“Give me wisdom to direct my ways”
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 an adaptation that is worked entirely in cross stitch over 2 threads and is suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida and linen.
Martha’s sampler caught our eye at first glance and has enchanted us ever since. Her meandering vine of plump, pink rosebuds wrapped itself around our hearts just as it wraps around the sweet motifs Martha’s young fingers stitched.
Both Sandra and I wanted to reproduce her, but as soon as she arrived with me, she was off to Sandra. A journey by air that took her from England to Germany, onwards to Kentucky, followed by Hawaii, then Sydney, Australia. The final leg of her trip was by a long winding road to the Blue Mountains. An expedition that would be far beyond Martha’s imagination.
The Martha that stitched the sampler was probably born on February 13, 1821 to Isaac Dawson, a weaver, and Molly Holt. She was baptised on Sunday, April 22, 1821. In the parish records the family are noted as living in Unsworth, Prestwich.
The reproduction is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen with the verse and dedication worked in cross stitch over 1 strand of linen. An additional graph has been provided with an adaptation of the verse and dedication in cross stitch over two threads of linen, which makes the sampler suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida, and linen.
The project has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.
Our grateful thanks to Marsha Dardenne who lovingly stitched the model for Martha. 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.
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Thread Legend
Martha’s delightful sampler has been reproduced with a palette of twenty-one 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.
The model was stitched on 40ct Lakeside Linen in Pearled Barley.
Soie 100.3 1 strand on 46ct / Soie d'Alger 1 strand on 46ct /Soie d'Alger 1 strand on 36ct / DMC 2 strands on 36ct / Soie d'Alger 2 strands on 28ct / DMC 2 strands on 28ct ~ Colour Description
329 / 524 / 524 / 832 x 2 / 524 x 2 / 832 x 2 - Golden olive
022 / 525 / 525 / 830 / 525 x 2 / 830 - Golden olive ~ dark
616 / 526 / 526 / 831 / 526 / 831 - Golden olive ~ medium
176 / 1013 / 1013 / 3713 / 1013 / 3713 - Salmon ~ very light
325 / 2144 / 2144 / 580 x 2 / 2144 x 2 / 580 x 2 - Moss green ~ dark
405 / 2212 / 2212 / 734 / 2212 / 734 - Olive green ~ light
633 / 2644 / 2644 / 347 / 2644 x 2 / 347 - Salmon ~ very dark
712 / 2756 / 2756 / 927 / 2756 / 927 - Grey green ~ light
070 / 2915 / 2915 / 3328 / 2915 / 3328 - Salmon ~ dark
278 / 2931 / 2931 / 761 / 2931 / 761 - Salmon ~ light
494 / 2932 / 2932 / 760 / 2932 / 760 - Salmon
386 / 3442 / 3442 / 318 / 3442 / 318 - Steel grey ~ light
378 / 3735 / 3735 / 936 / 3735 / 936 - Avocado green ~ very dark
629 / 3746 / 3746 / 829 / 3746 / 829 - Golden olive ~ very dark
031 / 3815 / 3815 / 833 / 3815 / 833 - Golden olive ~ light
224 / 3822 / 3822 / 676 / 3822 / 676 - Old gold ~ light
696 / 4126 / 4126 / 3371 / 4126 / 3371 - Black brown
702 / 4142 / 4142 / 3772 / 4142 / 3772 - Desert sand ~ very dark
543 / 4236 / 4236 / 435 / 4236 / 435 - Brown ~ very light
519 / 4526 / 4526 / 801 / 4526 / 801 - Coffee brown ~ dark
211 / F10 / F10 / 739 / F10 / 739 - Tan ~ ultra very light
Noir / Noir / Noir / 310 / Noir / 310 - Black
Linen Sizes
The design area is 264 stitches (w) x 276 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing. If working on an uneven linen such as 53/63, we would recommend that you orientate your linen so that the higher count is on the horizontal for this particular sampler.
28ct: Design: 18.86" x 19.71" Fabric: 24.86" x 25.71"
30ct: Design: 17.60" x 18.40" Fabric: 23.60" x 24.40"
32ct: Design: 16.5" x 17.25" Fabric: 22.5" x 23.25"
36ct: Design: 14.67" x 15.33" Fabric: 20.67" x 21.33"
40ct: Design: 13.20" x 13.80" Fabric: 19.20" x 19.80"
46ct: Design: 11.48" x 12.00" Fabric: 17.48" x 18.00"
56ct: Design: 9.43" x 9.86" Fabric: 15.43" x 15.86"
53ct/63ct: Design: 9.96" x 8.76" Fabric: 15.96" x 14.76"
63/53ct: Design: 8.38" x 10.42" Fabric: 14.38" x 16.42"
Stitch Guide for the Reproduction
The reproduction is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen with the verse and dedication worked in cross stitch over 1 strand of linen. An additional graph has been provided with an adaptation of the verse and dedication in cross stitch over two threads of linen, which makes the sampler suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida, and linen.
The project has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.
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.
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 adapted version
An additional graph has been provided with an adaptation of the verse and dedication in cross stitch over two threads of linen, which makes the sampler suitable for stitching on Aida, Linaida, and linen.
The project has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.
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.
Chart Corrections
Correction #01
It has come to our attention that there is an error on the black and white symbol graph pages. The symbols are shown in an incorrect order against the threads listed on graph pages 4, 8 and 12. The symbols are in the correct order in the main thread legend and on the colour graph pages.
I attach a correction. Alternatively if you go back to the original link for your download the pdf will now open with the symbols showing in the correct order.
Please accept our apologies for the error and any inconvenience caused.
Correction #02
It has come to our attention that there is a leaf missing on the basket below the house. Please see the leaf circled in red in the photo below. Please note that the extra stitch on the handle to the right sight of the basket is correct.
