On March 19th some 196 years ago, a young girl named Eliza Rule placed the last stitches into her sampler. We do not know where Eliza was born or the life she led. Whether it was long or short, happy or sad, fulfilling or disappointing? However, we do know that she was a fine needleworker with a good eye for colour and placement. Her teacher would have praised her work, and we are sure that her parents would have been proud of “the first effort” of their daughter’s hand.
With grateful thanks to Lisa Brown who lovingly stitched the model. 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.
Thread Legend
Eliza’s sweet sampler has been reproduced using Legacy Linen in 45 count Woven Sedge with one strand of Au Ver à Soie silk from their d’Alger range. The skein quantities used have been listed in the thread legend below. We have provided conversions for Soie 100.3 and DMC. We have used the vibrant colours found on the front of the sampler today.
Soie d’Alger / 100.3 /
DMC ~ Colour Description
F05 x 1 / 080 x 1 / 739 x 1 ~ Tan ~ ultra very light
632 x 1 / 665 x 1 / 3853 x 1 ~ Autumn gold ~ dark
1726 x 1 / 703 x 1 / 924 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ very dark
1814 x 1 / 073 x 1 / 927 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ light
2216 x 1/ 531 x 1 / 935 x 1 ~ Avocado green ~ dark
2645 x 1 / 107 x 1 / 347 x 1 ~ Salmon ~ very dark
2926 x 1 / 2646 x 1 / 221 x 1 ~ Shell pink ~ very dark
3715 x 2 / 580 x 2 / 3011 x 2 ~ Khaki green ~ dark
3745 x 1 / 048 x 1 / 830 x 1 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
3746 x 1 / 629 x 1 / 610 x 1 ~ Drab brown ~ dark
3836 x 1 / 624 x 1 / 3021 x 1 ~ Brown grey ~ ultra dark
3846 x 1 / 697 x 1 / 844 x 1 ~ Beaver grey ~ ultra dark
4122 x 1 / 702 x 1 / 433 x 1 ~ Brown ~ medium
4542 x 1 / 155 x 1 / 437 x 1 ~ Tan ~ light
4614 x 1 / 135 x 1 / 356 x 1 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
4622 x 1 278 x 1 / 223 x 1 ~ Shell pink ~ light
LINEN SIZES
The design area is 239 stitches (w) x 285 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing.
28ct ~ Design: 17.07" x 20.36" Fabric: 23.07" x 26.36"
32ct ~ Design: 14.94" x 17.81" Fabric: 20.94" x 23.81"
36ct ~ Design: 13.28" x 15.83" Fabric: 19.28" x 21.83"
40ct ~ Design: 11.95" x 14.25" Fabric: 17.95" x 20.25"
46ct ~ Design: 10.39" x 12.39" Fabric: 16.39" x 18.39"
56ct ~ Design: 8.54" x 10.18" Fabric: 14.54" x 16.18"
Stitch Guide
Eliza executed her sampler with cross stitch mainly over two threads. The verse has been stitched with cross stitch over one thread. The model has been rated suitable for all levels of ability.
Cross Stitch ~ When working cross stitch the top stitch should always lie in the same direction for a neat and uniform finish.
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, address shown below, or the contact page on our website. Our website has stitching tutorials which can be found in the “sewing basket/tools” section.
