Think back to a time before iPads and television, to a time when young girls had little to do on a rainy day but sew. While now we debate the merit of even teaching kids cursive in school, young girls would while away the hours killing two (or three) birds with one stone while doing these samplers - memorizing Bible verses, alphabets and practicing their stitchery skills all at the same time.
One of the earliest samplers on record dates between 200 BCE to 300 CE - that's pretty amazing. The oldest European samplers in existence date to the 16th and 17th century, but many have been lost to the ravages of time.
Historically materials used often included cotton, wool, linen and silk, as well as gold and metal thread. As material was often expensive at the time, early samplers featured stitches that were often very neat and intricate, adding much importance and sentimental value to the piece, which could often be found among a family's willed possessions and passed down from generation to generation.
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Some were done by children as young as nine
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Later in the 17th and 18th centuries, samplers because common in schools, and designs became much more informal and practical. School themes would often include alphabets, maps, multiplication tables and other educational elements. By the 19th century, the work was much more utilitarian, displaying knowledge rather than sewing skills. Many of them have been reproduced today for modern stitchers to recreate.
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