Many important museums own these early samplers, which often have in common the following things:
Generally they have a nearly square form.
They are worked in hemstitch and buttonhole stitch at the edge.
Worked in the two-sided Italian cross stitch, the back looks nearly in such a way like the front.
Often one can regard the sampler from several sides.
The use of flower sprigs, coats of arms, vases, buckets and “Sibmacher motives” (peacock, deer...) was very popular, just in the same way as the Garden of Eden, the fountain, the heavenly Jerusalem or the crucifixion with the Instruments of the Passion.
In addition these samplers are particularly noticeable by rich colouring, the diversity of stitches and a wide range of patterns.
Uncommon are Adam and Eve with the apple tree, angels, the couple in the fashion around 1600 (Sibmacher’s model book), pieces of furniture.