The Queen of the May is a tradition that celebrates beauty, renewal, and honour. Each year, we select a sampler that embodies these qualities - a design that rises above the rest, chosen not only for its visual appeal, but for its enduring presence.
Not only do I love the colors Agness used to stitch her sampler but I love how she ran out of room to stitch the date 1844 so she moved the last 4 up to another line.
Pattern is stitched on 28 ct Vintage Sand Dune from Lakeside Linen using Gentle Arts threads. Stitch count is 176 x 238. Finished size is 12.6" x 17".
"Lord give me wisdom to direct my ways I ask not riches nor yet for Length of Drop. From rocks and sands And stormy weather Pray God Protect John Negus for ever". "My dear friends I will Bless and praise for giving me learning in My Early days Catherine Negus her Sampler finished... Read more about Catherine Negus 1810 - Cross Stitch Pattern
"On the alone my Hope relies Beneath thy cross I fall thou art my life my sacrifice My Savior and My All don 1837". What a stunning English sampler! It was so much fun to stitch with all the motifs and bright colors. Not sure if the swans, bull, or parrot is my favorite... okay, maybe the... Read more about Elizabeth Lamb 1837 - Cross Stitch Pattern
"Immortal made what should we mind So much as Immortality we beings for a heaven designed what but a heaven our care should be". Yes, this sampler is large... but such a joy to stitch. this is a stunning English sampler from 1803 done in muted colors.
This sampler can either be done in mainly cross stitch (there are a couple of stitches in the alphabet but even those could be done in cross stitch) or have fun playing and fill in with Stem Stitch. I love the look of Stem Stitch, it is kind of like painting with thread. "Lord what is... Read more about Love in the Garden - Cross Stitch Pattern
"Why this in haste sweet boy so soon To go. And leave in tears thy weeping Friends below. Some heavenly voice Dear object of their love calld hence
Thy soul to dwell in realms above Scarce hadst thou learnt the good from
All to know Nor yet had drank the Bitter cup of woe. When heaven ordaind no... Read more about Mary Ann Crumley 1829 - Cross Stitch Pattern
This original design was inspired by many antique samplers.
Pattern is stitched on 36 ct Aspen from Weeks Dye Works using Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Arts, and Classic Colorworks threads. Stitch count is 225 x 211. Finished size is 12.5" x 11.75".
The Sandery Sisters Samplers - Sarah aged 8, September 1837 and Mary aged 10, 1846. Mary Sandery Model (over one version) Graph to stitch completely over two Included in Pattern as well as Muted Color Tone Thread Legend Alternate
The Sandery Sisters Samplers - Sarah aged 8, September 1837 and Mary aged 10, 1846. Sarah Sandery Model (over two threads) Graph to stitch as antique looks over two and over one thread included in Pattern as well as Muted Color tone Thread Legend Alternate.
Cross stitch pattern from Fox and Rabbit featuring a beautiful reproduction sampler!
The model was stitched on 40 ct Paperbark Linen by Fox and Rabbit using Weeks Dyes Works floss with DMC conversions. Stitch count is 231 x 291. Finished size is 11.5" x 14.5".
Cross stitch pattern from Fox and Rabbit featuring a beautiful strawberry sampler!
Patterns are stitched on 40 count Paperbark Linen by Fox and Rabbit using Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colorworks and DMC with DMC conversions. Stitch count is 129 x 89. Finished size is 6.45" x 4.45"
In 1857, little Mariette let her needle wander like a gentle breath. From her diligent hands was born a sampler full of delicacy, touched with softness and grace. Its floral border, rich with varied motifs, still seems to whisper the secrets of her young stitcher's heart.
Stitched on 40 count linen. The stitch count is 300 x 217 and the finished size is 15" x 10.85".
Here we find an alphabet intertwined with irises, religious symbols with singular shapes, and a border of stylized roses that seems to whisper the elegance of days gone by.
Stitched on 40 count linen. The stitch count is 400 x 411 and the finished size is 20" x 20.55".
