Sampler Practice Piece

Period1810 - 1835

MediumPlied silk and cotton threads on linen

Dimensions7 × 12.38 in. (17.8 × 31.4 cm)

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1934

Object number708.12

DescriptionA rectangular practice panel in rough open weave brown linen. All four edges are hemmed, with the bottom edge folded over only once and showing the selvedge edge. The embroidery is done solely in cross stitch in both plied silk and plied cotton threads in black, medium green, olive green, sage green, light brown, ecru, red, bright pink, medium blue, lavender, pale lemon yellow, and off white. The motifs are varied and scattered and include an octagonal lozenge containing a swan, a weeping willow, and three small flying birds or insects. A naturalistic blue floral spray is worked to the left of the swan, with additional floral elements below and to the right of the octagon. A spreading strawberry vine appears in the lower left corner. In the lower right corner, a graceful white swan floats beside an arching floral branch. A bold pine tree is worked immediately to the left of the white swan. Several strawberry and floral repeat band samples are worked in the upper right portion of the linen. A Greek key band runs along the left, bottom, and right sides. An examination of the hemmed areas reveal that after the embroidered motifs were completed, the piece was hemmed on all four sides, with a piece of pale blue soft paper cut to fit as a lining or backing and sewn in place under all four hems.
Curatorial RemarksThe Association has a number of practice embroidery pieces in its collection, possibly from the New Jersey or Pennsylvania area. Many girls practiced particular stitches and motifs prior to working on their formal samplers. An examination of this particular linen piece reveals that its maker, after trying out the various motifs, neatly finished her work, hemming all four edges and backing her linen with a pale blue paper lining. Several of the practice pieces in the Association's collection indicate that these fragments were hemmed or otherwise finished and kept, either as mementos or as future references for stitches and designs.

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