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11 Aug 2020

Work, rest or play

Written by Emma Inglis, Curator for Glasgow & West

A piece of needlework on plain linen set in a dark brown frame. In the centre is a picture of a house with five windows arranged symmetrically around a centre door. The roof is pitched and has three chimneys. Around the house are small pictures of stylised trees and flowers, all sewn in coloured threads that have faded to soft greens, browns and yellow. Along the bottom are the words Jaen Cunninghams work Brea 1833. All set within a vine-like border of green stems and leaves with small yellowed flowers.

As children prepare to return to the classroom, we chart changes in education for girls through a selection of samplers from our collection.

A piece of needlework on plain linen set in a dark brown frame. In the centre is a picture of a house with five windows arranged symmetrically around a centre door. The roof is pitched and has three chimneys. Around the house are small pictures of stylised trees and flowers, all sewn in coloured threads that have faded to soft greens, browns and yellow. Along the bottom are the words Jaen Cunninghams work Brea 1833. All set within a vine-like border of green stems and leaves with small yellowed flowers.

A square of white card on which are pinned fours samples of sewing. The samples are all roughly square, three in white cotton and one knitted in red wool. Top right-hand side the sample shows how to stitch a curved seam. Below that the sample is like a cuff with a plain band and gathered frill. On the top left-hand side the sample has a cut away centre, edged and bordered in red herringbone stitch. The outer edge is frayed. Below that is the red wool square. In pencil in the top left corner are the words Agnes Toward Standard IIII.

A piece of needlework sewn in rows on plain linen, unframed. Rows of delicate pattern including stylised flowers, birds, animals and geometric designs alternate with rows of alphabet and numbers, all worked in multicoloured silks. Between these rows are lines of religious text and the words Janet Dalrymple 1740.

3. A piece of needlework sewn in rows on plain linen, unframed. At the top, a row of alphabet worked in light red thread followed by a narrow line of blue border stitching. Below this the main area is sewn in dark red with lines of religious text beginning Lord he who shall abide in thy tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy will. At the bottom, are the words June 30 1739 Janet Dalrymple.

A piece of needlework sewn in black thread on plain linen, set in a narrow oval frame. The main picture is a map of Scotland, England and Wales with each county outlined and named. In the lower left-hand corner is a small sewn picture of a ship with three masts and an English flag. In the upper right-hand corner are the words E A Roger worked in her 12th year. All set within a vine-like oval border of green stems with delicate flowers in blue, yellow and red.

A piece of needlework sewn in coloured threads on plain linen, set in a wooden frame. The top portion is sewn with six rows of alphabet, at first alternating yellow and red and then alternating red and green. Each row becomes progressively larger scale. In the centre portion is a wide band sewn with a decorative border pattern of green vine and red flowers. In the lower portion are figures and animals including a lady in a long dress on the right-hand side and a red-coated soldier on the left, holding a sword. At his feet is a dead soldier dressed in tartan coat, kilt and stockings. Next to the soldiers are the words AT CULLODN MUIR Peter Law April 16 1746.

A piece of needlework sewn in coloured silk on plain linen, with a decorative wooden frame. The whole piece is covered with small stylised pictures of flowers, birds and trees, all arranged symmetrically around a central text starting O come and let us worship him. At either side of this text are small diamond shaped borders enclosing the words Isobel Neave Her Work 1804. At the bottom is a pyramid formed of small dark green trees and the words Mrs Brown. All set within a vine-like border of green stems with delicate white faded flowers.

A large colourful piece of needlework sewn on plain linen and set in a light brown frame. The upper portion is sewn with five rows of alphabet and numbers in multi-coloured threads. The rows progress through upper and lower case and small to large scale. Each row is separated with a narrow border sewn in decorative stitches. In the lower portion are small embroidered pictures of stylised trees, birds and flowers arranged neatly around the words Kilbarchan School 1872 and below Jessie Christie.

A piece of simple needlework sewn in bright red, green, pink and blue wool on a white open weave cotton cloth. A narrow green check border encloses five rows of alphabet and numbers sewn in alternating colours. Below this, also in rows, is sewn Maggie Aitken, Public School Kilbarchan, January 1885. The final row is sewn with roman numerals.

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