Sample of ecclesiastical needlework and/or embroidery by Barbara Dawson, British, Royal School of Needlework, 1948-50

Sampler of basic stitches, mounted on a board. Linen embroidered with green and black wool. It is divided into four sections by a central four-pointed star. The lay-out is symmetrical but each line, element and filling is worked in a different technique.

Given by Miss Barbara Dawson

This sampler was used to teach the basics, such as the grain of the fabric, marking out lines, pricking, the use of pounc; painting lines with black or blue oil paint; the use of an embroidery frame and removal from a frame to work free-hand line stitches. The corner shapes are filled with a laid grid couched in places - alomost impossible to achieve without a frame, as are the different patterns embroidered onto this foundation, including detached chain, satin stitch blocks, french and bullion knots, interweaving and interlacing. It was also used to teach the student to match shapes, eg. circles; padding, laid darning, stem or chain stitch fillings and french knots as an outline.

Worked by Barbara Dawson as a student at the Royal School of Needlework.

T.45-2003