Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Simple Samplers for simple days

Tonight I picked up a simple sampler which I've had for a long time, and decided to try to conquer the heringbone stitch as demonstrated in the pattern booklet. Tought I would work on it more. The pattern is actually a reproduction sampler and the sampler is framed separately. The designer is The Scarlett Letter.

The Frances Bliss and the Lydia Hinckley samplers

Here are some pics:


Here are the DMC cotton colors. I had bought this as a kit with the Scarlett Letter fabric as well.
I like their fabric as it's firm enough to stitch in hand without a hoop. I do need to press the fold out before I get into the next row though. Just noticed that. This is 25 count unbleached linen. I'm following recommendations in the pattern for 2 over 2 but I can tell that the herringbone rows could easily use only 1 thread; however, again it makes more texture to the piece.



  I love the way The Scarlett Letter gives details and history of samplers.

You know, in old samplers, they were usually stitched by very young girls and frequently there are misspellings and of course with reproduction the original is retained. The top one obviously was stitched by a 6 year old! Can't imagine. But she misspelled and has SEX in the line. I had to look at that twice to make sure.



The chart states that the sampler most likely was separated like this due to scarcity of fabric and threads.


She reproduced this in 1983.





I've got quite a few rows of practice for the herringbone stitch.



I've seen several variations on the herringbone stitch but this is what is recommended in the pattern.





I'm hoping Bodyguard is going to make me some odd size frames for these when I finish because they look best just like this, close to the frame itself and hung separately, but together on my sampler wall.

I hope you found something interesting to work on today.
I actually started feeling like I was run over by a Mac truck this afternoon with sore throat and fever. But I'm trying to pretend it's really not anything at all......don't have time for sick.
:O

I think I felt all 208 bones in my body ache today.

Fiddle D D
Tomorrow is another day!

11 comments:

  1. What an absolutely beautiful sampler! I love the fabric and colors. I always enjoy seeing what you're working on - it's inspiring. I haven't picked up my own needle for a couple of weeks now, and I'm itching to get back to it!

    I do hope you're feeling better!

    God bless you - Julie

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  2. P. S. - I love your "Fiddle DD - Tomorrow is another day"!! LOL How many times have I said that in the 35 years since I first read "Gone with the Wind"? It brought a smile to my face to read it here. :)

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  3. Lovely progress on your sampler - I love herringbone stitch.
    Hope you are feeling much better soon.

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  4. This will be a beautiful sampler Jennifer!!! I love the colors and love samplers put out by Scarlett Letter.... I cannot wait to see this one progress...Take care of those achin' bones (Mine are hurtining too!!) Faye

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  5. Ohhh gosh, your Samplers, both WIP and Finished are just gorgeous! I can't wait to see the frames that BG creates for them.
    Have a great day, Peaches
    XOXO
    Ma

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  6. Oh Jennifer! You must pay attention to that sore throat--my husband and son have been sick for days with that!! Do take care!! I look forward to seeing how those samplers come out! Hugs!

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  7. Yes, tomorrow is another day and aren't we glad there are more! I am thankful for every one that comes my way.

    I too like the Scarlett Letter samplers - kits included and have 1 or 2 of them myself.

    Happy Stitching!

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  8. Those are darling samplers, Jennifer and will look so awesome hung together!

    Hope you're feeling better and not getting sick (I hate to even say the word)!

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  9. The samplers are gorgeous and it's nice to read the history, SL is very knowledgeable about samplers.
    Great when you have a handy hand for the frames.
    Speedy recovery:))

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  10. Jennifer, I do hope you are feeling better! My littlest guy is trying to kick a nasty bug like that!!

    Love your new start - how fun that BG can make you frames to fit! Are you going to keep it a true repro or are you going to change the sex to six? That's too funny!I think I would leave it and see how many people that came in to my home would notice! ;)

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  11. Thank you for paying me a visit. It is lovely to meet you.

    What a lovely little sampler. I love the way it is done over 2 pieces. Quite different.

    I hope that you are feeling a lot better. There is nothing worse then feeling ill with the flu. - Sandra.

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I hope you find some useful information and gentle inspiration for your day.
Jennifer