Customer Reviews

Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework, 1650-1850

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Betty Ring is a renowned needlework historian who really knocked herself out for this complete look at American needlework from the 1650s through the 1850s. While this two-book set may seem expensive, rest assured it's filled with color and black and white photographs of samplers, paintings, and newspaper clippings about needlework during this 200-year period. The writing is thick -- not a "day at the beach" reader, but is chock-full of information for the different time periods and areas of the U.S. covered here (the East Coast, mostly New England). There are no patterns here to follow, nor are there many descriptions of the stitches themselves. This book gives unique insight into the origin of outstanding pieces of art/needlework, and discusses at length the history of the schools that taught such work.

Have had this set in my library for over a year, but cannot say I have read every page ... but have used is for information gathering AND JUST PURE PLEASURE. A big "Well Done" for Ms. Ring!

For anyone interested in samplers and needlework, this is a basic resource. The photographs are good and the research is good too.
I would highly recommend this boxed set.