The Scottish Play Kit - Pre-Order

Find your embroidery flair with the Scottish Play Crewel Work Kit. This unusual design replicates a 17th Century pillowe which adorns a Charles I walnut ebonised day bed, which sits in the crypt at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland.

Glamis Castle is connected to Macbeth (also referred to as The Scottish Play in theatrical circles) because Shakespeare gives his infamous character the title Thane of Glamis. Although the current castle was built after the real Macbeth’s time, local tradition associates him with the area and with legends that helped shape the play.

Featuring extravagantly oversized floral motifs, the original embroidery was likely repurposed from a set of Jacobean Bed hangings.

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Secure delivery, flat rate postage

Money Back Guarantee

30 day guarantee on all kit orders

Exceptional Quality

Sustainably sourced materials supporting traditional crafts

Time invested in needlework should be honored with the best quality materials. All the materials in this kit have been selected for their quality and historic integrity and with longevity in mind, so that your finished piece will become a treasured heirloom for many generations to come.

Pure linen twill
52 Appletons Crewel Wool Skeins
4 Needles (for double & single thread)
20-page Stitch Instruction Booklet
A3 Stitch Charts
A3 Colour Poster
Our 'Essential Guide to Crewel Work' booklet

Supporting the Glamis Castle Textile Collection

Each purchase of this kit provides much-needed income to conserve historic embroideries at Glamis Castle, in Angus Scotland.

View the Collection

About the Original Embroidery

The Glamis Crypt Crewel Work

Our Scottish Play design is inspired by the remarkable 17th-century crewel work cushions preserved in the crypt at Glamis Castle. Dating from the mid to late 1600s, these pieces may have been stitched by Lady Helen Middleton, the wife of the 3rd Earl of Strathmore, and her daughters Elizabeth and Grizel. The originals feature exuberant, oversized leaves and dramatic flowers, stitched in wool with a strong sense of movement and scale.

Phillipa’s recreation captures the spirit of these historic textiles without being an exact replica. Rather than copying a single cushion, she has drawn together selected elements from across the designs, creating a composition that feels both authentic and cohesive. The sweeping foliage and stylised blooms remain central, celebrating the confidence and creativity of the original makers. The result is a design that honours its Scottish heritage while offering today’s stitchers an approachable yet vibrant interpretation of 17th-century crewel work.

What size is the design?

Design size: 38 x 51 cm (15 x 20 in)
Linen size: 58 x 71 cm (23 x 28 in)

What stitches are featured in the design?

Long and Short as ‘soft shading’, Crewel Stem, Long and Short Satin, Detached Fly, Seeding, Closed Fly, French Knots, Thorn, Lazy Daisy, Ermine, Fishbone, Spider’s Web, and four variations of Laid and Couched work

Which frame should I use

We recommend using a Hands Free Seat Frame with a paddle base or table clamp.

Alternatively you may prefer to use a 'Slate Frame' or other frame of your choice. You will also need a pair of scissors and a thimble if you use one.

How we give back

We care deeply about keeping the embroidery alive for future generations, and about supporting the talented artisans, collection owners, and arts professionals who help preserve this heritage.

5% of the sale of this kit goes directly to supporting the Glamis Castle Textile Collection.

These contributions are protected for the specific care and conservation of the embroideries in the collection and for helping to train the people dedicated to their preservation.

Delivery, Returns and Duties

We ship all orders using tracked services to ensure your order arrives safely.

UK orders
£4.95 flat rate shipping
Sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24

International orders
£12.95 flat rate shipping
Orders are shipped with either Royal Mail International Tracked, Parcelforce, or DPD.
All duties and import taxes are included in the price.
Local ‘State’ level sales tax is not included and may be due on delivery

What this means for you
The shipping price you see at checkout is the total you pay for delivery - including tracking, handling, and any applicable duties or import taxes for your country.
We’ve chosen this approach so your order arrives smoothly, without unexpected customs charges or delays.

Questions?
If you have any questions about shipping or delivery, please get in touch at admin@crewelwork.com.

Scottish Play

Australia

Australia

United States

United Kingdom

Australia

United Kingdom

As promised

So special

I am halfway through and am so enamoured I had to stop and write a review. I love the colors, the volume of the double and single threaded sections, and the variety of stitches! It's an absolute joy to sew, and looks superb.

Looking good

It is early days - only just set up my frame, but the fabric is good, the instructions look extremely clear and detailed, and I’m looking forward to puchking up my needle.

Bit disappointed

I chose this kit for all the lovely blue hues as shown online and on the kits enclosed colour photograph - unfortunately the kit has overtones of green and is not what I expected at all - if I had known it was going to come out so green I would not have purchased.

I had to ask for another copy of the pattern key because it was too blurred in places and I couldn't read what the numbers were.

Also this kit is aimed at an advanced level, we do not need every line and dot on the fabric! Experienced needleworkers are quite capable of completing some of the motifs without them, they have been very difficult to cover up especially with one strand of wool and subsequently some lines and dots still show through.

There are also some small errors in thread selection on the key.

The email sent after 30 days asking for a review expired too soon for me to have started the piece and have formed an opinion on the kit.

Not at all what I expected from such a renowned company.

Glamis Scottish Play Kit

This is a beautiful Kitcwhich I have had my eye on for at least two years. Thank you to Frankie for being so kind and helpful when my typo led to my initial parcel being mis delivered. I was delighted to receive my replacement before Christmas. Doubled 5 stars for all round excellence!

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