This delightful sampler is brought to you as part of a series of “Little Gems” that are available as a .pdf download by Hands Across the Sea Samplers. There are two versions included in this download – the reproduction and a smaller adaptation that is worked entirely in cross stitch over 2 threads and is suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida and linen.
If preferred, the adaptation can be purchased without the reproduction at a lower price, please follow this LINK.
The Reproduction
The Adaptation
Emma’s sampler is the epitome of an English schoolgirl sampler. A honeysuckle border gracefully meanders around the sampler. A solid redbrick Georgian house, flanked by two vain peacocks, draws the eye but there is so much more to her sampler. There is an elegance and delicate touch to the sampler. Emma’s sense of colour and design radiates.
For her sampler’s verse Emma took inspiration from the hymn “Let Us Walk in the Light” by Mary Masters. Mary was an 18th-century English poet and letter writer.
Emma recorded that she finished her sampler on July 16, 1825. The 16th was a Saturday, and this has given us reason to consider that the sampler was wrought under the guidance of her mother rather than a school or Sunday school teacher.
Emma’s sampler is an amazing achievement for a girl of barely 9 years of age.
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 for the Reproduction
Emma’s beautiful sampler has been reproduced with a palette of eighteen colours from Au Ver à Soie’s range of Soie d’Alger. We have provided conversions for Soie 100.3 and DMC. Estimated thread quantities for varying linen counts and the number of strands of thread used have been listed below.
Emma stitched her sampler mainly with cross stitch over two strands of linen. She used cross stitch over one strand of linen for the verse and dedication. There are a handful of satin stitches.
The project has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. The model was stitched on 46ct Zweigart-based linen in Straw from Weeks Dyeworks.
100.3 - 1 Strand 46ct / SDA - 1 Strand 46ct / SDA - 1 Strand 36ct / DMC - 2 Strands 36ct / SDA -2 Strands 28ct / DMC - 2 Strands 28ct ~ Colour DescriptionNoir / Noir / Noir / 310 / Noir / 310 ~ Black
417 / 1743 / 1743 / 932 / 1743 / 932 ~ Antique blue ~ light
486 / 1745 / 1745 / 3768 / 1745 / 3768 ~ Grey green ~ dark
621 / 1814 / 1814 / 3813 / 1814 / 3813 ~ Blue green ~ light
654 / 1845 / 1845 / 501 / 1815 x 2 / 501 x 2 ~ Blue green ~ dark
210 / 1846 / 1846 / 500 / 1846 x 2 / 500 x 2 ~ Blue green ~ very dark
152 / 2145 / 2145 / 730 x 2 / 2145 x 3 / 730 x 2 ~ Olive green ~ very dark
148 / 2242 / 2242 / 3822 / 2242 / 3822 ~ Straw ~ light
494 / 2915 / 2915 / 3712 / 2915 / 3712 ~ Salmon ~ medium
707 / 3724 / 3724 / 3363 / 3724 / 3363 ~ Pine green ~ medium
580 / 3733 / 3733 / 733 / 3733 / 733 ~ Olive green ~ medium
629 / 3746 / 3746 / 829 / 3746 / 829 ~ Golden olive ~ very dark
080 / 3821 / 3821 x 2 / 677 x 2 / 3821 x 3 / 677 x 3 ~ Old gold ~ very light
217 / 4112 / 4112 / 842 / 4112 / 842 ~ Beige brown ~ very light
517 / 4114 / 4114 / 3772 / 4114 / 3772 ~ Desert sand ~ very dark
207 / 4535 / 4535 / 611 / 4535 / 611 ~ Drab brown
624 / 4536 / 4536 / 3021 / 4536 / 3021 ~ Brown grey ~ very dark
499 / 4624 / 4624 x 2 / 816 x 2 / 4624 x 3 / 816 x 2 ~ Garnet
Linen Sizes
The design area is 293 stitches (w) x 355 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing. If working on an uneven linen such as 52/62, we would recommend that you orientate your linen so that the lower count is on the horizontal for this particular sampler.
28ct: Design: 20.93" x 25.36" Fabric: 26.93" x 31.36"
30ct: Design: 19.53" x 23.67" Fabric: 25.53" x 29.67"
32ct: Design: 18.31" x 22.19" Fabric: 24.31" x 28.19"
36ct: Design: 16.28" x 19.72" Fabric: 22.28" x 25.72"
40ct: Design: 14.65" x 17.75" Fabric: 20.65" x 23.75"
46ct: Design: 12.74" x 15.43" Fabric: 18.74" x 21.43"
56ct: Design: 10.46" x 12.68" Fabric: 16.46" x 18.68"
62/52ct: Design: 9.45" x 13.65" Fabric: 15.45" x 19.65"
Thread Legend for the adaptation
The adapted version uses seventeen colours and is suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida and linen.
