American Sampler One, 40"x40"

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new series within the Vintage Western collection, rooted in the centuries-old tradition of American embroidery samplers. Since the 1600s, samplers have served as both classroom and canvas—places where needleworkers demonstrated mastery, preserved motifs, and told deeply personal stories one stitch at a time.

In this series, that history is reimagined through a contemporary lens. Each work expands the language of the sampler with unexpected combinations of material and technique: Spanish tile–inspired patterns, tapestry-like textures, cross-stitched yarn tiles, bandana appliqué, laser-cut details, and embroidered icons. Vintage and hand-dyed fabrics are meticulously cut, stitched, and pieced into intricate mosaics—every tile embroidered individually before finding its place within the whole.

The first piece in this series sets the tone. Embroidered in shades of olive green, khaki, and army green, it is constructed from printed bandanas, vintage army surplus, and up-cycled uniforms—a dialogue between heritage, memory, and reinvention. Measuring 40" × 40" × 2", it is presented in a custom acrylic frame, emphasizing its presence as both artwork and artifact.

Each composition in the series shifts with the viewer’s gaze. Some isolate a single embroidered icon against an open ground, while others build into dense, tapestry-like fields that invite extended looking. No two are alike; each tells a distinct story while carrying forward the lineage of the sampler as both cultural record and contemporary art form.