My second trip to The Royal School of Needlework was based on my desire to take an intensive Goldwork class. The core of the Jacobean class was creating texture with one thread type and many stitch variations. Goldwork has less stitch variety, but nearly endless variation in threads.
The stitching in Goldwork is much less forgiving when compared to stitching with wool threads. Many of the metal threads are composed of a metal wrapped around a core fiber. While stitching they often begin to unravel. Even the solid metal threads are often prone to damage. There is nothing more frustrating than looking at an area you have just finished to discover a damaged thread!
I started off this project too fast, having come from stitching so much Crewel Embroidery. Sometimes you have to make mistakes to learn. In this case, I had to remove my mistakes and start again. I discovered that some of the simplest stitches can take the most care. For this type of work you simply cannot be concerned about the hours required to finish the piece.
The design of this piece was influenced by the Cabinet of Curiosities classes put on by Thistle Threads. I had just started my journey into studying 17th Century Caskets and loved all the reoccurring floral motifs. Gilt Flowers uses two flower outlines from 17th-century caskets. The original execution of these flowers was done in silk, but I was very happy with my interpretation