{"product_id":"quilters-guild-blackadder-livery","title":"Quilters Guild - Blackadder Livery","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe design for this kit is taken from the centre panel of the original quilt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKit Details -\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Cross Stitch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompleted Design Size: \u003c\/strong\u003e10.5 x 10 ins (26 x 25cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFabric Count: \u003c\/strong\u003e14 Count Aida\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. Thread Colours:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStitch Count: \u003c\/strong\u003e147 x 140\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKit Details -Tapestry\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompleted Design Size: \u003c\/strong\u003e10.5 x 10 ins (26 x 25cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFabric Count: \u003c\/strong\u003e14 Count Mono Canvas\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. Thread Colours:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStitch Count: \u003c\/strong\u003e147 x 140\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Original Quilt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis striking wool coverlet is made in the same tradition as military or uniform coverlets, and uses off-cuts of staff livery (special uniforms worn by servants) from the once grand Blackadder Estate in Allanton, Berwickshire. It was made by tailors employed in William Purves tailoring business in Allanton village for his daughter, Jane Melrose Purves, when she married Robert Harrower in 1898 aged 24. The coverlet is finished with a wool fringe and backed with a floral beige cotton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAllanton Tailors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllanton Village had a reputation for fine tailoring. Despite being a small village, there were 33 tailors working there at the start of the twentieth century in three separate tailoring businesses. Jane’s father, William Purves, owned one of those Tailors, and amongst other clients served Blackadder House. Purves Tailors was the last to cease trading in the 1960s, and the building still bears his name above the door. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTailoring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTailoring was a skilled and predominantly male tradition, which required great accuracy and skill to make the garment fit each individual wearer. Tailors would stitch cross legged on raised tables which were placed near large windows, to make the most of the natural daylight. This position was both comfortable and convenient, as it allowed for the easy manipulation of heavy fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlackadder House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blackadder estate, whose name was taken from the nearby river of the same name, comprised of a large Palladian house built by the Houston-Boswall family in 1853, and many farms, cottages and buildings built to service the great house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe house was requisitioned during WW1 as accommodation for the troops who vandalised the building and used parts of the grand staircase for firewood. After the War the government refused to pay for any repairs. The family, who had already started to sell off the land in the late 19th century, due to financial difficulties, did not have the funds to repair or maintain the house. They sold off the remaining farms, and Jane and Robert purchased Blackadder Mount cottage in 1924.\u003cbr\u003eBlackadder House was demolished in 1925, although some features still remain today, including a folly walkway with a stone balustrade and an impressive stable range with clock tower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DoodleCraft Design","offers":[{"title":"Cross stitch - Full Kit - Standard Aida","offer_id":58217551233408,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cross stitch - Full Kit - Magic Guide Aida","offer_id":58234549141888,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cross stitch - Chart Only","offer_id":58217807708544,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tapestry - Full Kit","offer_id":58217807741312,"sku":null,"price":52.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tapestry - Chart Only","offer_id":58217807774080,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0020\/6310\/6121\/files\/Blackadder_Livery_Centre_-_Simulation.jpg?v=1780752504","url":"https:\/\/doodlecraftdesign.co.uk\/products\/quilters-guild-blackadder-livery","provider":"DoodleCraft Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}