Article tracing the London embroidery pattern drawer John Nelham, whose signature and shop address (the Sugar Loaf, Newgate Market) were found on an embroidery at Blair Castle. Using rate books, Broderers' Company court books, wills and an estate inventory, the author reconstructs the careers of Nelham and his father Roger, and discusses a second signed piece, a jacket by John Stilwell at the Flaming Sword in Covent Garden. Footnotes explain embroiderers' frames (beams and lathes) and cite sources.