Sampler Stories * Pakhuis Koophandel Museum, Leeuwarden, Netherlands * Until 31 October 2013

The Pakhuis Koophandel Museum is one of Leeuwarden's best kept secrets - don't miss this smaller museum if you are touring in the North Netherlands and planning to visit Leeuwarden's spectacular town museum. Some of these samplers are like nesting boxes, they tell stories referencing other stories referencing even older stories. Such as a sampler of 1786 the original of which is in the Zuiderzee museum. A pattern for this sampler was published in the 1980s and one lady, Geertje Dijkstra Hoff embroidered it in 1993. This sampler featured in the recording of a televised Douwe Egberts advert, and created a sensational amount of interest in samplers and sampler makers. Also in the exhibition are: antique samplers (the oldest is from 1694); embroidery patchwork from the Biedermeier time; darning samplers; red school samplers; contemporary samplers and samplers commemorating the life and tours of the Dutch royal family. Also on show are antique sewing kits from a private collection. The museum is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11am to 5 pm. Click here for more details.