The Old Scot from Hands Across The Sea SamplersWe return with another of our mid-week chats. This time we break our “format” and Nicola Parkman joins us to talk about an Orna Willis class, the Hands on Design 12 Days of Christmas designs, Gary and Mike visiting Welcome Stitchery, big-box vs LNSs, Nicola’s stitching, Needle Needs products, buying antique samplers at auction, and the the Hands Across the Sea Samplers latest introduction, The Old Scot. Listen to the podcast to learn how you can win a copy of the Old Scot chart. –Gary and Christine
Listen to the podcast:
Is this Linlithgow Palace? Who is the person standing in front?
My very first sampler was stitched in 1988. I found the chart in a hard cover book cross stitch book. Probably put out by Better Homes and Garden or Just Cross Stitch. Very country style sampler, but it was my first step of a journey into the world of samplers.
I stitched my first sampler in 1995. It was a Pat Rogers samplers and still hangs in my home today. It is a lovely pattern, but I have a new love for all antique sampler reproductions. This sampler The Old Scot is amazing. I can’t wait to start on it.
My first sampler was for a friend’s son back in the mid 1970s. It was the alphabet with each letter represented with a Winnie the Pooh character. It measured about 18 x 30.
First off, I loved the podcast! Thank you for asking the right questions and thank you, Nicola for your informative answers! My first sampler, riddled with mistakes because it was my first ever stitch on linen, was Scottish Wedding Sampler by Moira Blackburn. It is so beautiful and hands in the home of my son and daughter-in-law in Spokane WA.
Willa, thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed the show. Also, thanks for sharing your heart-warming/healing story about starting a guild. Really enjoyed reading it. Gary
I started crossstitching just 3 years ago and just recently found the love for samplers. I started Sarah’s Chapple by the Shakespeare’s Peddler but am far from finishing it. I love all the Hands Across The Sea Samplers and to know the background and history about the Old Scott really wants me to stitch him.
I truly enjoyed this second podcast with Nicola…a well as all of the other podcasts….They are perfect to listoen to while stitching……I have just finished my one and only “sampler”…..Although it is not an antique one like the ones you have been discussing, it is a medieval mille-fleur needlepoint alphabet piece with flowers and fauna of the time period. But I have so enjoyed learning about the history of actual samplers, that I might leave my painted canvas basket weave needlepoint comfort zone and attempt a charted sampler !
My first sampler was an ethnic sampler I made with the St Paul Needlework Guild of EGA. I must admit, I love these podcasts. They are perfect to listen to while stitching. I have to go back and listen to your older ones. Orna’s class does sound interesting. And I was very interested in Christine’s answer about Michaels and yarns. Keep up the good work! And thanks Nicola for sharing.
Thank you so much for this delightful podcast! I have really enjoyed listening to Nicola’s discussion of the history of samplers.. I have done some cross stitch in the past but not a sampler. However listening to you talk with Nicola I have to say that my interest in samplers is definitely peaked and would love to make the Old Scot my first!
I completed my first sampler last year. Hearts Entwined by Northern Expressions as a wedding gift for my niece and only 2 years after the wedding ? I changed the colors from mauve and blue green to the wedding colors – hot pink and bright green with a bit of navy blue. In addition to cross stitch, it has specialty and pulled thread stitches. It is a band sampler, no alphabet just their names, wedding date, and a phrase.
[…] Hands Across the Sea Samplers are having a giveaway for 3 copies of the chart of The Old Scot. If you already have the chart you can choose another chart from our portfolio. The giveaway is in conjunction with the FIBER TALK SHOW . […]
Great podcast! My first sampler was stitched when I was about 8 years old, (about 1965) but it was needlepoint, so I don’t know if that counts The subject was a girl sitting at her school desk, with an alphabet at the top of the sampler. My first sampler on fabric was a wedding sampler for my sister’s marriage in 1975, though I probably stitched it in the 80’s.
I really enjoyed your Podcast on the Old Scot Sampler today. The first Sampler I stitched was in 1992 and it was a Sampler by Eileen Bennett. It was a Sampler with 42 Sampler stitches. I took the class at a stitching shop in Canada and Eileen Bennett taught the class in person.
