Mary’s sampler is presented to you in two different formats ~ a printed booklet and as an instant pdf download. Details of the instant pdf download can be found HERE.
Mary stitched her delightful sampler with cross stitch over two threads of linen and four-sided stitch. The sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability and can be stitched on Aida, Linaida or linen.
What a shame that Mary did not record the year she finished her sampler and other information such as a date or location. The samplers stitched by Stuart, Georgian, and Victorian schoolgirls can provide us with a window through which we can catch glimpses of their lives. Recreating their work is a time when we can remember the forgotten women.
So often women disappear into history, their lives unrecorded. Yet in the face of enormous challenges, numerous women have fought their way to the fore and flourished. There are so many women overlooked who defied the norm, excelled, and made lasting impacts on those around them and beyond. Did Mary grow up to be such a woman? Sadly, we will never know.
Mary’s sampler was most probably stitched sometime during the long reign of Queen Victoria between the ages of 8 and 12. She used 20ct Penelope canvas and wool to execute her sampler. The vibrant colours she chose have only mellowed slightly, and it is the colours from the front of the sampler today that we have used in our reproduction.
Mary was industrious with her needle, covering her fabric with a multitude of charming motifs. Her sampler reminds us of Christmas with its rich greens and reds.
Two swans catch the eye. White swans symbolise light, grace, beauty, love, and purity. The swan is an emblem of feminine beauty and softness. Fairy tales feature swans as emblems of devotion, loyalty, and monogamy; this comes from the fact that the swan mates once in a lifetime.
Other motifs include a farmer and his wife, two cottages, towering fir trees, owls, stags, rampant lions, goats, dogs, shrubs and plants, and a pair of parrots. All contained within a border of rose campions.
We hope that you enjoy stitching Mary Snow’s sampler as much as we have enjoyed reproducing her.
Thread Legend
The sampler has been reproduced using Soie 100.3 from Au Ver à Soie. We have provided conversions for Soie d’Alger and DMC.
1 strand of Soie 100.3 on 46ct linen
004 ~ Grey green ~ light
029 ~ Grey green ~ medium
031 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
048 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
050 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
080 ~ Cream
135 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
549 ~ green ~ very dark
597 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
621 ~ Blue green ~ light
664 ~ Christmas red
756 ~ Blue green ~ dark
1 strand of Soie d’Alger on 46ct linen
945 ~ Christmas red
1812 ~ Blue green ~ light
1835 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3425 ~ Blue green ~ dark
2756 ~ Grey green ~ light
2757 ~ Grey green ~ medium
4231 ~ Cream
4242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
4246 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
4534 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
4613 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
1 strand of Soie d’Alger on 36 to 40ct linen
945 ~ Christmas red
1812 ~ Blue green ~ light
1835 x 2 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3425 ~ Blue green ~ dark
2756 ~ Grey green ~ light
2757 ~ Grey green ~ medium
4231 ~ Cream
4242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
4246 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
4534 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
4613 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
2 strands of Soie d’Alger on 28ct linen
945 x 2 ~ Christmas red
1812 ~ Blue green ~ light
1835 x 4 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3425 ~ Blue green ~ dark
2756 ~ Grey green ~ light
2757 ~ Grey green ~ medium
4231 ~ Cream
4242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
4246 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
4534 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
4613 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
1 strand of DMC on 40ct linen
321 ~ Christmas red
356 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
501 ~ Blue green ~ dark
712 ~ Cream
869 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
926 ~ green ~ medium
927 ~ Grey green ~ light
986 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3046 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3813 ~ Blue green ~ light
3863 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
2 strands of DMC on 36ct linen
321 x 2 ~ Christmas red
356 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
501 ~ Blue green ~ dark
712 ~ Cream
869 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
926 ~ green ~ medium
927 ~ Grey green ~ light
986 x 2 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3046 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3813 ~ Blue green ~ light
3863 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
2 strands of DMC on 28ct linen
321 x 2 ~ Christmas red
356 ~ Terracotta ~ medium
501 ~ Blue green ~ dark
712 ~ Cream
869 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ very dark
926 ~ green ~ medium
927 ~ Grey green ~ light
986 x 3 ~ Forest green ~ very dark
3046 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
3813 ~ Blue green ~ light
3863 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
Linen Sizes
The model was stitched on Zweigart-based linen overdyed to the shade “Old Sheep” by xJuDesigns. The sampler can be stitched on Aida, Linaida or linen. We recommend that you stitch Mary on your preferred colour, fabric, and count of fabric.
The design area is 210 stitches (w) x 167 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3″ margin for finishing and framing.
28ct linen: Design: 15.00″ x 11.93″ Fabric: 21.00″ x 17.93″
32ct linen: Design: 13.13″ x 10.44″ Fabric: 19.13″ x 16.44″
36ct linen: Design: 11.67″ x 9.28″ Fabric: 17.67″ x 15.28″
40ct linen: Design: 10.50″ x 8.35″ Fabric: 16.50″ x 14.35″
46ct linen: Design: 9.13″ x 7.26″ Fabric: 15.13″ x 13.26″
56ct linen: Design: 7.5″ x 5.96″ Fabric: 13.5″ x 11.96″
Stitch Guide
Mary used cross stitch over two threads of linen and four-sided stitch to work her sampler.
Cross stitch ~ is made up of two stitches worked over two threads. You should make all your stitches cross in the same direction for a neat and uniform finish.
Four-sided stitch ~ This stitch forms a square on the front and diagonal stitches on the back. This stitch, when tension is applied, creates a lacy effect similar to hem stitching.
