The recent meteoric rise in popularity of something once viewed as synonymous with maiden aunts is quite extraordinary and due in no small measure to the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton: designed by Amanda Burton of Alexander McQueen.
Often derided by the fashion police and the likes of Ikea - chuck out your Chinz - and interior designers, now it's ubiquitous, starting with the catwalks of Milan and Paris and filtering through to the High Street. In these pages we have selected some of the most exquisite hand-embroidered lace duvet covers, flat sheets, table mats and runners for your home that work wonderfully with our patchwork quilts and bedspreads.