I love the Old Scott Sampler. I have travelled on the Flying Scotsman train in the 1980’s from Edinburgh to Londaon and it was a wonderful train trip.
My first sampler was of the Lord’s Prayer that I gifted to my sister that had taught me to stitch! It was the most wonderful gift she gave to me, the art of cross stitching! She is gone now, but I think of her every single time I pick up my needle.
My very first reproduction sampler was The German Band Sampler by The Examplarery. Joanne Harvey has been reproducing samplers of historic relevance for many years and her boxes filled with quality materials and charts are treasured items in my stash
I stitched my first sampler around the time I got married in 1988. I have always been drawn to samplers. This was surely a result of my grandmother introducing cross stitch to me when I was 13. This sampler had my newly acquired family name and was dated for when this new exciting time in my life began. My son now has it hanging in his home, some 30 years after I completed it.
I stitched my first sampler, when I was in grade school (age 10). My mother bought a stamped sampler of a red brick house while she was at a convention in Colonial Williamsburg VA. She helped me stitch it and I still have it…I should get it framed.
Oh boy! I can’t remember my first sampler that I made because I was probably 12 or 13, but my first I framed was a Noah’s Ark theme I hung in our daughter’s nursery. If I remember it came from Cross Stitch & Country Craft Magazine (I’ve done 8 of those stocking you keep talking about!) and the verse goes something like this… “When rainy days upon you hold, remember the rainbow’s promise told.”
Unfortunately, I don’t remember what my first sampler was. I began stitching when I was about 7 years old. I stitched on an off (mostly off) through school, and when my children were very small. After they began to grew up, I again found time to stitch. The first large project I did was Celtic Noel which isn’t a true sampler, but was a lot of fun.
I was a child when my grandmother taught me embroidery and the patience of completing a sampler. In recent year have been involved with everything fiber. I love how Hands Across the Sea and Fiber Talk has expanded my education of the crafts and the history behind them.
This is my first Fiber Talk podcast and I found that I really enjoyed it. However, I would like to make a comment about Gary’s story of the woman who spent so much time in Welcome Stitchery and then announced she was going to Michael’s to buy her floss. There is no question that the woman was very rude to the staff at the LNS and her behavior was awful. I would never dream of doing something like that. But I will support the woman to a certain degree. DMC floss and small pre-cut pieces of aida or linen are about the only things you can generally purchase at the hobby and craft stores. If the woman had wanted good quality fabric or overdyed fibers, silks, or any of the specialty fibers, she would have had to purchase them at the LNS, but based on her comments, she was looking for DMC floss. Gary commented several times during the podcast on the “few added cents” it would have taken to purchase the fibers at the LNS. Most needlework stores in the US now charge 80-90 cents per skein, while Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or Joann’s Fabric generally charge 30-40 cents per skein at regular price. That’s not “a few cents” – it’s 40-50 cents per skein. The craft stores also routinely run sales that will bring this price down. This can mean a significant savings on materials.
Let me provide a hard example. I recently kitted out a Heaven and Earth design that uses 237 different colors. Add in an additional 30 skeins for colors that required more than one skein and I was looking at purchasing 267 skeins of fiber to kit out this design. Buying that at an LNS at the conservative cost of 80 cents per skein would have cost me $213.60 for the floss. The same number of skeins from Joann’s Fabrics at their regular 40 cents per skein came to $106.80. And I had a coupon for $40% off the total cost of the purchase so the end price for the floss was $42.72. That’s a difference of more than $170, which is a long way from “a few cents”. I believe strongly in supporting local needlework stores, and I do so at every opportunity; but that support doesn’t mean I don’t do my best to be as economical as I can. As Christine noted, this is not an inexpensive hobby. By all means, be critical of the rudeness of the woman’s behavior in Welcome Stitchery, but cut her some slack when it comes to trying to minimize what it costs to kit out her project.
