Mary Utley - 1837

Mary Utley - 1837

Original Sampler

This weeks newsletter from The Attic Needlework in Mesa, Arizona featured in addition to Susanah Rayment my new release Mary Utley.  The colors of Mary's original sampler are bold and bright, which  is why it reminds me so much of a child's drawing.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a traditionalist in my decor and I love bold statement colors.  Color is definitely something I am not afraid of if used properly.  The NPI colors selected for Mary definitely reflect this about the sampler.  The Attic selected beautiful silk conversions for those who like the more subtle aged look and the palette is absolutely beautiful.  I thought I would share the photo's of Mary's original sampler.  Unfortunately, when I began my research there are hundreds of Mary Utley's in the States during the time she would have been born since she very conveniently provided this information on her sampler. 

Mary Utley - 1837

Original Sampler

However, for England only a few appear.  I believe the sampler is British, however, since I purchased from a dealer here in the States and he was not sure where it came from I can't be certain.  She may have been born in England and moved here or her family had already settled here in the States hence the motifs and layout.  

Mary Utley - 1837

Original Sampler

There is really just no way to narrow down the search given her name is fairly common and there are no other clues.  This however, does not take away from the charm or the love I have for her sampler.  Enjoy!!

Guild Lecture and April Release

Yesterday I had the honor of sharing my private sampler collection along with a presentation on sampler research to the Sampler Guild I am a member of.  I focused on the genealogical research of the first two samplers I released which were Susanah Rayment and Margaret Morley.  As always the ladies were wonderful and I had such a good time pulling all of the information together for our meeting.  I also had the opportunity to share my new April Release as part of the Online Needlework Show, which is Mary Utley.  Mary stitched her sampler at the age of 8 and it is dated July 7, 1837.  I love this sampler it has very bright colors and to me is stitched in some respects as a child would draw a picture.  

Fabric - Lakeside Linen – Meadow Rue 36 Count using one strand of silk

Silk Threads - Needlepoint Silks, Inc

Model Stitched by - Kyla McKay-Dewald

Framing  - Total Framing, Fairfax Virginia

If you love bright colors then this sampler is made for you!  As you may have imagined researching her may be a bit of a challenge.  The sampler style definitely has English influence and there are a couple of Mary Utley's who were born around the time I estimate her birth may have been.  However, there are numerous individuals with her name in the States.  Given she may have actually been in America instead of England will probably make determining who the actual stitcher is a bit of a challenge.  We shall see though.