Personalised 100% cotton order fabric handfasting band with embroidered names and symbols

Personalised 100% cotton hand-fasting band with names and symbols. Personalised white handfasting band made from 100% cotton, with the names also embroidered in white. The sample shown is an example of a personalised handfasting band with the names of the bride and groom, as well as traditional symbols from Edinburgh, Scotland (the Luckenbooth) and Ireland (the Claddagh). Each features the heart and crown symbols and are synonomous with betrothal. The Claddagh symbol is embroidered with silver and gold coloured metallic thread. The luckenbooth symbol is two hearts entwined and topped by a crown encasing a thistle. The thistle is embroidered in various shades of purple and green, with the hearts and crown embroidered in metallic thread in gold and silver colours. There is a gap in the middle for the knot. Roughly 5cm wide x 100cm long. Most colours of fabric, embroidery thread and symbols can be created. Made to order.

Inspired by the traditional symbolism of Scotland and Ireland, Mary Gristwood has created a number of beautiful designs, each reflecting an aspect or order nuance of these ancient lands.

Handfasting is a symbolic marriage ritual which spans several cultures dating back thousands of years. Today, it is perhaps mostly associated with the ancient Celts and a nature-related ritual with a spiritual tradition. The phrase ‘tying the knot!' and the action of shaking someone's hand to agree something, may well be derived from this ceremony of binding hands together to symbolise the union of love.

Mary Gristwood is a qualified textiles technologist with a background in wedding designs, which have been purchased and exhibited internationally, including in the Ulster Folk Museum in her native Ireland.