Speaking to a sold out audience, City and Guilds educator Chris Berry outlined the development of stitch samplers, their relationship to embroidery practice, and the diverse examples preserved in the historic record. Portraitists such as Hans Holbein often paid such attention to sartorial details that double running stitch patterns may be taken directly from the paintings.

The evening was augmented by a trunk show of Banjara embroideries from the Maiwa Collection. Many were for sale as a fundraiser for the Maiwa Foundation.