h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Actually, hand embroidery is still often used in military uniforms, religious vestments and other regalia, and while machine products have many visually exciting possibilities, there is really no substitute for the hand made article.

But it's hardly found in art shops & gallery. It maybe much more difficult to do it than painting. There are many wonderful Chinese embroidery works, look like exactly picture or photo.

I've been moving around a lot and not paying attention to anything- there are now machine embroidered works that look very like the Chinese silk embroidery - it's amazing.

The two sided works done in China still take the prize, though.