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Friday, 22 May 2009

Free Mary Wigham Stitchalong


I have spent sometime soul-searching and thinking deeply about this. Mary Wigham's sampler is under the care and conservation of Ackworth School and the chart would have been released on behalf of Ackworth School by Needleprint at some point in time with the funds being returned to Ackworth School for conservation, or possibly to purchase another sampler for the school which happened to turn up at auction. It is very unfortunate that the sampler was charted and sold commercially without license or permission and so the market is to some extent taken and it is not now viable to invest money in a print run for sale when we risk losing the investment which could have been put to better use.

Instead, starting from next week, you will be able to download a section every week to stitch for free - and so you will be able to complete this breath-taking sampler. On the chart will be a contact address for the school, and I would simply ask that you spare a note or a cheque and make a simple donation, please. This is the only dowry Mary will have to ensure her care and conservation in perpetuity.
I apologise to faithful local needlework stores who have always supported Ackworth School by their sale of Needleprint charts, but these are exceptional circumstances.

60 comments:

  1. This is so generous of you, and I can hardly believe this news. For those of us who treasure old samplers, this is a true gift from you. Thank you so much. Carolyn

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  2. I am looking forward to the opportunity to stitch this chart. The Ackworth charts are wonderful. Could you post the information for the chart so I can have my fabric ready to stitch?

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  3. It is your generosity that ensures the Ackworth School samplers can be cared for and conserved so they can continue to delight and inspire generations of stitchers to come. Thank you!

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  4. This indeed is very generous of you to do this for those of us who do treasure samplers and their legacy.

    Thank you sooo much.
    Brenda

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  5. Thank you so much for your generosity to offer such a wonderful as this one. This is truly a gift and it will be treasure greatly.

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  6. Thank you so much for doing this. It is a shame that the monies generated from the publication did not support ongoing projects with the Ackworth samplers. But now it's been given a second chance, thanks to you.

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  7. Jacqueline, what a treasure! You are the soul of generosity and certainly know how to make lemonade when life hands out lemons!

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  8. Such a wonderful gesture Jacqueline - I will be looking forward to adding Mary to my complete collection of Needleprint charts. Because of the exchange rate - do you know if Paypal donations can be accepted? Regards Melody

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  9. Jacqueline,

    I know how hard a decision this has been for you and this is an incredibly generous offer. I know I haven't bought the chart waiting for it to be available to support Ackworth. Is there any chance of a paypal account or something setup for the school so that those of us who can't write a check in Pounds Sterling can make a donation as well? Or would they be able to handle checks in dollars?

    So, any chance that you might spend that printing money on publishing Sarah Evans's sampler instead? It's the one I've most wanted since I saw it in the engagement calendar.

    Robbin

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  10. OH, this is lovely...how generous an offer!

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  11. Well, this is certainly making the best of a bad situation. Thank you for your generosity!

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing this sampler. It is indeed a great way to, under the circunstances, obtain funds for her conservation. I will be donating it as soon as I know where.

    Aury

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  13. Jacqueline
    Thank you for your generosity and kindness in sharing this special girl with us. I know you will find support in those of us who enjoy this blog and your continued work.

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  14. Thanks for sharing this beautiful sampler. I would love to contribute with its conservation. Please let us know if it's possible to do it by Paypal.

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  15. I know it is possible to set up Paypal donation buttons - would it be possible to do that here and/or on the Needleprint website? I would certainly like to donate something in exchange for the chart!

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  16. Jacqueline, thank you so much for sharing Mary with us! Donating through Paypal would be wonderful, if such a thing is possible.

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  17. Jacqueline, what a lovely treat we have in store. I am busy with several other projects right now, but I'll be sure to save the charts and stitch this sampler when time permits. Thank you in advance.

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  18. I'm really looking forward to this! What a lovely surprise.

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  19. Jacqueline, first of all - thanks so much for your wonderful gift to all of us.

    Secondly I'd like to ask you if you (or let me know where to look) for all who have permission to chart Ackworth samplers or other quaker samplers e.g. through your Companion to Beatrix Potter I got to know of The Scarlet Letter's M.Quertier. For someone like me who hasn't got in touch with the beautiful quaker samplers and is a foreigner is easy to be fooled.

