I'm just wrapping a book up ready for a friend's birthday, and thought I would draw it to the attention of those studying JA's life and times. It's called 'The Embroiderer's Story', Needlework from the Renaissance to the present day by Thomasina Beck.

It's brilliant, but best of all are two chapters entitled 'The Georgian Embroiderer' and 'Regency Interlude', which of course features the work of JA in some detail.

I bought this book at JA's house at Chawton when there with Clare A and DavidL, but only just started looking at it. I think I shall have to buy another just for me. However I'm sure it's available at Amazon should anyone else wish to see it.

Quote:

"No one can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with," states Misss Bingly, during an animated discussion on the meaning of the word in Pride and Prejudice. She lists music, singing, drawing and modern languages as indispensable, but makes no mention of needlework, whereas her affable brother Charles finds all the young ladies of his acquaintance accomplished on that grounds that they can 'paint tables, cover screens and net purses"

There are lots of descriptions and pictures of needlework, netting, pictorial needlework etc.

A little early perhaps in this topic, but I'm about to wrap it up!