The role of needlework in women's lives with exhibition curator Helen Wyld

Embroidered Stories: Scottish Samplers exhibition curator, Helen Wyld discusses the role of sewing and needlework in women's lives in the 18th and 19th centuries. Wives and mothers were expected to make household linen and undergarments, whilst decorative needlework was considered an appropriate pastime for those with leisure time. A sampler, framed and displayed in a girl's home, demonstrated the virtues of industriousness and discipline suitable in a future wife. Not many professions were open to available to women in the 18th century, and for many sewing was an essential means of earning a living. See Embroidered Stories: Scottish Samplers at National Museum of Scotland until 21 April 2019. #ScottishSamplers Find out more on the National Museums Scotland website: http://www.nms.ac.uk/samplers Connect with us: Blog http://blog.nms.ac.uk/ Twitter https://twitter.com/NtlMuseumsScot Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland Instagram https://instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/ Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/NtlMuseumsScot/