The following photograph shows the sampler that you will be stitching.

 

The sampler by Sarah Drafgate dated 1688 is the oldest in the Winchester archives.  It is a lovely sampler using a variety of stitches including Holbein, Algerian eye and Montenegrin to name but a few, and the colours are just beautiful, even today.  The original measures 40 cms by 15.5 cms approx. and is stitched on a delightful (for our eyes!) 28 count linen.  During the course all the stitches will be taught with time for practise in a constructive way and we shall be looking at the history behind the piece too.  With a name as unusual as Drafgate we might even be able to find out more about her.  We shall as always be seeing the original up very close!

Picture reproduced by kind permission of Hampshire County Museums and Archives Service.