The cloths are inscribed with admonitions and moral instructions – for example, on diligence, piety or thriftiness. They often convey double standards, oscillating between ideals and reality. 

The exhibition ‘Embroidered Morality: Wall Cloths Between Tradition, Gender Roles and Illusion’ (2014–2015) was the first comprehensive display of this everyday textile art and its cultural and historical significance. The cloths prove to be insightful documents of cultural and women's history, telling of role definitions, values, disciplinary strategies and human relationships as ideal, reality or burden. As part of the collection, they provide insight into the everyday culture of women across generations.