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

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

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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs knickers with fine sewing on cambric and late trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs top with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.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 sample child's top knickers with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs knickers with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs knickers with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs knickers with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. 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. Elsie Brent-Clark was a foundation member of the EGV.Mrs Elsie Brent-Clark (nee Naples), a foundation member of The Embroiderers Guild Vic, at the Melbourne Institute of Plain Needlework from 1905-1908Childs knickers with fine sewing on cambric and lace trimming. embroidery, samplers, plain sewing, 1900-20, australia

School sampler worked by student of Trelowarren Public School, in 1894 (?NSW or Cornwall UK)School sampler embroidery in pale pink, yellow and green on cream cotton fabric. Demonstrates various embroidery stitchesFrances A(?) Sturgess Jan 19th 1894 Trelowarren Public School

School sampler worked by student of Trelowarren Public School (?NSW or Cornwall UK). Set of three samplers dating from 1893-4School sampler embroidery in pale pink, yellow and green on cream cotton fabric. Demonstrates various embroidery stitchesTrelowarren

School sampler embroidery in pale pink, yellow and green on cream cotton fabric. Demonstrates various embroidery stitchesJane C Sturgess Dec 4th 1893 Trelowarren Public School

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, on cambric.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 1905-1908Plain sewing sampler displaying hems, pleats.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 1905-1908Plain sewing sampler displaying hems, pleats, attachments.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 1905-1908Plain sewing sampler, embroidery in yellows and green on open weave fabric.embroidery, samplers, plain sewing, 1900-20, australia

From Estate of Jenny LangSewing sampler. Beige background with blue and red embroidery with different stitches.handcrafts, embroidery

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

Brought from England by Lady Hamilton Fairley.Pink cotton with fine white double strip. Embroidered in white. Hem and bib faced in white. Simple design of fish and seaweed. ? sewing sampler embroidery, garments, 1940-60, england

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

This woolen sampler was of the type created by learners practicing their stitches, in this case Phoebe Lowell, a schoolgirl who made this in 1918 at St Michael's, St Kilda where she won the Form V Needlework Prize in that year. It was purchased in the late 1990s by the donor who later moved to Emerald but, at the time, had a 2nd hand decoration shop in Camberwell when she purchased this as part of a group of garments which included bloomers, lace collars and cuffs, camisoles etc - all of which have been donated to the Museum. The donor was advised at the time of her purchase that the garments were over 100 years old although that would not have been the case for this sampler.This sampler is a reminder of the tuition which schoolgirls routinely received in sewing and embroidery as these were considered essential skills for a future housewife.Piece of cream-colored woolen fabric hemmed with herringbone stitching. A circle and a square have been cut out and a larger circle and square have been sewn with herringbone stitches as a backing.On small cardboard piece sewn to sampler: 'Phoebe Lewell / Form 5 R / Age 16'female, lynne findlay collection, sampler, phoebe lowell, 1918, st michael's

A school sampler from the 1930's, demonstrating a mastery of numerable sewing skills: Buttonholes- both bound;6 bound buttonholes. Button loop fastening 17 rouleau loops. Seams: Plain flat seam, machine stitched-part neatened by hand, and part neatened by machine. An overlapped flat seam-machine stitched. Fasteners: Press-studs (3) Buttons (4) shanked and f;flat. Metal hook-and-eyes (3), one eye hand stitched, all attached in buttonhole stitch. Pockets: (2) Machine stitched. Collar: (1) Rounded ''Peter Pan"" collar, with bound placket opening, one pearl button, and hand stitched loop. Facings (3). One square, one round, one Vshaped. Pintucks: 4 machine stitched pintucks.textiles, domestic, school needlework sampler 1930's

