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.
