Embroidery Love

I really want to learn how to embroider. Like reallyyyy embroider, not just the little stuff I learned when I was little. And by hand, not with a machine. I recently bought some of the cutest vintage dish towels for just a dollars each (maybe pictures will come later?), and the poor little old man that sold them told me that embroidery was a "dying craft". He made it sound so sad! So, I have decided I will learn to embroider, and keep it "alive". Haha, no but really! I want to learn! :)