We are pleased to present to you a small monochrome sampler worked by AWE in the year 1888. Quietly confident in both scale and execution, this sampler exemplifies the late nineteenth-century tradition of orderly, purposeful needlework. Stitched entirely in a single red tone, it relies not only colour for impact but also on balance, repetition, and clarity of form.
The composition is thoughtfully arranged, beginning with rows of capital letters, each character carefully formed and evenly spaced. Below the alphabet sits a sequence of numbers, reinforcing the sampler’s educational origins, where literacy and numeracy were practiced side by side with needle and thread. Dividing bands separate each section, lending rhythm and structure to the piece while guiding the eye steadily downward. These bands add visual interest without overwhelming the disciplined layout.
Toward the lower portion of the sampler, ornamental motifs appear – small flourishes that soften the formality of the alphabets and introduce a note of individuality. The stitched initials “A W E” and the date “1888” anchor the work firmly in time, transforming it from an exercise into a personal record. Though we will never know the full story of the stitcher, these letters stand as a quiet signature, a moment of authorship preserved in thread.
With a stitch count of just 144 stitches wide by 85 stitches high, the sampler is compact and approachable, yet complete in its design. Its modest size makes it an ideal choice to work as your 2026 blessing sampler, perfectly suited to a focused, intentional start to the year.
A blessing sampler is a needlework project, typically cross-stitch, that stitchers start and aim to complete in January as a tradition to bring blessings, good luck, or a fruitful year to their household or themselves, following a French custom. A blessing sampler is meant to be started on or around January 1st and finished by the end of January. The goal is to imbue the piece with good wishes for the coming year, ensuring blessings for the stitcher and their home. Many stitchers embrace the challenge of completing a sampler within the month as a way to test their skills and start the year with a sense of accomplishment.
The restrained elegance of the AWE sampler aligns beautifully with this tradition. Its repetition encourages mindfulness, its symmetry offers calm, and its historical roots lend a sense of continuity as one year gives way to the next. Stitched anew, it becomes both an act of remembrance and a gesture of intention.
We would suggest using shades #664 in Soie 100.3 from Au Ver à Soie, #2925 in Soie d’Alger from Au Ver à Soie, or #498 in DMC. When working with one strand of thread you will only require one spool or strand. When working with two strands you will need two skeins. The sampler can be stitched on Aida or linen, and we recommend that you use a count and fabric that you enjoy working with, allowing the experience itself to remain central to the project. The original sampler was worked on 12ct Penelope canvas, a common choice in the late nineteenth century, particularly for instructional needlework.
Our calculations below include a 3″ margin for finishing and framing.
28ct: Design: 10.29″ x 6.07″ Fabric: 16.29″ x 12.07″ 32ct: Design: 9.00″ x 5.31″ Fabric: 15″ x 11.31″
36ct: Design: 8.00″ x 4.72″ Fabric: 14″ x 10.72″ 40ct: Design: 7.20″ x 4.25″ Fabric: 13.20″ x 10.25″
46ct: Design: 6.26″ x 3.70″ Fabric: 12.26″ x 9.70″ 56ct: Design: 5.14″ x 3.04″ Fabric: 11.14″ x 9.04″
Whether stitched swiftly as a January blessing or savoured at a gentler pace, this small sampler carries with it the quiet dignity of its origins. It invites the modern stitcher to slow down, to mark time with intention, and to participate in a tradition that has linked hands, homes, and hopes for generations.
There are 2 versions of the PDF: Version 1 ~ A one-page colour chart (intended to be viewed/used on your tablet, phone, laptop, or computer). Version 2 ~ A two-page colour chart.
