Needlework Samplers

Samplers today are often seen as nostalgic decorative pieces associated with interior decoration. The rich history of samplers is hinted at in commercially produced patterns of today. Their historical role has been that they are a method of recording information. Samplers, always a record of stitches, often now record an life event, right of passage, or life history. Apart from recording patterns and motifs, some samplers depict Family trees, while others commemorate events, such as weddings or births. Alphabet samplers and growth charts are popular today, but their function has changed significantly. These links will take you on a journey into both the history and contemporary textile practice of making a sampler

History of Samplers

A Tale of Two Samplers: Ever wonder where Whitman's Chocolates got their package design. An article by Dorrit Gutterson tells the story of the Whitman's Sampler box and stitches used.
History of samplers: Brief History of Embroidery Samplers by Sharon B
Dutch Samplers: Dutch Samplers by Lucy Lyons Willis provided by La Chateline Designs
Favorite Sampler Verses: A collection of verses found on historical samplers provided by Examplar's Stitching
Needlework Samplers: The new home of Simply Samplers by created by Rosemary Powell who has been on the web since April 1996. This site houses information on the history and design of samplers, the meaning of sampler symbols and pointers to other resources.
Southern Decorative Needlework: An article by Heather Palmer about embroidery and needle work and the role it played in the lives of Nineteenth-century women in the southern states of Americ
Stumpwork and related Needlework including samplers: Historical pieces and Samplers supplied by antique dealers Stephen and Carol Huber
Textiles from the Index of American Design: Image of sampler and brief article provided by the National Gallery of Art USA
Victoriana Library Sampler Collection, English (C.1879-82): Embroidered by Elizabeth E. Jacobs Article and images of a collection of eight 19th C. samplers worked by a school girl
Sampler collection online: If you go to the Old Sturbridge Village site and investigate their Online Database in the Collections section you will discover that they have listed 70 items in their Sampler and needlework collection. Each illustration is accompanied by a good description with thread count of the fabric noted, the stitches used to create them are listed and fibre composition stated.

Free sampler patterns

Anne's Sampler: A free sampler design from 2 Busy Stitching
Julies Sampler: Bands for a free sampler and lessons online

Discussion Lists and Groups

Sampler Life: A yahoo group "dedicated to the Sampler lover in all stitchers. Old, Repro and New Samplers. Our aim is to provide a forum to discuss all facets of the Samplers that we love the most."