TSG Forthcoming Events Page

The Sampler Guild
'Forthcoming Events' Page

Welcome to the Sampler Guild 'Forthcoming Events' page. The Sampler Guild has a constantly changing programme of events throughout the year, across the U.K. and sometimes abroad.

As Forthcoming Events are organised, you can find all the information about them here.

The Sampler Guild has just completed its first retreat of 2026. Fourteen members gathered at the delightful Bowden Hall Hotel just outside of Gloucester for a weekend of learning and stitching.

The focus was on reproducing the Dorcas Haynes band sampler. Delegates had been keen to work on this sampler, but some just needed a little support and guidance to get started. The first decision was which colour wave to choose, whether to follow the colours from the front or the back.
Stitched examples of both were available for the stitchers to see and Loetitia (Korry’s Little Shop) had thread packs available in the colours of their choice if required, as well as many other delightful goodies!

Throughout the two days Linda and Loetitia were on hand to demonstrate the various stitches required to get the delegates to the halfway point including learning satin stitch, four sided stitch with a diagonal pass on the back, marking stitch, queen stitch and a special session on needle lacing to complete the caps on the acorns.

Much progress was made over the weekend with the intention that attendees could confidently complete the first half of sampler.

A wonderful first event of many this year for The Sampler Guild. Part 2 of Dorcas Haynes is already booked for next year.
To find out more about this and other planned events contact Linda by email at linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk

A massive well done to the pop-up Etsy store “We are Threads of Unity”, which comprised of a number of Sampler Guild members. The store ran from October to December 31^st, 2025. They sold 600 charts which they had designed and donated themselves and after Etsy fees were removed, they raised an amazing £3368.47 for Cancer Research.

The Sampler Guild is one of the leading organisations in the UK that researches the history and development of needlework samplers from the first named sampler in the sixteenth century to modern day samplers……
Last week 50 members and friends of The Sampler Guild attended an amazing retreat at Ackworth School near Pontefract in Yorkshire. Ackworth School is famous for its collection of exquisite Quaker samplers including marking, darning, extract and the unique medallion sampler and much to the delight of those attending they had a rare opportunity of viewing the schools’ collection of over 150 samplers.
That was part of a packed itinerary that included Quaker sampler themed talks by Joanne Lukacher (author of Imitation and Improvement – The Norfolk Sampler Tradition), Jacob De Graaf (Modern Folk Embroidery), Ruth Taylor (Crows Feet Stitching), Alexandra Peters (author of Let Their Lights So Shine), Kathleen Littleton (Cross Stitch Antiques), Claudia Dutcher Kistler (Dutch Treat Designs) and Dr Isabella Rosner from the Royal School of Needlework.

On top of all of the talks, those attending were given a kit of Anne Haines 1831, an Ackworth sampler to stitch, owned and reproduced by Robin Laukhuf (Olde Willow Stitchery Designs), attended a class ran by Jacob de Graaf and given a kit to make a cross stitch pin wheel based on Quaker designs and were taught by Loetitia Gibier (Korry’s Little Shop) to embroider a flower related to Joanne Lukacher’s talk. Giving us loads to stitch in our free time.
The highlight though for most of those attending was living in the boarding school for 5 days and walking the same corridors and grounds that the girls who stitched these famous samplers had also walked. The staff at the school looked after us very well and meals were excellent. We were given a guided tour including a history of the school.
Overall, it was an amazing retreat giving us so many individual and group memories and we can’t wait for the next one tentatively booked for April 2027 – more to follow.

ALSO, every Sunday at 3.00 pm Please be aware that these will be an open Zoom with no waiting room. Zoom call will be available for up to 3 hours and probably a little bit after that should the need arise. Set up for those of you who need some stitching company.

This information is on the weekly membership schedule and is only available to TSG members.

STUDY GROUP - Next Study Group is Monday 10^th November 2025 at 8.00pm.
Come prepared with your questions or information to share. Please let me know if you have any specific topic that you wish to discuss.

This information is on the weekly membership schedule and is only available to TSG members.

If you have any questions / advice etc. then please feel free to join in. Do you have a topic you would like to raise or talk about?

I believe there are a few of you reproducing the Dorcas Haynes sampler. I am quite happy to discuss this, along with any others you may have in mind to reproduce, or may be considering doing..

This information is on the weekly membership schedule and is only available to TSG members.

We are thrilled to announce that in 2026, we will be hosting, not one, but two TSG Retreats

Following the success of the previous events, we have crafted an even more immersive experience for you, with a few exciting twists!.
We are keeping the best elements of our previous retreats while adding new features that will elevate your experience.
Plus, we have extended the retreat duration to include an extra day of relaxation, rejuvenation and connection.
Both retreats will be held at the beautiful Bowden Hall Hotel, set in 12 acres of parkland and nestling in the serene surroundings of Upton St. Leonards.
It's the perfect setting to unwind, relax and spend time amongst like-minded people.

It will be a wonderful and creative weekend! Focusing on colour in a relaxed but informative way to give you a unique experience.
We will be the knowledge and experience of Loetitia, Ruth and Linda - each with their own perspective and experience on colour.

