Diana's Dresses

Mrs Peggy Umpelby had lots of samples but the ones which were

the most intricate were those on Diana's dresses.

Peggy often made up several samples for the designers and Diana

for them to chose their favourite.

The top sample is from one of her famous State Occasion dresses,

the sample was magnificent, no wonder this became one of

Diana's favourites.

These lower samples were from the 'Elvis' dress as it was called

because of it's raised 'Elvis' type collar.

designed by Catherine Walker and beaded by Peggy

and her team at S.Lock Ltd.

The dress was beaded with thousands of varying sized pearl beads.

The right hand sample is beaded in a quilting/embroidery pattern called

'vermicelli'.

The border which was the hem of the dress has three lines of

bugle beads which is then wrapped stitched with crystal beads.

A lovely way to finish a piece, a technique I think I

would like to use in the future.

See the fantastic You tube video of Diana's dresses.

Queen's Dressmaker

Mrs Peggy Umpelby has been beading The Queen's dresses

for over forty years. Mrs Peggy explained that the dresses

come in pieces or lenghts of fabric which then have to

be beaded. It is Peggy's skill at where to bead the beaded design

so that the shape and form of the body and design will look their best.

Tambour Beading is always worked on the reverse of the fabric.

The beader doesn't see the front as they work

often feeling the design as they go.

Peggy explained that it is easier on the sheer fabrics to see! the design

and that a 'pounced' pattern is often put on the

heavier fabric such as taffeta

so it can be followedThe sleeve section above and includes cutwork.

It is one of a pair which replace ones on one of

The Queen's favourite dresses.

See Hardy Amies Royal Exhibition

(use the scroll button on the right of the wedding dress photo on Amies

site to read the information)

and then watch the video which includes some of

Mrs Peggy's work

click

www.hardyamies.com

Royal Dress Maker

On Wednesday evening I went to my local Embroidery Guild meeting.

Mrs Peggy Umpelby talked, shared and showed us some of

her amazing tambour beaded samples and work.

She has been part of the royal dressmaking team for over forty years

and has a personal Royal Warrant for her work.

"Mrs Peggy" as she is known by many works with designers such as

The Emanual's, Hardy Amies and Catherine Walker

to mention a few, producing amazing beaded creations,

which many of us have seen

in press photographs.

Mrs. Peggy uses a tambour needle which looks as fine and is as

sharp as a fish hook.

Mrs Peggy demonstrated her technique on a piece of lace

( a sample left over from Diana's dress!)

with 4mm Pearl sequins!!!

She told us about her favourite pieces and some of the

stories behind them.

We were able to touch and admire her beading close up,

Beautiful!

See more photographs in The Queen's Dressmaker

Visit our Guild website for more information

www.kingslynnembguild.wordpress.com

Watch this amazing video for an insight to the work.