One of the more distinctive elements of schoolgirl embroidery samplers from Scotland is the prevalence of buildings, often schools, integrated into the design as a central element. These buildings were often imagined by the maker as a collage of different architectural elements. This sampler has the words “Roman House” embroidered to the left of the central building and “Mrs. Blyth School” embroidered at the bottom register. It is possible that this sampler’s maker incorporated real details of her school into this work in order to record her education. The initials and crowns along the lower register likely reference contemporary British rulers as well as the maker’s relatives. Black thread was typically used to stitch the initials of a deceased person.