Bloomsbury Needlepoint

Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant presided over the decoration of Charleston in a style which still exerts an influence on interior decoration. Needlepoint was favoured both as a pastime and as a key decorative element and this book includes designs for cushions, rugs, chairseats, hangings, firescreens, a Charleston blotter and Virginia Woolf's glasses case. Stitch-by-stitch colour charts, yarn information and detailed instructions make it easy to recreate the spontaneity of the original tapestries and designs, and suggestions for alternative colourways are also given. Some of the designs are based on the murals and paintings rather than the tapestries and Melinda Cross takes a look at the recurring motifs of boats, shells, flowers and cherubs, many inspired by Charleston and its seaside location. Kits are also available of all the designs.