Antique Flower Horn Book

This treasure is also known as a thread holder and pin pad and is handcrafted here in Gloucestershire. It is made from faux ivory, etched with alphabet letters and then you can either leave as it is or add the precious little stitched and padded vignette in counted cross stitch. The flower and insect motifs are taken from my Secret Inheritance Casket which you can see here. When completed, the horn book measures 4 x 7in (10 x 18cm).

The kit includes the faux ivory shape, pure linen, threads, felt, gold-plated needle, chart and fully illustrated instructions.

This lovely stitcher’s treat is inspired by early horn books found in the US and here in England from late 16th to the late 18th century. A sheet containing the letters of the alphabet was mounted on a wooden frame and protected with thin, transparent plates of horn. The frame was shaped like a table-tennis paddle, had a handle, and was usually hung from the child’s belt. I have never actually seen an original but have poured over photographs for years!