Sampler
Object name
Maker
School
Date made
1932
Place made
Description
Whitework sampler done by Kathleen Barnard at the Royal School of Needlework in 1932.
Content description
This whitework sampler was worked by Kathleen Barnard while a student at the Royal School of Needlework's Training School in 1932. It uses a number of drawn and pulled thread whitework techniques and surface stitches to depict several flowers and a butterfly. These are surrounded by a drawn and pulled border with four corners, which is completed with a hemmed edge. Each side of the border is unique.
The main motif features four stylised flowers surrounded with leaves, the far left flower resembling a carnation and the third right resembling a rose. The stems of the flowers are rendered using trailing while the flower heads use a balance of surface stitches and drawn and pulled stitches, largely outlined using trailing of varying sizes. These include raised satin stitch, wrapped bars, and woven bars, which feature on the carnation. A small butterfly features on the right of the motif. Its head is rendered in French knots and its wings feature a burden stitch filling and cushion stitches with eyelets, as well as drawn work in the form of woven bars. The back end of its body is worked in satin stitch. The interiors of the leaves and petals are worked in stitches including woven bars, wrapped bars, and diagonal cross filling. The borders also include these stitches as well as hem stitch and overcast hem stitch.
This sampler, with its four different border patterns and floral arrangement, is typical of the whitework samplers made by students at the RSN Training School during this period.
The main motif features four stylised flowers surrounded with leaves, the far left flower resembling a carnation and the third right resembling a rose. The stems of the flowers are rendered using trailing while the flower heads use a balance of surface stitches and drawn and pulled stitches, largely outlined using trailing of varying sizes. These include raised satin stitch, wrapped bars, and woven bars, which feature on the carnation. A small butterfly features on the right of the motif. Its head is rendered in French knots and its wings feature a burden stitch filling and cushion stitches with eyelets, as well as drawn work in the form of woven bars. The back end of its body is worked in satin stitch. The interiors of the leaves and petals are worked in stitches including woven bars, wrapped bars, and diagonal cross filling. The borders also include these stitches as well as hem stitch and overcast hem stitch.
This sampler, with its four different border patterns and floral arrangement, is typical of the whitework samplers made by students at the RSN Training School during this period.
Dimensions
width: 45cm
height: 38cm
height: 38cm
Materials
Stitches
Satin stitch 
Padded satin stitch (laid work padding)
Burden stitch
Overcast hem stitch
Trailing
French knot
Wrapped bars (drawn thread)
Woven bars
Hem stitch (Drawn Thread)
Small round eyelet (pulled thread)
Diagonal cross filling
Cushion stitch
Padded satin stitch (laid work padding)
Burden stitch
Overcast hem stitch
Trailing
French knot
Wrapped bars (drawn thread)
Woven bars
Hem stitch (Drawn Thread)
Small round eyelet (pulled thread)
Diagonal cross filling
Cushion stitch
Techniques
Motifs
Catalogue number
COL.61
© Royal School of Needlework