Images(2)

Workbook, "SIMPLE DIRECTIONS IN NEEDLE-WORK AND CUTTING OUT…"

Date1846

Artist/Maker Abby Stickney

Artist/Maker Alexander Thom

OriginIreland, Dublin

MediumLeather and paper with linen and cotton samples

DimensionsOH: 9 1/8" x OW: 7 1/4"

Credit LineAnonymous gift

Object number1971-1632

DescriptionThis is a workbook with brown marbleized paper cover and green leather on spine and at the corners. The text consists of three divisions: Needle-Work, Cutting Out, and Specimens. The section entitled "Specimens" contains cloth examples which correspond to the various lessons. The examples completed in this book are: hemming (paper), hemming (calico), sewing, run and fell seam, sew and fell seam, stitching, button-holes, buttons, tucking and trimming, marking sampler, Bolton sampler, plain darn, twill darn, wave darn, single diamond darn, bird-eye darn, patching, grafting, fine-drawing cloth, heart-piece, shirt or frock, stocking, fringe, night-cap, double knitting, elastic knitting, rustic plat, Dunstable plat, and Tuscan plat. On the page opposite the Bolton sampler is another marking sampler marked with the name, "Mary Jane Whitney". On the page opposite the knitting examples, several unlabeled examples of knitted, tatted, and crocheted lace are placed around a small knit bootee, which is labeled: "One of a pair of bootees/ Knit by Gertrude Whiting's grandmother--Abby Stickney--/for the former's china doll."
The marking sampler is worked in orange thread. It consists of rows of letters separated by decorative bands. The first row consists of thirteen I's; the second, nine E's; the third, nine F's; the fourth ten L's; the fifth, eight T's; and the sixth, six W's. The year, "1849", is underlined.
The Bolton sampler is worked in orange and green thread. From the top it consists of:
"A-G", "I" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
"H", "J-O" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
"P-U", "W" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
"V", "X-Z" uppercase block worked in cross stitch, flanked on either side by sawtooth motifs worked in satin stitch
"1-9", "0", followed by a string of diamond motifs
"a-p" lower case block worked in half cross stitch
"q-z" lower case block worked in half cross stitch
An undulating vine with leaves and flowers
"FANCY FAIR 1849 PRINCES PARK"
The entire sampler is bordered with an undulating green line of cross stitch.
The sampler on the page opposite of the Bolton sampler is worked in red, green, and blue thread. From the top it consists of:
"A-H", uppercase block worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"I-P" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"Q-W" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
Band of long-armed cross
"Mary Jane/ Whitney" worked in cross stitch
Row of diamond motifs worked in cross stitch
The entire sampler is bordered by blue thread worked in a back stitch.
The full title of the book reads: SIMPLE DIRECTIONS IN NEEDLE-WORK AND CUTTING OUT; INTENDED FOR THE USE OF THE NATIONAL FEMALE SCHOOLS OF IRELAND. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, SPECIMENS OF WORK EXECUTED BY THE PUPILS OF THE NATIONAL MODEL FEMALE SCHOOL. It was published by the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland in 1846.
Label TextSewing lessons in this manual include hemming, seaming, marking, mending, and cutting out. It is unclear whether this book functioned as a workbook in which a student would place examples of their completed work or as a teaching guide that included pre-made samples.

The sampler included on page 94 contains a reference to the Fancy Fair that took place in Prince's Park in Liverpool, England in 1849.

MarkingsA handwritten note opposite page 105 reads: "One of a pair of bootees/knit by Gertrude Whiting's/grandmother--Abbey Stickney--/for the former's china doll."
ProvenanceThe workbook was formerly in the collection of Gertrude Whiting.