The design for this piece was drawn free-hand, using the type of simplified flower and leaf shapes that are found in lace patterns.  I wanted a bold, red panel to put on the empty white wall in the hallway which has a wine-coloured carpet. 

Thinking about the structure of Honiton lace in particular,  I decided that cutwork would be the way to suggest this in an embroidered piece.  The different shades were created by dyeing one piece of wool flannel and three pieces of silk organza in brazilwood chips, using alum, copper and chrome mordants.

The panel was constructed by layering the pieces of organza over the wool and pinning to secure.  I machined the design through from the reverse using a metallic thread.  The pattern was revealed by cutting away different layers of fabric to show the colour below.

The last and  most uncomfortable stage involved using very small, sharp scissors to cut away all of the layers of fabric  between the flowers, stalks and leaves. I mounted the finished piece on a background of silk cotton from the same dyebath.