Kit description:

The design for this kit was inspired by the thistles in the Commonwealth floral emblem worked in gold threads on the Queen Mother’s coronation dress.  She wore this dress to the Coronation of her husband King George VI in May 1937.  The leaf was inspired by the leaves in the Peace and Plenty Emblem on the Coronation Robe worn by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The Royal School of Needlework has had the honour and privilege to work on regalia for all the coronations since it was founded in 1872, dating back to the 1902 Coronation of Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra.

The kit instruction booklet guides the embroiderer through the finer points of padding, which provides the important foundation for applying the metal threads.  The padding techniques (felt and soft string) have been chosen to purposefully to create a raised surface to allow the applied metal threads to catch the light from all angles…and sparkle!  A shot weave dupion silk has been used for the base fabric adding an extra bit of glamour when the colour alters depending on the light and direction it is viewed.

The kit includes dupion silk fabric with design lines, base calico, beeswax, basic velvet board, needles, felt and soft string padding, sewing thread, Japanese thread and a range of gilt metal threads which include checks, purl, pearl purl and spangles.

Level - Intermediate to Advanced