There is a definate lack of publications regarding historical Nova Scotia needlework that specifically deal with samplers and embroidery...two that I have managed to find are "Needle Arts in Nova Scotin Women`s Lives: 1752-1938" published by the Nova Scotia Museum
and "A Record For Time by Deborah A. Young. (OOP)http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/library/library.asp?ID=15011
I am also searching the net for mentions of genealogical files of Lucy Parker and schools in Digby N.S. at the time this was stitched...I have my doubts that the sampler was taught at a school....it was likely either copied from another sampler, or from a pattern produced by a local lady who taught sewing and embroidery....
I am immediately struck by one unique feature of the sampler...the alphabet around the perimeter that is stitched outside the border...it reminds me of Spanish samplers in how it is stitched turning 90 degrees on each side...except Spanish samplers rarely included alphabets at all....
I have not found this on any other sampler from either Nova Scotia or anywhere else....I need to order a copy of the reproduced chart so I can see the stitches used more clearly...
Most of the time the only record of an early American or Canadian woman`s life was what she left behind in the form of needlework...a lot of women couldn`t read or write in rural areas...they had a hard life, and a lot of the needlework they did leave behind was of a utilitarian nature such as clothing, and was thrown out as it deteriorated...or quilts, which were rarely signed and although some were handed down in families, the details of the makers life have become blurred...
These women deserve a voice...samplers are one way of preserving their history.
6 comments:
Thank you for a very interesting post. What a beautiful sampler. You are right it is quite interesting how the alphabet in placed on the outside.
I think a lot of these ladies had such hard lives its amazing the beautiful work they left behind. - Sandra.
hi MJ,
thank-you so much for this instructive post
I've also wondered why the alphabet was outside. I remember seeing the same in some quakers.
this sampler is so incredibly amazing, just gorgeous
hugs, Eva
See the 1823 Mary Ramsey sampler (in the collection of the DAR) reproduced by Handwork for another sampler with the alphabet in the border:
http://www.theessamplaire.com/sampler_images/north_amer_mex/162thumb.jpg
Years and years ago Sheepish Designs released two reproduction samplers from Nova Scotia. One was Louisa M. Stephens. I don't off hand recall the name of the other. When we visited NS in 2000 I came across some wonderful new samples from a company called Maritime Cross Stitch. I've stitched 3 of them. What a wonderful memory of a wonderful trip. Maria S. (Ont.)
It's me again Maria S. (Ont.) Have you every read the article in Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly Vol 16? It's about 3 Canadian samplers. The article makes no mention that these samplers have been charted and the charts are available from Emlis in the US Check under Griffin Needlearts
This sampler seems to be identical to one by Amy Mitten Design - she calls it 'Forgery 18'. It is a beautiful sampler but only seems to be available as a kit.
Regards, Lynn
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