Ackworth School near Pontefract, West Yorkshire has recently celebrated the passage of its 247th academic year as a Quaker School. As founder of the Cross Stitch Guild, I was thrilled to join forces with the school to promote and support continued work with the antique sampler collection held at the school.
These very early and very fine samplers are distinctive in the use of the medallion shapes and motifs, which are seen in Quaker samplers in other Schools and institutions too. This bird motif is a particular favourite of mine!