A stitch dictionary is a Must on every embroiderer’s bookshelf – whether you’re a beginner or an experienced embroiderer. And Yvette Stanton’s stitch dictionaries – The Left-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion and The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion – are excellent choices when it comes to selecting a comprehensive, instructive stitch dictionary.
Today’s give-away is one of these books – the winner’s choice, actually – courtesy of Yvette Stanton of Vetty Creations.
I’ve reviewed both books thoroughly here on Needle ‘n Thread – you’re welcome to visit the links below to my book reviews, but remember to leave your comment for the give-away on today’s post, not on the book review posts! Here are the links to the reviews, where you can see what the insides of the books are like and read a bit about them:
The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion Book Review
The Left-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion Book Review
Yvette Stanton writes beautiful and thoroughly instructive books, and you will find her stitch dictionary a perfect companion (just the title says) for your embroidery endeavors. She covers over 170 stitches and variations in each book, with directions written specifically for either left or right-handed embroiderers.
Besides her stitch dictionaries, Yvette has some other gorgeous books in various whitework techniques on the market. In fact, her business Vetty Creations is primarily targeted at whitework. There, you’ll find supplies for techniques like Mountmellick whitework embroidery, which calls for a specific fabric (cotton satin) and a specific thread (matte cotton threads, not mercerized). You’ll also find her other whitework books available there. She has written excellent books for instruction in Hardanger embroidery, Mountmellick embroidery, and Ukranian drawn thread embroidery.
But… Yvette’s not finished writing books! Oh, no! Captivated by a Portuguese style of embroidery involving drawn thread and incredible bullion knot motifs, Yvette has ventured into her latest book, Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães, which has not been published yet, but promises to be an absolute stunner.
If you can judge a book by its cover – and in this case, trust me, you can – you’ll be looking forward to this book as much as I am. Between you and me, I’ve already had a little sneak peek at the insides, and it is everything – and more – that the beauty of the cover promises!
Give-Away Instructions
Today’s sixth day of Christmas give-away is the winner’s choice of either The Left-Handed or The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion. If you’ve already got the books on your shelf and you win the give-away, you can always gift one to a stitching friend, or even to a local library, so don’t be shy about signing up! Please follow these (simple) instructions:
1. Leave a comment at the end of today’s article. If you click on that link, it will take you directly to the comment area, so that there are no mishaps! Comments delivered via e-mail or on other articles will not be included in the give-away.
2. In your comment, answer the following question:
Lefty? Or Righty? And has it made a difference to you in learning embroidery?
3. Make sure you leave a recognizable name either in the body of your comment, or on the “name” line above the comment box. For example, if your name happens to be Lefty, you might include a last initial or a location to differentiate yourself from any other Lefty that might join in.
4. Leave your comment before January 9th, 2012, at 5:00 am Central Standard Time (Kansas, USA!). All winners for this series will be selected on January 9th, and announced that day here on Needle ‘n Thread. You’ll have to check back on January 9th to see if you’ve won, because the winners will need to contact me within 3 days to claim their prizes. The Give-Away is Now Closed. Thanks for your interest!
Merry Sixth Day of Christmas!
Please do not panic if your comment does not show up immediately. All comments are moderated in the order in which they come in, and they will eventually be posted. If you are looking for your comment, please use the “older comments” and “newer comments” links at the top of the comments section. These will take you through all the comments pages, from newest to oldest.
Hi, I’m right handed. I’ve found a real passion for embroidery, but quite limited in the stitches I know and are comfortable with. Would love a reference to expand my skills. What a great giveaway.
I’m a righty and feel lucky this has never been an issue in learning embroidery stitches. As a former librarian and a someone learning to embroider, new books are always welcome!
G’day Mary,
Well, I’m on the common side of the question, a righty. It’s only in recent years with promotions such as Yvettes Left Handers book that I’ve given it much thought, either for leftys or my own right-handedness. I realize now the advantage us rightys have, to be able to just join in without the distraction of ‘working backwards’ when following a tutor or referring to books.
“I dips me lid” and raise my right hand in a gesture of salute to those leftys out there who are doing magnificently or soon will be, which is all of them!
Cheers, and heartfelt thanks, Mary and Yvette for this special giveaway.
I promised myself I’d be asleep before next year so will have to scuttle, it’s 11.30 pm. Have a lovely last day of the year.
Kath from Oz.
I’m right-handed, so it has been easy for me learning embroidery. My mother (my first teacher) was right-handed too.
But I’m a teacher, and I have some left-handed women that are not able to learn by standing in front of me, they need to see the stitch done as a left-handed person would do. So I have to show them how to do the stitch in the left-handed way, with my right hand… not easy, but I somehow manage to do it.
A left-handed stitch dictionary would be a great addiction to my library
Best wishes of a wonderful new year to you!
I love this book. Would like to own it.
Lefty! And I always feel like I’m doing it wrong which makes it confusing for a beginner who is already confused! Ha ha! Love all your helps and projects… some day I will tackle something a lot more difficult!
Oh I have wanted this book ever since you have reviewed it! Again, what a wonderful give-away. I’m right-handed, and I guess I’m one of the lucky ones, since most teachers are right handed, therefore when I take classes it is easy for me to follow the teacher. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
Righty – no difference. Thank you Mary and Yvette Stanton for offering the book.
I’m a righty. I don’t think it has mattered to me, but when I was young anyone who was left-handed would have had problems, as teachers thought lefties were doing it all wrong. My view is that they need to sit facing their teacher so they get the mirror image, rather than beside them.
I am a righty. As a beginner, I would love to have the book.
Happy Sixth Day of Christmas, Mary.
