Traditionally, embroidery and cross-stitch techniques were taught by making samplers of a variety of stitches on a linen canvas. The focus was on technique and accuracy, rather than design. The sampler method also develops the inner virtues of patience and diligence. This is the reason I use this method to teach embroidery in my children’s classes.

Samplers also give you the opportunity to play around with the stitch to create different effects, for example; by varying the thread thickness (adding more or less strands of thread in the needle), adding multiple colours of thread in the needle to create a mottled or shaded effect and by playing around with the pattern size. This in turn, enables you as the designer to make better, informed decisions in the design phase of your work. Modern teaching methods go straight to the design phase and skip this very important stage in learning development.

Samplers are also beautiful in their own right; they can be framed and hung or used as a fireplace guard or screen. They are also collector’s items – I have seen several being sold at antique fairs around the country. Some samplers can simply be a Bible quote or poem.