These items were made as samplers either at school or most likely college. They are samples of embroidery stitches, seam types and sewing and knitting techniques.Nos 1-16 are group of samplers made from cotton lawn, cotton with sateen weave and flannel and made by Ruth McGannon. No 17 is a pair of gloves made by Margaret Russell. .1) A small square of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows in blue thread and three vertical rows in red thread of running stitch each 3.5 centimeters apart. The edges are frayed to 1.2 centimeters. .2) A larger rectangle of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows 7.8 centimeters apart and three vertical rows 10 centimeters apart of long stitch, stitched in blue thread. The edges are frayed to 2 centimeters. .3) A small square of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows and three vertical rows of blue thread of running stitch, each 1.9 centimeters apart. The edges are frayed to 1.5 centimeters. .4) A larger rectangle of yellow lawn with three horizontal rows 9 centimeters apart and three vertical rows 11.2 centimeters apart of running stitch, stitched in red thread. The edges are hemmed with two rows of long stitch .5 centimeter apart with a loose blue thread of laced running stitch weaving in and out of the red long stitch. .5) A rectangle of hemmed yellow lawn with a pocket formed at each end. Two rows of long stitch in red thread hem the edges with a blue thread stitched between each red stitch. The pockets are formed by turning back the edges and stitching them down in brown thread. R.M. is embroidered in brown chain stitch on the right side. .6) A rectangle of hemmed blue lawn the same as the previous piece but with five rows of back stitch in yellow and orange thread creating a pattern. .7) A rectangle of blue lawn with the top and bottom edges hemmed with two rows of long stitch close together in yellow and orange. The other two edge are frayed to 2.5 centimeters and has four rows of long stitch .7 centimeter apart in yellow and orange thread. .8) A blue lawn bag with two packets was made by hemming a rectangle of fabric on three sides in long stitch with orange thread, then yellow thread between the stitches. The fourth side is hemmed in hemming stitch in yellow thread with blanket stitch in yellow thread along the edge. This edge is folded up by one third to create a pocket. The edges on either side are stitched together. A row of chain stitch in orange thread is stitched down the middle to create two pockets. A tape is stitched to either side at the top and this is folded over the pocket. .9) A cream cotton with sateen weave rectangle is hemmed with a double row of orange thread in long stitch. On both sides is embroidery in orange and yellow thread. .10) A yellow cotton with sateen weave baby's bib is made from a rectangle of fabric with a semi circle cut out of the top. The edges are turned and hemmed with a narrower turning on the neck. A tape is stitched at either side of the neck. On the front is embroidered a train in blue and yellow threads. .11) A yellow lawn embroidery sampler using blue and brown thread shows long stitch, stem stitch, herringbone stitch, chain stitch, fly stitch, lazy daisy stitch, cross stitch and satin stitch. It is hemmed using drawn thread work and the bottom is scalloped and finished in blanket stitch. .12) A pink lawn embroidery sampler with green thread shows herringbone stitch, stem stitch, running stitch, chain stitch, cross stitch, lazy daisy stitch, fly stitch, feather stitch, satin stitch and back stitch. The bottom is scalloped and finished in buttonhole stitched. The other three edges are hemmed using drawn thread work. .13) A small cream flannel square with two smaller squares are stitched together down the middle in decreasing sizes using chain stitch. The largest piece is hemmed using both herringbone and a decorative blanket stitch. It also has a run and fell seam on the opposite side using both running and herringbone stitches. A row of feather stitch is on either side of the seam. The two smaller squares are frayed on the edges. .14) A cream rectangular flannel sampler has two seams along the length. One is a run and fell seam using running and herringbone stitches and the other is an open seam using running stitch and both edges are stitched down with herringbone stitch. The two shorter edges are bound and the longer edges have a tape which is stitched down to neaten the edges. On the right side are two rows of feather stitch. .15) This blue lawn apron has a rectangular gathered skirt which is attached to a waistband and in turn attached to a bib front which goes over the head. The bib and skirt sides are hemmed using decorative blanket stitch in pink and dark blue thread. The skirt hem and both sides of the waistband are stitched in two rows of herringbone in pink and dark blue thread. .16) This pale pink lawn child's shirt has french seam side seams, a waist band to which the shirt is attached using slight gathering. The sleeves have cuffs. There is a front facing and a collar and there is a small pocket in the left hand breast. .17) These yellow knitted gloves are made using plain stitch for the hand and rib for the wrist.Written on paper and stitched on to a couple of items - Ruth McGannon V.3 - 312 Written on paper and stitched to the gloves - Margaret Russell x No2embroidery, sampler, gloves, stitches, sewing, knitting, apron, costume, needlework, dressmaking, textiles

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 1905-1908Swedish Huck weaving sampler in green , red and brown threads.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

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 certificates 1905 - Melbourne Institute for the Advancement of Plain Needlework - Annual examination for scholar's certificate. Elsie Naples 100%embroidery, samplers, plain sewing, 1900-20, australia

Mrs Brent Clark (probably)Fine natural linen child's smock open at the back with a drawstring at the neck. The whole is done in the most exquisite plain sewing (as a needlework exercise).embroidery, samplers, garments, plain sewing, 1900-20

This piece is a sampler for a major work "Frog in a whirlpool". Annemieke Mein OAM - designer/maker. Completed June 1994.Small framed panel, depicting a frog in a whirlpool. Hand painted silk organza - 'Dual Everfast Fabric Paint' diluted to watercolour consistency with reducer and water. Machine embroidery including free sewing. Underlying fabric a) fluoro organza and synthetic Lurex fibres under the frog's jaw, right arm and leg. b) cotton canvas backing behind painted silk organza. Quilting and padding with dacron filler behind the throat and body of the frog. Shades of blue and green. Blue grey wooden frame and mount.AM (bottom right - design maker's signature)machine embroidery, creative embroidery, panel, 1980-2000, australia

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

B. Light brown linen - several varieties of tapes, tucks and buttons.Paper naming on each feature.embroidery, hand sewing, dressmaking, samplers, 1900-20, australia