Description

The design is inspired by an embroidered stumpwork panel from the collection of the Holburne Museum, Bath. The panel is highly decorated with silk and gold embroidery and dates to around ca.1600. The little bird motif is part of a larger screen depicting the story of Esther and Ahasuerus. The panel shows the main characters and other court figures with a collection of animals around including birds, insects and wild cats. Esther is described in the Book of Esther as the Jewish queen of a Persian king Ahasuerus. In the narrative, Ahasuerus seeks a new wife after his queen, Vashti, refuses to obey him, and Esther is chosen for her beauty. This motif takes you through some basic goldwork techniques but also the process of both natural long and short thread painting and the vertical tapestry shading technique.

All materials are included (Design fabric, backing fabric, needles, threads, metal threads( It will be best to work this piece in a 6′ or 8′ hoop frame or suitable slate/roller bar frame – ideally one which is self supporting and therefore will allow you to use both hands for stitching. Additional tools will be sharp small tipped embroidery scissors suitable for threads and sharp tipped scissors you are happy to use on metal threads.

Not suitable for young children, kit contains sharp needle and spall parts