‘He hath … points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedly handle’ The Winter’s Tale, act IV, scene 4

Reconstructed points for fastening a jerkin, lacing a ruff to a collar, and a doublet to a pair of hose

Fancy points, laces and ribbons were typical ‘fairings’ bought as treats and given as gifts

Excavations in Groningen (Netherlands) revealed many details of ordinary people’s dress such as this 16th century braid

Learn to make silk braids from a 15th century manual with helpful hints from editors Elizabeth Benns and Gina Barrett

Ninya working on the Greensleeves gown which will be discussed in detail at the conference in London on Friday 4 July

Sarah Evans (left) and Cheryl Adams Palmer (centre) with embroidery instructor Claire Halloin (right) at a material culture workshop at Newman's Castle, Texas

Eloise Pennycott as Greensleeves (wearing a gown made by Ninya) and Callum Coates (wearing his own costume) as the rejected would-be lover at Athelhampton House for Tamsin Lewis's reconstruction project (image @Bernadette Banner)

Karen Brookman Norris (left) admiring Todd (right) and Lorie Bolduc’s work from the White Hart Pottery at Newman’s Castle, Texas