Hands Across the Sea Samplers has introduced a beautiful reversible band sampler from the private collection of Nicola Parkman. The sampler was a gift from Nicola’s husband who knows his wife well and that antique needlework, and in particular band samplers, are his “girl’s best friend”!

The 1600’s is regarded as the golden age of band sampler making, and the sampler that MH finished nearly 400 years ago on May 23rd, 1656 is one of those very special pieces. She is a beautiful example of reverse stitching.

Nicola has spent innumerable hours studying under high magnification, every single stitch in this sampler. It has been fascinating to follow the path that MH’s needle took. This is a sampler which takes the needleworker on a journey – almost a musical journey with each of the bands having its own characteristics yet contributing to the piece as a whole. It almost seems as if MH was the conductor of an orchestra, bringing in her threads and colours at precisely the right time. She has demonstrated a mastery of melody, structure and orchestration, a command of tone, colour and harmony.

You can visit Nicola's page on MH1656 - My Beloved's Gift for more details.

The sampler was charted with Au Ver à Soie® Soie d’Alger silks but you can also stitch it with Soie 100/3. On 46 count you would use 1 ply of Soie 100/3, but you can use multiple ply on less dense counts.

Nicola did not suggest a fabric color so we have picked those we think work best with the colors of the threads.

As of 2024 Woodland Brown Newcastle is no longer made by Zweigart.

We are suggesting Woodland Brown if you want a medium warm brown or Summer Khaki if you want a lighter green/brown. These are both available in 40 count. Summer Khaki is available in 28, 32, 36 and 40 count, but Woodland Brown is only available in 40 count.

LINEN SIZES

The design area is 130 stitches (w) x 929 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing with it stitched over-two (the original was stitched over-3).

32ct – Design: 8.125″ x 58″ Fabric: 14.125″ x 64″ (cut size Stitcher's yd 27x72)

36ct – Design: 7.25″ x 52″ Fabric: 13.25″ x 58″ (cut size Stitcher's yd 27x72)

40ct – Design: 6.5″ x 46.5″ Fabric: 12.5″ x 52.5″ (cut size Regular Half 18x54)

46ct - Design: 5.75" x 40.5" Fabric: 12" x 46.5" (Lakeside cut size Regular Half 17x59 or Weeks Dye Works Regular Half 18x54)

The Lakeside 46 count is a custom cut and has to be special ordered. Turn around time is about 6-12 months.

You will find the currently available fabrics listed in the Related Items below.

This sampler uses the Montenegrin stitch and Amy Mitten has decided to re-print her Autopsy of the Montengrin Stitch book again. It is due out in mid-July. You'll find a way to order it in Related Items below.

Click on the thread type below to go to the order page for each thread type if you want to order individual skeins. If you want the entire set of Soie 100/3 see the Related Products below.

The chart showed a quantity of 1 skein per color based on it being on 46 count. Since it's a band sampler if you are doing it on a lower count, you can always purchase more later and not worry about the dyelot.

Soie d’Alger/ Soie 100/3/ DMC
0921 134 3824 Apricot – light
0922 344 352 Coral – light
0945 499 816 Garnet
1444 646 3760 Wedgewood
1446 313 311 Navy blue – medium
1744 605 597 Turquoise
1811 621 928 Grey green – very light
1826 549 561 Jade – very dark
2134 647 3346 Hunter green
2224 022 733 Olive green – medium
2523 281 307 Lemon
2543 149 744 Lemon – pale
2625 682 920 Copper – medium
2632 323 3771 Terra cotta – ultra very light
2633 093 3778 Terra cotta – light
3721 465 369 Pistachio green – very light
3724 707 3363 Pine green – medium
S3932 088 3770 Tawny – very light
4245 492 680 Old gold – dark
4525 702 167 Yellow beige – very dark
5382 002 927 Grey green – light
F07 080 746 Off white