The background piece was an attempt to give an impression of bits of sky and ground and other growing things - it's a bit difficult to be specific when you're splashing dye around willy-nilly!!

I cut out the bits of iris and leaves and stalks and applied them to the background with tiny tacking stitches and then machined the edges with satin on each patch of material in different colours. I was unhappy about the puckering at first, but then having lived with the picture for some months I think they contribute to the whole.

Irises 1 has been acquired by Elizabeth Levick for £120.00. She loves it to death and it looks terrific in her newly decorated dining room. Daughter, Nicole, wants it left to her in her mother's will. Can't think of a nicer home for it.