Alrighty, now! The only things I can do with my left hand is tie my shoe, scratch my right elbow, and type. So, Lefty? Or Righty? … Definitely Righty!! I’ve never had a problem learning stitches because most teachers, as well as most books, are geared toward right-handed execution. I would love to ad this book to my stitching library.
I hope you have a safe and happy new year, Mary. Nuovo anno felice! Nouvelle année heureuse! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
I can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s offering will be.
Righty for sure because as much as I try, I cannot do anything stitching related with my left hand – I have taught a few things to a left handed friend but it taxes my brain!!!!!
Definately a righty, grin! I truely can’t say if I have ever had a problem since most patterns are written for a righty, but then I have been embroidering for about 57 years now and have done most types of embroidery, love this book, been thinking about getting it for myself ever since you wrote about it. Still have a small booklet of stitches I purchased back when I was first learning, so will love this one by Yvette! Barb
Hi Mary,
I am right handed and would LOVE such a great book showing me the correct way to stitch. I am self taught and would certainly profit from having such a book on my bookshelf. Oh to do things as they should be done!! MANY thanks for this great opportunity!
Peg
I am a righty and it has never been a problem in embroidery until I was trying to teach my left handed niece to stitch. This would be a perfect birthday gift for her. Thanks for all you do. Happy New Year!!
Hello mary,
I am a righty but it is good to know techniques form for my left hand that I can use in some embroidery stitches.
Françoise Y. Beauchamp
Mafyb Créations Textiles
Bois-des-Filion, Québec, Canada
I am predominantly right handed but when it comes to stitching I use both hands for most of my work. It would be good to see how the stitches “change” in both books.
I am a righty. As a beginner, I would love to have the reference book for righties.
When teaching needlework and embroidery many years ago, I always found it hard to help the lefthanders. The only way I found was to have them standing in front of me. What a boon it would be to have had a left handers book with clear diagrams etc.
I am sure I would even find hints for myself in the tight handers book.
I’m a right-handed embroiderer.But sometimes I’ve to teach kids who are lefty.The kids are beginners
.This book is in my wishlist.Thank you Mary.
and by teaching them I’ve learnt so much like now
I can work many stitches like a lefty
Anita-MM
Mary,
Your newsletter is fabulous and your give-aways are so generous. Thank you so much for all you do.
I am right-handed predominately although, as I age, I work on learning stitches with my left hand. I don’t think my ‘handedness’ has made a difference in my stitching as most all instructions are written for left-handers.
I have had these books on my wish-list since reading about them in your newsletter some time ago. (pick me pick me pick me!!!)
The Right Handed Embroiderers Companion would be a dream come true. Thank you for this awesome opportunity.
I am right handed. Taught sewing many years to middle school students. Interesting working with them, as each brain works differently. Putting a needle and thread in their hands was a wonder. Each developed their own style. I questions if there is such a thing as true right or left. I tend to want to do some things left handed as an automatic response…
They look amazing books, I’d love to have a chance to win one; I’m a right-handed stitcher.
Sue T
in France
I am right handed. So far most instruction I have read seems to be designed for right handers so it has not made a difference to my learning experience. I have noticed on your instruction pages Mary that you do include left handed instruction.
Righty. It has made learning stitches so much easier because the majority of instructions (web-based, book-based, or personal) are for right-handed folk.
It hasn’t made a difference in learning embroidery for me as much as it has in teaching embroidery. I often teach young adults basic embroidery stitches and have had to come up with techniques that work for both right and left handed learners. I love passing this art on to young women. I’m “old school” and try at every opportunity to instill a love for hand worked items that can become a family treasure as time passes.
I’m a lefty and like having illustrations tailored to my stitching direction. Starting a line of stitching correctly really does make a difference.
I’m a “righty” self taught hence the need to really sit down and practice, practice and practice some more now that the holidays are over. As for learning, being a righty hasn’t made much difference other than practicing.
I’m a right handed Embroiderer. I get frustrated at not being able to understand all the steps in a reference guide for stitching, especially the complicated ones. I even try to compile my own stitch guide from different places to see which one makes sense to me. This book sounds wonderful as it could be one ‘go to’ spot for a complete understanding of every stitch. Thanks, Sherry F.
i’m a right-handed embroiderer; never really thought about having any difficulties.
my older sister is left-handed and i know she had some problems as a child with handwriting so i imagine she would have had some issues learning embroidery (if she was interested but she is so NOT a crafts-person). most books did seem to focus on right handers, way back when.
the portuguese whitework book looks very interesting – gorgeous cover!
thanks for all these giveaways
I am a righty, I think it has made it easier because so many resources are geared towards right-handed folks.
Happy New Year!
The LEFTY book would be great for my sister! I am a righty and struggle to teach her stitches. She would absolutely LOVE this book! Thank you for the offer!
Definitely a “rightie” when it comes to needle and thread! I am trying to learn more embroidery stitches and am grateful for you stitch videos! I want to know more and look forward to the opportunity to do so.
Sandy
I’m a right handed Embroiderer. I get frustrated at not being able to understand all the steps in a reference guide for stitching, especially the complicated ones. I even try to compile my own stitch guide from different places to see which one makes sense to me. This book sounds wonderful as it could be one ‘go to’ spot for a complete understanding of every stitch. Thanks, Sherry F.
I’m righty!
I’m looking forward next book by Yvette as well!
I’m a righty and since I don’t think I’ve ever seen any instructions specific to leftys I haven’t had any trouble learning stitches.
Lefty – Righty… Very hard for me to function on the left side. Many years ago, I broke my right arm in the wrist area. I honestly felt insane for six weeks… well, not the entire six weeks. I soon learned to use my left arm and my mouth to create… Ha, not a pretty sight!
