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Document Type
Class Research
Publication Date
Spring 2026
Abstract
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, one of a girl’s biggest achievements was considered to be knotting the final thread on the back of her sampler piece. When the sampler was complete, her parents would hang the piece in the house for visitors to see, in the hopes that the sampler would signify her status, wealth, education, and skills as a future homemaker. Girls worked tirelessly to create neatly adorned decorative pieces that would make their families proud. In the end, when a sampler was finished, girls were left with a finished product that reflected their lives, education, and values.
Recommended Citation
Strempel, Haley, "Stitches of Faith: Women’s Education and Religion in 18th and 19th Century Needlework Pieces" (2026). 2026 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents & Media. 6.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lib_awards_2026_docs/6
Display as Peer Reviewed
Peer-Reviewed
Comments
This paper tied for 3rd Place in the Undergraduate Division.