WLS-MONTGOMERYSHIRE-L Archives

From:
Subject: Re: [WLS-MGY] Welsh Samplers
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2003 22:29:31 EST

In a message dated 31/10/2003 20:15:02 GMT Standard Time,
writes:

> I recently came across a lovely article on "Gather the Jewels" website
> regarding Welsh Samplers, I wonder if perhaps someone would explain how they
>
> came about and for what occassions they were used. Were they only used for
> marking a person's death......or were their other uses for them?
> Regards,
> Lynn,USA

I don't know a lot about needlework, but my understanding of the etymology of
the term Sampler, is that it was an "sample" of a girl's needleworking
ability. So a sampler's main purpose was to show a prospective employer or suitor's
family how good a sewer she was.

The topic of the sampler would add to its "reference" value by proving
literacy (sewing the alphabet) descent (sewing a good family background)
bilingualism (being able to sew a sentence in English and in Welsh) and piety (sewing a
Biblical quotation or hymn verse).

Unless it was made by an orphan to gain sympathy from a prospective employer
or suitor's family, a sampler marking a person's death is not, pedantically, a
sampler - it is a cross stitch memorial. But cross stitch creations to note
all sorts of family events, births. birthdays, marriages, wedding anniversaries
and deaths are not uncommon and they are often, incorrectly, referred to as
samplers - and, considering how many of them have been preserved they are a
very much under used source of family history.

All the best

Alwyn

This thread:

• [WLS-MGY] Welsh Samplers by "Lynda Hughes" <>

  • Re: [WLS-MGY] Welsh Samplers by