Darning sampler on natural linen in mainly red thread. It shows a large variety of darning patterns.embroidery, darning, sampler, england, early 19th century

Made at the School of Domestic Science, Leipzig, Germany by Clara ToepelmannWhite linen darning sampler, red, white and blue stitching. Hem stitched edges with different hem stitches.embroidery, darning, samplers, 1900-20, germany

Examples of pattern darning and needle weaving. Small floral motif with bow in the centre.embroidery, darning, sampler, early 19th century, england

A fine example of a darning sampler. It shows examples of fine darning in silk with a variety of patterns suitable for the mending of household linen. A number of squares and crosses surround a central motif of flowers in a basket in pattern darning and outline stitch. Wooden frame.embroidery, darning, samplers, early 19th century, england

Made by Donor's grandmother.Fine white linen sampler with darning in brown. Hem stitch edge in the pattern of tea towels and other items of the time including button holes.embroidery, darning, samplers, late 19th century, holland

History unknown26 count beige linen hemmed with six teal blue and red darning patches.H.L

A "Plain Sewing Sampler" or "Darning Sampler" was intended to showcase the wide range of sewing techniques and skills a girl or woman had. These skills might include hand sewing techniques such as darning, patching, hemming, mending, structural sewing (making pleats, inserting gussets, joining fabric with seams) making buttonholes and embroidery. Samplers could also be intended for practicing a particular technique. There were several articles printed in Australian newspapers around 1889 referring to the "Plain Sewing Movement". In 1889 a Melbourne branch of the "London Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework" was formed by a group of ladies led by Lady Loch and Lady Clarke with the purpose of teaching "plain needlework' to women and girls. "Plain Sewing" included fundamental stitches and techniques that were essential for practical clothing construction and maintenance. Several years later in 1891, another meeting was held at Clivedon (the residence of Lady Clarke) to look into the possibility of improving the teaching of sewing in the state schools. This meeting was attended by several school inspectors and the committee of "the Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework". This "Plain Sewing Sampler" was donated from the estate of Susan Henry OAM nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). Susan's family (Harold and Gladys Vedmore) immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1955 and settled in Warrnambool. Susan was well known in the Warrnambool community for her work supporting children and families across the district - particular those with disabilities, or those who were homeless, unemployed or isolated. Susan was the founding trustee of the "Vedmore Foundation" - a Warrnambool philanthropic trust set up to support a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes by providing grant assistance. In 2021, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community. It has not been possible to identify the lady (with the initials L. L.) who made this item in 1897 but it was thought to possibly be a female relation in her maternal (or possibly, paternal) grandmother's family. It has many of the same elements and techniques that were taught by the "Plain Sewing Movement" that originated in England at the end of the nineteenth century.This item is a rare example of the handcraft skills learnt by women and girls in the late 1890's to construct and maintain practical clothing for their families.A cream cotton sampler made from three smaller rectangular shapes, displaying a wide variety of plain sewing techniques including hand stitched seams (french, bound and herringboned), inserted patch, buttonhole, button, gathering, a gusset, frills, pintucks, a placket, cross stitch initials and date (L L and 1897) and decorative embroidery.L L/1897flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, needlework, textiles, plain sewing sampler, darning sampler, handwork, sewing, great ocean road, susan henry oam, vedmore trust, hand sewing, sewing techniques

A "Plain Sewing Sampler" or "Darning Sampler" was intended to showcase the wide range of sewing techniques and skills a girl or woman had. These skills might include hand sewing techniques such as darning, patching, hemming, mending, structural sewing (making pleats, inserting gussets, joining fabric with seams) making buttonholes and embroidery. Samplers could also be intended for practicing a particular technique. There were several articles printed in Australian newspapers around 1889 referring to the "Plain Sewing Movement". In 1889 a Melbourne branch of the "London Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework" was formed by a group of ladies led by Lady Loch and Lady Clarke with the purpose of teaching "plain needlework' to women and girls. "Plain Sewing" included fundamental stitches and techniques that were essential for practical clothing construction and maintenance. Several years later in 1891, another meeting was held at Clivedon (the residence of Lady Clarke) to look into the possibility of improving the teaching of sewing in the state schools. This meeting was attended by several school inspectors and the committee of "the Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework". This "Plain Sewing Sampler" was donated from the estate of Susan Henry nee Vedmore (1944 - 2021). Susan's family (Harold and Gladys Vedmore) immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1955 and settled in Warrnambool. Susan was well known in the Warrnambool community for her work supporting children and families across the district - particular those with disabilities, or those who were homeless, unemployed or isolated. Susan was the founding trustee of the "Vedmore Foundation" - a Warrnambool philanthropic trust set up to support a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes by providing grant assistance. In 2021, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community. It has not been possible to identify the lady (with the initials L. L.) who made this item in 1897 but it was thought to possibly be a female relation in her maternal (or possibly, paternal) grandmother's family. It has many of the same elements and techniques that were taught by the "Plain Sewing Movement" that originated in England at the end of the nineteenth century.This item is a rare example of the handcraft skills needed by women and girls in the late 1890's to construct and maintain practical clothing for their families.A cream flannel sampler made from three smaller rectangular shapes, displaying a wide variety of plain sewing techniques including hand stitched seams (french, bound and herringboned), darned patches, inserted patches, pleats, buttonholes, buttons, a gusset, pintucks, a placket, cross stitch initials and date (L L and 1897) and decorative embroidery.L.L. / ?? Yr 1897flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, sewing, plain sewing, sewing sampler, plain sewing sampler, darning sampler, hand sewing, textiles, susan henry oam, vedmore foundation, sewing techniques

These pieces were part of the certificate course. 1972 a Book of Plain Needlework Samplers was added along with the examination certificates. Made by Mrs Brent-Clark when aged 10.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Plain sewing sampler, darning. Includes Mrs Robertson's Prize Certificate for floral darning repair.embroidery, samplers, plain sewing, 1900-20, australia

These pieces were part of the certificate course. 1972 a Book of Plain Needlework Samplers was added along with the examination certificates. Made by Mrs Brent-Clark when aged 10.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Embroidery sampler - egg shell blue embroidery and darning examples.embroidery, samplers, plain sewing, 1900-20, australia

Four material sewing samplers made by Molly Burns, Form 2D, at Williamstown High School, possibly in the 1940s. Samples are of: french seam, patching and darning.williamstown high school, 1940s, needlework, molly burns, sewing

A. Cream flannel showing many different bindings and seams, button holes, patches, darning and edges.Paper naming on each feature.embroidery, hand sewing, dressmaking, samplers, 1900-20, australia

This apron was done by a small girl in order to learn different needlework techniques and shows hemming, buttonhole edgings, bars, eyelets, darning, drawn thread and feather stitch. Made by the donor's mother Mrs J.B. Rentoul (nee Floretta Thomas) late of St. Georges Manse, Geelong and St. Andrews, Wagga Wagga, N.S.W. It was worked when she was six, for the Sydney Exhibition and was highly commended.Tiny dolls apron in white cotton with pale blue stitching.embroidery, samplers, dolls clothes, late 19th century, australia, plain sewing

Made by Hester Fairlie, aged 9 - donor.School sampler. Cream/beige linen hemmed sampler, with buttonhole, button, hook fastening, darning, patching and embroidery stitches in orange and aqua threads.Hester Fairlieembroidery, sampler