Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum

Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, (born c. 1946) American cross-stitch embroidery designer known especially for her Victorian angel designs. Her design business is "Told in a Garden" with her most famous designs sold under the product lines of "Butternut Road" and "Lavender and Lace."

Marilyn's professional design career began as an advertising illustrator and fashion illustrator. Her first published embroidery design, inspired by her experiences living in Amish country, was "The Quilting" showing an Amish quilting bee. When she finished her piece, she showed it to the owner of her local needlework shop who told her that if she graphed the design the shop would sell it. The first 25 copies sold almost immediately, and her business was born. Since then, 'MLI' as she is known to stitchers, has sold millions of copies of her designs and has developed an international fan base.

References

• Told in a Garden official website for Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum.
• "Designer Spotlight" on website for Caron Collection company. (Specializes in variegated embroidery thread.)
• Yahoo discussion group dedicated to Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum designs.
• "Is a Stitch Online a Crime?" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Aug 1, 2000. pg. 1, Part A, "Metro Desk." (Article noting the popularity of Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum's designs.)
• "A Stitch in Time Saves . . . Sanity" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Jan 31, 1997. pg. 1, Part E, "Life & Style." (Article describing Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum as one of the most popular embroidery designers.)