Delaware Sampler Symposium Needlework Classes
Biggs Museum of American Art
March 21, 2014
Title of Class: Sarah Shields’ Sampler
Instructor: Patty Yergey
Time. Friday, March 21, 2014
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Limited to 20 participants
Description. The Sarah Shields (circa 1823) sampler gives class participants an opportunity to stitch a reproduction of a Delaware Quaker sampler. Sarah Shields (1808-1844) was born in Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, and was a daughter of Benoni and Lydia (Woodward) Shields. The sampler features several bands at the top showcasing Sarah's proficiency with cross stitch, backstitch, rice stitch, Montenegrin cross stitch, Algerian Eye, four-sided stitch, and queen stitch. Below the last alphabet are pairs of initials, each representing someone in Sarah’s family. The bottom half of the sampler features Quaker sampler motifs. The chart pack includes extensive genealogical information about Sarah and her family. It is suggested that participants bring proper magnification and additional lighting along with their favorite stitching tools.
Materials. The kit will include 36 count Lakeside Linen, Needlepoint Inc silks, and the chart pack with directions and stitch diagrams.
Cost. Cost is $80, which includes chart and materials. If you already have the chart, the cost is $64 for the class and materials.
* Registration for this event ends February 1, 2014.
Brief Bio. Patty Yergey is the owner and designer at Samplers Revisited. She has been stitching since the age of six and has been designing since 1986. Patty started collecting samplers in Scotland in 1986 and has reproduced 36 antique samplers from a variety of countries. Over the years Patty has taught needlework and lectured both in the United States and abroad. Patty resides in Maryland and Delaware with her husband Al. She has one daughter, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way.
Title of Class: Elizabeth Zebley’s Sampler
Instructor: Robin Laukhuf
Time. Friday, March 21, 2014
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Limited to 20 participants
Description. This class will provide participants with the opportunity to reproduce a Delaware Quaker sampler stitched in 1821 by Elizabeth Zebley. Elizabeth was the oldest daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Allison) Zebley, born October 6, 1803 in New Castle County, DE. The top half of Elizabeth’s sampler is filled with carefully stitched letters, including sets of initials representing her grandparents, parents, and nine siblings. The bottom half displays a balanced arrangement of motifs, including flowers, baskets of fruit, and paired birds. There is also a repeat band (more commonly found on 18th century samplers), and an incomplete verse. She used the following stitches: cross, eyelet, and tent.
Materials. The kit includes Lakeside Linens hand-dyed serged fabric and full skeins of Glorianna Tudor Silk floss. For this symposium, a needlecase and fob have been designed and charted to go with Elizabeth’s sampler. Participants will receive enough material to stitch the sampler and accompanying accessories.
Cost. Cost is $150.00, which includes a full kit with charts and instructions, all materials, and biographical information about the sampler maker, Elizabeth Zebley.
* Registration for this event ends February 1, 2014.
Brief Bio: Robin Laukhuf is an entrepreneur, designer, and teacher. She is the owner of Olde Willow Stitchery, Inc. A member of many guilds, Robin has taught at national needlework trade shows, guilds, and online classes. Her designs and articles have been published in many embroidery magazines such a Sampler and Antique Quarterly, Piecework, Gift of Stitching and Cross Stitch and Needlework. She enjoys bringing her knowledge of originality of using hand-dyed threads in all designing and stitching efforts. Robin is currently also working toward her doctorate in business.
Title: Needlework Conservation: Basic Tips and Techniques
Instructor: Ruth Van Tassel
Time: Friday, March 21, 2014
2 – 3 p.m.
Limited to 20 people
Cost: $25.00
* Registration for this event ends February 1, 2014.
Description: This class will explore various conservation approaches for samplers and other needlework. Learn some basic conservation techniques and gain a better understanding of what should and should not be attempted at home.
Brief Bio: Ruth Van Tassel is a skilled and experienced needlework conservator and has handled hundreds of antique samplers over the past fifteen years for both private collections and museums. All of her conservation employs the most current museum approved materials and methods. Ruth enjoys sharing her knowledge of antique sampler conservation and antique needlework in general and she regularly makes presentations at shows, museums and historical organizations.
March 23, 2014
Title of Class: A Delaware Inspiration
Instructor: Theresa Baird
Time. Sunday, March 23, 2014
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Limited to 20 participants
Description. Delaware Inspiration was designed using the footprint of an antique sampler stitched in 1791 by Jane Wilson. It is in the style of the fruit and flower samplers taught in New Castle County, Delaware. The sampler for this class is a modern version of the antique but with symbols of Delaware used throughout in the motifs. The symbols include: Blue Hen - State bird; Sweet Goldenrod - State herb; Lady Bug - State insect; American Holly - State tree; Peach Blossom - State Flower; Gray Fox - State wildlife; Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly - State butterfly; Strawberry - State fruit; and, because it was the runner up for State bird, the beautiful red Cardinal. There is a number of specialty stitches used between the bands within the inner border. These will be explained and demonstrated during the class. Each student will need to bring lighting, and the usual stitching implements.
Materials. Cost of the class is $255.00. Class kit to include chart and directions, choice of 40 or 36 count Lakeside linen, silk floss to include a mix of NPI and Belle Soie, needle and 32 count practice linen for the specialty stitches. You must attend the class to receive your kit.
Brief Bio. Largely self-taught, Theresa Baird has been involved in most forms of needlework since she first learned rudimentary techniques for crochet and embroidery as a young girl. Having no formal art training, Theresa is also a self taught artist and designer, relying on innate talents and an eye for color and composition. She has been designing professionally since entering her original "A Maryland Inspiration" sampler in the 49th Annual Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit, where she was honored to win the prestigious Frank Lloyd Wright Award for Outstanding Original Design.
Title: Finding Our Girls: Documenting the Life of a Sampler Maker
Instructor: Cynthia Steinhoff
Time: Sunday, March 23, 2014
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Limited to 20 people
Cost: $60.00
Description: Part of the joy and excitement of collecting samplers is learning about the lives of the girls who stitched them. In this class you will learn about tools and techniques for uncovering the important dates in a sampler maker’s life (e.g., birth, death, and marriage dates), as well as details about immediate and extended family members, and their participation in historical events. You will also learn how to follow a family through time, and trace its migration across county and state lines. Using examples from her own research, the instructor will provide insights into how to access and select the best sources from among a wide variety of materials, both in print and online. Key to successfully documenting the life of a sampler maker is creating an effective search strategy and objectively evaluating the results and the instructor will share strategies that have worked for her. Participants will also receive a packet of materials describing online and print resources for conducting genealogical and historical research on sampler making girls.