The reproduction is also available as an instant PDF download. Please click HERE if you would prefer the PDF edition.
We are delighted to present Jane Backhouse’s beautiful and engaging sampler, worked in 1824 when Jane was just 12 years old. There is so much to enjoy in her work.
Jane used her sampler to demonstrate an impressive range of needlework skills. The sampler is worked mainly in cross stitch over two threads of linen, with the verse worked in cross stitch over one. Jane also worked a band of Algerian eyelets, two magnificent multi-coloured diamonds in rice stitch, a single flower in Queen stitch, a heart in four-sided stitch, two flowerheads crowned with satin stitch, a doorknocker worked with a single bullion knot, and the facial features of the young girl in French knots. We particularly like the way she used her creativity to work the lady and young girl’s dresses in a patchwork pattern.
The verse Jane chose for her sampler reads:
Wisdom the greatest blessing from above
Sent to mankind by god in his great love
Directs the youth to knowledge then to peace
So leads to solid joys that never cease
From our research, we believe that Jane was born in the historic town of Dudley in Worcestershire. She was the only child of John Backhouse and his wife Mary and was baptised on March 29, 1812, in Saint Thomas’ Church. At the age of 25 Jane married William Noak. They settled in Birmingham, where William worked as a blacksmith.
Jane and William had six children born over a fifteen-year period. Census returns reveal that two of their daughters inherited Jane’s needlework skills: Sarah worked as a dressmaker and Eliza as a milliner. Jane died in 1890, aged around 78, in Dudley, where she had been born. Today we celebrate Jane and the legacy she left through her needlework.
Jane’s sampler has been reproduced using a palette of 13 colours from Au Ver à Soie’s Soie 100.3 range. Conversions are provided for Soie d’Alger and DMC.
We have a limited supply of Soie 100.3 silk packs available for Jane, containing the colours required to stitch the sampler.
The design area is 165 stitches wide by 245 stitches high. The model was stitched on linen overdyed to the shade Sleeping Bear by Needle and Flax. The sampler is rated as suitable for needleworkers of all abilities.
With grateful thanks to Joanna Floren 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.
Limited Edition Silk Pack
A limited edition silk pack, containing 13 × 150 metre spools of Au Ver à Soie’s Soie 100.3, has been specially assembled for this sampler. Click HERE.
Available while stocks last.
