I have been looking at the history of fabric books and in particular sample books. I want to share with readers but also point out there is nothing new under the sun. I found this in the Metropolitan Museum of Art website as it is part of their collection.
In the 17th century a woman, wanted to collect together ideas for her embroidery, much like we use pinterest today. She gathered together her carefully worked sample swatches and I think she then patchworked them together to store them in a fabric book.(Visit the Met site as you will see what I mean) I sat there smiling thinking to myself how much I relate to the woman who made it.
Then I noticed some of the designs she had stitched. Look at the top of this page and see the green band, fourth along Then take a look at the top band on the mourning sampler I worked for my mother. If you want to know more about my mourning sample click here. It is separate section worked a part of my very long sampler. It is joined and part of my story but also but has a totally self contained story to it.
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Yup. Several designs from this source will be in my upcoming Second Carolingian Modelbook. What goes around comes around again, and again.
What a wonderful book that must be Sharon and your mourning sampler is beautiful. xx
Thank you, Sharon. It made me smile, too…and more fodder for a piece I am still pondering for my own mother…Blessings!
My mother died on June 12th too, Sharon….it was long ago but that day is one for remembrance every year.
I love your sampler for your mom.
That is a find indeed – and how interesting too.
What a glorious find, Sharon. So exciting to witness the tradition of patterns continuing.