“with praise on all thy works I look”
A beautiful border of lilies and carnations surrounds Mary’s sampler. Within is a large manor house framed on both sides by poplar and pine trees. Honey-coloured stone buildings are commonly seen in England in counties such as Gloucestershire and Yorkshire. A smug cat and an inquisitive dog stand guard along with two footmen holding candles. The sampler includes other lovely motifs, such as squirrels, butterflies and birds, such as owls, peacocks, ducks, as well as two apple trees, roses and lilies. Two angels who represent the Voice of God are contained along with the verse in a meandering rose bud cartouche.
Mary Lea finished her beautiful sampler when she was 11 years of age in 1793.
Mary Lea 1793 has been brought to you by Hands Across the Sea Samplers in collaboration with Jacqueline Morris who lovingly stitched the model. At the very core of Hands Across the Sea Samplers is a team of needleworkers who are passionate about antique samplers and being able to share those samplers with you.
Stitch Guide
Remember that just like the longest journey begins with a single step, so does each sampler begin with a single stitch. All stitches begin the same way, by pushing the needle through the fabric, first one way, then the other. The only difference between one type of stitch and another is where you put that needle and how you manipulate
the thread.
The stitches used are cross stitch over one and two threads of linen and satin stitch. The sampler is suitable for all levels of ability.
Cross Stitch ~ When working Cross Stitch the top stitch should always lie in the same direction for a neat and uniform finish. Depending on the count of fabric you are using you may wish to substitute over 1 cross stitch with tent stitch.
Satin Stitch ~ can be worked horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Straight stitches should be laid side by side so that no ground fabric shows through. The art of satin stitches lies in making the stitches lie evenly and close together. Always stitch in the same direction. Use one thread and make repeated passes to achieve the desired coverage. To ensure a smooth glossy surface work with short lengths of thread to reduce fraying. Discard thread that has been unpicked.
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.
Thread Legend
Mary’s sampler has been reproduced with Au Ver à Soie d’Alger silks and the skein quantities calculated based on 1 strand on 36ct fabric. We have provided a DMC conversion based on 2 strands on 36ct fabric. The original sampler was stitched on linen closest in colour to DMC shade 613.
Soie d’Alger / 100.3 / DMC ~ Colour Description
F018 x 2 / 425 x 2 / 422 x 2 ~ Hazelnut brown – light
Noir x 1 / Noir x 1 / 310 x 1 ~ Black
1731 x 1 / 712 x 1 / 3756 x 1 ~ Antique blue – ultra very light
1736 x 1 / 755 x 1 / 930 x 1 ~ Antique blue – dark
1742 x 1 / 309 x 1 / 3753 x 1 ~ Antique blue – ultra very
1744 x 1 / 072 x 1 / 597 x 1 ~ Turquoise
1846 x 1/ 210 x 1 / 500 x 1 ~ Blue green – very dark
2212 x 1 / 405 x 1 / 734 x 1 ~ Olive green – light
2213 x 1 / 022 x 1 / 733 x 1 ~ Olive green – medium
2236 x 2 / 542 x 2 / 420 x 2 ~ Hazelnut brown – dark
2542 x 1 / 142 x 1 / 677 x 1 ~ Old gold – very light
3346 x 2 / 597 x 2 / 3787 x 2 ~ Brown grey – dark
3724 x 2 / 707 x 1 / 3052 x 2 ~ Green grey – medium
3745 x 2 / 455 x 2 / 829 x 2 ~ Golden olive – very dark
3815 x 2 / 303 x 1 / 832 x 2 ~ Golden olive
4534 x 1 / 050 x 1 / 611 x 1 ~ Drab brown
4623 x 1 / 523 x 1 / 3831 x 1 ~ Raspberry – dark
4624 x 1 / 499 x 1 / 816 x 1 ~ Garnet
LINEN SIZES
The design area is 373 stitches (w) x 445 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing.
30ct – Design: 24.87" x 29.67" Fabric: 30.87" x 35.67"
32ct – Design: 23.31" x 27.81" Fabric: 29.31" x 33.81"
36ct – Design: 20.72" x 24.72" Fabric: 26.72" x 30.72"
40ct – Design: 18.65" x 22.25" Fabric: 24.65" x 28.25"
46ct - Design: 16.22" x 19.35" Fabric: 22.22" x 25.35"
