Lifestyle

Samplers preserve stitches in time
Treasure hunting

Cheryl-Anne Millsap
The Spokesman-Review

When you mention vintage samplers, most people immediately think of those delicate bits of history made by young girls in colonial America. They are rare and fragile and sell for thousands of dollars.

That's definitely not what I collect. Those are true antiques. The samplers I look for are the small pieces of needlework popular with women since the turn of the 20th century. These samplers aren't valuable antiques. But they are sweet paeans to home and hearth.

By the middle of the 20th century, hundreds of inexpensive patterns for cross-stitch projects were available from variety stores and needlework magazines.

The kits featured a simple cross-stitch pattern stamped on linen or cotton fabric. They were stitched by women in precious moments away from caring for families or housework, and by young girls learning "handwork."

Vintage magazines are a valuable resource for collectors. I have an October 1927 Needlecraft Magazine that lists graphed patterns for "antique" samplers and stamped cross-stitch kits that could be ordered for as little as one penny!I have been collecting samplers, framed and unframed, for years. So many of these stamped kits were made and sold, they are one of the easiest collectibles to find today.

I don't like to pay more than $20 for one, unless it is completely handmade and very unusual. Most of my purchases have been in the $5 to $10 range.

For me the real value of each piece is in the time and love that was put into the project. I like the sweet sentiments expressed and the faded colors of the silk or "boil proof" cotton embroidery floss.

Vintage samplers are easy to find in area shops and flea markets, and online auctions like eBay are a quick way to build or fill out a collection.

During my first winter in Spokane, I occupied the long evenings learning to navigate eBay. When I looked for samplers, I discovered there was a huge selection available. One woman was auctioning off a collection of hundreds of vintage samplers, one at a time.

At first it was fun to look and bid, but after a while the sheer volume took some of the fun out of it. After all, for me, the best part of collecting is the time spent poking though dusty shops and flea market booths.

But if you are searching for items that are hard to find or very specific, online auctions are the way to go.

I've been picking up all kinds of vintage stitchery for years and my collection is large. I rotate items in and out depending on my mood and where I am living. But no matter where I am, I usually have a grouping of old samplers hanging near the kitchen table. When my children were small and learning to read, they loved to practice by reading the quaint phrases out loud.

When my oldest daughter was around 13 she referred to the samplers hanging on the wall, somewhat dryly, as "the wall of wisdom." That's what we've called it since.

Caring for vintage samplers, needlework

Most stamped needlework kits can be hand-washed in a mild detergent. I use a solution of Biz and very warm water. It's important to check the floss for color fastness before washing. Make sure you rinse the item very well to remove all traces of detergent.

I wrap the wet piece in a dry, white cotton towel, roll it tightly (without wringing) until most of the water is out of the fabric, and hang to dry.

If the piece is linen, here's a tip used by fabric restoration professionals: Place the laundered piece of linen on a sheet of glass. Gently run a soft sponge across the fabric to remove excess water. Blot up the water as it is removed from the fabric. Repeat until the fabric is smooth and free of excess moisture.

Linen has a natural waxy quality that causes it to adhere to the glass. When the fabric is dry, it can be peeled off the glass and will be as smooth as if it has been ironed. This technique also works for linen handkerchiefs and vintage clothing.

If a piece needs to be ironed, use a piece of damp cotton sheet as a pressing cloth to prevent scorching and flattening the embroidery.

Vintage needlework should be framed behind glass and kept out of direct sunlight.