JupZi in Morton, IL
I’m right handed. I haven’t found it difficult to learn embroidery, but sometimes think I need more help with hand positioning. (what should the left hand be doing? Is the right hand over or under? Etc) I tend to do whatever comes naturally or comfortably — even if it’s not the proper way. I’ll learn more eventually.
I am a righty which made learning embroidery easier since I am in the majority. It seems most instructions are written for righties, lefties have to turn everything upside down.
What a great book! I gave my stitch book to a young girl just beginning in embroidery and the one I use is old – black and white diagrams and not very instructive really. Would love to receive the right-handed guide to add to my bookcase. Well, maybe not to add to my bookcase but keep with my sewing box where it would be on hand at a moment’s notice.
Righty. once I got into a book on croched that started out lefty instructions, it boggled my mind, had difficulty reversing the hands and what to do. Then found the righty section and that was indeed easier for me to follow.
I’m a lefty and yes, it’s made a massive difference! Everything is so hard to learn as you can only usually see people doing it backwards!
I’m a righty, so not an issue for me. Now, if I could only be ambidexterious, that would be handy!
Mary,
I’m right-handed, so have had no problems with most directions and stitch diagrams. We do have a “lefty” in one of my stitch groups. I’d pick the Left-handed guide, to learn what she is struggling with, and be able to help her more.
Thanks again for a thoughtful choice. Will also look at the Yvette’s other books.
I’m a righty, which has probably made it easier for me to learn embroidery. I never realized that until a left-handed friend discussed some challenges for her that I hadn’t even considered. Thank you for the giveaway and Happy New Year!
Theresa/OctoberLace
I am a lefty but learned right handed as that is what my mom and great grandmother did. I can do it both ways – which is nice – does give a different twist to the work depending on what I am doing. thanks!
I’m a righty – I did not have difficulty picking up embroidery – I started very young and it came very natural to me. I think it is in my French/Belgian DNA – but I sew and do upholstery work for a living. I also teach hand embroidery workshops once or twice a year at various historical sites/museums and libraries so the book would be a wonderful addition to my library and would be a big help in allowing me to teach effectively.
Mary Ann
Beacon NY
Embroidery is the best thing that accompanied me since I was a little girl. Long ago I realized that when I struggle to learn a new technique or even a new stitch I forget about my aches and pains and time passes very quickly. To be able to show my friends “how to” is very gratifying and your newsletter is a great help. I am right-handed. Thanks again.
I’m right handed. I have a left-handed granddaughter and know that for her it is a challenge when her grandmothers tries to teach her a craft skill. Ah well. Books like this make those things so much easier. Love this idea of 12 days of Christmas gifts.
I am a righty. It has made a big difference in learning needlework because my mother was a lefty. She found it very difficult to pass her skills onto my sister and I. As a result I learned almost all of my skills from books.
Winnifred, Braeside, Ontario
Good Morning! I’m a righty and my teacher was a righty. However, it helps to be able to use both the right and left … I’ve done a few stitches that work better using my left hand. Thank you.
I’m a lefty and go out of my mind trying to translate right handed embroidery instructions! The only thing that has ever worked for me, is watching your excellent video tutorials. Owning a left-handed embroidery book would be plain awesome!
I am a righty and it has made a difference, I gues, in that most instructions are for right handed people so they are more readily available!
righty, i have never tried with left hand. i be nice to see how beautiful pictures are in person.
Joanie M of W TN
I am a righty but with age and stiff fingers I have done stitching even with the left hand. I have two stitching dictionaries but seem I am always looking for better instruction. I would love The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion and as you mentioned, it would be great to donate. Should I win, I am thinking I would donate the books currently in my library and keep the righty.
I’m a righty, and I want to try every stitch I see. I’ve never had to stop and translate the diagram from right to left. Kudos to the leftys who are willing and able to do so.
Doreen
Happy new years eve, Mary! I am a righty. I am married to a lefty and although he doesn’t stitch, my eyes have been opened to what a right-centric world we live in. We have a youth Stitchers group and one little gir is left handed and Yvette’s book has been a great help.
When I was young I used both hands and no one was sure what I was going to be a lefty or righty! Even though I did end up writing with my right hand I have found I use both hands exceedingly well in needlework.It has surprised me because of some of the intricacies of embroidery. I have always loved the challenge of creativity in hand made items so both hands get a dose!
Avis in VA
I’m a righty, and have done things with my left, but never embroidery….
Righty- and no it has not made a difference in learning to embroider. Thank you again, Mary. The Right Handed Embroiderer’s Companion would be a really nice addition to anyone’s stitch reference library.
Jean B.
Righty!
I was born lefthanded, but I had to learn everything righthanded at school. Now I can use both.
Bye, Winnie
Hi:)
Thank you for the nice giveaway!
Happy Holidays!
I am right-handed, do doing my embroidery I use right hand.
I would love to win the “The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion”. I am a “righty”.
I love cross stitching and have just gotten into embrodery. I took a class in crazy quilting and am trying to use some of the stitches for that and I have a wonderful redwork design I am just itching to start. I am sure I would use this lovely book a lot.
Thank you for a chance to win it.
Judy Starkey
Very much left handed! I have never had a problem being left-handed and do all the stitching right-handed stitchers do.
I’m right handed, so have the advantage of most instructions being printed for me. Mary, your prizes just keep getting better and better. You have worked hard to get these donations…and win or lose…thanks for the effort!
Kathy
Lefty! Since I’m a pure lefty, it makes things a tad more difficult for me to overcome challenges in the crafty/sewing world.
Interesting fact: My folks are both lefties. They have four children, three of which are lefties.
Thank you for a chance to win!
