Mary’s sampler is presented to you in two different formats ~ an instant PDF download and as a printed booklet. Details of the printed booklet can be found HERE.
There are 3 versions of the pdf. You will be able to download any or all of the following pdf and graph versions:
Version 1 ~ A six-page colour chart.
Version 2 ~ A one-page colour chart (intended to be viewed/used on your tablet, phone, laptop, or computer).
Version 3 ~ A six-page black and white symbol chart.
Mary G Ramage is a beautiful and very colourful sampler from the Scottish Borders. Mary was 12 years old when she stitched this sampler in 1891, mainly using cross stitch over 2 threads on approximately 24ct Penelope canvas. She has also included in her sampler a beautiful alphabet stitched using Algerian eyelets over 4 threads, carrying on the tradition of using repeated eyelet stitches to form the letters in an alphabet.
Mary originally stitched her sampler using wool threads which have faded overtime, and some colours on the front of the sampler have changed and become muted and dull. The colour palette was therefore taken from the reverse of the sampler, as these were still so vibrant and fresh. Should Mary happen to gaze down on us while we are stitching, these are the colours she would recognise, and the finished sampler is how Mary intended it to be seen and a true reflection of her own choice of colours and how she used them together.
The verse leads us to think that this may be a Temperance sampler and is taken from Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.” Maybe she stitched this sampler at Sunday School.
Mary Georgina Ramage was born at Wester Woodheads in the Scottish Border parish of Westruther, Berwickshire, on 13th April 1878 at 11 am! This precise information is recorded on her registration of birth, which also tells us that her parents were Thomas Ramage and Eliza, née Stoddart, who were married on 18th March 1868 in Edinburgh.
Mary very tragically died on 12th June 1895 at 7.45 pm. She was only 17 years of age and had been suffering from Bright’s Disease of the kidneys for 6 months. Her father is noted as being present at the death, and I am sure her family would all have been gathered at the home. Her death notice appeared in the Southern Reporter newspaper on 20th June 1895.
“At Flass Woodheads, Westruther, on the 12th inst. Mary Georgina Ramage, beloved daughter of Thomas and Eliza Ramage, aged 17yrs. Deeply mourned by sorrowing friends.”
Our grateful thanks go to Susan for exquisitely stitching the model of Mary G Ramage and guest writing Mary’s story. 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.
