Jane Toller

Jane Toller has written this slim volume (63 p.) from the perspective of the antique dealer and the collector of old samplers. And the title is misleading – although she spends most of her time discussing British samplers from the 16th though the 19th centuries, she also outlines Scottish, Irish, Welsh and American samplers.

The book begins with reasons for sampler making and then goes into the various ways to identify periods of sampler making. She ends with an invaluable chapter on the care of old samplers.

There are 22 plates illustrating samplers of all types. It was disappointing that only 9 were in color and 8 of these had a distinctly yellow cast. However the quality of the prints made it easy to see some of the specialty stitches, especially the lovely whitework and reticello.

And be aware that, as a British publication, Ms. Toller uses the terms drawn thread and drawn fabric along with pulled thread interchangeably.… (altro)