Hi i am a righty. i learnt my stitches from design books -those Ondori books. i dont have any stitch dictionary. now i learn more about the stitches from Mary’s stitch dictionary and you tube. it would be great ,if i wonthe book. thank you ansu chennai
I am left handed, but I stitch with my right hand. I am not sure how I am able to do that since it is the only thing that I do right handed. In learning to embroider I don’t think that it made any difference. I taught myself to embroider starting when I was 13 years old. I learned from the instructions that came in the kits that I bought, Dimensions, Sunset, Paragon, etc. I eventually found a book called, “The Stitches of Creative Embroidery”, by Jacqueline Enthoven. This has been my stitch bible ever since. I would love to win this book. Thank you for giving away all these gifts.
Sharon K.
That’s a very interesting question. I never really thought much about the fact that I was right handed. But on the other side of that coin, I can only imagine
the frustration of someone who is left handed. So, when I read your article about
the left or right handed embroidery books, I actually smiled. That’s terrific!
Good morning, lovely to read your post again this morning…the stitch dictionary is invaluable, thanks again for the opportunity to win…Dianne from Brockville Ont
I am a righty and it really does not seem to make a difference on my embroidery that I can tell. But then again most everthing is written for a righty rather than a lefty.
I am a right-handed embroiderer and I could sure use Yvette Stanton’s book right now since I am stuck on a simple stitch that I’m sure I will eventually figure out. It must be so much easier learning embroidery right-handed since so much is written for the right-handed.
I would love to own this dictionary. It appears very comprehensive & would be very useful in teaching grands to sew. BTW, all are right-handed, lol.
Becky in upstate SC
I am a lefty, and while it has not affected my embroidery that much, it does mean that my embroidery tends to get a teeny bit abraded since I usually start at the upper left corner and work my way to the right and down, that means that my hand can come into contact with the embroidery as I take a stitch. I really ought to start at the upper right corner and work my way downward to the left.
Tania
I am a righty but have a daughter that is a lefty. I would love to have either book. I have been stitching since I was about 7 as I would sit and stitch with my beloved grandmother. It seems I have always know how to stitch. However, I am always learning new stitches. Hope I win one or the other.
Beautiful book!
Mary,
I would be thrilled to win the stitch book for righties.
Thank you for all you do for the needlework community. Your work is so beautiful and inspiring!
Righty or Lefty – I don’t know how to answer that question. I am a lefty when I write, and do many chores. However, I am a righty when I stitch. . . Mostly because I could never figure out how to do the stitches with my left hand. It was just easier to make the non-dominant hand the dominant hand for stitching.
Luckily that came easily … when I was in elementary school, a teacher made me settle down and write with just one hand … I apparently annoyed her with my switching the pencil from left to right hand.
Joan
Since you recommended this book so highly a while ago I’ve been wishing I could own a copy. I would love this!
Hi,
I am right handed person. Hence I prefer The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion in case if I get lucky in this give away.
I dont think lefty or righty would make a difference in learning hand embroidery. Though not sure.
I’m a right-handed embroiderer that has found it helpful that instructions are written for right-handers.
I am left-handed. It didn’t made difference, because I am self-taught cross stitcher. When learning the traditional Hungarian embroidery, I mimicked my mother, who is left-handed, too.
I would like to learn tatting, knitting and crotcheting, but there will be some orientation problems…
I’m a righty who learned from a lefty! I was 8 years old and a very patient friend of my familiy spent hours teaching me the basic stitches so I could embroider pillowcases like she did. She was always working on a set of prestamped pillowcases with vivid foral designs and I was fascinated with them.
I am a righty. I could really use this book because I am going to be teaching cross stitch in my LNS. Thank you so much for this 12 Days of Christmas.
I am a rightly never tried left handed stiches
Since all the kits and projects I did when I was first learning to stitch were given for right handed stitchers, that’s how I learned. Since I am right handed it posed no problems. I would, therefore, get much more out of the right handed stitch guide. Thanks for all you share with us.
Happy New Year Mary! I would like to be the recipient of today’s give away- specifically the version for left handers. As a right handed teacher of needlework I am always challenged by left hand students to give them clear instruction…not always as simple as the mirror image technique. Having read your review of this book, I think it might be invaluable in helping me be a better teacher. On that note let me add that I have learned so much from you, including info on books like this. Thank you! Laurie in CT
I learned to embroider from my Mother, we are both rightys so I had no trouble.
My cousin is a lefty and she learned by sitting in front of Mom and,she learned just fine. I love to embroider and would love to win this book, it looks wondergul!
Soon I will be teaching my grandaughter who is coming to visit me this summer. I would love to teach her from this book, and also learn from this book!!!
Thank you for considering my entry!
nora jg
Definitely a rightie. One of my sons is a leftie, which has made me more aware of how a leftie brain works.
Righty. The only embroidery class I have ever taken is Brazilian Embroidery and my teacher was a righty which made it easy to learn.
It is so much easier to plan a piece when you have a stitch reference! I’m definetly right handed, but i know how much my mother in law would have appreciated a book for lefties
. The bullion work is lovely, reminds me of my grandmother’s linen in France 
Righty !!
Well, I think most explanations are made for right handed people, so I never noticed any problem
Have a nice day,
I’ve always been right handed and would be at a loss if I had to switch! Learning to stitch with my left would be a very challenging task, so i’m glad I don’t have any reason to learn the left-handed way.
I am a righty. I would LOVE to win this book. I smock mostly, but want to expand my handwork. I don’t know that being right-handed has affected my handwork, but I do know that I would never be able to do it left-handed!!
I’m a “lefty” and have found that over the years I’m able to learn from right handed instruction. I supplement with a small instruction book of stitches by Coats and Clark as a reference. All in all I have a strong drive to learn the stitches “my way” and enjoy stitching. Linda 49M
I am righthanded but would love to have the book for Left handed people. I have several neices and a granddaughter who are left handed and would love to teach them to stitch…this book would give me great insights it is on my to-get list.
