Sample Books
At school, I wasn't especially good at history - often 'muddlling-up' dates and times which I don't do with these books!
Some of the individual stitched samples below can be seen more closely in THE STITCH SANCTUARY
COTTON SWATCHES
Victorian manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches (c. 1837-1901) displayed in a loose leaf notebook (c.1930s). It’s possible the 40-page book was assembled from items found in a drapery shop, perhaps put together by a teacher/student during the 1920/30s. An additional sheet of samples of ‘Dyed Drill’ (visible right of main book) was also found in the pages & labelled as produced from The Calico Printers’ Association Limited Manchester (a large company who were involved with fabrics during the period).
Lacework trims are in almost original condition
Cotton lace & trims are in almost original condition
Pages showing lace fabric swatches - left knitted fabric, right netted lace
Pages show manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches in 4 colourways
Pages show manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches in 4 colourways
Pages show manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches in 2 designs
Pages show manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches in 4 colourways (note the brilliance of the colours)
Pages show 2 manufacturer's cotton fabric swatches (note the brilliance of the colours)
Victorian Crochet Sample Book: Leather-bound book of crochet samples (possibly German). These would have been taken along to the 'Lady' of the house to make her selection.
Victorian Crochet Sample Book: sample laces & trims worked in fine cotton
Victorian Crochet Sample Book: sample insets & laces worked in fine cotton
Dressmaking samples from the early 20th century (c.1910-20). This somewhat tatty school exercise book I bought contained m any pages of sewing samples. Likely to have been worked in school as part of a dressmaking lesson - all samples have been stitched beautifully by hand.
These 2 pages are of repairs and show: (left) FLANNEL PATCH and (right) CROSS CUT DARN. The samples are stitched on wool flannel and cotton damask.
1930s box of Tartan fabrics: Inside this outer wrapper (showing a date of 25 February 1932 and sent from the Textile Institute, Manchester) a series of tartan swatches. They were complete with weaving details showing their names, weaving/tying strands and colours used.
Mid 20c. Tartan Samples for a 12” Heddle - Samples of MACINTOSH TARTAN weave (colours: scarlet, dark green, navy blue)
Mid 20c. Tartan Samples for a 12” Heddle - Samples of ROB ROY TARTAN weave (colours: black, scarlet)