Copes and chasubles, bedspreads and curtains, are often to be seen decorated with some repeating form. [Fig. 11] shows in outline a conventional sprig that is repeated in this fashion over the surface of a famous cope in Ely Cathedral. [Fig. 12] is an example of a sprig of flower taken from a XVIIth century embroidered curtain; similar bunches, but composed of different flowers, recur at intervals over this hanging.
It may interest the practical worker to know what are the different stitches used upon this figure. The petals of the top flower are in chain stitch in gradated colouring, the centre is an open crossing of chain surrounded by stamens in stem stitch in varied colour, the outermost leaves are outlined in stem stitch with an open filling of little crossed stitches. The petals of the lower flower are worked similarly, and the centre is carried out in chain stitch and French knots. The leaves are filled in with ingenious variations of these stitches.
The repeating element is perhaps a symbolical figure, a heraldic shield, or it may be some geometrical form that supplies the motive. [Fig. 13] is a conventional sprig of hawthorn that ornaments in this way an altar frontal at Zanthen. It is by no means necessary that the element which repeats should be always identical; so long as it is similar in size, form, and general character it will probably be the more interesting if variety is introduced.
The principle of repetition is again found in [fig. 14], but with an additional feature; a sprig of flower is used, with the further introduction of diagonal lines, expressed by leaf sprays, which are arranged so as to surround each flower and divide it from the adjoining ones.
