Hannah’s ’s sampler is offered to you in two different formats ~ as a printed booklet and as an instant PDF download. Details of the PDF download can be found HERE.
Hannah is most certainly a “bobby dazzler” of a sampler. The sampler catches and holds the eye. The young girl covered every inch of her linen, filling her sampler with carefully stitched motifs. The intricate outer border is one that we have not seen on a sampler before.
Hannah divided her sampler into three sections. The top section dominates with a stunning lozenge- shaped cartouche within which she has worked two alphabets and a set of numerals. The larger font appears on several Quaker samplers.
We particularly like how Hannah worked her name in the centre of the sampler; she was proud to take ownership of her work.
The middle section features the verse
“Sweet courtesy and winning smiles
Manners mild and void of art
These are loves engaging wiles
These are those which win the heart”
The verse is taken from the poem “Mary” that was published in 1796 and was “recommended to the attention of the Ladies”.
Hannah records on her sampler that she was from Ballypallady (sic). In Ireland counties are divided into civil parishes and parishes are further divided into townlands. Ballypalady Townland can be found in Ballymartin in the county of Antrim, Northern Ireland.
In historical records. we have found reference to a Hugh Campbell of Ballypalady but Hannah has remained elusive. We dearly wished that we could have unearthed Hannah’s story.
Her sampler is a tangible and palpable link to her life. Through her needlework, Hannah has stitched her name into history.
Hannah used small blue beads to work the glass panes in the house and on one flower head. We could not source beads that were small enough to work on 46ct linen. After some thought and experimentation, we decided to use Accentuate MMA in place of the beaded areas. We believe that Hannah intended the glass panes to shimmer in the sunlight, and the metallic thread gives this effect.
Hannah’s sampler has been reproduced using a palette of 18 colours carefully matched to the colours found on the front of the sampler. The model was stitched using Soie 100.3 from Au Ver a Soie together with one spool of Accentuate MMA. We have included conversions for Soie d’Alger and DMC.
Hannah executed her sampler predominantly with cross stitches laid over one and two threads of linen. Hannah also used Algerian eyelets and rice stitch. The sampler is suitable for intermediate through to advanced needleworkers. However, it is not beyond a determined beginner.
Hannah’s sampler has been lovingly stitched by Melissa Coyle. 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
Hannah’s sampler has been reproduced using a palette of 18 colours carefully matched to the colours found on the front of the sampler. The model was stitched using Soie 100.3 from Au Ver a Soie together with one spool of Accentuate MMA. We have included below conversions for Soie d’Alger (SDA) and DMC.
Accentuate MMA Colour #033 x 1 across all counts
Soie 100.3 1 strand on 40-56ct
050 x 1 ~ Beige brown
099 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
107 x 1 ~ Christmas red
115 x 1 ~ Driftwood
156 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
222 x 1 ~ Plum
274 x 1 ~ Khaki green
376 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
378 x 1 ~ Green grey
486 x 1 ~ Antique blue
494 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
523 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
562 x 1 ~ Drab brown
621 x 1 ~ Grey green
655 x 1 ~ Coral
673 x 1 ~ Beige grey
773 x 1 ~ Pewter grey
SDA one strand on 40-46ct
F14 x 1 ~ Drab brown
1016 x 1 ~ Christmas red
1434 x 1 ~ Antique blue
2643 x 1 ~ Coral
2916 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
2932 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3045 x 1 ~ Plum
3344 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3413 x 1 ~ Driftwood
3433 x 1 ~ Beige brown
3446 x 1 ~ Pewter grey
3725 x 1 ~ Green grey
3734 x 1 ~ Khaki green
3846 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
4512 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
4645 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
5382 x 1 ~ Grey green
SDA one strand on 36ct
F14 x 1 ~ Drab brown
1016 x 1 ~ Christmas red
1434 x 1 ~ Antique blue
2643 x 1 ~ Coral
2916 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
2932 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3045 x 1 ~ Plum
3344 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3413 x 1 ~ Driftwood
3433 x 1 ~ Beige brown
3446 x 1 ~ Pewter grey
3725 x 1 ~ Green grey
3734 x 2 ~ Khaki green
3846 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
