A foodie town from the start in 1699, hospitality has always been a big part of this small town’s spirit...

{HISTORY}

Featuring the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, this vintage 1970s-era sampler contains a bevy of different embroidery stitches and colors. 

Reminiscent of earlier antique samplers, it contains the alphabet, numbers 0-9, and a pretty scene of gardens, the palace, and a colonial couple.  The date, May 1973 is stitched in the walkway just below the Palace steps - a unique addition to this design. Perhaps the date marks the month and the year the sewer stitched it or maybe it marks  a special commemorative time in which she visited or celebrated an important moment in this historic city.

The Governor's Palace first built in 1706 was the architectural focal point of Williamsburg and here in the sampler, it sits right in the center, the focal point of this scene. Home to such prominent historical figures as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, Francis Fauquier and Lord Botetourt, it's uncertain who this colonial couple might represent but possibly they could be the everycouple too - the ordinary men and women who called the city home in our newly settled country. As America's first "foodie" town, Williamsburg has long been known for its history and hospitality. Read more about the city and whip up one of their famous recipes here.

Running stitch, french knot and cross stitch are the embroidery styles that weave together threads of violet, salmon pink, navy blue, black, avocado green, marigold and chocolate. The embroiderers of Colonial America would have been proud of this mid-20th century sewer as there is not a stitch out of place nor an illustration gone awry, not always an easy feat with such a detailed scene. 

Large in size, this vintage sampler is a springboard for a variety of different sewing and decorating projects. Incorporate it into the face of a pillow, turn it into a curtain panel, a table cloth, a market bag, storage box cover or a framed piece of wall art. However you choose to incorporate it into your space, this colonial scene will add an instant touch of history to your space. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Large size
• Intricate scene
• Hand-embroidered
• Linen fabric

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. This sampler is very clean and bright with no stains, pulled threads or errant marks. At one point in time, this sampler was framed and therefore around the outside edge of the sampler small holes with rust marks can be seen where nails and staples once held the fabric in place in the frame. These marks are all outside the edge of the sampler and can easily be covered depending on how you wish to style this piece. Please see photos

{SIZE}

Measures 16" inches (length) x 12.5' inches (width) and weighs 1.4 oz.

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Find more vintage embroidery pieces here.