I have always heard that if you are left handed and sit facing the teacher, you will pick up the stitch or method eaisier…don’t know if this is true or not…some lefties I know do stitches the same way I do.
Thanks for another lovely gift! happy New year.
I’m right handed but because I teach embroidery and have a daughter that’s a “lefty”, I’ve learned to stitch both ways. My daughter is grown now and lives 1500 miles away but I actually sent her a copy of The Left-Hand Guide when you reviewed it and she was tickled pink. Maybe I can win the Right-handed to match hers:)
Blessings to you,
Vickie in Va
Yvette is an excellent writer of books. They are all ‘user friendly’. I am right handed and would love this book. I have all of Yvette’s other books and this would be a fantastic addition to my library. All of her books have helped me with my embroidery. Her embroidery is also exquisite.
would love to win this book to learn more hand embroidery stitches ….
so I can venture more in to this wonderful realm 
love mouse xxxx
The companion would be a great book to have! It would be wonderful having one that would be the greatest addition to my library! I am a leftu it is so difficult to follow right handed instructions and would be wonderful to be able to use a book that actually makes it easier for me a left handed person to use!! It is such a great ideaAb I love the confidence it would give me to rally understand the stitch without trying to picture it left handed from a right handed instruction! What a great idea!
I’m a right hander and a person who learns easiest from written instructions. I know I’ve learned most of my stitches from books. Can’t say what it’s like for left-handers when most of the instructions are for righties.
Hello,
I am right handed and not sure it’s made a difference in my stitching. I have taught left handed children stitching which I have done by sitting across from them, which seemed effective. I’ve tried teaching a left hander to crochet but was not successful , but then I wasn’t very successful teaching right handers crochet either!
I read the descriptions of these books on you’re web site and they look very interesting. I will be looking at her website when I finish this as I enjoy whitework.
Violet A in NH
Hi Mary!
This book is a dream come true. How I would love to have all that color and information at my fingertips. This is one of the best I’ve seen and passed over because of price.
I am a right-handed worker – thank goodness.
It seems most directions favor this orientation.
This is the prize of all prizes for me!!
Blessings – Jane
I am a converted lefty. I was one of those kids, back in the dark ages, who sat with their left hand behind their back when learning to write. Fortunately, that doesn’t happen to children anymore. I know of one other person who had this happen to him. He wound up being ambidextrous. I wound up with poor spatial relationships and poor fine motor skills in both hands. You would think after all of these years I would be fully adapted and not have any problems, but I’ve never quite worked it all out.
I’m a righty – and have wondered if the lefties aren’t just a bit more creative?? I would be a proud owner of the Right-Handed companion, but you are correct, the new book looks delicious!
It certainly makes a difference when teaching others. Keep an open mind.
These are wonderful books. I would like the Right Hand book as I’m right hadnded. But, I have begun teaching embroidery so if I won the left had book that would come in handy too! It’s hard for me to think “reverse that”.
Thanks again for these giveaways
Judy
Would love to have a new stitch book !! Looks great! Right Hand
Righty! I can only imagine the difficulty of learning all the needlework techniques from a right-handed perspective, if you are left handed.
Looking forward to adding this book to my library!!
I’m a righty, but am teaching the craft to a lefty. We’ve even resorted to having me work in front of a mirror so that she can see what various stitches look like going the other way…
I’m delighting in your 12 Days project, as it’s exposing me to all different kinds of books and blogs. (I looked up Ms. Stanton’s, and actually signed up to receive it!) Thank you for all of this.
I’m a righty, but have a lefty niece and lefty friends so I have experienced the challenges of a righty teaching a lefty how to do needlework. I take photos of what I do, then use Photoshop to flip the images 180-degrees to illustrate my instructions. Janet.
I’m always looking for the right book to take with me for stitches etc. I’ve forgotten more than I remember these days. And it sounds like this is the perfect book!
I’m a righty and I’m sure that has made it easier for me and I don’t even realize. Everything seems geared toward righties. Happy New Year!
I am a righty! I believe I have had an easier time learning new stitches, as alot of people are right handed and most stitches are laid out with diagrams geared towards righty’s. Although a few stitches have driven me crazy enought to think they were geared for lefty’s! lol! Thanks again for this wonderful 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Good morning Mary, I love books and that is how I learn as I rarely have the opportunity to attend a class, so yes books make the difference for me. If I win I would need the right handed, only do things with my right so that would make a difference too
Right handed and all those teaching me are lefties. Could do with some help! Thank you for the exciting start to the year. Sandra
Righty here. Most directions are written for us so no problem. I always feel bad for the leftys in a class when teacher asks if there are any and if not are visibly happy to not have to deal with that.
Hugs
FredaB
I recently received my order of The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion and really love it. If I do win I will certainly give it to one of the group of avid stitchers in our Dayton EGA here in Ohio.
Thanks so much – you’re a jewel!!
When Mary recommended the Left Handed Embroiderer’s Companion I went and bought it. For years I was frustrated trying to learn how to embroider in a right handed world when I was left handed. It made all the difference in the world. Now I truly enjoy my left handed book (as I call it). I feel comfortable and not so confused as to which direction to sew.
I enjoy Mary’s site so much. If I win I would do as she suggested and gift it to someone who is left handed and as confused as I was.
Hi Mary, I’m a lefty, and the only difference I think it’s really made to learning embroidery, which I started at a pretty young age, was in using scissors. I have a terrible time with ‘normal’ right-handed scissors, but oddly enough they are what I use most of the time. I’ve developed a very odd way of cutting with them (or so I’m told ever time I attend a workshop!) but it works for me.
As to stitching, I seem to have had Mary Thomas’ stitch dictionary for ever and never really given a thought to handedness when I use it (which is often!) However, if I were lucky enough to win this give-away, I’d be fascinated to find out how much easier it makes it to have lefty instructions!
