Pat’s Cross Stitch Corner

The Flowering Heart Wedding Sampler by June Grigg appeared in the January/February 1984 issue of Just CrossStitch magazine. I’ve probably stitched it at least half a dozen times on various count fabric for wedding presents and once for a 50th anniversary gift. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of each of the finished pieces. This one was stitched for my niece. The one I am stitching now, I am  going to try and keep track of exactly how long it takes to finish. I started last night (May 30th).

I’m stitching this on 28 count white Monaco by Charles Craft over two threads.

This is my current project for my granddaughter’s high school graduation.

The visible design area is 7½x7½ and the box itself measures 9½x9½x2 3/4 and has a mahogany finish and is fully lined in black velvet.  The design area is covered with glass.

UPDATE  May 2009: Finished stitching the piece from Woodland Flowes by Astor Place for the top of the box. Please with how it turned out.

The piece was stitched on 14ct Aida using DMC floss which measures 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″. After cleaning and pressing the piece, it was stretched over a very think piece of foam board that came with the box and inserted under glass with a picture frame type backing that also came with the box.

If you were using needlepoint canvas or a thicker piece of fabric, you might have to forgo the glass or the foam board. My stitched piece fit perfectly even after stretching on the board and lacing the back.

My newest work in progress is Lizzie Kate Friendship. I’m stitchg the design on 14 count Antique White Aida using DMC floss.I’m not sure whether they will be finished as small pillows or framed.

What is a band sampler?

Summer Sampler from Prairie Schooler

A Band sampler is a long narrow sampler, where designs are stitched in rows or bands across the width of the fabric. This type of sampler was popular in the 17th century.  Some of my favorites to stitch are those done by Prairie Schooler. This particular sampler hangs in our kitchen. It is from the Summer Samplers Book 77. All of them were worked on 14 cont Fiddlers Lite and use the brass bell pull hardware available from Nordic Needle.

I’ve woeked a number of these as gifts for family and friends but failed to take pictures of them which is my loss. The ones I have stitched include :

• Band Samplers – Book 40
• Garden Samplers – Book 45
• Garden Verses – Book 49
• Spring Samplers – Book 60
• Christmas Samplers – Book 63
• Summer Samplers – Book 77

Little House Needleworks has a collection called Simple Samplers which are small projects that do not take forever to complete.  I’m working the Music and Books design on 28 count khaki Jobelan. The finished piece measures 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″  I’ve finished one and started on the 2nd one.  You can view and purchase any of the Little House Needlework designs from 123Stitch.

Enlarged area of Books & Music.