We have long been pondering the idea of Quakerism, with its emphasis on education, and Quaker teachers as the transmitter, and possibly the originators, of some of the motifs that predominate in Norfolk samplers -the floral wreaths and borders, as well as certain motifs found in 17th-century long band samplers that were carried forward into the Norfolk samplers of the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Sarah Clark’s sampler, currently being reproduced, met with great enthusiasm when it was first posted on @norfolksamplers, with multiple requests to offer it as a reproduction chart.  Having always been more of a researcher than a stitcher, I never fully appreciated the allure of reproduction samplers. It was not until assisting Bethany in charting Sarah Clark (as well as some forthcoming project kits) that I began to appreciate the insights one can gain when required to look slowly and closely at motifs, formats and materials.