Needlework, especially embroidery and patchwork, played a significant role in the lives of women from various social classes in the 16th to early 19th centuries, serving both practical and artistic purposes.

Sewing samplers from the 17th and 18th centuries often serve as rare historical traces of ordinary middle- and lower-class women, showcasing literacy and needlework skills essential for employment and homemaking.

In 18th-century Britain, wealthy bedrooms showcased luxury through ornamental patchwork and quilted bed covers made from fashionable imported fabrics or recycled textiles, highlighting both wealth and resourcefulness.