Debbie, First, thanks for listening. Point well made, and certainly more compelling when you involve a HAED chart. Those are beasts. The issue of supporting LNSs vs. keeping costs under control in what can be an expensive hobby has many facets. I tend to err on the side of supporting the LNS, though in your situation, I would definitely be tempted to follow your lead. It will always bother me that that person used the store resources, particularly the expertise of the staff (which has considerable value) and then rubbed salt in the always-festering LNS wound of “I can buy it cheaper at a big box store or online.” In her case, buying the threads at LNS prices would still not have compensated the owner for the value of the time, inventory availability, and expertise the customer consumed. Thanks for your thoughts. BTW, did you finish the HAED chart? Gary
First I want to say thank you for these wonderful podcasts! I’m enjoying them immensely! As for my first sampler, I believe it was With One Accord, an original sampler design by Heartstring Samplery. I stitched it in 2009. It was the start of a passion for all things sampler!
Really enjoyed your podcast! Lots of interesting topics covered, and very interesting details on auctions! The first sampler I stitched was a Jeanette Douglas Designs one about Northern Canada. I stitched it for a friend of mine who had left Northern Ontario to live in England and was feeling homesick! My first introduction to specialty stitches – I still love them.
The first “serious” sampler I finished was “I Sigh Not for Beauty” by Ruth Ann Russell, published in SANQ. I did my own conversion to overdyed silks. Of course I have many more samplers in the works and am currently working to finish Ann Rayner. Love listening to Fiber Talk while I stitch.
The first sampler I ever stitched was a pattern from Better Homes and Gardens I think. It was in the shape of a Christmas tree, and consisted of sampler motifs arranged like the tree. I had never seen a sampler, didn`t know what one even was, but I fell in love with the motifs. I stitched it on Hardanger over one with colours I just picked at random from the craft store. That was in 1989…I have been stitching samplers ever since.
My first sampler was stitched and reproduced by myself called “Margaret Wright, 1857”. It eventually got published in a magazine. I was smitten with samplers from that point on. I am fortunate to have a lovely collection in my house. (I have since reproduced even more samplers.)
Hand Across the Sea Samplers are doing such a beautiful job on their reproductions!
[…] Hands Across the Sea Samplers reproduction, The Old Scot? Find out how to win one by listening to this week’s Mid-Week Chat with guest Nicola Parkman of Hands Across the Sea Samplers. If you already own the chart, enter anyway. If you win, Nicola […]
My first sampler was a Danish Handcraft piece and after I finished that I moved right to Scarlet Letter kits. I am so enjoying your podcast. Lovely to hear Nicola share so much of her knowledge.
I stitched my first sampler at the age of 12. It was a stamped piece of linen and featured a house, fence and of course, the alphabet. I gifted it to my grandmother who proudly displayed it in her kitchen. I have gone on to stitch many more samplers, but fondly remember my mother’s patient help and encouragement in my first “big” needlework project.
I began stitching way back in the 1980’s, and I stitched a lot of small kits and Prairie Schooler Santas. My grandmother had taught me how to embroider and needlepoint when I was young, so after my needlepoint phase, I began cross stitching! Loved it ever since! My first sampler was a band sampler that I got from a Jeremiah Johnson publication and it was on Aida cloth! Of course, since then I have stitched a multitude of samplers and smalls, and high count linen is my favorite! I love cross stitching! It is my relaxation and therapy!
My first sampler was an alphabet sampler that also had the names and dates of birth of all my brothers and sisters (5 of us) stitched for my Mum when I was ten?
I’m pretty sure my first sampler was a baby present for a friend’s daughter in about 1987 or 1988. I really didn’t get hooked on samplers until I took a class at my LNS and made a scissor fob, using double running. This is also when I discovered that I needed bi-focals!! I have way too many charts and threads in my stash.
My first Sampler was stitched on my honeymoon 36 years ago. It was stamped cloth in a kit. I stitched while hubby fished. It hangs over our bed. I have grown in stitching and now love the history of fellow needle women of my ancestors of Scotland, England and Wales.
Oh gosh. My first sampler was stamped cross stitch on linen and I was a teen. I fell in love with samplers and knew I could make them even prettier by not using stamped on designs! And slap my eye Dr taught me the 20/20/20 rule for great vision- every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. You’d be surprised how long 20 seconds is….