As a lefthander most of the needlecrafts that I learned are self taught. That was a long time ago and the instructions were all for right handers. As for embroidery, I learned from books and turned the book pictures upside down to accomplish the same thing. Some books devote a few pages to left handers but I would love to have the instrutions for left handers all in one place. This book sounds like just the right fit.
When I was determing to make a crochet dress for my new little girl, I bought a 10 cent book and taught myself. Imagine my dismay when I realized that if I was working on “left front” for example; when I finished it was the “right front”!!
Thank you Mary; for all that you do for the stitching world..
Righty! Which makes life easy for me…but when I teach smocking to lefties, I really have to think it through. It ends up being a blessing for me because I have to have a perfect understanding of it in order to teach the stitch to a leftie. Whenever I want to know how to do something better, I teach it to someone else and I always learn more than I teach!
I am a righty. I find that the biggest difference in learning a stitch is often the quality of the instructions. Some books are better than others; this stitch dictionary is great. I received one for Christmas. Mary, your videos are wonderful. Thanks again,
Shelia in Oklahoma
Hi Mary,
I’m a righty. So most of the embroidery resources out there have catered to me. Even so, I’ve been lusting after this book since I first read your review. It’s beautiful!
I don’t think my handedness has helped or hindered my learning embroidery. What **has** improved my technique is this website because you can focus in on details and subtleties more closely than most books.
I am a lefty, but have learned from righties! I think my technique may be suspect because I adapt what I am taught to make it easier to work. This book would help me to improve in that area. THanks for the blog. Each day is most interesting!
I’m a righty. I don’t think it has made a difference to me. I’m a self-taught embroiderer.
Righty, Love books that instruct in a clear simple way. Would love this one. Happy New Year!
The Lefty Book would help me teach second grade Lefty twin girls Redwork. I believe it would make a difference to the girls because they could look at the pictures. I sit opposite from them at the moment working right handed and it helps a little.
I’m right-handed. As I’m a self-taught embroiderer, it didn’t make any difference. But maybe most books are written for right-handed people…
Nagyon jó lenne új hímzésekkel, technikákkal megismerkedni. Jobb kezes vagyok.
Boldog új Évet!
I’m a righty, but my mother is a lefty and she has always had trouble with embroidery instruction. I initially learned from my aunt, but mostly from books, so I guess being a righty has been a helpful thing!
MzMary
I’m a righty. I learned to embroider when I was 9 so I can’t say that it’s made a difference to how I learned. The schools here used to teach Needlework at primary (grade school?) level, especially Afrikaans schools.
Am right handed.
Love doing embroidery as it allows me another creative outlet
I am right handed and work embroidery with the right hand which most people do. I know embroidery can also be done with the left for those who are left-handed. One has to get used to the techniques involved. I am comfortable doing it with the right hand.
Thanks
Dorothy
I am a right-handed embroiderer. I have only been actively learning embroidery for the past six months, although I have been an appliquer and sewer for many years. I love the beauty of embroidery and love hand work. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win these great resources!!
Jenny P. from Kansas City
I am right-handed and I also think that as most books have diagrams and instructions for righty people, it was easy to learn, but it does feel strange to watch my lefty friends doing the same stitch.
I’m right-handed. Since most instructional guides seem to be geared to righties, I guess it’s an advantage being right-handed. But if you are having trouble learning a stitch — whether one is right or left-handed — some kind of instructional guide is a must. Would love to add this to my needlework library of books
I am a righty. I never thoght of sing my left hand to stitch as I have always been right handed so I don’t think it has made a difference.
I am right handed and have never ventured to attempt the left hand embroidery technique. I have felt frustration for left handers as in the past there has not been acknowledgement of their needs. How nice to see a complete book devoted to the left hand embroiderer! I have put the new book on my wish list.
I’m right handed but have taught a couple of people to crochet left handed. It’s great that someone has written a book on stitching for lefties! Have a great last day of 2011!!
I gave my daughter the left handed version for Christmas. It is a beautiful book. I am right handed and this book would be a wonderful addition to expand my stitching library.
Pam C KS
I’m right handed. Yvette Tanton’s book looks like it would be a good one to include in my embroidery library.
Thanks so much.
Louise
This just keeps getting better every day.
I’m a righty and The Right-Handed Embroiderer’s companion would be the perfect match for the crazy quilt kit that I got for Christmas.
Ann from Whitefish Bay, WI
Happy Sixth Day of Christmas Mary,
I am a right handed sticher, but my left hand helps out!!!
However, i think it is a great idea to teach from both sides
because it is a slightly different approach. Thanks for the
fun!
Chris
Je suis droitière et ce livre de points pour droitière est un must je plein les gaucher ce ne dois pas être facile pour eux
i’m a righty, can’t imagine learning embroidery as a lefty…I think it would be mighty difficult!
I am right handed and always felt bad that there were less resources for those that were left handed. Glad that is changing. Being right handed made it easier to teach myself to stitch.
I’m a righty and can’t imagine having to do all things as a lefty, but I’m trying to work both hands — just as an exercise (it seems of futility!).
I’m a righty, and all my teachers have been right-handed too, so I haven’t had any problem. However, my Mom started a crocheted afghan for me which was incomplete when she died. Her left-handed sister finished it for me and it is noticeable. I think it makes my gift more special.
Hi Mary,
I am a self taught right handed embroiderer. I love embroidery books. I just recently got Trish Burr’s beginners book on needle painting and a copy of Erica Wilson’s embroidery book. I would love to have a copy of the two books you are offering in you wonderful give away. They would be lovingly added to my collection.
