1897 schoolhouse samplers

Events & Presentations






near and far

Upcoming Presentations & Events

it is a joy to share the collection with you!

Fall 2025

So many exciting things are coming Fall 2025, check back for details!


near and far

Past Presentations & Events

it is a joy to share the collection with you!

Queen City Sampler Guild

Thursday, April 3, 2025

On Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7pm EST, the QCSG will be hosting a lecture by Lianne van Leyen of 1897
Schoolhouse Samplers. 

During her 90-minute Zoom presentation, Lianne will share some of her 380+ piece antique sampler collection which includes dated examples from 1726 to 1978. She will use her samplers to illustrate what samplershave to teach us about the social history and education of women and girls, the transmission of knowledge and skills in traditional and nontraditional subjects through needlework across time.

VIRTUAL 
cincinnati, ohio
united states of america

Learn more 

The Sampler Guild

Saturday, March 1, 2025
The Study Group Retreat

I am passionate about what antique samplers have to teach us when we explore the role of education in the lives of women and girls, the transmission of knowledge and skills in traditional and nontraditional subjects through needlework in a time when education wasn’t a right and universally accessible.   

I joined The Research Group of The Sampler Guild on Saturday, March 1, 2025 to discuss the Canadian sampler making tradition.  Placing them in context based on samplers I hold in my collection from around the world, including examples made in Ontario and Québec adjacent US states, the British Isles and Europe.  Sharing the local, national and international history that impacted and intersects with the history of Canada and our making of samplers.  Examining the impact of the industrial revolution, migration and settlement in the use of materials and the skill level evident in samplers made in long established towns and cities versus rural communities.

VIRTUAL 

The sampler guild
Linda hadden
maidenhead, Berkshire
united kingdom

Learn more 

Loudoun Sampler Guild

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Antique sampler presentation via ZOOM focusing on samplers made in Canada and held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection.  This presentation will place Canadian samplers within the context of contemporary samplers made in North America, Europe and the British Isles while comparing and contrasting them based on materials, motifs and techniques, while also sharing Canadian social and domestic history. 

VIRTUAL 

leesburg, virginia
united states of america

Learn more 

Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Antique sampler and needlework tool and ephemera collection presentation via ZOOM focusing on the sampler making traditions of Canada, the United States and the British Isles. Exploring the connections amongst the tools of women's decorative culture and education, social history, as well as the dated and undated samplers held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection.

VIRTUAL 

Northville, Michigan
united states of america

Learn more 

The Sampler Guild

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

As a collector of antique and vintage needlework, with a particular emphasis on 19th century samplers, I am also fascinated by the tools that underpin the spectrum of what and how handwork was and is practiced.  Like my sampler collection, my handwork tool collection spans centuries, bearing witness to changing technology, design aesthetics, innovation, construction and use.  I will be joining The Sampler Guild during our regular guild meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 to share favorites from my handwork tool collection.   

VIRTUAL 
The sampler guild
Linda hadden
maidenhead, Berkshire
united kingdom

Learn more 

2024 Stitch North Retreat

Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2024

A large cross stitch retreat hosted by Caroline of Off the Grid Needlearts/Evertote. 

I will be bringing along my patterns, setting up a display of my shop models and selling pattern for the entire weekend. 

Presented by Evertote
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
CANADA

Learn more 

Examplary Needle Guild

Friday, April 26, 2024

Antique sampler presentation via ZOOM discussing the sampler making tradition through dated examples from the 1700s to the early 1900s, held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection.

VIRTUAL 

Learn more

2024 Stitch North Retreat

Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21, 2024

A large cross stitch retreat hosted by Caroline of Off the Grid Needlearts/Evertote. 

I will be bringing along my patterns, setting up a display of my shop models and selling pattern for the entire weekend. 

Presented by Evertote
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
CANADA

Learn more 

2024 Nashville Needlework Market

Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3, 2024

You will find me sharing suite 328 on the third floor!!

I am so very happy to be returning to the Nashville Needlework Market for my second year and be able to share my newest releases and old favourites from my very own suite!!

Presented by Needlework Retailer
NASHVILLE, TENESSEE
UNITED STATES

Learn more 

Deerely Wrought Sampler Guild

Monday, February 19, 2024

Antique sampler presentation via ZOOM discussing the sampler making tradition through examples held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection, with special emphasis on Canadian made samplers.

VIRTUAL 
CALGARY, ALBERTA
CANADA

Learn more 

Embroiderers' Association of Canada, Inc. / Association canadienne de broderie, Inc.

Saturday, January 27, 2024
What Antique Samplers Have to Teach Us
Needle: first instrument of learning in the hand. 
Female education: a privilege, not a right and unequal. 

What antique samplers have to teach us when we explore the role of women and girls in education, the transmission of knowledge and skills in traditional and nontraditional subjects through needlework in a time when education wasn’t a right and universally accessible.

Antique sampler and needlework tools presentation via Zoom discussing the sampler-making tradition demonstrated in the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers’ 350+ piece collection of antique schoolgirl samplers from 1726 to 1978.

