Historical information

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.

Significance

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

On small cardboard piece sewn to sampler: 'Phoebe Lewell / Form 5 R / Age 16'