This delicate 100% silk change purse is accented with details of the bird and long tail sheep motifs from the sampler made by Ann Wragg (1756 û 1835). The long tail sheep were a common theme in Charleston-made samplers; however, the flowers hearts, and birds have strong Dutch influences.

The eighteenth century arguably could be called the age of domestic embroidery in the American colonies. Woman embroidered not only decorative objects for the home but also personal accessories. Among the more unusual of the latter is the pocket. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, womenÆs clothing did not have sewn-in pockets. Rather, small items were carried in separate gracefully-shaped bags, often embellished, which were tied around the waist and worn under the skirt and petticoat.\r\nThis pocket has been adapted from one of a pair of pockets in the collection of The Charleston Museum. It was worked in Georgetown County, South Carolina, and is dated 1804. The original was worked in silk thread on a cotton ground. The design has been adapted for crewel yarn (wool) on a linen ground. \r\n\r\nThe kit contains all fabrics for design, backing, and lining; Appleton crewel yarns whose colors match the original silk threads; needles; and complete directions, stitch diagrams, and finishing instructions. The overall finished size is 16 3/4 in. high x 15 1/2 in. wide. The project is intended for stitchers who have a basic knowledge of surface embroidery stitches, including long and short, French knot, satin, outline, and back.

The Dorothy Ians sampler includes the classic Adam and Eve scene and is comprised of cross and chain stitches. It is done on 25-30 count clay colored linen with beautifully dyed French filament and spun silk (cotton option also available).