African Marigold Cushion

Designed by William Morris in 1876 as a cotton chintz, African Marigold was block-printed by Thomas Wardle using natural Prussian blue dye.
This interpretation for needlepoint recaptures the faded look of Morris's preliminary watercolour sketch which is in the collection of the William Morris Gallery at Walthamstow.
Beth Russell took the centre of the lovely watercolour for the cushion and later the whole painting was slightly adapted to turn it from a repeating pattern to an almost symmetrical rug, with a leaf border added.
Cushion CANVAS: 12#/in Zweigart White mono De Luxe, 20x20" (51x51cm). DESIGN: 15½x15½" (39x39cm). WOOLS: Appleton tapestry. STITCH: Tent/Basketweave.