    Thirdly, and because I'm not long around, wouldn't it be possible to have other sold out/out of print charts, such as Sarah Moon and Martha Brady, available in Pdf's?

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  20. Love this!!
    So the chart from the Goodhart dustcover and the chart from the Ackworth dustcover will have to wait ;-)

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  21. Thank you for all your lovely comments and very helpful suggestions. We have been experimenting with PayPal buttons today and we think we have a way to enable donations to be paid via PayPal - in that way there is no loss in currency exchange, just a small PayPal fee.

    There are a number of people who work with museums and other collections and pay license fees. Never be afraid to ask your supplier if they have paid a license fee - they are proud to tell you they have. If in doubt just email me and I will find out for you.

    Except for the Beatrix Potter sampler - our first - all our other charts were sold as limited edition charts so we cannot reprint, I'm afraid.

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  22. What wonderful opportunities for all of us: stitch this lovely sampler and make a donation to the cause. I shall plan on starting and contributing as soon as the information is released.

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  23. Thank you for sharing this wonderful chart and would be happy to make a donation!

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  24. Thank you for sharing the chart. PayPal will be just right to make a donation.

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  25. I had no idea about the background on this amazing chart. Thank you for sharing.

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  26. you have a wonderful blog!!! Stitching is awesome!
    Jennifer D
    http://www.feathersinthenest.blogspot.com

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  27. Dear Jacqueline,

    I love reading your blog! I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful sampler with all of us. I look forward to seeing it.

    redlinen

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  28. Hi Jacqueline, please do set up a Paypal account as I would like to donate as well.

    Dona

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  29. Jacqueline thank you so very much for sharing this lovely chart. I just thought I would tell you and others that if you pay by PayPal and one can choose to pay the charges instead of your paying them. There is a way because I have used it before when I have sent money to charity through PayPal. Thanks again. Love Patti xxx

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  30. Thank you so much for sharing this sampler .
    The Ackworth charts are wonderful.

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  31. Thank you so much Jacqueline. Great idea on the PayPal donate button!

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  32. I have just recently discovered my love for Quaker and Old Sampler designs. I am very excited to find this wonderful opportunity to stitch this gorgeous piece. Thank you so much! By the way, I love your blog and all your work is just fantastic!

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  33. Just to let you know where we are - we are working on the PayPal donation buttons for you - they have to be done by the Bursar, but I think I shall have them in the next couple of days. It is an excellent idea of yours - thank you everyone who has helped.
    Later today I shall be back to give you linen and thread details. the very soon we shall be ready with Instalment 1 for you - oh yes, and a whole wonderful Mary Wigham SAL gallery.
    I so appreciate all your kind words - thank you.

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  34. Wow, that's just brilliant, I'm so excited[but not here next week ;( Will I be too late to join in when I'm back the following week?? Thank you so much - happy to donate to Ackworth school, it's just a stonesthrow up the road from me ;)
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

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  35. You are welcome to join the stitchalong anytime during the next 3 months. The previous installments will be around for any newcomers to download. We want everyone who wants to have an opportunity to join in.

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  36. It's evident how much all of us appreciate your kind gesture, and how very much we want to support the Ackworth School. Thank you so much for trusting us with this very special gift. I'm wondering if you are setting up a specific memory sampler fund for this piece. I would love to be a part of such a special fund that's named after the sampler. Thanks again, and hugs, Deb

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  37. Jaqueline, this is wonderful news and a great opportunity. Paypal is a fab idea. Can't wait to see the details. x

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  38. How join you for this wonderfull project?

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  39. Any day now we shall have a special posting and you will be able to download the first instalment of the chart - free of charge - there will be instructions on the chart to tell you what to do everyone is welcome. And we hope you will like the chart enough to make a donation to go straight to Ackworth School!

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  40. Jacqueline muchísimas gracias por ofrecernos la oportunidad de bordar esta maravilla. Nunca he abordado un trabajo tan complejo pero me siento capaz y LO TERMINARÉ.. ¡LO PROMETO! Ya lo veo luciendo en la pared de mi salón y veo las bocas abiertas y babeantes de todas mis visitas :-))))
    No entiendo muy bien inglés y no he entendido muy bien la manera como efectuar la donación, pero ya me informará Mayté (he llegado hasta aquí desde su blog)
    Muchos besos desde el Sur de España.
    Carmela

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  41. This is very generosity! Thanks so much.

