Sampler Placemats

In Sampler, paired rectangles come together, introducing a distinctive weave as they overlap. This dynamic design is inspired by samplers that were used to learn and demonstrate darning: a sewing technique for repairing holes or worn areas in fabric by replicating the structure of the original material. Dating back to at least the 18th century, these samplers typically covered small pieces of cloth in darning "blocks" of various weave structures in a variety of colors—especially blue, green, red, and yellow yarns—to make intricacies visible and show the weaver's skill.