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Title: A Summer Day!
A soft antique-white-colored linen background teams with beautiful jewel-toned threads to brightly color an embroidered summer field bursting with strawberry vines and flower designs.
Reaching back to the richly embellished era of 17th century England, this sampler was inspired by Richard Shorleyker’s popular 1632 pen-stroke book of blackwork designs which lavishly decorated clothing and household textiles of the time period. 21 ‘olde sampler’ stitches are used to capture fond memories of A Summer Day!
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: An intermediate level class
Design Size: 5.1-inches wide by 8.7-inches high worked on 35-count linen Northern Cross Linen.
Cut fabric size is: 11-inches wide by 15-inches high.
Kit Contents: Linen fabric, 8 skeins of DMC floss, 1 ball of DMC white Special Dentelles, #24 and #26 tapestry needles, a 25-page instructional manual which includes charting, stitch diagrams with instruction sheets, photo, washing instructions and a two-page history of Embroidery Pattern Books 1523-1700. In addition, a three-page bibliography of “Samplers and Sampler Making” will be given to each student.
Teaching Time: A 1-day or 2-day class.
Title: Her Faire Hand Sampler
Clothing of the 17th-century was richly embroidered. White work techniques replicating the time consuming hand-made lace were often teamed with the colored band designs. Her Faire Hand Sampler is a combination of multi-colored bands, white-on-white embroidery and is a teaching tool for re-creating 27 of these old and sometimes forgotten stitches of the period. 19 counted thread stitches are teamed with 8 pulled thread skills creating an English band sampler style of the period.
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: An intermediate level class
Design Size: 6.2-inches wide by 9.0-inches high worked on 35-count Northern Cross Linen.
Cut fabric size is: 13-inches wide by 15-inches high.
Kit Contents: 2 pieces of 35-count linen fabric, 12 skeins of DMC threads, 1 ball of #80 Special Dentelles, #26 and #24 tapestry needle, a 27-page instruction booklet which includes charting, stitch diagrams with instruction sheets and numerous stitching hints, photo, washing instructions, and a 3-page bibliography of sampler stitching.
Teaching Time: A 1-day or 2-day class.
Title: Williamsburg Harvest Band Sampler
Banded samplers flourished in several European countries during the 17th century. The German two-column style is lesser known than the long, narrow format commonly worked by English sampler makers. The Harvest Band Sampler emulates the German style and is worked with 28 ‘olde sampler’ stitches embroidering garden critters and a variety of fruit and flower bands.
Ample linen is provided to work the design horizontally as photographed or vertically, in the English tradition. This class project will also include much sampler history.
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: An intermediate/advanced level class
Design Size: German version (2 column bands) is 11-inches wide by 7.0-inches high on 35-count Northern Cross Linen.
Cut fabric size is: 13-inches wide by 20-inches high.
English version (long format, 1 column) is 5.4-inches wide by 13.9-inches high.
Kit Contents: 35-count linen fabric, 14 skeins of DMC threads, 1 ball of #80 Special Dentelles, #26 and #24 tapestry needle, a 35-page instruction booklet which includes charting, stitch diagrams with instruction sheets and numerous stitching hints, photo, washing instructions, 2-pages of historical notes and a 3-page bibliography of sampler stitching.
Teaching Time: A 2-day class.
Title: Crown of Pearls Sampler
The ultimate lace gallery! Eighty-one stitches and patterns showcase your skill and provide a lasting, heirloom-quality needlework reference. If you ever need a delicate filigree, you are sure to find it here. And once you take this class, you will truly be adept at creating openwork patterns —expertly and fearlessly!
The centerpiece of this 4-½-inch by 13-inch design is an ancient crown pattern embellished with luminous pearl beads. Around the crown are blocks with eight categories of pulled work stitches, except for one block that is set aside for a graceful initial—yours! Variations of the pulled-thread stitches include backstitch, double backstitch, buttonhole, cross, eyelet, four-sided, satin and straight.
As you master the techniques, Eileen will share with you both the history of pulled work and an extensive bibliography that she has developed through years of studying this elegant technique. There are 82 pulled thread stitches on this piece.
Technique: Pulled Thread Embroidery
Skill Level: An intermediate/advanced level class.
Design Size: 7.1-inches wide by 15.1-inches high on 30-count Northern Cross Linen.
Cut fabric is: 13-inches wide by 21-inches high.
Kit Contents: Linen fabric, DMC floss, #80 Special Dentelles, #24 and #26 tapestry needles, pearl beads, charting, stitch diagrams with a 56-page instruction manual, photo, washing instructions and a 2-page bibliography of Pulled Thread embroidery and Eileen’s book, A Note Book Of Pulled Thread Stitches.
Teaching Time: A 2-day or 4-day class.
Title: ‘Initially Mine’ Sampler’ – Designing with stitches
Stitches create texture . . . and texture can take the place of color.
In this class each student will get to understand stitches and how to substitute one stitch for another creating depth to their embroidery. Beautiful ‘turn of the century’ monograms will be the sampler project. Two shades of a color will be used throughout and each student will make a choice of their favorite color palette; (i.e. reds, blues, mauve or black with tan. Stitches will include cross, double cross, small Algerian eye, barrier, Bosnia, flat, four-sided, pulled four-sided, 3 marking stitches, small rice, tent, two-sided Italian cross, up-right cross and a beading technique. Each finished product will be a unique creation. Stitches and colors used will be student’s choice allowing the same initial to take on an entirely different personality. A fun class! A beautiful finished project!
