This new needlework exhibit features young ladies' needlework and ornamental arts from the OSV collection.  Simple marking samplers, finely wrought embroideries based on classical literature, elegant whitework and colorful theorems are on exhibit, along with three new acquisitions to the OSV needlework collection.

In the 1830s, many girls learned to sew at a young age and sometimes made a simple alphabet or marking sampler to practice embroidery stitches for marking household textiles.  Some young ladies went a step further and made more elaborate samplers or embroidered pictures under the instruction of a teacher or at an academy, and also learned other ornamental arts such as theorem painting and drawing.  These skilled pieces were often professionally framed for display in the home and were treasured as elegant expressions of artistic taste.

COMING SOON:  Don't miss Textile Weekend on August 14 & 15.