Queen Elizabeth I Armada Gown Goldwork Embroidery Kit — 1588 Tudor Replica

 Queen Elizabeth I Armada Gown Goldwork Embroidery Kit — 1588 Tudor Replica

PLEASE NOTE DEFAULT FABRIC IS SAPPHIRE BLUE DUPIONI

Recreate the legendary goldwork from the most iconic royal portrait in English history.

In 1588, Queen Elizabeth I commissioned a gown embroidered with gold suns, scattered with pearls — each one a symbol of her power, purity, and triumph over the Spanish Armada. The Armada Portrait, now hanging at the Queen's House in Greenwich, has captivated historians, embroiderers, and history lovers for over four centuries.

Now you can recreate a piece of that living history with your own hands.

This kit is a faithful interpretation of the geometric goldwork adorning Elizabeth I's iconic gown — worked in the traditional Elizabethan style with gold cording, passing thread, and glass pearls on rich jewel-toned fabric.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 3 sizes of gold-plated cording 
• 1 spool of 0.16mm gold-plated passing thread — for satin stitch 
• 20 white glass pearls — you can switch them up with real pearls!
• Pre-cut fabric in your choice of:
• Sapphire Blue Dupioni Silk,
• Royal Purple Dupioni Silk,
• Midnight Black Peau de Soie, 
• Teal Heavyweight Peau de Soie
• Design applied to the fabric
  

Embroidery hoop and needles not included.

THE DESIGN

The centerpiece is an eight-pointed gold star with a cluster of pearls at its heart — a direct echo of the embroidered suns across Elizabeth's sleeves in the Armada Portrait. A geometric lattice of gold cording frames four corner flowers

 Finished piece measures approximately 6 x 6 inches — suitable for framing, using as a fan or purse.

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate — some prior embroidery experience recommended as the instructions are limited

A NOTE ON THE HISTORY

The Armada Portrait was painted c.1588 to celebrate England's defeat of the Spanish fleet. Every pearl on Elizabeth's gown symbolized her chastity and power as the Virgin Queen. Every gold sun declared her as the light and life of England. When you stitch this piece, you are working in the same tradition as the royal embroiderers of the Tudor court.

 Recreate the goldwork from Queen Elizabeth I's 1588 Armada Portrait gown. Kit includes gold cording, passing thread & glass pearls on jewel-toned silk fabric.