Headlining at the 2026 Lady Anne’s Online Needlework Festival, Kate Barlow returns with a new exclusive design to become part of the Glamis Caste Collection, the Glamis Foxglove – a luminous silk-and-metal-thread design which reimagines a foxglove found in the inner most royal quarters of Glamis Castle - the Kings Dressing Room.
A Design Rooted in Royal Splendour
The Glamis Foxglove design recreates a corner section of the upper pelmet from the bed hangings that adorn what is known as the Kinghorne Bed.
The hangings, which are alive with flowers, animals, heraldic symbols, and shimmering threads, form one of the most captivating displays of craftsmanship within the castle.
Working from the original foxglove motif found on the end of the top pelmer surrounding the bed, Kate Barlow has reinterpreted the historic stitches and colours using beautiful silks and metal threads, bringing a small but significant piece of Glamis textile history into the hands of today’s stitchers.
“Recreating the Glamis Foxglove gave me a real sense of connection to the past. Carefully interpreting the original stitches and colours was both challenging and rewarding - I felt like I was preserving a piece of textile history with every needle and thread.”
— Kate Barlow
The Kinghorne Bed: A Patchwork of Centuries
The Kinghorne Bed itself is a fascinating blend of eras, artistry, and conservation. Its three upper valances were originally created for the 3rd Earl of Kinghorne in the late 17th century, featuring silk appliqué, intricate straight stitches, couching, and a richly padded coat of arms.
Over time, the bed has evolved:
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The painted and gilded tester likely dates from a later period.
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Additional textiles and structural elements were added in the early 20th century, creating a uniquely layered piece of furniture history.
Conservation studies, including a 1995 report from Conservator Alison Fraser, reveal the lavish detail of the valances: red velvet, yellow silk satin, floral embroidery, animals stitched in silks and metal threads, spangles, fringing, and a green silk lining.
A letter from the Burrell Collection in 1990 suggests that the repairs may even have been done (or at least supervised) by the The Queen Mother herself, concluding that this would make sense given the skills that may have been passed down to her by her mother Cecilia. This suggestion adds yet another intriguing chapter to the bed’s story, and eludes to the extent to which The Queen Mother was directly involved in caring of the textile items in her childhood home. The original 1990 letter from The Burrell Collection can be read here.
A Regal Two-Day Class with Kate Barlow
In Kate's two-day online class, she will guide you through the techniques that make her version of the Foxglove design shimmer with life. Incorporating Fly Stitch, Satin Stitch, Long & Short, Gold Couching and Applying Spangles this class is perfect for those dipping their toe into more complex silk and gold work techniques for the first time.
