The Exemplary 2024
1st Place, Non-Professional Non-Original without Instruction

This Christmas stocking, designed by Liz-Goodrick Dillon, was inspired by, and stitched for, Linda’s four-year old grandson, Gabe. Gabe is legally blind. He does have some vision, but has no depth perception, so the goal in stitching this was to ignore three-dimensionality in favor of texture, texture, texture.

Santa’s beard, stitched in three colors in bullion stitch with Vineyard Classic Silk, is the focal point. Long and short stitch is used for his mustache. His collar and cuffs are French knots using Planet Earth Silk. Santa’s robe is in tent stitch using Very Velvet. Texture was added to his gloves by using Angora. The wreath that Santa holds and the tree were stitched using Watercolours, which added a nice texture. Finishing touches include a faux mink pom pom on his hat, a cardinal charm on the tree, and jingle bells.