The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Embroidery \Em*broid"er*y\, n.; pl. Embroideries.
   1. Needlework used to enrich textile fabrics, leather, etc.;
      also, the art of embroidering.
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   2. Diversified ornaments, especially by contrasted figures
      and colors; variegated decoration.
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            Fields in spring's embroidery are dressed.
                                                  --Addison.
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            A mere rhetorical embroidery of phrases. --J. A.
                                                  Symonds.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

embroidery
    n 1: elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative
         (sometimes fictitious) detail; "the mystery has been
         heightened by many embellishments in subsequent retellings"
         [syn: embellishment, embroidery]
    2: decorative needlework [syn: embroidery, fancywork]