Needle Arts Corner
By Madonna A. Terlizzi
Needle Arts Corner – 2014
Welcome to Needle Arts Corner! I would like to give you brief overview of what a “Sampler” is, because there is so much information on this subject.
Sampler quilts and needlework are just that, a sampling of various quilt blocks or needle work that can be recreated on a larger scale. There are a vast number of quilt blocks that can be produced, with many types of techniques that are involved. Triangles, squares, rectangles and circles are pieced together in many ways, not to mention various applique techniques. By making a sampler you can learn a new technique with each block, which can be made into a lovely quilt. The same with needle work, there are many stitches that make up embroidery, crewel work, and stumpwork to name a few. Making a sampler of these stitches gives you a chance to try them out and perfect your technique before you attempt to use them in your project.
Samplers have been used for many centuries as a way of passing down various handwork techniques. The making of a sampler took many hours to complete, they were then framed and displayed prominently in homes, a very few surviving pieces were then handed down for many generations. Because many of the dyes that were used in needlework samplers were organic in nature, the colors have faded and these pieces are very hard to find. They are mostly found in a museum setting. Before printed books, textiles were the only way to pass on this valuable information. Girls learned to stitch as small children, they also learned numbers and the alphabet along with short phrases by making needle work samplers. Patchwork samplers not only used valuable scraps of fabric, they passed on various patterns. Also, due to the nature of older dyes and frequent use many quilts from the past have not survived. Some quilts told stories from the bible or historical events as portrayed in Harriet Powers 2 surviving quilts. Some quilts gave directions or warnings as in The Underground Railroad quilts. Settler women brought their quilt patterns with them as they moved about the country. Many of these patterns that they handed down are still used today. Wagon wheel, Turn Dash, Broken Dishes Rail Fence depicted everyday items. Today, there are many books that feature quilt sampler blocks, quilts can now be made with reproduction period fabrics or with current printed fabrics to give these old patterns a modern feel.
As a crazy quilter, I am working on a “crazy quilt monthly sampler”. It is an interesting combination of not only piecing but with embroidery stitches too. If you would like to make your own special sampler, please contact me.
Blackstone Valley Needle Arts Studio, Madonna Terlizzi 508-294-5721
