The White Sword Lily

A bouquet of white gladioli opening among purple bellflowers, white wildflower umbels, wheat ears and poppy seed heads. The blue-grey fabric is left unstitched around the flowers and acts as the background, rather like a floral portrait. The design is worked in counted cross stitch from the chart, with a wide range of shades that calls for some confidence in counting.

The kit holds everything needed for the stitching itself; hoop and frame are not included, and a roomy hoop or stretcher bar frame makes a piece this size easier to handle. Once finished, it is a picture to frame, perhaps with a mount picking up the tones of the background.