The Walker Sisters was the book released at the Blackbird Designs Farewell Retreat held at Dyeing to Stitch in September 2024.
Hannah Walker - Aged 6 - 1814: Stitched on 36 ct fabric using Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts threads. Stitch count is 123w x 145h. Finished size is 6 7/8" x... Read more
Note from the designer: I'm very proud of this reproduction -- it's been in progress for almost two years now, and it's finally here!!! It's suitable for all stitchers and fabrics -- no specialty stitches, no over-one, no alphabets. Just a big, beautiful, checkerboard house and lots... Read more
In 1894, in the small town of Pouance, there lived a young girl named Lea
Letourneur. Unlike many embroiderers of her time, who endlessly repeated their neat red alphabets, Lea dreamed of light, of flowers, and of birds. Stitch by stitch, her needle traced an alphabet bursting with life, bordered... Read more
Under the soft gleam of a winter lamp, a square of linen lies unfurled on my worktable - its surface alive with threads of crimson and green that weave together more than just patterns. At first glance, it appears a simple sampler: a neat arrangement of alphabets, numerals, and flourishes stitched... Read more
Julia Rachel De La Mare, 1849, A Fuersney, Channel Island Sampler.
The Antique: This lovely vibrant sampler is in the style common to the time called Berlin Woolwork, named such after the printed patterns originating from Berlin where individual motifs such as florals, birds, the center... Read more
"O my soul, what canst thou do, with eternity in view? Flee to Jesus, flee away not to-morrow, come to-day, come this moment, for to thee, next may be eternity."
Model stitched one over two on 40 Ct. Pecan Butter linen using Soie d'Alger threads. Stitch Count: 320W x 378H. Design Size: 16" x 18.90".
Elizabeth finished her stunning sampler on Wednesday, February 1, in the year 1854. The sampler would have been worked as part of her education. It would have taken many hours to complete and is an amazing achievement. A bobby dazzler of a sampler! Elizabeth created a cohesive, engaging, and... Read more
Model stitched one over two on your choice of 36 Ct. fabric using Soie d'Alger. Also required but not listed above 163, Stitch count is 309W x 319H. Design size is 17.17" x 17.72"
Previously a retreat exclusive, I reproduced this lovely little flower basket from a French antique needlepoint, adding a simple border.
Model stitched on 36-ct "French Pear" by Number12StitchCo (a soft green) using overdyes. Stitched with Classic Colorworks, Weeks Dye Works, and... Read more
We are delighted to present to you a stunning sampler that was completed by Maria Wales Newson in the year 1838 when she was 13 years old. There is much to delight your eye and needle in this Bobby Dazzler.
Stitched on your choice of fabric using DMC threads. Stitch count is 295 x 413. Finished size is 22.39 x 28.94 inches for 36 count.
Model stitched over 2 threads on a 56 Ct. Velum linen by Foxglove and Lace Linens with Au Ver a Soie, Soie 100.3. Stitch Count: 87 x 257. Finished size over 2 on 56 Ct. linen is 3.11" x 9.18".
Model stitched over 2 threads on fabric of your choice with Au Ver a Soie Soie d'Alger silk floss (or DMC floss 902, 355, 3752, 221, 422, 224, 3768, 369, 3830, 3778, 543, 3823, 728, 3853, 3770, 321, 502, 3011). Stitch Count: 307x240. Design Size on 32 Ct. Design size 19" x 15"
We are pleased to present to you this charming sampler worked by Emma Wright in 1904 when she was 9 years old. There were many Emma Wrights born in England in the year 1895 so we are not able to pinpoint our Emma with any certainty.
Emma's sampler has been reproduced using a palette of... Read more
Cross stitch pattern from Scarlett House featuring an antique reproduction of a sampler, charted with original over one verse and includes an over two alternative also.
Pattern is stitched on 40 ct. linen with Weeks Dye Works and Classic Colorworks floss (includes DMC Conversion). Stitch count is 241 x 260. Finished size is 12" x 13".
Amelia Boyce's pictorial sampler demonstrates two popular art forms of the early 19th century manifested in the sampler mode: the image of an architectural engraving, and the influence of Berlin patterns in the naturalistic (rather than nave or stylized) floral patterns. A widely mixed floral... Read more
Who was Mrs Campbell? Without a first name for Mrs Campbell, it has proved impossible to trace her. We believe that Mrs Campbell was most probably a needlework teacher and that her colourful sampler was used as a teaching tool.
