Tree of Life

Two examples of the tree of life design from -The Art of Crewel Embroidery- by M. Davis(1962)-the first is found on a 17th Century bed linen set. The second is from a petticoat border made in New England around the same time.

     " Flowers, plants, and fishes,
           beasts, birds, flies, and bees,
      Hills, dales, plains, pastures,
           skies, seas, rivers, trees.
      There's nothing near at hand
           or fartherest sought
      But with the needle may
           be shaped and wrought.  "

                                       - The Needle's Excellency - by John Taylor(1580-1653)