86-year-old is France’s artisan winner

A woman who took up embroidery at the age of 80 has won a best craftswoman of France award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France ).

Connexion journalist

Published wednesday 10 July 2019 - 14:54 Last updated wednesday 10 July 2019 - 14:54

Yvonne Daniel, now 86, won the national competition and met President Macron during an official ceremony at the Elysée.

Mrs Daniel says she always loved embroideries but started to make her own only in 2012.

She followed several courses while practising at her home in Férel, Morbihan.

Her teacher Catherine Laurençon and her children encouraged her to enter the contest.

Her winning piece took two years to make and was inspired by nature.

She said: “It was a long process but very joyful when I won.”

The contest, first held in 1924, takes place every four years and recognises outstanding artisans in several categories.

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