Vicki
My sister was just asking me to recommend a good embroidery stitch book! I am right handed and I guess I never thought too much of that fact, however I did do a hand quilted quilt at Christmas and was surprised that I quite often had to sew a spot left handed. It wasn’t very easy at first. Thanks for another great giveaway.
I teach embroidery and it definitely makes a difference. I am lucky enough to be fairly ambidextrous when I stitch, but I have reaslised that sometimes I just use my left hand, not actually stitch left-handed, so a decent left-handed book would be marvellous. Yvette’s book is high on my list of must-haves for 2012. This would be a wonderful addition to my library
I’d love the right hand handbook. I need all the help I can get!! ~lol~
Thanks for hosting the 12 day give-a-way.
I’m right handed, and I’ve tried to learn knitting from my left handed mother in law, which is extremely difficult. I can’t imagine trying to learn the beautiful intricate embroidery stitches from a left handed person. It’s nice to know someone took the the time to do a book for each.
I’ve been wanting to learn to embroider as my grandmother and great-grandmothers all did beautiful embroidery, but I never learned how, only how to cross stitch. While I love to cross stitch, I think embroidery is so much more versatile as you can do many more things with it.
Thank you Ruth for this opportunity to learn more about embroidery. I am right handes and can do a simple stitch but nothing impressive. I would like to learn more about this craft so I can start on next years Christmas presents. I think a nice tablecloth would be very nice to recieve. I wish you and yours a HAPPY and BLESSED NEW YEAR.
Righty. I can’t imagine trying to learn a stitch with instructions for my opposite hand, even though Yvette’s instructions look so very clear. I would love to have instructions for some of the more unusual stitches that are in the book.
I am ashamed to say that I don’t own an embroidery dictionary…and my work show it…boring, boring, boring. This book could change my life!
Mary, I am a Right handed stitcher of many years..since childhood. I have a good friend who is LEFTy and I would so dearly pass this forward as we struggle together to get her stitching with a feeling of ‘expertise’. Both of us over the hill by a number of years, and yet we do manage to learn new tricks as we go. I just love your newsletter and tidbits…if only time would slow down to do it all! Merry Christmas to you and a very Happy, Healthy, STITCHINGLY great New Year. Karin
Lefty here!!
Mom taught me basic embroidery when I was 5. I haven’t really found that it has hindered me in learning more stitches. I don’t feel that my knowledge is anywhere near complete & this directory would be wonderful to have!!!
I am right-handed which has made learning from most books much simpler. However, I have had problems when teaching left-handers, trying to understand the ‘mirror-image’ flow of movement that is necessary to make a stitch. I think I succeeded, at least they went away with stitched items!
Righty all the way. Can’t say it has made a difference as have been around only right handed stitchers! Thanks for the 12 day give away!
I’m right-handed, and such a book would be so welcomed on my sofa!
Thank you for another terrific giveaway, Mary!
Righty here – and it’s never made a difference, since most instructors & instructions have the same handed-ness.
Katherine
OH this would help me master other techniques! What a wonderful addition to anyone’s reference library! Thank you for the opportunity!
Good morning,
I am a righty, so I have had the advantage of learning from other right-handed stitchers and authors. My sister, who was left-handed, had to either reverse all directions or learn to embroider like a right-handed stitcher.
I am right handed and always have learned things from that perspective. The book would be an excellent resource for anyone who loves hand embroidery. I much prefer doing all my projects by hand and not machine. I think it makes me feel more creative.
Thank you for yet another great give-a-way!!
Converted lefty, I guess, though I never really had a problem with it. Everything I got formally taught, I do with my right hand, everything else (throwing balls, drawing etc.) with the left. I guess I’m a bit ambidextrous as a result, which can be good for some needlework stuff as well, since I just use the hand that’s more comfortable for the task at hand.
I’d love to learn from these books.
I was born right handed … but with stitching I have discovered that I can go faster if I also use the left hand. The book will really help to improve my skills.
Pick me !
I’m a righty…but I have a nephew who is a lefty. He has always admired my handwork and has asked me to teach him. So what could be more perfect than to be able to show him this fabulous book?! Count me in!
I LOVE your give-aways!
I stitch with my right hand, but I thread my needles with my left hand. I think there is a lefty buried in my DNA! I am so glad that there is an embroidery stitch book for lefties! Carolyn from Budapest
I am a “lefty” in writing etc, but living in a “righty” world I have learned how to embroider, knit, crochet etc the “righty” way (no intention of relearning it). Things sometimes “collide” and turn out different in the making when my two sides meet. The end result is usually the same.
I’m a righty, so I suppose the world organizes itself around people like me. I have noticed no particular effects, therefore. However, as I learn to embroider two handed, which I have only just started to do, I have noticed that my left hand is actually better for some things than my right, and am using it more and more. I tend to use my right hand underneath, and my left on top of the work, but sometimes I find myself unintentionally swapping to get into and awkward corner!
I’m right handed but not strongly. I can and have embroidered with both hands, and taught both right and left handed people stitches.
I would want the book for right handed people, but awesome work to write one for each.
I’m left handed but I feel like it didn’t make a difference until today. Since I’m pretty much untalented when it comes to knitting with “normal” instructions, I never had any problems with embroidery books.
Still I would like to know if instructions for left handed stitchers may cause an aha-experience.
Ohhh! the lefty book please! I am so tired of looking at instructions and translating them backwards although it’s good for my brain. I have the book on my list of 2012 purchase indulgences. Thanks for the possibility Mary. Sue
HI Mary!
You continue to amaze me with the high quality give-aways, and after Christmas! What a concept!
I am a “righty” but I am also an instructor. This has made me have to learn both ways in order to teach everyone well.
I look forward to seeing this book as I think it will take my embroidery to the next level. Lovely!
Thank you! From a Righty Embroider.