Attendees will bring 2 shades of a color to class. (I used black and white DMC floss for my model.)
Your kit includes Norden Crafts, Ltd. 35-count linen in Antique White, a #24 tapestry needle, color photograph of my ‘initial E’ sampler, complete instructions with stitch diagrams, the book, Monogram Album, which includes all the letters of the alphabet and a special two-page bibliography of sampler history.
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: Intermediate level. Student must know cross-stitch and have had experience working on linen fabric.
Design Size: Approximately 9.5-inches wide by 13.5-inches high on 35-count Northern Cross Linen.
Cut fabric is: 15-inches wide by 20-inches high.
Kit Contents: Linen fabric, #24 tapestry needles, Black and White DMC floss, Monogram Album book, stitch diagrams, photo, washing instructions, and a 2-page bibliography of Sampler History.
Teaching Time: A 1-day class.
Title: The Flax Sampler
Cross Stitch – – – you’re good at it. You love it. But you’re ready for the next step, that little “stretch” that will enable you to create even more beautiful projects. Have we got a class for you!
The Flax Sampler is a collection of 54 classic stitches, including 12 pulled-thread techniques. Work them into this elegant sampler, then frame it and enjoy! It will be a lovely addition to your home and a wonderful stitch reference, too.
You’ll stitch using gentle blues and creamy white threads on 32-count linen. The finished sampler measures approximately 6 x 7-inches, but the linen in your kit is large enough to provide a practice area, so you can perfect each technique before stitching it into its home square in the design. As you learn each of the stitches used in the sampler, Eileen will share their history and her extensive knowledge of traditional samplers and stitches.
This two-day class is designed for intermediate students who are cross-stitchers with some experience on linen. In addition to Belfast linen (in Antique White), the kit includes DMC flosses, size 80 Dentelles thread, size 12 pearl cotton, a needle and some interesting reading: a bibliography of sampler stitching.
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: Intermediate level. Student must know cross-stitch and have had experience working on linen fabric.
Design Size: 6.9-inches wide by 6.1-inches high on 32-count Belfast Linen.
Cut fabric is: 13-inches wide by 12-inches high.
Kit Contents: Linen fabric, 4 colors of DMC threads, #80 Special Dentelles, #12 Pearl Cotton, #24 tapestry needle, charting, 30-page instruction booklet, photo, washing instructions and a two-page bibliography of sampler stitching.
Teaching Time: A 2-day class.
Title: Little Green Acorns Sampler
Little Green Acorns Sampler features 23 band designs teamed with scattered motifs which were popular during the 16th and 17th centuries. The acorn motif is prominent throughout and all have been worked with a variety of period stitches which includes cross, double cross, small cross, elongated cross, marking cross, long arm cross, cross stitch with bars, reversible two-sided Italian Cross, Montenegrin cross stitch variation, Belgian cross, back, double back, double back stitch with bars, flat, buttonhole bars, four-sided stitch, small rice stitch, queens, partial queens, half-queens, double-double running, Bosnia, barrier and Colonial knots.
The model was worked on 32-count light sand colored linen and measures 4.1-inches wide by 10-inches high. 12 colors of DMC threads have been used.
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: Intermediate level. Student must know cross-stitch and have had experience working on linen fabric.
Design Size: 4.1-inches wide by 10-inches high on 32-count Light Sand colored Belfast Linen from the Zweigart Company.
Cut fabric is: 10-inches wide by 16-inches high.
Kit Materials Include: Linen fabric, 12 skeins of DMC threads, #24 tapestry needle, charting, stitch diagrams with instruction sheets, photo, washing instructions and a 2-page bibliography of sampler stitching.
Teaching Time: a 2-day class.
Title: Catherine’s Pyn-Pillow and Scissor Fob
This is the perfect class to try the embroidery technique of Blackwork. Two small projects will be worked teaching the reversible stitch called double running. Student may also work this design with a back stitch. Both techniques will be taught and explained in detail.
Spanish born, Catherine of Aragon popularized English Blackwork embroidery in the 16th century. This type of needlework lavishly decorated clothing and household textiles of the era. The project for this class is a tribute to Queen Catherine. Using antique white colored 36-count linen, the class will cover directions for making two sewing accessories; a pyn-pillow (pin cushion) and a scissor fob.
Additional stitches used include crosses, queens, flat (satin) and Cobblestone Filling, a pulled thread stitch. All are worked with DMC Floss and DMC #80 Special Dentelles threads.
(For students finding the 36-count fabric hard on the eyes, they may bring their own fabric. A 14-inch square of linen is needed.)
Technique: 17th Century Sampler Stitching on linen, counted thread.
Skill Level: Intermediate level. Student must know cross-stitch and have had experience working on linen fabric.
Project Size:
Pyn-Pillow is 3.6-inches square
Scissor Fob: 1.6-inches wide x 1.4-inches high
Cut fabric size is: 12-inches wide by 12-inches high.
Fabric Used: 36-count Belfast Linen, Antique White color, from Zweigart Company.
Kit Contents: Linen fabric, DMC black floss, balls of DMC black and white Special Dentelles, #24 tapestry needle, charting, stitch diagrams with instruction sheets, photo, washing instructions, a multi-page bibliography of Blackwork Embroidery.
Teaching Time: A ½-day or 1-day class.