Man doing embroidery on the train

[PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle]

Never before, either in public or private, have I known a man to do embroidery. But here he is, across the aisle from me, with his family all occupied with reading, games, colouring in and he’s busy doing the most intricate piece of cross stitch. Looks beautiful! And he’s not what you would call the artistic type. American, built like a lumberjack, bearded.
Anyone else know men who can embroider?

My lovely brother in law does embroidery and knitting. He used to hid it from my nieces’ boyfriends. Now everyone knows. When I was 15 he knitted me a cardigan for Christmas which I loved. He was only 19 then. He is a farmer now. My sister is more amazing with her hands and I think he learns a lot from her.

DS customises a lot of his own clothes with various means including embroidery.

How far back might this go?

Art History introduced me to the idea that Tudor men did needlework. I remember reading that there was a guild for this (as for being a goldsmith ect.)chartered during Elizabeth I’s reign (so mid 1500s): the 'Worshipful Company of Broderers'. Apparently, guild membership was restricted to men.

I expect that it wasn't a new idea even then.

@canigetaliein local craft fairs and Etsy might be a good place, it might seem expensive but some prices take hours and hours and hours to finish as well as costs for materials so all that it reflected in the price.

I crochet and the amount of people who've asked me to "knock a double blanket" up and then get the hump when they learn the yarn alone costs way mire than they thought and then add at least 50 hours of time at minimum wage and they think I'm the one taking the piss 😀

One of DH's friends does beautiful intricate cross stitch embroidery. He's a big hairy metalhead/biker and gives nairy a fuck what others may think.

One of my male colleagues used to embroider. He brought in some of his work once. They were stunning, I was amazed. I was expecting Home Sweet Home on a sampler.

One of my current workmates is apparently brilliant at knitting. I have never spoken to him as I am in a different team but if I start knitting again (I am not very good) I am going to engage with him so he can put me right when I inevitably go wrong.

Andhowcould - the Lecherous Lecturer in Love in a Cold Climate?

I have some of my dads embroidery on the wall. He did it while recovering in hospital in Germany while doing his national service. I never saw him do any other sewing though.

That type of repetitive, delicate work can be very meditative That's true. Was doing some sewing the other day and it was the first time I was able to appreciate it.

Vitalogy my dad also embroidered in hospital whilst doing national service in Egypt.

He also knits and used to perm my hair !

Not embroidery, but my big butch American uncle took up knitting when he joined the Marines. He correctly predicted that no one would dare say a word. In fact, several other men in his company took it up too.

once saw a man in Debenhams in builders boots saw him a bit later... doing makeup on the Mac concession (wonderfully too!)

My grandfather used to darn socks for his men in the war. No reason men shouldn't sew or embroider.

My male cousin darns his socks, my Dad weaves and my Mum knits. I crochet, knit, weave willow. It’s not seen as gender specific in our family, but I realise that this is atypical.

My grandfather made all of his own clothes, and we still use furniture that has his embroidery skills on.

@wigglybeezer - I was going to mention him, as he was my neighbour

My grandad was ex Navy and knitted beautifully. The last things he made before he died where 2 teeny cardigans, one each for his expected great grandchildren. My daughter got a lovely peach one and my cousins son had a mint green one. All of my children since DD1 (she was the second child of six) have worn it and I treasure it.

Former NFL football player (US) Roosevelt Grier published this book in 1973.

There was an American footballer named Rosey Grier who did needlepoint when he was on the bench during games.

www.amazon.co.uk/Rosey-Griers-Needlepoint-Men-Grier/dp/0802704212?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Note: this isn't spam; I have nothing to do with Amazon or Mr Grier or needlepoint!

Oops. Cross-posted with Across.

I love cross stitch and so does DP, these are 2 he has done, I have more upstairs but children are going to sleep.
The bear one is part of our DDs birth one, I cut out due to name and details on.

As several people have mentioned embroidery was encouraged amongst soldiers recuperating in hospital. Kept them occupied. Just about every regimental museum will have an example.

My late ex- FiL was marvellous at tapestry and embroidery. He was a dentist and started doing it as a student to improve his dexterity. He made rugs, fire screens, stools and wonderfully complex tapestries and silhouette embroidery. Stunning stuff.

My mum used to own a haberdashery shop. Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd used to buy embroidery supplies from her. I just googled and found this - www.jennyhart.net/bjpmfpmgp29pi40764g29iv0u5b921

Actually, I think that one in the link isn't a self portrait . . .

My dad ( born 1921) did embroidery in the RAF

Mine, born in 1930 and also RAF used to do tapestries. Maybe it's an older generation forces thing.