Model was stitched on Woodsmoke by Tabby Cat Linens. Stitch... Read more
Model stitched on 36 Ct. Vintage Meadow Rue using Soie d'Alger. Specialty stitches used are satin stitch, four sided stitch and 2 different variations of a rice stitch. Stitch count is 240W x 271H. Design is 13.33" x 15.06" Color Chart.
"Sepia Sampler" by Notforgotten Farm was designed by Lori Brechlin. This sweet and simple sampler design inspired by vintage designs.
Stitched on 30ct Parchment linen from Weeks Dye Works using two strands of floss over two threads of linen, using all DMC threads. Stitch count is 82 x 121. Finished size is approx. 5.4" x 8".
Cross stitch pattern from The Proper Stitcher featuring a reproduction sampler with a bird!
The pattern is stitched on 40 count linen using Belle Soie Classic Colorworks Silks and one NPI silk. Stitch Count: 145 x 118. Finished Size: 7 1/4 x 5 7/8 inches.
Cross stitch pattern from Hands Across The Sea Samplers featuring a design that was released at a 2025 workshop for Mrs Parkman's Academy of Needlework. The text reads: "How sweet to wait upon the Lord while he fulfills his gracious word. To seek his face and not in vain. To be belov'd... Read more
French sampler from Reflets de Soie. Yvonne embroidered her sampler in 1905 in Agnires, in the Pas de Calais, not far from Arras. High in color, generous flower friezes, animals and charming scenes.
Model stitched over 2 threads on fabric of your choice with Au Ver a Soie Soie d'Alger silk... Read more
Model was stitched on 52/60 Ct. Sycamore Seedpod linen by Legacy Linen, using Soie Surfine 2681. You can use whatever fabric you prefer, with whatever shade of red you'd like! The chart recommends Soie d'Alger 936 or 945, Soie 100.3 335 (previously 2646), 499, 500 or 779 OR Soie Surfine 2681... Read more
"Jesus permit thy gracious Name to stand As the first efforts of a female hand And her fingers on the canvas move Engage her tender heart to seek thy love With thy dear children may she have apart And write thy name thyself upon her heart"
Model stitched one over two on 40 Ct. Vintage Sand... Read more
To add to my growing flock of birds, this piece was adapted from a French antique in my collection. The original has been adapted to simplify the colour palette and make the birds more vibrant. The original stitcher's name has been charted for those who want to include it.
A re-released sampler from Shakespeare's Peddler! Model stitched on 40ct Vintage Pear from Lakeside Linens, using NPI, Gloriana and Belle Soie silks. Stitch count: 402 x 531. Finished size on 40ct: 20" x 26 1/2"
Note from the designer: "This densely worked sampler displays exquisite detail and contains many of the most popular needlework motifs of the seventeenth century. The flowers are realistically shaded to achieve a natural look."
Finished size on 35 count linen is 7 1/4" x 25... Read more
"When time who steals our years away
Shall steal our pleasures too
The memory of the past will stay
And half our joys renew
Then think no more of future gloom
These joys will always last
For hope will brighten days to come
And memory guild the... Read more
Note from the designer - "This finely stitched German sampler begins with a single row of alphabets above an immensely intricate collection of symbolic cross stitched motifs, including battling angels, the figure of Justice with her scales, the spies of Canaan, the crucifixion, Adam and Eve... Read more
Note from the designer - This is the most symmetrical, balanced, counted thread sampler that we have ever charted from. It is also one of the most satisfying, challenging, and beautiful samplers in the world. Originally worked on a fine wool ground, the colors of our reproduction have been matched... Read more
"Dark the night and wild the wave, Christ the boat is keeping, Trust in Him and have no fear, Though he seemeth sleeping." Included with the pattern are four color ways of floss that you can mix to get your perfect palette and four linens for you to choose from (not listed above: 28 count Cocoa, Cappuccino, and Mocha from Weeks Dye Works). Stitch Count: 155x193
Model stitched over 2 threads on 35 Ct. Beige linen with DMC, Gentle Art Sampler threads and Weeks Dye Works floss. Stitch Count: 313W x 212H. Finished Size: 17 3/4" x 12 1/4".