Sampler by Leona Houle

Textile

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Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center

Handiwork Sampler by Leona Houle: Sampler of sewing skills and techniques, with embroidered name of school and Leona Houle; most likely a school project
Handiwork Sampler by Leona Houle

Sampler of sewing skills and techniques, with embroidered name of school and Leona Houle; most likely a school project

Name/Title

Sampler by Leona Houle

Entry/Object ID

2025.05.26.26

Description

Sampler of handiwork by Leona Houle

Textile Type

Embroidered Panel

Use

Sampler of sewing skills and techniques, most likely a school project

Context

This sampler was done by Leona Houle, approximately 1911 when she was 13 years old. It demonstrates sewing techniques and skills likely taught to young women at St. Andre's School in Biddeford, ME at that time, including sewing, tatting, embroidery, gathering, and design. It is signed with her name in embroidery as well as the name of the school, " Ecole St. Andre." She died 3 years later in 1914 at the age of 16 years old.

Collection

Dr. Marcel Houle Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Leona Houle

Role

Artist

Manufacturer

Leona Houle

Time Period

20th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

Biddeford, ME

Textile Details

Technique

Embroidery, Tatting, Hand sewing, Cut work, Sampler

Textile Shape

Runner

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

A few small rust colored stains visible on the top back end of the sampler.

General Notes

Note

This sampler likely illustrates techniques taught to young women at St. Andre's School at that time as evidenced by her name in embroidery, as well as the name of the school. According to a note by Dr. Houle, she was 13 at the time this was made and born in 1898. She died at the age of 16 years old in 1914.