This embroidered border was inspired by the painted border of a letter written by Lady Anne Clifford to her father in 1598 - the time of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare. Worked on ivory silk satin, in stumpwork and surface embroidery, this design features fourteen assorted flowers and fruits popular at the time, including the Apothecary rose, Sweet briar and Heartsease, Barberries, Bellflower, Borage and Periwinkle, Cornflower, Gillyflower and Knapweed, and Grapes, Plums, Redcurrants and Strawberries. As in the original letter, the panel is outlined with pairs of fine red lines - these have been worked in back stitch. This border may be used to surround a mirror, or to enclose a special photograph, a monogram, a precious memento, or perhaps a tiny stumpwork figure.

Author Biography

Jane Nicholas has worked in the field of embroidery for over twenty years, specialising in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery. She has written five books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines. She teaches widely for Embroiderers' Guilds and businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and continues to research and develop new techniques, particularly in stumpwork.