I often refer to this sampler as becoming more and more autobiographical as time goes on. When I first started the samplers they were regular stitching samples and just that but gradually over time I added little elements that illustrated my story. Theses stories started to creep in from about 2005 so by 2009 I had developed a tendency to tell a story in stitch.
While in mourning it seemed obvious to me that when Mum died I should make her a memorial sampler. To me it is possibly one of the most important sections. As you can see I completed it not long after my mother died in the winter of 2009. Click on the image and you will see a larger version of the sampler.
I will not dwell too long on this section of the sampler as I have done with previous sections. I think the story speaks for itself. I do have a few details to point out however and instead of doing that over a series of posts I will cover them here. The choice of colour scheme is obvious. There are 2 charms on the sampler. Both refer to her interest in archaeology.
Detail 601 The sampler has a feather top and bottom as Mum loved birds. She always had some and used to let them fly around the flat which was fine, except she was a beader and the birds were always landing on a tray of beads! The top section has her full name, Eileen Sylvia McSherry, her age and the date she died. 
Detail 601 Mum was an archeologist specialising in Egyptology. She loved ancient cultures and studying the past. 
Detail 602 The blackwork patterns is because Mum loved all cultural aspects of the past. The patterns I used were all traditional as I knew she would like them. 
Size: The For Love of Stitching Band Sampler is 15 cm (6 inches) wide. It consists of different strips of fabric which are are stitched together to form one long strip. It currently measures 96 feet 5 inches (2,938.78 centimeters), or 32.138 yards which is 29.3878 meters. It is still growing… Sampler FAQ For the full back story on this piece visit the Sampler FAQ page. Follow Pintangle and have it delivered to your inbox You can have Pintangle delivered to your inbox by using the follow feature in the sidebar. Just enter your email address, and when you get the confirmation email make sure you say yes and you are all set!
What a great tribute! Your Mum sounds like a great person to know.
Nice.
Just before my granmother died last year she was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. I do not do samplers, but I did make and embroider a bag for a small (purse sized) photo album with her name on it. We filled the album full of photos, labelled with identities. She had it for three weeks only before she passed away, but they told my aunt, who was there when she left, that she had kept the album and bag next to her bed the whole time. It was her family…….
This is absolutely beautiful, as well as very touching.
What a beautiful memorial. Thanks for sharing
What a lovely tribute.
What a beautiful tribute to your Mother.
I think personalised samplers will will increase in value the older they get. They will offer a great help, and enjoyment, to future textile historians to know as many interesting facts as possible about the maker. Stitch journals, personalised samplers and quilt labels ARE important.
Your mum sounds to have been a lovely, fascinating lady with a real zest for life and sound, good sense!=)
Co-incidentally enough, she died on my 10th wedding anniversary and yesterday was the 13th anniversary of the death of my ‘big brother’ friend, Rob.
Sigh!
Sharon that is a beautiful memorial for your mother and I am very honoured that you would share it with us. She sounds like a great lady and she certainly created a very talented daughter.