What are Quaker Samplers?

During the 17th and 18th centuries, sampler making was a by-product of a young girl’s education; and until the late eighteenth century, education was the domain of an elite few. Not all samplers, however, were made by daughters of privilege.

The Ackworth School in North Yorkshire, England, previously used as a hospital, was founded in 1779 by John Fothergill, and was intended for the   children of less affluent Quaker families. At first, attendance of only 49 pupils quickly rose to 310, and attended by boys and girls. 

The schoolmaster’s responsibilities was to teach both male and  female pupils in writing and arithmetic, and the schoolmistress instructed the girls in reading, sewing, knitting and spinning. The boys also worked on the land and gardens, and learnt various trades which would lead to apprenticeships.

 It is not known where these geometric patterns originated from, but they may have been used as mathematical problems, teaching the concept of whole, half and quarters. These elaborate predominant octagonal motifs are readily identified by sampler enthusiasts as Quaker. Students began to  create medallion samplers at Ackworth at the end of the eighteenth century

No evidence has been found, such as the arrival of a new teacher, that clearly explains the sudden appearance of medallion samplers within the Ackworth work. There is also no explanation that answers why Quakers, who espoused plainness and simplicity, condoned these decorative and  fanciful medallion samplers, many of which were stitched in bright coloured threads not found in typical Quaker clothing or household items.

Sampler making at Ackworth spanned a period of roughly sixty years, which began after the founding of the school in 1779 and ceased without formal explanation by the 1840s.

Keeping Quaker Samplers alive within the needlework world for designers and historians is important, and the designs available here show all the hundreds of different medallions and motifs either in sampler form for you to work or valued pattern dictionary for you to create your own. Each of the patterns are in PDF form and sent direct to you by email, so no waiting for the postman. In the shop you will find traditional and modern designed Quaker samplers, a quarterly magazine, books and many accessory items.

Quaker Samplers only spanned a period of sixty years, but this shop will continue to take it further into the future and never be forgotten.