Wise and foolish stitching

A goal achieved feels very good! I set a goal to have one of my major WIPs finished by the end of August. My sampler of the Parable of the 10 Virgins was the piece I choose to finish first. It feels wonderful to know this sampler is completed and can now be framed so I can hang yet another sampler on my sampler walls in our bedroom.


This is a free sampler available from Gigi. It is really beautiful and well worth stitching. I decided to use colors that would work well with the other samplers hanging in my collection. I choose DMC thread ~ 3750, 3781, 730 and 3858. It was stitched on 40 count lambswool linen ~ 1 over 2.


As I have spoken of many times, I like to connect to the past with my stitching and quilting. I think this influences most of the things I do. I also love anything with an alphabet on it! This sampler seemed to call me the moment I first saw it on Gigi's blog for these reasons. In the 18th and 19th century, samplers were becoming more decorative and sophisticated. Biblical references through symbols and verses became common on a sampler. This sampler shows the 10 wise and foolish virgins from the Bible.


For anyone who may not be familiar with the text of this parable, I am including the text...

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."