their site! It’s stunning, but that one piece in such bright, beatiful colours and hardly worn out was the best I saw.

      Again, a huge thank you for all the good work you did this year and I hope you can continue for a very long time.
      Thanks to you I started to do goldwork!

      1696

1697. You’re right it is a difficult question! The Philadelphia Flower Show used to have a needlework category. One year there was an amazing Southern Magnolia; you had to look very closely to see that it was indeed made of threads. The artist caught the glossiness of the leaves so well.

      1697