Colour Theory Basics - A brief introduction or refresher on the colour wheel and how it affects our choices in threads and linens.
This can help set the stage for understanding colour harmony, contrasts, and how colours interact with each other.

The Changing Nature of Colour - We will explore how light affects how we see colour, particularly with the changing light throughout the day and seasons.
For example, the warmth of morning light can make colours appear differently than in the afternoon, or under artificial light.
You can even explore how to adjust stitch choices based on different lighting scenarios.

Seasonal Colour Changes - Discuss how colours we choose reflect the seasons. Are there certain colours that feel More spring-like or autumnal?
We will create a colour palette for each season and experiment with how to compare them into different threads or linens.

Practical Applications - Encourage hands-on exploration. Create small swatches or colour combinations using your chosen threads or fabrics to see how the colours change based on light and time of day. This is a fantastic way for everyone to learn through experience.

Q&A and Problem Solving - As mentioned, you will be answering questions as a group. We would ask that you bring any colour-related challenges you are facing with you, whether it's picking threads for a specific project, or how to match linens and threads with different lighting and we will work through solutions as a team.

JUST CHILL RETREAT - Thursday 10^th to Sunday 13^th September 2026.

No classes, presentations just sheer uninterrupted stitching time. No washing or ironing, cooking or any of the other “lovely” stuff we have to deal with that interrupts our quality stitching time. That’s not to say that there won’t be many discussions and information passed around and Loetitia and I will be on hand to help out if there is. Please bring your samplers if you want to share and learn. A very informal few days away from the rat race.

To be held at the beautiful Bowden Hall Hotel, set in 12 acres of parkland and nestling in the serene surroundings of Upton St. Leonards. GL4 8ED

We thought we would host an event entirely different to our usual format. An event where we could have fun and still relax and stitch.
Please bear with us as the planning is in the early stages. The hotel is booked!
This is going to be a weekend of fun with Michelle (Momma Loves You GB), Ruth (Crows Feet Stitching), Loetitia (Korry's Little Shop) and yours truly.
We are all really excited and ideas have started flowing and formulating.

We have a participant list running. If you are interested in attending please let me know as soon as you can. Deposits will not be due until early 2026.

SAVE THE DATE!
We have fantastic news! Big Stitch 2026 is going to take place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June at Magna Science Museum in Rotherham.
Put it in your diary, we can't wait to see you there!

We are currently working away in the background to bring you a fantastic event and more information will be released in the coming months.
If you have any questions, or require further information regarding the event in the meantime, please do not hesitate to email me at bigstitchevents@gmail.com, or go to our website www.bigstitchuk.com.

Tickets will be on sale from June 2025 and an exact date will be released closer to the time.
To relieve the administration behind the event, we have made the decision not to offer payment by instalments. But don't worry, you have a few months left
until the tickets go on sale and we will remind you closer to the time.

If you are a business or a designer and you would like a vendor place or classroom at the event, please contact Linda by email at linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk.

This retreat will be for those that have completed the first part of their Dorcas Haynes sampler from the Dorcas retreat January 2026 and wish to complete what they have started. This retreat is also for anyone who wishes to come along and start their Dorcas Haynes sampler.

Dorcas Haynes reproduction sampler is both beautiful and intricate, but it can be a bit challenging for those just starting out.
This retreat is designed to help guide you through the chart and instructions, ensuring you get those first stitches correctly in place.
If you already have Dorcas Haynes underway as a project, the retreat will also provide support to help you feel more confident
and overcome any hurdles you might encounter as you move through upcoming bands.
Full details and prices available shortly. Should you wish to go on the attendee list, please email me.

We have taken the opportunity to book the Bowden Hall Hotel, Gloucester whilst they have availability.

Postponed from July 2026. This will include various types of finishing techniques to get your 3D projects looking great. We will also be covering embellishments too.
Full details and prices available shortly. Should you wish to go on the attendee list, please email me.

We have taken the opportunity to book the Bowden Hall Hotel, Gloucester whilst they have availability.

This retreat is still in the planning stage, but will run along the same lines as our Ackworth Retreat back in October 2025.
It will include a day sightseeing and a visit to the Norwich Museum to see their Norfolk samplers.
Two days of presentations and classes with well renowned lecturers and needlework tutors.

This will take place at a hotel in Norwich at a hotel 1 mile from Norwich airport and less than 3 miles from the city centre.
For our overseas visitors, flights to Schiphol, Netherlands and a direct flight from Schiphol to Norwich make this an event with no car hire necessary.

Full details and prices available shortly. Should you wish to go on the attendee list, please email me.

This retreat is going to be a celebration of Christmas, to just come and stitch and join in the festive fun.
Full details and prices available shortly. Should you wish to go on the attendee list, please email me.

We have taken the opportunity to book the Bowden Hall Hotel, Gloucester whilst they have availability.

Linda Hadden
The Sampler Guild
4 Courtfield Drive
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 6JG

E-mail: linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk

Telephone: +44(0)1628-634274

Click here to go back to Sampler Guild 'Home' page

Preserving the past for the future...