The Sampler Guild
'Home' page 

Welcome

My name is Linda Hadden and I have been a sampler enthusiast for over thirty years. I became interested in the idea of starting a UK based Sampler Guild after meeting my good friend Kristy in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London nearly ten years ago. Kristy was visiting the UK from the USA and during our ensuing conversations, it rapidly became obvious that the UK had nothing like the USA and Canada in terms of a platform where fellow sampler enthusiasts could have a common forum to share ideas and information. The Sampler Guild developed from that chance meeting and all that has now changed...

With hundreds of members based here in the UK and throughout the world, the aim of The Sampler Guild (TSG) is to provide that forum, furthering the research of sampler history, providing the next step-up from Cross Stitch, promoting the preservation of antique samplers, continuing the art of sampler making and having lots of fun!

Linda and Great Niece Faye

There are three methods of contact with members, a quarterly newsletter that includes articles by both experts and enthusiasts alike, information on forthcoming exhibitions, and members requests for information and advice; this website, which is updated frequently (at least once a week) and the TSG Google Group, an online messaging facility that is only available to TSG members - see below.

We also have frequent and very popular 'Get togethers' and 'Meet-ups' which regularly take place all over the country. 2009 will be a very busy year for TSG members, so please see the quarterly newsletter and visit the  'Forthcoming Events' page for the latest details of what is happening.

The TSG Emporium offers a showcase of the best products from the UK and around the world including charts, books, linens and other essential items such as threadwinders, scissors etc. TSG members receive substantial discounts across a wide range of products, please visit TSG Emporium 'Contents' page for details.

In 2005 the first 'Gathering of Kindred Spirits' retreat (see TSG 'Retreat' page) took place in Cumbria and trips to Holland and the USA took place. For 2008 there has been a packed schedule of 'get togethers' and 'meet-ups' and trips to Paris and Belfast have taken place. The next 'Gathering of Kindred Spirits' retreat will take place in early 2009. Details and new pictures now available - please go to the TSG 'Retreat' page.

STOP PRESS! For all those lucky enough to be attending the Retreat of Kindred Spirits at Muncaster Castle this March, please visit the TSG 'Retreat' page to view the complete set of pictures of the "A Book of Beries" project, that we have just received from Lauren Sauer. This project has been specially designed for our retreat by Lauren.

The Sampler Guild is fortunate in being able to call on a number of museum curators in the UK and Europe for expert advice. In addition a selection of well known Sampler Houses and Sampler Guilds in the USA, Canada and Europe have proved to be more than eager to share their vast wealth of knowledge with us.

I am very happy to discuss The Sampler Guild in more detail and to answer any queries you may have regarding membership and activities. Please do not hesitate to call or email me. I will be available Monday to Friday between 9am and 11am, or e-mail me - see below for telephone number and e-mail address.

N.B. If this is your first visit to The Sampler Guild web-site, please take time to visit the different pages to get a better feel for what The Sampler Guild is all about...

E-mail: linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk      Telephone: +44(0)1628-634274

How to join The Sampler Guild

For details of how to become a member of The Sampler Guild, please visit  'TSG Membership' page

The Sampler Guild Emporium

TSG has an online shop - The Sampler Guild Emporium. Here you can find all sorts of wonderful charts, books, linens and other stitching essentials too numerous to mention here. Please visit TSG Emporium 'Contents' and potter around the many pages, and remember if you can not see what you want, just ask! TSG can supply virtually anything and usually at a discounted price

Change of Address

Please note that from Monday 20th April 2009, The Sampler Guild is moving to Maidenhead.

All post for TSG should be sent to;

4 Courtfield Drive
MAIDENHEAD
Berkshire
SL6 6JG
Tel: 44 (0) 1628-634274
Email:  linda@the samplerguild.co.uk

Write an article, receive a subscription to "The Gift of Stitching" online magazine

We have 9 annual subscriptions to give away for the online magazine "The Gift of Stitching". We have decided to give these subscriptions to the first 9 TSG members who submit an article that is accepted for publication in the TSG Newsletter.

This is not a competition, but we feel that it is the fairest way to distribute these subscriptions, so get your thinking/writing caps on and have a go! Perhaps you have a sampler in the family whose history you wish to share, or you have recently attended a sampler related event that might be of interest to other members for future reference? Send your articles to Linda and good luck...

Forthcoming Events

For news on the latest events and happenings, please visit TSG Forthcoming Events  page.

Christmas Ornament Exchange 2008

Should you wish to view some of last years stunning creations then please visit the TSG Gallery page.

2008 Pulled Thread Challenge

For details of the '2008 Pulled Thread Challenge', please visit the TSG 'Forthcoming Events' page.

What's New

For information on the newest products, please visit TSG What's New  page.

TSG Google Group

Mike has set up a mailing service/bulletin board for TSG members, using Google Groups. This is a secure, invitation only, TSG member service. If you are a TSG member and wish to join and keep up with the latest news and developments in the sampler world, can you please send an email to  mike@thesamplerguild.co.uk  and he will ensure that you receive an invitation to join.

Please do not hesitate to email Mike (mike@thesamplerguild.co.uk) if you have any queries about this service.

Links to other Web-sites

For details of links to other sampler related web-sites, please visit  TSG 'Links' page

And Finally...

 Technical Stuff

As part of the Sampler Guild's process of continuous growth and development, we are pleased to announce that we have restructured the layout of the web-site to enable you to gain faster access to the information and products you want. By increasing the number of product pages, but at the same time making them smaller and more focussed, you will find that you can reach the information you require in just a few clicks of the mouse instead of having to continually scroll down long pages.

One little tip - if the text appears too large or too small on your screen, click on 'View' on the tool bar above, then change the 'Text Size' to suit your preference. Try different sizes until you find the one that you feel is right, there are only five to choose from.

Your input is invaluable, hence the changes - if you have any comments, would like to see additions or have spotted any errors or omissions on the web-site, please e-mail Mike at  mike@thesamplerguild.co.uk   Thanks in anticipation.

Click here for 'TSG Membership'

Click here for 'What's New'

Click here for 'Forthcoming Events'

Click here for The Sampler Guild 'Gallery'

Click here for The Sampler Guild 'Retreat'

Click here for The Sampler Guild 'Classes'

Click here for TSG Emporium 'Contents'

__________________________________________________ 

E-mail: linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk

Telephone: +44(0)1628-634274

Preserving the past for the future...

© The Sampler Guild - 2009