Sampler: A Stitch in Time
Sampler by Amelia and Jessie Kennedy
2008.8.1
1847
Material: Wool on linen
Description
A sampler could be seen as a young girl’s résumé in the 19th century: a blend of skill, artistry, and personal expression. It served as a way for girls to practice their stitching, typically cross-stitch, while showcasing their talents to others.
Many samplers from the Victorian era were created in schoolhouses by girls from middle-class households, reflecting the standardized expectations of the time. These works often featured the alphabet in upper and lowercase, numbers, biblical verses, pictorial scenes, the maker’s name, birth date, and decorative borders.
What makes this sampler truly special is that it appears to have been completed by two young sisters, Jessie and Amelia Kennedy. This collaboration is unusual, as samplers were traditionally the work of a single girl, who would sign and complete the piece herself according to 19th-century norms.
Fun Fact!
Samplers have a long history, and early examples often omit the letters “J” and “U”. This is because the Latin alphabet used at the time substituted “I” for “J” and “V” for “U”.