VIRTUAL

Learn more 

SamBrie Stitches

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Flosstube: In Conversation with Becca of SamBrie Stitches

VIRTUAL

Learn more 

Primitive Needlearts Primer

October 4 - 6, 2023

Celebrating Primitive Style Needlearts

Hosted by Hobby House Needleworks, Hobby House Wool Works, Prims On Greenway, and Under the Woolen Willow.

Learn more 

Celebration of Needlework

Wednesday, May 17 to Sunday, May 21, 2023

Celebration of Needlework is the oldest, continuously running needle art show in the U.S. and Canada, and was inspired by a group of New England shop owners who were anxious to promote the industry. Each year our show brings together hundreds of needle artists, local shops, and nationally known designers.

TRUNK SHOW

united states

Learn more 

2023 Stitch North Retreat

Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30, 2023

A large cross stitch retreat hosted by Caroline of Off the Grid Needlearts/Evertote.

Presented by Evertote
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
CANADA

Learn more 

Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Antique sampler presentation via ZOOM discussing the sampler making tradition through dated examples from the 1700s to the early 1900s, held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection.

Virtual

Learn more 

2023 Nashville Needlework Market

Friday, March 3 to Sunday, March 5, 2023

You will find me sharing suite 425 on the fourth floor with Barbara Hutson of Queenstown Sampler Designs!!

I am so happy and extend my sincere thanks to Barbara for her generous support and offer to share her suite for my first market!!

Presented by Needlework Retailer
NASHVILLE, TENESSEE
UNITED STATES

Learn more 

Lake Michigan Sampler Guild

January 15, 2023

Antique sampler presentation via ZOOM discussing the sampler making tradition through dated examples from the 1700s to the early 1900s, held within the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers collection.

VIRTUAL

Learn more 

Needlework Expo

Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29, 2022

A virtual wholesale market for the cross stitch trade

VIRTUAL

Learn more 

Glengarry Pioneer Museum

Stitch in Time

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Enjoy special exhibits of clothing, quilts, and other textiles from the museum collection, as well as see demonstrators and textile vendors. Spinning, weaving, knitting, quilting, rug hooking, rug braiding, clothing and professional costuming will all be represented.
Demonstrations, Guest Speakers, Textile Vendors, Children's activity - felting wool and scavenger hunt, Drop Spindle competition, Food available onsite

Click on learn more below to find additional event and museum details including hours, location and admission fees

DUNVEGAN, ONTARIO
CANADA

Learn more 

Knowledge & Needles

Saturday, May 7, 2022
Nashville Spring Open House
featured designer

BRIGHTON, ONTARIO

CANADA

Learn more 

Northumberland Hills Stitchery Guild

April 26, 2022
Antique sampler presentation and show via Zoom
cobourg, ontario
CANADA

Learn more 

Trillium Embroidery Guild

April 20, 2022
Antique sampler presentation and show via Zoom
whitby, ontario
CANADA

Learn more 

Sampler Guild of the Rockies

April 8 to 10, 2022
2022 Seminar
presenting designer featuring two bespoke sampler reproduction patterns
Antique sampler and antique needlework tools presentations and show via Zoom
denver, colorado
usa

Learn more 

Sampler Guild of the Rockies

June 26, 2021
The Blooms, bees and berries retreat
PRESENTING DESIGNER FEATURING one BESPOKE SAMPLER REPRODUCTION PATTERN
Antique sampler presentation and show via Zoom
denver, colorado
usa

Learn more 

Lakeshore Creative Stitchery Guild

October 5, 2020
Antique sampler presentation and show via Zoom
POINTE-CLAIRE, QUEBEC
CANADA

Learn more 

2019 Needle Arts Fair

October 5, 2020
CANCELLED due to Covid-19
Needlecrafts Handed Down
Antique sampler presentation and show
Presented by the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts
KINGSTON, ONTARIO
CANADA

Learn more 

Lakeshore Creative Stitchery Guild

March 23, 2020
CANCELLED due to Covid-19
To be rescheduled
Antique sampler presentation and show
POINTE-CLAIRE, QUEBEC
CANADA

Learn more 

1000 Islands History Museum

March 6, 2020
Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts
Antique sampler presentation and show
Gananoque, Ontario
Canada

Learn more 

Toronto Guild of Stitchery

January 2, 2020
Antique sampler presentation and show
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

2019 Needle Arts Fair

October 5, 2019
Needlecrafts Handed Down
Antique sampler presentation and show
Presented by the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts
Kingston, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

2019 Needle Arts Fair

October 5, 2018
Needlecrafts Handed Down
Fair vendor
Presented by the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts
Kingston, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts

June 18, 2018
Antique sampler presentation and show
Kingston, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

Knowledge & Needles

May 5, 2018
Launch of 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers during Spring Open House
brighton, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

2018 Needle Arts Fair

September 29, 2018
Everybody Stitches
Fair vendor
Presented by the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts
Kingston, Ontario
Canada

Learn more

Ottawa Valley Guild of Stitchery

December 6, 2017
Antique sampler presentation and show
ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Learn more