Hillier’s handmade book displaying her abilities at sewing and embroidery through a collection of samples. “Marie Hillier” is written on the front and inside back of the book’s hard covers. The book offers a guide to the common stitches and methods used in women’s and girls’ clothing, with some labeled, i.e., gathering and buttonholes. Most specimens are white thread on white fabric, tied with pink yarn and mounted on handbound leaves which have been gathered into signatures. 35 separate examples, including stitches for seams, patching, smocking, and miniature examples of “leg of drawers”, “pinafore”, and “half chemise”, “sleeve of overall”. One page appears to be dated “3.4.’94”, and a fully constructed miniature “Pinafore”, stitching for the opening on the “Front of Nightdress, or chemise”, and stitching for “seam of flannel petticoat” support this date.

[1894]. Hard covers and three book signatures loosely bound in red thread, with 30 pp, 19 x 15cm. Thread also strung for a closure. An unsophisticated binding in very good condition