Antique Sampler Stories with Cissy Bailey Smith

Join us for a session with designer Cissy Bailey Smith as she delves into samplers made during Berry Hill’s early years. Enjoy a delicious dessert, a custom designed cross stitch chart designed by Cissy and an Interactive Sampler Stories presentation which includes 40-50 Scottish, English and American samplers in Cissy’s personal collection dating from the early 1720s through 1850. She will discuss the history of samplers as they evolved from long narrow memory aids to frame worthy examples of female accomplishment. Types of fabrics and threads used, the structure of childhood education and historical events during the time period will be discussed.

Attendees will quickly learn to identify the combination of design elements that make Scottish Samplers unique and will obtain clues for discerning where a sampler was made. Everyone will interactively hunt for Scottish and English identification clues as we see photos and prints of the samplers. Early American Samplers including a Quaker sampler made in 1801 by Ann Wilson of Bucks County, PA will end Cissy’s inspiring lecture.

Cissy Bailey Smith is a sampler reproductionist and needlework designer whose life-long interests in history, writing, and needlework have dovetailed beautifully. She attained a teaching certification in canvas work from the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia, long ago and has enjoyed presenting lectures and teaching. She recently taught at The Great British Sampler Weekend in Swindon, England where she introduced her Christina McLellan 1821 Scottish sampler.

Cissy’s sampler reproductions and the Smalls she creates using the patterns from her large collection of antique sewing accessories will be available for sale that evening.

Tickets for the event are $42 and include the session with Cissy Bailey Smith, dessert, a custom cross-stitch chart designed by Cissy, and access to the pop-up shop before and after the event.