From Nicola...
The moment we saw Anna’s sweet sampler we knew that Hands Across the Sea Samplers had to add her to their portfolio. Whilst acquired by Nicola in England, the sampler, which features two adorable young girls who are either twins or sisters very close in age, was destined for Australia as Sandra has two young granddaughters. Sandra has reproduced the original sampler for one of her granddaughters using the colours found today on the front of Anna’s sampler. This is the sampler that has been charted for you within the pages of this booklet.
However, Sandra has also stitched a second version of Anna’s sampler for her other granddaughter. The two samplers are featured side by side in the centrefold of this booklet. The second version, although based on the first sampler, is an adaptation and uses a multitude of stitches: cross stitch over one and two linen threads, satin stitch, Algerian eyelet stitch, French knots, rice stitch, stem stitch, leaf stitch, two-sided plaited Spanish stitch, needle weaving (horizontal running stitch over one thread), brick stitch, Parisian stitch, long cross stitch, reverse tent stitch, daisy stitch, back stitch, alternating half cross stitch over one thread of linen and straight gobelin stitch. As Sandra plied her needle she felt that Anna was beside her whispering suggestions for each motif. If you listen carefully Anna may whisper to you, too!
The sampler was charted with Au Ver à Soie® Soie d’Alger silks, although DMC is provided as an optional thread.
LINEN SIZES
The model was stitched on Lakeside Linen Pecan Butter.
The design area is 266 stitches (w) x 301 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing.
32ct: Design: 16.63″ x 18.81″ Fabric: 22.63″ x 24.81″ (cut size SH 27x36)
36ct: Design: 14.78″ x 16.72″ Fabric: 20.78″ x 22.72″ (cut size SH 27x36)
40ct: Design: 13.30″ x 15.05″ Fabric: 19.30″ x 21.05″(cut size SQ 18x27 w/2" margin)
46ct: Design: 11.57″ x 13.09″ Fabric: 17.57″ x 19.09″ (cut size SQ 18x29.5)
Lakeside Pecan Butter or Vintage Pecan Butter comes in several counts. For 37 count Legacy Corn Tassel is a good option.
Anna’s endearing sampler has been reproduced with Au Ver à Soie
d’Alger silks and the skein quantities calculated based on 1 strand on
36ct fabric. We have provided conversions for DMC based on 2 strands on
36ct linen.
The sampler is stitched mainly in cross stitch over 2 linen threads
with a small amount of cross stitch over 1 linen thread. The sampler is
suitable for needle workers of all levels of ability.
Soie d’Alger/ DMC
516 x 1 / 937 x 1 ~ Avocado green medium
526 x 1 / 829 x 1 ~ Golden olive very dark
622 x 1 / 744 x 1 ~ Yellow pale
922 x 1 / 352 x 1 ~ Coral light
1712 x 1 / 3752 x 1 ~ Antique blue very light
1713 x 1 / 931 x 1 ~ Antique blue medium
2145 x 1 / 730 x 1 ~ Olive green very dark
2756 x 1 / 927 x 1 ~ Grey green light
2911 x 1 / 948 x 1 ~ Peach very light
2913 x 2 / 353 x 2 ~ Peach
2921 x 1 / 3801 x 1 ~ Christmas red light
3011 x 1 / 3716 x 1 ~ Dusty rose very light
3221 x 1 / 762 x 1 ~ Pearl grey very light
3441 x 2 / 415 x 2 ~ Pearl grey
3442 x 2 / 318 x 2 ~ Steel grey light
3444 x 1 / 414 x 1 ~ Steel grey dark
3714 x 1 / 3364 x 1 ~ Pine green
3833 x 2 / 371 x 2 ~ Mustard
3842 x 1 / 644 x 1 ~ Beige grey medium
4096 x 1 / 5200 x 1 ~ Snow white
4098 x 1 3865 x 1 ~ Winter white
4113 x 1 / 841 x 1 ~ Beige brown light
4141 x 1 / 3772 x 1 ~ Desert sand very dark
4213 x 1 / 3826 x 1 ~ Golden brown
4541 x 1 / 950 x 1 ~ Desert sand light
4516 x 1 / 433 x 1 ~ Brown medium
4526 x 1 / 801 x 1 ~ Coffee brown dark
4632 x 1 / 3727 x 1 ~ Antique mauve light
4633 x 1 / 316 x 1 ~ Antique mauve medium
Noir x 1 / 310 x 1 ~ Black