Isabella and Ann Uffindell are two very special samplers. They are special not only as they are very, very beautiful samplers but also because they were stitched by two sisters. Both the sisters were 10 years of age when they stitched their samplers, Isabella in 1829 and Ann 6 years later in 1835. As a collector sister samplers particularly fascinate me. I find it so remarkable that two samplers remain together through the centuries.
As a reproductionist I believe that I had a duty to Isabella and Ann to keep the girls together. For that reason their charts have been released together in a very special and strictly limited edition 60 page booklet. This really is quite special – the best booklet we have issued to date. It comes with 6 pages of historical information about the girls, their lives and the times in which they lived in.
These girls have an interesting story to tell. Life wasn’t easy for working class unmarried ladies in the 1800’s. Through hard work and determination these two Cockney girls bettered themselves and broke free from servitude. They remind me of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. I know you will enjoy reading about them.
Isabella and Ann have been reproduced using the colours on the front of the samplers – Isabella has a palette of 32 colours and Ann 26. Isabella is the larger sampler with a stitch count of 332 x 481, Ann has a stitch count of 320 x 378. Ann included a verse on her sampler:
O my soul, what canst thou do,
With eternity in view?
Flee to Jesus, Flee away
Not to-morrow, come to-day,
Come this moment, For to thee,
Next may be eternity.
The stitches in both samplers are mainly cross stitch over 2 with the text in over one. There are a handful of small over one motifs in Ann’s sampler. They have been shown not only in the main body of the chart but have also been separately enlarged for your ease of use. Both samplers’ distinctive wreaths have been stitched with padded satin stitches and detailed photos have been included within the booklet.
Isabella and Ann have been reproduced in close collaboration with J.Lee Halpin and Lisa Brown. The three of us hope that the sisters bring you, our sisters in stitches, much joy.
We have issued two sets of blank greeting cards that feature the samplers on the front covers.
These colourful cards with their red wreaths will make fabulous Christmas cards for your personal use or the packs wonderful Christmas presents for your stitching friends. They come with small charts on the back. They are sold in packs of 10 and we can mix the packs. To order the cards please click HERE.
Stitch Guide for Isabella & Ann
Ann and Isabella’s samplers have been rated as suitable for an intermediate stitcher but is not beyond a determined beginner wishing to explore satin stitch. Within their booklet are clear stitch diagrams, stitching notes, separate and enlarged graphs of the over one flower sprays (pages 30, 31 and 32) and close up photographs of the satin stitched motifs.
The samplers are stitched mainly using cross stitch over two threads. On Ann's sampler there is some cross stitch over one thread - the verse, Ann’s name, age and six small but exquisite sprays of flowers. Satin stitch has been used for the beautiful wreaths which are a distinctive feature of both Ann and Isabella’s samplers. There are a handful of double running stitches.
On Isabella's sampler there is also a small amount of cross stitch over one thread - Isabella’s name, age and the King’s initials “GR”. Satin stitch has been used for the beautiful Christmas Red wreath, the two small circular wreaths and some flower heads.
The charts show both the shade symbol and the colour block. Each square on the graph represents two linen threads. The graph has been annotated with instructions, stitch diagrams and shade numbers for ease of use. The cross stitched motifs have been counted out stitch by stitch, thread by thread. Ann and Isabella drew their wreaths onto the fabric and embroidered over. We have sketched out the wreaths and transferred them onto the graph so that you can count them out. No tracing is necessary. Before embroidering the satin stitches Isabella and Ann used a thick white and probably inexpensive thread both to outline and to pad out the vine and leaves of the wreaths.
Cross Stitch is made up of 2 stitches worked over 1 or 2 threads. Make all your stitches cross in the same direction for a neat and uniform finish.
Satin Stitch – run a straight stitch between each thread of the fabric in the direction shown on the chart. Use 1 thread making repeated passes until the desired coverage is achieved.
Double Running Stitch is worked in two journeys. On the outward journey you mark out the motif and on the return trip you fill in the gaps. It is also called Holbein Stitch.
N.B: For padding out the vines you could use either satin stitch, double running stitch or stem stitch.
Stem Stitch ~ when working from left to right. Bring needle up at 1 and down at 2. Bring needle back up halfway between 1 and 2 at 3. Be sure to keep thread below the needle. When working from right to left keep the thread above the needle.
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 the CONTACT page on our website. Our website has stitching tutorials which can be found in the “SEWING BASKET AND TOOLS” section.
Notification of Chart Corrections
We apologise for any charting errors. Unfortunately these do occur from time to time.
The two flowers below each appear many times throughout Ann's border. A charting mistake has been been identified and has been corrected. Please see the two stitches indicated within the highlighted area. This effects all the flowers in the border in these colourways.
Please note two corrections on Page 1 of Isabella's chart highlighted by red boxes.
Customer Gallery
Ann Uffindell by Pamela Nesler
A finish by Mary Gurney