4512 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
4645 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
5382 x 1 ~ Grey green
SDA two strands on 28-32ct
F14 x 1 ~ Drab brown
1016 x 2 ~ Christmas red
1434 x 1 ~ Antique blue
2643 x 1 ~ Coral
2916 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
2932 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3045 x 1 ~ Plum
3344 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3413 x 1 ~ Driftwood
3433 x 1 ~ Beige brown
3446 x 2 ~ Pewter grey
3725 x 1 ~ Green grey
3734 x 3 ~ Khaki green
3846 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
4512 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
4645 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
5382 x 2 ~ Grey green
DMC one strand on 40-46ct
07 x 1 ~ Driftwood
304 x 1 ~ Christmas red
315 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
347 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
351 x 1 ~ Coral
612 x 1 ~ Drab brown
840 x 1 ~ Beige brown
844 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
915 x 1 ~ Plum
927 x 1 ~ Grey green
931 x 1 ~ Antique blue
3011 x 1 ~ Khaki green
3051 x 1 ~ Green grey
3712 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3790 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3799 x 1 ~ Pewter grey
3828 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
DMC two strands on 32-36ct
07 x 1 ~ Driftwood
304 x 2 ~ Christmas red
315 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
347 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
351 x 1 ~ Coral
612 x 1 ~ Drab brown
840 x 1 ~ Beige brown
844 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
915 x 1 ~ Plum
927 x 2 ~ Grey green
931 x 1 ~ Antique blue
3011 x 2 ~ Khaki green
3051 x 1 ~ Green grey
3712 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3790 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3799 x 2 ~ Pewter grey
3828 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
DMC two strands on 28ct
07 x 1 ~ Driftwood
304 x 2 ~ Christmas red
315 x 1 ~ Antique mauve
347 x 1 ~ Salmon dark
351 x 1 ~ Coral
612 x 1 ~ Drab brown
840 x 1 ~ Beige brown
844 x 1 ~ Beaver grey
915 x 1 ~ Plum
927 x 2 ~ Grey green
931 x 1 ~ Antique blue
3011 x 3 ~ Khaki green
3051 x 1 ~ Green grey
3712 x 1 ~ Salmon medium
3790 x 1 ~ Beige grey
3799 x 2 ~ Pewter grey
3828 x 1 ~ Hazelnut brown
Linen Sizes
The design area is 233 stitches (w) x 289 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing. The original sampler was worked on linen that was approximately 28ct.
The model was started during the height of Covid. It was difficult to source supplies at the time and the model was stitched from our stash. We used Lakeside Linen’s Vintage Sand Dune, however, there are several different overdyed linens that would be good matches to the original sampler. Tabbycat Linen overdyed to the shade of Muddy Duck is one to consider.
28ct linen: Design: 16.64" x 20.64" Fabric: 22.64" x 26.64"
32ct linen: Design: 14.56" x 18.06" Fabric: 20.56" x 24.06"
36ct linen: Design: 12.94" x 16.06" Fabric: 18.94" x 22.06"
40ct linen: Design: 11.65" x 14.45" Fabric: 17.65" x 20.45"
46ct linen: Design: 10.13" x 12.57" Fabric: 16.13" x 18.57"
56ct linen: Design: 8.32" x 10.32" Fabric: 14.32" x 16.32"
Stitch Guide
Hannah executed her sampler predominantly with cross stitches laid over one and two threads of linen. Hannah also used Algerian eyelets and rice stitch. The sampler is suitable for intermediate through to advanced needleworkers. However, it is not beyond a determined beginner.
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.
Rice stitch ~ consists of a cross stitch created over four threads and in a counter clockwise order; a diagonal backstitch is then laid over the four ends of the cross stitch.
Algerian eyelets ~ When worked over four threads of linen there are 8 stitches laid to create an eyelet. Do not tug on the thread using your needle as your thread will soon break. Instead apply pressure by pulling on the thread close to the stitch. Even tension should be applied, so each individual stitch sits well within the eyelet.
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.
Stitch-a-Long
A Stitch-a-Long is being hosted on Facebook by ourselves, The Attic Needleworks (Phoenix), A Stitch in Time (Tasmania), Acorn and Threads (Oregon), Needle in a Haystack (California) and Traditional Stitches (Canada).
Our SAL leader is Cheri Edington. Cheri will be hosting monthly live videos and will be offering lots of encouragement to the SAL members.
The group can be found HERE.
All are welcome to join.
Chart Correction
Please note that on page 3 of the graph there is a correction. The two stitches are highlighted below.
