Alice Williams 1881 ~ Reproduction Sampler Pattern by Hands Across the Sea Samplers(PDF)

Nicola has generously made these gorgeous Little Gems available for download now via our store.  The PDF will be emailed to you within 24 hours or you can choose a printed copy.

Thread Legend

Alice’s primer was stitched with wool thread that was variegated, which was most unusual in the 1880s, so unusual that we decided to remove the sampler from its frame to explore the reverse. Our examination confirmed that the wool used was indeed variegated. Not with the gradual colour changes that we are used to today but with a clearly defined variegation.

It is very difficult to reproduce a sampler that was stitched this way and achieve the same colours changes on the exact stitches. We decided to experiment, and three samplers were stitched using Weeks Dyeworks Cotton Floss, The Gentle Art Simply Shaker thread, which was fussy cut, and The Gentle Art Simply Wool.

Only one skein of cotton or wool is required with the exception of 7080 Endive, where 2 skeins are needed.

Please contact me at the shop if you'd like to stitch with the GAST Wool as I'll need to place a special order for these colours.

The Gentle Art Simply Wool

0240 ~ Midnight

0360 ~ Cranberry

0440 ~ Maple Syrup

0520 ~ Copper

0893 ~ French Lilac

1040 ~ Black Crow

1070 ~ Creekbed

1140 ~ Oatmeal

7007 ~ Cidermill Brown

7014 ~ Antique Rose

7044 ~ Dungarees

7050 ~ Baby Spinach

7058 ~ Tomato

7069 ~ Summer Shower

7080 ~ Endive

The Gentle Art Simply Shaker

0115 ~ Tiger Lily

0230 ~ Blueberry

0240 ~ Midnight

0250 ~ Cornflower

0360 ~ Cranberry

1110 ~ Sable

7036 ~ Geranium

7039 ~ Bayberry

7075 ~ Crystal Lake

7076 ~ Portabella

7087 ~ Honey Dew

Weeks Dyeworks Cotton Floss

1106 ~ Beige

1155 ~ Blue Heron

1236 ~ Mocha

1240 ~ Dirt Road

1309 ~ Michael’s Navy

2108a ~ Shepard’s Blue

2168 ~ Monkey Grass

2205 ~ Grasshopper

2259 ~ Cayenne

2262 ~ Watermelon Punch

2321 ~ Plum

The fabric used for the samplers stitched with cotton was 46ct Weeks Dyeworks (Zweigart-based) linen in Cocoa. We used 36ct Weeks Dyeworks (Zweigart-based) linen in Straw for the wool version.

The design area is 105 stitches (w) x 138 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3″ margin for finishing and framing. If working on an uneven linen such as 52/62, we would recommend that you orientate your linen so that the higher count (62/52) is on the horizontal.

28ct: Design: 7.5″ x 9.86″ Fabric: 13.5″ x 15.86″

30ct: Design: 7.00″ x 9.20″ Fabric: 13.00″ x 15.20″

32ct: Design: 6.56″ x 8.63″ Fabric: 12.56″ x 14.63″

36ct: Design: 5.83″ x 7.67″ Fabric: 11.83″ x 13.67″

40ct: Design: 5.25″ x 6.9″ Fabric: 11.25″ x 12.9″

46ct: Design: 4.57″ x 6.00″ Fabric: 10.57″ x 12.00″

56ct: Design: 3.75″ x 4.93″ Fabric: 9.75″ x 10.93″

62/52ct: Design: 3.39″ x 5.31″ Fabric: 9.39″ x 11.31″

Once purchased you will receive an email within 24 hours with the download attached and you can print it out yourself at home.  Please allow an extra 24 hours if ordered over the weekend. Please ensure your email is correct and you may need to check your junk/spam folder.

If you don't have access to a printer or would prefer a printed copy sent to you that option is available also. 

We stock the Au Ver a Soie 100.3 & D'alger silks and Legacy Linens.  If you'd like to kit the design please contact me on info@astitchintime.net.au and we can discuss your preferences.