18th CENTURY
The typical format of the English sampler evolved in the early 18th century to become a squarer shape, and combined different needlework skills, often with a central religious verse. The result was something that could be displayed on the wall in the style of a painting, rather than kept rolled up as a reference piece. Repeating patterns and alphabets continued to appear on samplers – alongside decorative borders, pictoral design. By the mid-18th century, the motifs of a house and garden, or Adam & Eve or added personal detail, such as a windmill, dovecot and animals, become a favorite subject. Education of the poorer classes expanded both charitable and private. "MARY ALLEWAY worked her sampler in the Charity School in Plumbtree street 1718" . At least one other sampler is known from this school, thought originally in Birmingham but probably from London. The silks used in this and the following sampler were very expensive and so unusual to find on a "Charity Sampler". & similar with Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden with Elephant and Unicorn taken from earlier engravings. This sampler is unfinished and shows pencil drawings of how she intended to work her sampler leaving no room for name and date. It has in the corners Crowns above crossed swords probably a School or Church sign although popular in heraldry. Jane Audos 1787 follows a traditional style with deep border of flowers but has replaced one verse with her own family details. Jane the youngest of 6, daughter of Thomas & from Bishop Wearmouth Durham a Boatman she married Robert Turner and had 7 children dyeing aged 61 in 1841.