Sample book
Object name
Date made
Circa 1835
Place made
Description
A copy of the book Simple Directions in Needle-work and Cutting Out; Intended for the Use of the National Female Schools of Ireland. To Which are Added, Specimens of Work Executed by the Pupils of the National Model Female School alongside needlework samples made by an unidentified girl. Features an inscription which reads, 'To Mrs Carter, for the St Augustine's Dorcas Socy [Society] with kind regards of A.H. L.pool 8th May 1844'.
Content description
This book, Simple Directions in Needle-work and Cutting Out; Intended for the Use of the National Female Schools of Ireland. To Which are Added, Specimens of Work Executed by the Pupils of the National Model Female School, would have been used by pupils of the National Model Female School to put small-scale examples of their needlework and dressmaking in. This edition was printed in Dublin in 1835. The National School System was established in Ireland in 1831 to give an education to all children between the ages of six and twelve. The Model Schools were especially used to promote education to the poor.
This book, which includes everything from darning samples to tiny knitted socks to a minuscule shirt, could have been shown to a needleworker's future employer to illustrate her skill with a needle. The specimens in this book are mounted on green paper. This book showcases plain and fancy needlework and gives instructions on execution of these techniques which would assist teachers. Sample examples pictured include Sample 'Ninth Class - Continued' with examples of Bird-Eye Darn and Double Diamond Darn, 'Tenth Class - Continued' with a small hand-sewn shirt, and 'Eleventh Class' with a tiny stocking and an example of fringe.
The handwritten description at the front of the book reads, 'To Mrs Carter, for the St Augustine's Dorcas Socy [Society] with kind regards of A.H. L.pool 8th May 1844'. We can guess that the A.H. who wrote this was the maker of the specimens inside this book, and that she was by this time living in Liverpool. Dorcas Societies in the 1840s were charities, usually female-led community groups dedicated to sewing clothing and providing linens for the sick, poor, and destitute. Perhaps this book would have been used as a guide to teach the Dorcas Society's members a variety of needlework skills.
This book, which includes everything from darning samples to tiny knitted socks to a minuscule shirt, could have been shown to a needleworker's future employer to illustrate her skill with a needle. The specimens in this book are mounted on green paper. This book showcases plain and fancy needlework and gives instructions on execution of these techniques which would assist teachers. Sample examples pictured include Sample 'Ninth Class - Continued' with examples of Bird-Eye Darn and Double Diamond Darn, 'Tenth Class - Continued' with a small hand-sewn shirt, and 'Eleventh Class' with a tiny stocking and an example of fringe.
The handwritten description at the front of the book reads, 'To Mrs Carter, for the St Augustine's Dorcas Socy [Society] with kind regards of A.H. L.pool 8th May 1844'. We can guess that the A.H. who wrote this was the maker of the specimens inside this book, and that she was by this time living in Liverpool. Dorcas Societies in the 1840s were charities, usually female-led community groups dedicated to sewing clothing and providing linens for the sick, poor, and destitute. Perhaps this book would have been used as a guide to teach the Dorcas Society's members a variety of needlework skills.
Dimensions
width: 19.5cm
height: 23cm
height: 23cm
Materials
Stitches
Catalogue number
RSN.3019
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