Share 'Which came first, the stitch or the art?'

Hi Everyone, I am really interested to hear how people got started in needlwork. It seems that there are two groups, some who are interested in art and design and come to embroidery/needlework as a medium of expression, and others who were captured by the stitching itself. Which one are you? Personally, I was 7 when my teacher gave us all some Aida and stranded cotton and taught us how to do cr…