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Out
of ContextI read with interest the article 'Out of Context' (The World of Embroidery, September 1999). Although I agree that embroidery still tends to give the wrong impression of itself to a lot of people, I do take exception to the suggestion that hand embroidery is now out of date. Yes, I agree that the workbox shown with Linford Christie is wrong. I, like most hand embroiderers I know, use tool boxes (economy size!) to carry around all the tools we use. In fact, my husband often raids it for fine pliers, wire cutters, etc. How would Linford, in his nomadic life, carry around a sewing machine?
Although I admire machine embroidery which, in fact, forms part of the course I teach, there is still a place for hand work in this hectic life. Nothing compares, in my mind, with the thrill of handling all the materials now available and with stitching a modern piece of work.
I feel that hand embroidery is a very tactile craft and deserves a place alongside machine embroidery, not treated as an old-fashioned relative.
Gill Burgess
Bexley, Kent