Book excerpt: This fantastic book showcases the Embroiderers' Guild's huge collection of embroidered flowers dating back to the 17th cenury. Featuring photographs commissioned for the book, items are shown in full and also with detail images to show off the flowers at their best. Hailing from all parts of the globe, this is an opportunity to see fabulous works that are very rarely seen in public. The Embroiderers' Guild, founded in 1906, has at the heart of its collection numerous beautiful donated textiles in all forms, given by members and enthusiasts over many years. The collection now contains thousands of embroidery examples from many countries and cultures. This book showcases the best of the collection's flower embroideries, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Whether they are abstract or naturalistic, the variety of flowers shown is quite extraordinary. They all exhibit a wonderful level of skill and imagination, and their beauty and detail will be inspirational to embroiderers of all ages and levels of expertise. Featuring photographs taken especially for the book, items are shown in full and also with detail images to show off the flowers at their best. These wonderful embroidered treasures are as varied as wall hangings, children's dresses, bridal bags and samplers. The images are shown with extended captions giving the country of origin, age, size and technique used to make them. Hailing from all parts of the globe, this is an opportunity to see fabulous works that are very rarely seen in public.