I am a “rightie” but I teach Brazilian embroidery and often have a “lefty” in my class. When preparing for a class, I try to pay attention to how a left-hand stitcher will need to work and having the stitch dictionary for left-hand would make that less of a challenge.
This looks to be a wonderful book. I will be venturing into doing small designs in 2012 to support our EGA Chapter’s Stitch of the Month. This would be a great guide to use. While most instructions are written for right handed people and I am right handed they are not always clear. These are very well done.
Syvia
I stitch left-handed. I write right-handed. Some things, like tennis and baseball and ironing I can do about as well on either hand.
Usually when I explain that to anyone they ask if maybe I started off life as a lefty and got forced into rightyness. I didn’t. I’m just a little ambi-handed.
I don’t remember having any trouble learning stitches because of the leftishness. Knitting was another thing entirely. I tried several times to learn to knit and just could not get it until a neighbor showed me the continental style knitting which made sense right away.
Your give-aways are getting better and better.
I’m a righty. I have been embroidering ever since I was a child. Learning how has provided me with connections to my past and hours of quite pleasure. Probably around 8 or 9 years old. I grew up with the philosophy “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” so I was never allowed to be idle. My mom was a great crewel embroidery so I learned what I know from her. She also taught me to sew. Between her and my grandmother (who sewed and quilted) I was always learning something from hand sewing a dolls quilt to embroidering a pink mouse. I later move into cross stitching and now I’m back to embroidering and quilting.
I believe in today’s modern age of technology we are so seldom still and quiet that we forget the pleasure of being alone with our thoughts. I think this is one of the joys of hand work and one of the precious skills my granny and mom were trying to teach me as a child.
Since I stopped needlework for a while my library is a bit outdated, so this book would be a wonderful addition.
I am more or less right-handed. My problem is dyslexia – more or less depending on how tired I am. I have both of these books and cannot say enough to praise them both. I sometimes teach and need the Left-handed one for the “odd” student.
I’m a righty. When my hand gets too tired from stitching, I have tried it left-handed which is an amusing fail.
Both of her books look amazing. It really inspires me to experiment with more stitching stuff in the new year.
I am one of those “confused” embroiderers…I am primarily left-handed (eating, writing) but most other “learned” things were taught by my righty mother/father…I am also a book-learner, so anything new I want to learn are from visual sources (books, magazines, etc) I am also one who says that one can never have too many stitching references! I don`t have this one…would love either version!
I am right handed. It has not been a problem learning how to embroider.
Happy New Year!
Joanie
I’m right-handed for most things, but use my left for various things, such as putting (in golf). I’m just learning to embroider, so it hasn’t made any difference, yet.
I’m a righty. I guess it’s easier to be a right-handed embroiderer? The instructions are mostly written for right-handed people.
I’m right handed and it’s sad to say, but most books are written for us “righty’s” – I’m sure it’s much more difficult for the left handed set to get good illustrations.
HI there!
I am a lefty and have always been taught or learned from righties……this would be cool and probably very helpful. Learning how to knit was tough from a rightie so I’m thinking that there may be a certain level of “frustration” that could be removed using an embroidery book specifically for me! THANKS
Lynn
Hi, merry 6th day of christmas. I’m mary varma from india. The answer to your question is Right and since i’m right-handed i’m comfortable with it. Today’s giveaway is wonderful, i’ve learnt a lot regarding embroidery from books, so i would definitly love to win this giveaway.
In the “real” world I’m ambidextrous, which is incredibly handy! I can split my tasks, and use either hand. In sewing, I’m mostly right-handed, partly because it is hard enough to master each stitch with one hand, let alone learn both ways. But with many stitches I can swap “dominant” hands. So I would add the “right-handed” instruction book to my library.
BUT … the whitework book is BEAUTIFUL! I love white on white work, and this book is definitely going on my wish list. Many thanks to Yvette for her generous contributions to this festive give-away! and to Mary for always pointing out interesting books and supplies and techniques.
Happy New Year’s Eve everyone. And happy stitching in 2012.
I am definitely right handed.
I now own (thanks to you Mary) 2 good books
on stitches and I follow your tutorials all
the time, what a help it is. I am a book
junkie therefore another dictionary would not
hurt.
Thank You
France from Canada
Hi Mary,
I am right handed and a visual person. I learn best by seeing stitches been done or by following a good diagram, which Yvette is very good at.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
Esther B
I have friends who are left handed and find it difficult to learn new stitches. I have Yvettes Mountmellick book and would love the Right Handed Embroidery book.
The Yvette Stanton book was part of my Christmas gift to myself this year. It’s residing on my bedside table right now. I would like to win one for my best friend, who is a “righty” like myself. It was my best friend who told me about the Mary Corbet website and newsletter, so I owe her! I have never experienced any problem, because I think the “default setting” for illustrations is for right handers. I pity the poor lefties, and I think that Yvette has done a good thing by providing them with their own book.
Left handed or right handed? I’m a left-hander however I was taught to knit and crochet from a right hander family member. It’s just plain easier to have instructions written for whichever hand you are comfortable working with so if I am lucky enough to win I’d choose the left-hander’s guide.
Born left-handed into a right-handed family, I’ve always had to figure out how to get things done. This book would be fabulous for helping me becme more effective in my stitching. Thanks for organizing all these give-aways! Such a treat.
Being a Lefty, I have tended to shy away from instructional
stitch books and try things on my own. Having this book in my library would probably add a whole new level to my
work.
I am a righty. I learned the basic embroidery stitches as a child from my mother, who was also a right so it has never been an issue. I do think that stitching helps the non-dominant hand perform.
I’m a righty, but even still I know I’d benefit from Yvette’s careful dissection of each stitch. I have her book on Hardanger and it’s fantastic!