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  42. Como Carmela y yo somos una misma persona aunque seamos dos, suscribo las palabras de Carmela.Estoy conforme con todo.Ya me informará Mayté.Gracias por todo Pepa

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  43. I would also like to thank you for opportunity to stitch this wonderful sampler!

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  44. Thank you so much for making this available for a stitch-along. I haven`t done a Quaker sampler yet, although there are many that catch my eye. This one may be my first! I am esp glad to see it will be charted for DMC. I love silks, but something this size in silk is just not in my budget. I also did not realize that this sampler had been reproduced illegally. Thank you for doing this to help support the preservation of needlework for the future...

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  45. Hello, I just found your blog! LOVELY LOVELY BLOG!!! I am looking forward to be participating in the stitch-along!

    Hugs to you.

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  46. Thank you for such a great gift to the stitching world and those that love samplers. I just found your blog today and what a find it has been. I belong to a antique sampler guild that adores Quaker samplers. We have done several projects with a Quaker theme. I have not stitched a large Quaker but am very excited about this. I will have to put this in my stitching rotation immediately when you make it available. I will be watching for the post with great anticipation. Thank you again.

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  47. wow, what an awesome deal! Thanks so much! I have added this blog to my blog roll, so that I remember!!! Thanks again!

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  48. I also would llike to join the SAL - is this the way to do it? I have several of the Needleprint charts and am stitching Beatrix Potter now. The charts are lovely. I would be pleased to make a donation for the new chart. Thank you so much.

    Lori

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  49. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this lovely piece with us. It will be a lovely addition to my quakers!

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  50. Do we know what exact day part one of the Mary Wigham SAL will be starting?? Thanks for letting us know! and Thank you for making it available to all!
    FrenchieAnne

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  51. Through a stitching blog i came here.
    First sorry for my english, i live in Belgium.

    How i would love to joint this SAL for such a beatyfull sampler.
    I would gladly donate a gift for the ackwork school, but can i do this with Paypal?? How wil we know what materials we need and when we will start. Oh i really look forward and would like to thank you for this generouis offer.
    My verry best wishes, Nicole

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  52. Thank you for your generosity!
    This is a marvelous pattern.

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  53. I too want to thank you for organizing this wonderful SAL. I'm really looking forward to gathering my supplies and then beginning to work on the Wigham sampler.

    Also I just donated $25.00 by way of PayPal. You did a great job, it made donating so very easy. =)

    Thank you again for your genrousity, time and effort. This is going to be a lot of fun!

    Cindi - Southern California

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  54. I don't have paypal but if the address is there, I can donate :D thanks for the opprotunity to stich something so lovely!

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  55. I found your blog and the Sal and I coudl´t resist to join too. I know the Needleprint charts and find an online site like this is a dream for me. I loooove quakers and even I am doing a quaker wall upstairs with son QQRR and near of 8 samplers. I have never lost any of the QQX at Leagay , finished our 18th right now. So as you can imagine I HAVE to stitch Mary Wigham. I have told about it in my blog and I have seen that a wellknown stitcher here, Mayte is our " head ".Thanks a lot for this opportunity and I hope more Spanish stitchers joing and do a donation to the A. Shool for the conservation of these beautiful samplers.
    This SAL will be my partner in my next summer holidays to Frances, so I hope I can send some pic of my progress or where I stitch at home when I come back.

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  56. Es precioso el muestreador y no quiero perderme la oportunidad tan gnerosa de hacerlo. Gracias por compartirlo. Quisiera saber dónde hay que mandar el donativo.

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  57. Thanks so much for putting this out there.
    I love it!!

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  58. This is an amazing chart how would I start to receive the chart?

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  59. Just look on the right hand side of the blog and click on the image of Mary's sampler titled Mary Wigham Forever SAL and follow the instructions there. We do ask you to consider making a donation for the sampler conservation, please.

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