Eliza’s beautiful sampler is offered to you as part of a Stitch-a-Long (SAL) sponsored by Hands Across the Sea Samplers (England), A Needle in a Haystack (California),  A Stitch in Time (Tasmania),  The Attic Needleworks (Arizona) and Traditional Stitches (Canada). The booklets are available exclusively through ourselves and the four stores.

Those of you who enjoyed our Facebook  SAL for the Jane Fiddes sampler will not want to miss the continuation of our group as we transition to a SAL for Eliza Martha Linfoot. Cherie Cluff Edington did such a fantastic job leading our Facebook group and SAL for Jane Fiddes, that we are thrilled she has agreed to take the lead for our Eliza Martha Linfoot sampler.

We are anticipating a SAL start date of October 1, 2021 although that is entirely dependent on availability of supplies.  Advance orders are welcome and recommended. Payment will not be taken until we are ready to ship the booklets on August 31st.

Eliza stitched a delightful sampler that charms the eye and we are delighted to present to you our adaptation of her sampler. Whilst the chart that we have made available is a stitch-by-stitch reproduction, there are two small freehand motifs that have been omitted from the sampler. This was due to the misplacing of Nicola’s partially stitched model, working notes, and sketches of the freehand motifs between 2018, when the sampler was charted, and 2021, when the stitching of a second, new model was undertaken. The original sampler is no longer in our collection for us to reproduce the two small freehand motifs.

Eliza Martha Linfoot was baptised on Monday, June 12 in the year 1820 in Haxby, Yorkshire. Her parents were John, a farmer, and Ann (née Daniels). Eliza was the sixth of nine children born over a twenty-year period. On Sunday, July 18 in the year 1841 Eliza married William Blain in St Mary’s Church in Castlegate – a historical street in the centre of York. Their first child, John Linfoot Blain, was baptised just 7 months later! Eliza and William went on to have nine children. In the 1851 census return, the family can be found living in Walmgate, a street in the very heart of York. Walmgate was known for its pubs, and William’s occupation was noted in the 1851 census return as an innkeeper. He was the landlord of the Bricklayer’s Arms, a busy public house.

In the 1861 census return, the family is still living and working in Walmgate; however, William has the slightly grander title of Licenced Victualler rather than innkeeper. He was also listed as Grand Pianoforte Maker. John, their first born, is working as a Grand Pianoforte Finisher.

In 1862, at the age of 41, Eliza gave birth to her last and ninth child – a son named Henry. The 1871 and 1881 census find the family at 44 Lowther Street in York. William continued to work as a pianoforte maker. William died on December 28, 1887 at 44 Lowther Street at the age of 72. Eliza survived him by some 4 years, dying in the January of 1892, also at the age of 72.

Today, we celebrate Eliza’s needlework skills. Her legacy is a very pretty sampler – we hope that you enjoy every moment that you spend with Eliza.

Eliza’s sampler has been exquisitely stitched by Linda Clews. At the very core of Hands Across the Sea Samplers there is a team of needleworkers who are passionate about antique samplers and being able to share those samplers with you. Hands Across the Sea Samplers are on hand to help those stitching our charts. If you need assistance or have any questions, we can be reached via email, or the contact page on our website.