Whether you are a stitcher looking for a gift for another stitcher, a stitcher looking for a gift for yourself (what - you don't buy yourself a holiday gift?) or you have to buy a gift for a stitcher, then this is the place to be.

I have scoured the needlework world to bring you these items that will make any stitcher happy to receive (and perhaps a bit reluctant to give away!).

	Eterna Silk Have I mentioned how much I love working with this silk? It's got 545 plain dyed colours, and 100 overdyed colours, in 5 different sizes. The best thing is that the price is very affordable! (ps: while you're there, check out their kits!)
	The Best of Teresa Wentzler: Fantasy Collection Most embroiderers love the work of Teresa Wentzler, and what better gift than one of her "best of" books. Also available is The Best of Teresa Wentzler: Sampler Collection
	Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches Originally published in hardcover by Hodder & Stoughton in 1989, this is a completely revised full-color edition of Thomas's 1934 classic, Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches. A comprehensive dictionary offering more than 400 stitches, this edition includes 100 new stitches, all described and pictured in full-color diagrams. Essential for public libraries and embroidery collections. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
	DMC Folding Frame A great little device that will hold your chart-board or pattern up.
	DMC Stranded Cotton Ah yes - where would we be without it??
	Hardanger with Pizzaz by Ina Orr Hardanger is a traditional counted thread technique that is popular worldwide. Ina Orr has produced a book with superbly clear diagrams and charts,and new innovative and different designs that willentice beginners and challenge the more experienced.It uses the latest fabrics and threads.
	1692 Reproduction Needlework Scissors Made by Gingher, these scissors are a recreation of a 1692 design. The scissors are 3 1/2" long and have nickel-plated blades and gold-plated handles. A leather sheath and gift box are included.
	Etui (Silver Sewing Kit) Silver sewing case, 1 5/8" high. Contains a spool for holding 3 colors of thread and inside the spool's core is a needlecase. Also comes with a thimble.
	PC Stitch This is one of the best pattern creation programs around - and when I offer a free chart, it will be in a PC stitch format for download.
	Beds of Roses Sampler If you like samplers, you will love this. It's a reproduction sampler using bands of whitework, specialty stitches and a line from an Elizabethan poem. Chart only.
	Dazor Circleline Lamp DAZOR CIRCLINE fluorescent magnifiers are the light of choice for many serious stitchers. They come with a circular fluorescent tube which nearly eliminates shadows. The 3 diopter optical glass lens, which is standard, magnifies items by 75%, and provides a 5" viewing area. You may buy the Desk Model Dazor Circline, which sits on top of a table (cannot be mounted on a floor stand); or the Dazor Circline with a Table Clamp to clamp onto a table (can be mounted on a floor stand as well); or the Dazor Circline with either a flat pedestal base or on a caster base (can be mounted on a table clamp as well)
	Complete Guide to Needlework Featuring information on embroidery, needlepoint, applique, quilting, and more, The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework teaches thrrough new methods, crystal clear instructions and photographs, the correct techniques for virtually all types of needlecrafts. 2,600 photographs. I honestly would not know what I would do without my copy of this book!
	Stitch Sampler: The Ultimate Visual Dictionary to Over 200 Classic Stiches A stunning two-part volume combines close-up photographs and detailed instructions as it illustrates more than two hundred classic and contemporary embroidery and needlework stitches, accompanied by helpful tips on how to combine stitches to create a wide range of decorative and textural effects.
	Redoute's Finest Flowers in Embroidery The famous flowers of artist Pierre Joseph Redouté come to life.on fabric! His timeless paintings become the inspiration for both traditional and modern surface techniques, together with raised and padded areas and stumpwork. The result is a fabulous, textured 3-D effect that's perfect for floral images. Using the simplest means possible--and with the aid of a stitch glossary, diagrams, tracing outlines, and color photographs--you can achieve a professional finish. All your favorite blossoms appear in this garden: lilies, pansies, roses of many colors, dahlias, camellias, and more. A starter sampler with six flowers enables you to practice every one of the different stitches before you move on to the Brazilian amaryllis, simple anemones, magnolias, and irises. A beautiful touch of springtime in embroidery.
	Helen Stevens Embroidered Birds Helen Stevens shows you how to use your embroidery skills to stitch realistic birds
	Painting with Thread: Embroidered Pictures to Make and Cherish This beautiful book takes you into the world of embroidery - painting with thread. More than just stitching!
	Embroidery Illusions They're called illusions, because these simple, elegant designs look as intricate as if they took a lot of time and talent to create. Yet each one is quite easy. The illustrated instructions cover various needlework styles, including satin stitch, couching, beading, cross stitch, stumpwork, and appliqué. Choose from nursery rhymes, landscapes, still life, sea creatures, and exotic scenes. Special tips show how to mix projects to make your own originals.
	Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs Taking the guesswork out of using a home embroidery machine, this book covers the entire embroidery process from choosing designs, threads, stabilizers and needles to hooping, design placement and stitching techniques. Simple projects are made easy with step-by-step instructions, allowing readers to experiment with their new skills and embroidery techniques. A handy troubleshooting section helps solve problems along the way. Includes a bonus CD featuring 6 exclusive embroidery designs digitized by award-winning Lindee Goodall, owner of Cactus Punch®.
	The Complete Book of Machine Embroidery (Creative Machine Arts) A machine embroidery must!

See anything you like? Is there something that you think should be included? If so, then pop on over to the boards and post it!

Is there anything that you would particularly like to see an article on? If so, please e-mail me with your suggestions.

Happy Stitching

© 2001, 2002, 2003 Megan McConnell