100.3 - 1 Strand 46ct / SDA - 1 Strand 46ct / SDA - 1 Strand 36ct / DMC - 2 Strands 36ct / SDA -2 Strands 28ct / DMC - 2 Strands 28ct ~ Colour DescriptionNoir / Noir / Noir / 310 / Noir / 310 ~ Black
417 / 1743 / 1743 / 932 / 1743 / 932 ~ Antique blue ~ light
486 / 1745 / 1745 / 3768 / 1745 / 3768 ~ Grey green ~ dark
621 / 1814 / 1814 / 3813 / 1814 / 3813 ~ Blue green ~ light
654 / 1845 / 1845 / 501 / 1815 / 501 ~ Blue green ~ dark
210 / 1846 / 1846 / 500 / 1846 / 500 ~ Blue green ~ very dark
152 / 2145 / 2145 / 730 / 2145 x 2 / 730 ~ Olive green ~ very dark
148 / 2242 / 2242 / 3822 / 2242 / 3822 ~ Straw ~ light
707 / 3724 / 3724 / 3363 / 3724 / 3363 ~ Pine green ~ medium
580 / 3733 / 3733 / 733 / 3733 / 733 ~ Olive green ~ medium
629 / 3746 / 3746 / 829 / 3746 / 829 ~ Golden olive ~ very dark
080 / 3821 / 3821 / 677 x 2 / 3821 x 3 / 677 x 2 ~ Old gold ~ very light
217 / 4112 / 4112 / 842 / 4112 / 842 ~ Beige brown ~ very light
517 / 4114 / 4114 / 3772 / 4114 / 3772 ~ Desert sand ~ very dark
207 / 4535 / 4535 / 611 / 4535 / 611 ~ Drab brown
624 / 4536 / 4536 / 3021 / 4536 / 3021 ~ Brown grey ~ very dark
499 / 4624 / 4624 / 816 x 2 / 4624 x 3 / 816 x 2 ~ Garnet
Linen Sizes
The design area is 293 stitches (w) x 217 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing. If working on an uneven linen such as 62/52, we would recommend that you orientate your linen so that the higher count is on the horizontal for this particular sampler.
28ct: Design: 20.93" x 15.5" Fabric: 26.93" x 21.5"
30ct: Design: 19.53" x 14.47" Fabric: 25.53" x 20.47"
32ct: Design: 18.31" x 13.56" Fabric: 24.31" x 19.56"
36ct: Design: 16.28" x 12.06" Fabric: 22.28" x 18.06"
40ct: Design: 14.65" x 10.85" Fabric: 20.65" x 16.85"
46ct: Design: 12.74" x 9.43" Fabric: 18.74" x 15.43"
56ct: Design: 10.46" x 7.75" Fabric: 16.46" x 13.75"
52ct/62ct: Design: 11.27" x 7.00" Fabric: 17.27" x 13.00"
Stitch Guide for the reproduction
Emma’s sampler has been mainly executed in cross stitch over two linen threads with a small amount of cross stitch over one linen thread for the verse and dedication. There is also small amount of satin stitch.
The sampler has been rated as suitable for confident beginners through to advanced needleworkers.
Cross Stitch ~ is made up of two stitches worked over one or two threads. You should make all your stitches cross in the same direction for a neat and uniform finish.
You have to be careful not to pull the thread through the intersection of the woven linen threads. The warp and weft fibres are not “interlocked” at intersections; they simply pass over and under one another. As a result, when stitching over one thread, some stitches can slip and disappear. Lay your stitches away from the direction you are working. This prevents the thread slipping through.
A good magnifier will help you see the small stitches. Even if you have sharp vision, a strong magnifier (preferably a lighted one) will reduce eyestrain and allow you to see each stitch much larger than life.
Satin Stitch ~ Run a straight stitch between each thread of fabric in the direction shown on the chart. Use one thread making repeated passes until the desired
coverage is achieved.
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.
Stitch guide for the adaptation
The adaptation has been designed in cross stitch over two linen threads and is suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida or linen. The sampler has been rated as suitable for confident beginners through to advanced needleworkers.
Cross Stitch ~ is made up of two stitches worked over one or two threads. You should make all your stitches cross 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.
