Is a new trend being pushed there?

I just got back from vacation in France. Since I’m always on the lookout for craft stores, yarn, new trends, and patterns even when I’m on vacation, I noticed that there are tons of magazines in France dedicated to embroidery. Some of them come with starter kits (embroidery hoop, thread, pattern, needle).
I haven’t seen anything like this in Germany or the Netherlands—or was I just in the wrong magazine shops????
I’m talking about hand embroidery, not machine embroidery.

I don’t think you were in the wrong craft store.
Maybe this trend hasn’t reached us yet.

Gabi

I’m not just active here, but also in other forums in my free time. There, hand embroidery is definitely a hot topic right now. No more old-fashioned little flowers—there are really modern designs available these days. The trend is definitely back! It’s not really my thing, but I’ve heard it’s supposed to be very relaxing.

Embroidery—especially cross-stitch—has been trendy and popular in France for “ages.”
France has a huge craft culture, especially when it comes to embroidery. There are tons of different embroidery magazines, and many of them come with materials included.
Unfortunately, I don’t think it will experience such a big boom here again. Too bad, because I love cross-stitch!

I like to embroider something every now and then, but only cross-stitch. It’s very meditative. You do have to take your time, though, and you need good lighting. I prefer to embroider smaller items like greeting cards and placemats. Just recently, I embroidered two sets featuring ladybugs. One year-long project was a large Christmas tablecloth with napkins for my son’s family.

I started cross-stitching as a teenager (about 25 years ago) and did it a lot for years. My last projects were four years ago for our wedding. Right now, I just don’t feel like it. But when photos of embroidered things are posted here, it definitely makes me want to do it again. 

But I haven’t noticed that it’s supposed to become a new trend.  

I’m also embroidering again at the moment. Small things that work up quickly. I bought a pen that lets you transfer your own designs onto the fabric and then embroider over them.