Step into a quiet, mysterious evening with the Black Moon Cottage Sampler, a moody and charming design inspired by old New England homesteads, weathered willow trees, and the folklore that lingers between dusk and moonrise. A solitary cottage settles on a hill beneath a crescent black moon, watched... Read more about Black Moon Cottage - Cross Stitch Pattern
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 about Threads Of Christmas Past MB 1914 - Cross Stitch Pattern
"Matilda Hornbuckle" by Notforgotten Farm was designed by Lori Brechlin. Offering you my little miss "Matilda Hornbuckle", and what a sweet tiny pumpkin-witch she is! Always happy to help with the sweeping of the barn or the weeding of the gardens.
"Mary Snow" by Notforgotten Farm was designed by Lori Brechlin. Folky flowers in a basket, flanked by two pheasants. The date 1825 and name Mary Snow and a snug little farmhouse settled among tall pines
Stitched on 30 ct. linen with one strand over two using DMC floss. Stitch count is 98 x 98. Finished size is approx. 6.5" x 6.5".
This antique sampler is inspired by a french designer with Christian imagery.
The model was stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki linen from Zweigart, with 1 ply of Weeks Dye Works Hand Dyed Cottons. Stitch count is 260 x 171 with a finished size of 14.44" x 9.5".
This pattern contains one large sampler design and three small designs adapted from an antique sampler by Wendy Peatross.
Pattern is stitched on 36 count Gray linen from Weeks Dye Works with Weeks Dye Works over dyed cotton threads. The smalls are finished with mini rick rack around the... Read more about Sweet Home - Cross Stitch Pattern
An impressive reproduction of an antique 1826 sampler, featuring a large house, colourful motifs, and elegant details. This new pattern book includes both the full original sampler and a smaller, modern adaptation.
Thread options are provided for silks, DMC, and hand-dyed threads.
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 Scarlett House featuring an antique reproduction of a sampler from the "Wesleynn School".
Pattern is stitched on 40 ct. linen with Weeks Dye Works and Classic Colorworks floss (includes DMC Conversion). Stitch count is 167 x 162. Finished size is 8.35" x 8.1".
Helen Monro is a reproduction of an original sampler in our collection from Falkirk, Scotland.
"Remember thy creator and redeemer in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not nor the years draw high when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them."
Cross stitch pattern from Chessie & Me featuring a lovely reproduction sampler!
Pattern is stitched on 36 ct Old Gold linen from Fiber On A Whim using Classic Colorworks and Weeks Dye Works floss. Stitch count is 107 x 258. Finished size 6" x 14.3".
Cross stitch pattern from Chessie & Me featuring a lovely reproduction sampler!
Pattern is stitched on 36 ct Bramble linen from Picture this Plus using Belle Soie and Gloriana silks with DMC conversions. Stitch counts are 79 x 197, 55 x 73, 41 x 63, and 29 x 43. Finished sizes are 4.4" x 11", 3" x 4", 2.25" x 3.5", 1.6" x 2.4".
Birds on the Temple is a reproduction of a sweet little antique sampler. While there is a set of initials and a year on the sampler, what really stood out to me was the birds sitting on the temple. I decided to use The Gentle Arts Simply Wool again for this one. It's such a joy to stitch with.... Read more about Birds on the Temple - Cross Stitch Pattern
This sampler is an adaptation from a sampler in my collection. This chart contains the pattern for the scissor fob shown along with all finishing instructions.
Model stitched over two threads on 36 ct Straw from Weeks Dye Works using Weeks Dye Works threads. Stitch count is 204w x 76h. Finished size is 11.33" x 4.22". Finished Size of Pinkeep: 5"w x 3.50"h.
Made in Providence, Rhode Island, this sampler is a superb example of the work done at Miss Mary (Polly) Balch's school, one of the most important female learning institutions in America at that time. Combining sophisticated architectural, landscape and figural motifs with elaborate and unusual... Read more about Betsy Davis 1797 - Cross Stitch Pattern
This wonderfully symmetrical English sampler features a pair of silky floating swans and large twin sunflowers, executed in a rich natural palette of color. Birds fly over the tops of three flower-trees in the top third. A sumptuous basket of fruit is stitched between the golden swans, and towering... Read more about Jane Smith 1814 - Cross Stitch Pattern
This mid-eighteenth-century Scottish band sampler features many classic seventeenth-century patterns, executed in cross, eyelet, double running, counted satin, back, and queen stitches.
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"