Sampler
Title
Blackwork Sampler No.1
Object name
Maker
Date made
1973
Place made
Description
Blackwork sampler consisting of 106 different patterns, worked by Pansy Irish in London in 1973.
Content description
Blackwork sampler stitched in black cotton threads on a bleached Linda (cotton) ground, worked by Pansy Irish in London, England in 1973. The sampler includes 106 squares of different patterns, with four squares at the top, four at the bottom, and 14 lines of seven squares per line in between. The geometric and geometricised floral patterns are worked in double running stitches. Patterns include honeycomb, variation on diamond eyelet, variation on rounded eyelet, open zigzag, interlocking 'I's, open lace, and octagonal square. Many of the designs are borrowed from late 16th and early 17th-century blackwork designs.
The Royal School of Needlework also has in its collection a second blackwork sampler worked by Pansy Irish.
The Royal School of Needlework also has in its collection a second blackwork sampler worked by Pansy Irish.
Dimensions
width: 39cm
height: 91cm
width: 49cm
height: 99.5cm
height: 91cm
width: 49cm
height: 99.5cm
Materials
Stitches
Double running stitch
Honeycomb (pattern)
Diamond eyelet (pattern)
Rounded eyelet (pattern)
Open zigzag (pattern)
Interlocking ‘I’s (pattern)
Open lace (pattern)
Octagonal square (pattern)
Honeycomb (pattern)
Diamond eyelet (pattern)
Rounded eyelet (pattern)
Open zigzag (pattern)
Interlocking ‘I’s (pattern)
Open lace (pattern)
Octagonal square (pattern)
Techniques
Credit line
Gift of Pansy Irish, October 1997.
Catalogue number
COL.1997.5
Other numbers
RSN 573
© Royal School of Needlework