Welcome!

You have come to the homepage of the recently completed Simply Samplers touring exhibition. On this website you can:

  • Find out how the exhibition came together;
  • See some of the samplers included in the exhibition, and find out more about them;
  • Create your own sampler using our interactive game;
  • Naomi Tarrant, expert on embroidered textiles, answers some FAQs;

And much, much more!

Embroidered Samplers

sampler patternThe exhibition included 23 embroidered samplers produced in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The pieces have come from Museums across the East of Scotland, and many were on public display for the first time.

Often produced by young children, these beautiful objects give a valuable glimpse into another age. It took many hours of practice to produce the samplers, which often have surprising symbols and motifs included in their designs!