Martha Edlin - Embroiderer Extraordinaire

The answer to the mystery embroiderer is Martha Edlin, as many of you knew.  She was born in 1660 and at the young age of eight years, made a beautiful sampler which you can see here. There is some historical information on Martha’s life on that page, too. 

She may be considered precocious by some today but in the 17th Century many young girls were beautiful embroiders at early ages. They didn’t have the distractions and responsibilities that girl’s of today encounter. Life was slower and there was little for a woman (girl) of leisure to do.
The sampler is a polychrome band sampler (multi-colored rows of different stitches) stitched on linen, usually around 50 threads per inch, with silk thread. It is dated and signed. Most 17th C. band samplers are reversible!  That is quite a time intensive and embroidering feat!  The next year, 1669, she embroidered a whitework sampler. That is a sampler stitched with white silk and/or linen threads to create a lace look.  This is a modern example.

At the age of 11 she made an embroidered casket. The caskets were made as a ‘final’ project of a girl’s education at the time.  They are small at about 12”w x 10”h x 8”d.  Here is one for sale that you can own!  Click on the picture for a closer view.  The information on that page tells you more about the work on these exquisite treasures.  This is a link to see Martha Edlin’s Casket using MS Media player (best with broadband). It’s a 2:38 minute video.  Sometimes the link is busy but, it’s worth checking it until you get through as it shows her work up close.

Several other items of needlework were found inside the case, as well as a few needlework tools.  Both her samplers were housed inside, too.  This is the reason they are in such good condition today. All the items were passed down through the female line of her family and lately given to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. 

The needlework that women have done throughout history is an important part of our heritage and history as women.  It proves we were here and well educated (if money was available).  Antique samplers can be sold at auction or by dealers at very high prices and are highly collectable. 

Now you know a little more (more than you wanted?) about my other passion, embroidery.

And now to the business at hand!

The winner’s aaaarrrreee (drum roll):

Laura Gallagher (she asked for the Denim if she won) and
Cameo Voltz (what a great name!)

I don’t think either has a blog so if you do please let us know. Let us also see the finished Broadripple’s when they are done. 

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!  Your embroidery education will continue each time a contest happens here at Zeneedle.

Comments

[Laura Gallagher]

Well, it's sorta a blog - not as regular as many people's.

http://celticdragonfly.livejournal.com/

Thanks so much for the yarn! I'm excitedly looking forward to it.

[annie]

I found this entry fascinating. I look forward to more embroidery "lessons".

[Andrea]

Thank you so much for sharing something so interesting and informative! I wish we had the time for such attention to detail in modern life. Maybe that's why I'm a knitter, but this actually made me wish I knew more about embroidery (and had the patience for it).

[Melissa]

Thank you for sharing the interesting links!