Jane Nicholas has worked in the field of embroidery for over twenty years, specialising in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery. She has written five books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines. She teaches widely for Embroiderers' Guilds and businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and continues to research and develop new techniques, particularly in stumpwork.

Inspired principally by the medieval 'Book of Hours' Jane has selected eight flowers and given them a new lease of life in stumpwork embroidery. Five of the subjects are botanical specimens with Latin names, the other three are worked as illuminated panels. The embroideries are worked in rich colours, embellished with gold thread and beads. Each stunning piece includes an insect. The requirements for making each project are given in detail with drawings, tracing patterns and diagrams. Beautiful illustrations throughout.