The Sampler Guild
'Forthcoming Events' Page

Welcome to the Sampler Guild 'Forthcoming Events' page. The Sampler Guild has a constantly changing programme of events such as 'Meet-ups' (attending exhibitions, classes etc. as a group) and 'Get togethers' (meeting at TSG member's houses) throughout the year, across the U.K. and sometimes abroad. If you are thinking of arranging a 'Get together' or 'Meet-up' in your area, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can notify other TSG members. See the bottom of this page for more information.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS... 

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

ACKWORTH SCHOOL 20th to 24th October 2025.

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.

XX STITCH CAFÉ  -  Every Friday  -    Drop in, stay as long as you want.

1.00 am to 12.30pm or nearer 1.30 pm as I think it is most weeks.

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.

The ID and password remain the same as for the previous zooms.

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

XX  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.

The ID and password remain the same as for the previous zooms.

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

XX REPRO FRIDAY -  Next Repro Friday is Friday 31^st October 2025 at 8.00 pm.

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

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

The ID and password remain the same as for the previous zooms.

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

XX Wednesday 5^th November 2025

During this Zoom session, Dr. Lynne Anderson has very kindly offered to talk to us about The Sampler Archive project and Sampler Consortium in the USA.   This is going to be extremely interesting, so please make sure this date is in your diary to attend. 
TSG is going to be promoting this in the UK, and we will be looking for enthusiastic volunteers.

XX  Bucks Museum, Aylesbury - Thursday 13^th November 2025   10.00 am to 12 noon

We have finally secured a sampler viewing at Bucks Museum.  This will take place at their Resource Centre, near RAF Halton, HP22 5PN.  There will be a charge

of £5 per person for this visit in line with the Museums request.  Please let me know if you would like to take part.

XX Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Band sampler viewing - Thursday 27th  November 2025  2.00 to 4.00 pm

We are booked to view a selection of eight of the Ashmolean’s band samplers including some from the Feller collection.  These range in date from 1631 to 1687.  Please let me know if you will be joining me to view and if you would like to meet for lunch beforehand. 

 XX  Reading Between Lines – Embroidered Samplers is now open at Aberdeen Art Gallery (Gallery 3 – Ground Floor) and continues until 30 November 2025. Open daily (except 25, 26, 31 December and 1, 2 January), admission free. For visiting information go to www.aagm.co.uk https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/news/hidden-meanings-historic-samplers-revealed-art-gallery

XX Dorcas Haynes -  Stitching Retreat 9^th – 11^th January 2026

This retreat will be held at the beautiful Bowden Hall Hotel, nestled in the serene surroundings of Upton St. Leonards, GL4 8ED. It’s the perfect setting to unwind and spend time amongst like-minded people and get this project started or progressed. For more information, please see below.

Information has already been distributed.  Should you require further information or need the information again, then please email me.

XX 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’ve crafted an even more immersive experience for you, with a few exciting twists! We’re keeping the best elements of our previous retreats, while adding new features that will elevate your experience. Plus, we’ve 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, nestled in the serene surroundings of Upton St. Leonards, GL4 8ED. It’s the perfect setting to unwind and spend time amongst like-minded people.

Thursday 19^th to Sunday 22^nd February 2026.   Colour Retreat

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 blending the knowledge and experiences of Loetitia, Ruth, and Linda—each with their own perspective and experience on colour.

Here are a few ideas that will be included in the weekend activities:

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.

1. 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 could even explore how to adjust stitch choices based on different lighting scenarios.
2. Seasonal Colour Changes: Discuss how colours we choose can 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 incorporate them into different threads and linens.
3. Practical Applications: Encourage hands-on exploration. To create small swatches or colour combinations on their 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.
4. Q&A and Problem-Solving: As mentioned, you’ll be answering questions together as a group. We would ask that you bring any colour-related challenges you are facing—whether it’s picking threads for a specific project or how to match linens and threads with different lighting—and then work through solutions as a team.       

Thursday 10^th to Sunday 13^th September 2026.  Just Chill retreat – 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.

XX Making up Weekend  Hillscourt, Lickey Hills, Birmingham 10^th to 12^th July 2026

Loetitia (Korry’s Little Shop) and myself are currently putting together a weekend of learning on how to make up your 3D projects, in a variety of forms, along with the embellishments to accompany them.   It will be in a classroom environment, equipped so that we can demonstrate person to person and from a large TV screen in detail.  Accommodation and meals will be included, if required.  Full details are now available, please contact Linda and I will get this information to you by return !

 XX  Halloween Party  Friday 30^th October to Monday 2^nd November 2026

To be held at the beautiful Bowden Hall Hotel, nestled in the serene surroundings of Upton St. Leonards, GL4 8ED. 

Thought we would host an event entirely different to our usual format, an event where we can have fun and still relax and stitch.  Bear with us as the planning is in the early stages, 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 the ideas have started flowing and formulating. 

We have a participant list running should you be interested please let me know.  Deposits won’t be due until early 2026.

DORCAS HAYNES RETREAT 9th to 11th January 2026

TSG Dorcas Haynes Retreat to be held at the Bowden Hall Hotel, Upton St. Leonards, GL4 8ED.
The retreat will run from 2.00 pm on Friday 9th January to 4.00 pm Sunday 11th January 2026.

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.

For more information please contact linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk

THE BIG STITCH!

SAVE THE DATE!

 We have fantastic news! Big Stitch 2026 is going to take place on Saturday 27th and Sunday28th 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.

Let the countdown begin..

TSG STUDY GROUP RETREATS 2026

Please find below information regarding the TSG Study Group Retreats to be held at the Bowden Hall Hotel, Upton St. Leonards, GL4 8ED.

The first retreat will run in the Congress Suite, from 2.00 pm on Thursday 19th February to 4.00 pm Sunday 22nd February, 2026

The second retreat will also run in the Congress Suitefrom 2.oopm on Thursday10th September to 4.00pm Sunday 13th September, 2026

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It will be an informal, informative and thought provoking weekend. It will be based around studying samplers that we will have on display throughout the weekend, and also samplers that you would like to bring along to discuss with other group members. 

The weekend will consist of a couple of sampler talks, demonstrations and lots of other topics of interest taking place throughout the weekend.  

There will be a few surprises along the way too.

We will have access to a laptop for research and you are more than welcome to bring your own laptop along.  We will have available to us a screen for Powerpoint presentations, note pads and a flipchart.

There will be sampler books and catalogues for viewing and research purposes.  White cotton gloves and a magnifying glasses will be available for use throughout the weekend.

Bring your stitching and work on a project or two whilst all this is happening around you.

Please email linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk for more information or to book a place.

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Please note! 'Meet-ups' and 'Get togethers' are exactly that - they are an informal way of getting TSG members to meet each other.
'Meet ups' take place to view exhibitions or specific events and 'Get togethers' take place at a TSG members house (usually on a Saturday) and involve 'show 'n' tell', helping each other, and lots of friendship and fun! 'Meet-ups'are usually free - except for admission charges where applicable. For' Get togethers', members normally bring a plate, i.e. a food dish - usually dessert...

All TSG members are always welcome - just let Linda know if you wish to come along and she will give you the details.

E-mail: linda@thesamplerguild.co.uk

Telephone: +44(0)1628-634274

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