lakemichigansamplerguild.org

Joanne has been teaching  in the Chicago area each year since before LMSG was formed. The classes this weekend have been especially  designed to celebrate the Sixth Anniversary of the beginning of the guild. 

One of the most prestigious groupings of embroideries worked in New England  from the later part of the eighteenth century into the nineteenth century can be attributed to the Balch Academy in Providence , Rhode Island . The academy was conducted under the accomplished hands of Mary "Polly" Balch. Many of the known Balch Academy embroideries are very sophisticated in both design and stitching techniques, yet very few examples have surfaced that can be attributed to the work of a particular child in her preparation for a more sophisticated sampler.  We would like to share with you the preliminary work of Betsy Davis which has come to light in recent years.  Her sampler is signed "Betsy Davis's sampler wrought at 8 years of age Providence October 22, 1794 ".  Her preparatory sampler led to a more elaborate accomplishment three years later. The larger sampler is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts , Boston .

The sampler will be worked on 28 count linen in DMC floss.  The stitches include Cross Stitch over one and two threads, Rice Stitch, Algerian Eye, Queen Stitch and Satin Stitch. Kit cost: is $48.50 plus a teaching fee to be announced.