Sampler book
Category
Costume
Date
1846
Materials
Cardboard, paper, various samples of stitchwork.
Measurements
230 x 185 x 70 mm
Place of origin
Ireland
Order this imageCollection
Springhill, County Londonderry
NT 604937
Caption
Tucked inside the pages of this book are tiny garments, including miniature socks, shirts and a knitted nightcap. These were ‘specimens’, examples of needlework projects to demonstrate sewing skills and understanding of techniques. Needlework was considered to be an important part of girls’ education for hundreds of years, and this workbook was particularly designed to help poorer pupils in Ireland’s schools to gain practical skills. The instruction book, with its ‘simple directions for plain and fancy works’, was produced by the National Model Female School in Dublin using samples made by pupils. The chapters are set out by degree of difficulty, beginning with basic sewing and hemming before progressing to more advanced techniques such as buttonholes, knitting and embroidery. Each specimen page includes a reference showing where to find the step-by-step explanation of the featured stitch. It is one of thousands of items generously donated to the Springhill Costume Collection. Many of them were made by hand and demonstrate the techniques and skills taught in this workbook.
Summary
A sampler book from the National Model female School, Dublin from 1846. It includes many examples of needlework and cutting out, executed by pupils at the school. It includes work suitable for an age range of around six years to sixteen years.
Provenance
Gift of Grebble