I have been stitching since I was four, so I did not pay as much attention as I should have when I was younger about what types of things I was stitching…I just picked what I liked. However, my first sampler was when I was about 12 and it was very simple. I made it for my grandmother (I rarely keep what I stitch, I prefere to gift it). I have been stitching for about 37 years now and love every minute of it. My grandmother taught each grandchild (she actually wrote a book on needlepoint ages ago) and I am the only one who took to it. I still love visiting her and stitching together. She can still stitch circles around me!
I love these podcasts, always so interesting. This one was especially good, hearing information from Nicola is inspiring. I stitched my first sampler in 1972, it was a birth sampler for my daughter!!! Since then I have stitched many many more, I try to stitch two reproductions every year. Would love to stitch more!!!
I enjoyed the Podcast. It is the first one I had listened to all the way through. I will listen again. My first sampler was one I did for my brother, a simple alphabet one done in the 1960’s, in red and black to go in his kitchen. I started on Aida but changed a few years later to linen and never looked back. I have done all kinds of needlework and sewing encouraged by my grandmother and great-grandmother, but samplers are by far my favorite. I imagine the lives of the stitchers and their families. I have an antique sampler and actually found the family in New Jersey on Ancestry. I love stitching and giving samplers to my family. I recently had a grandchild and a wedding so both those occasions called for a sampler. I really love the Old Scot and I know I would enjoy stitching it. I particularly like accurate reproduction samplers.
Wonderful podcast! I am so happy to learn of your show and thank you for featuring Nicola – I really hope you can convince her to come back on again – all of you are fascinating to listen to! My first sampler was a small Quaker that I converted to antique patriotic colors. I now have several more lined up to do (of various themes).
I stitched my first sampler in 1975. It was a simple Paragon stamped sampler design that reads “With letters red and number blue my needle flies from hue to hue” . I was hooked from then on and of course moved on to stitching counted sampler designs. Reproduction samplers are my passion. Thanks for these wonderful podcasts. It is fun to listen and learn while I stitch!
The first sampler I ever stitched was a stamped Christmas sampler. I was 8 years old. My grandmother had taught me to stitch several years before and I thought I was in the big time stitching a sampler that big. The oldest unfinished sampler I have is a Girl Scout sampler I statrted when I was in 3rd grade. It is still unfinished. Make new friends but keep the old from the Girl Scout camp song is the theme.
I love all the podcasts, especially this one. I’m loving all Nicola Parkman’s floss tube videos. All of them very informative and interesting. I’ve been stitching off and on for over 35 years. I didn’t stitch my first sampler until 2003. It was, Let Virtue Reside by Eye and Eye and Friends.
I’m not sure if this was my first Sampler or not but it is one I remember the most….a Sampler of Flowers I stitched for my late Mother-in-Law she lived in Cheltenham in the UK , in a flat. The framed piece was hung in the corridor outside her flat…I was never sure if that was because she loved it and was thrilled with it or because she felt that’s where I belonged…sadly after she died it was not returned to me.
Firstly thank you for the opportunity to enter into your draw, I am a huge fan of HATS Samplers! The first sampler that I stitched was the Alpha Trio sampler from Sheepish designs. It is the accumulation of three separate charts, Alpha Sheep, Alpha menagerie and Alpha birds which I was able to customize with colours, layout and made it my own by adding in my families initials! A true delight to stitch!
My first sampler I stitched was a country sampler with a blue house in 1983 while I was in college. I can’t remember the chart name. I stitched a few more and then took a break from stitching once my son was born until about 10 years ago. I love all the HATS samplers but have not stitched one yet.
My first sampler was finished in 1985. It was a large Shepherd’s Bush design that I purchased at the Attic Needlework shop. We are so lucky to have this wonderful shop in our area. It’s about an hour’s drive away and I’ve been there many times. I have enjoyed all of your podcast. I am thrilled with the reproduction samplers created and sold thru Hands Across The Sea. I am planning to go back to the Attic in the next week or so with a friend to purchase one of the designs. I really like one of theit first samplers stitched in all red by two sisters who lived in an orphanage. However I have not seen it pictured recently. Thanks for all your involvement with these samplers. They are really special.
I have done cross stitch for several years now but I never stitched a sampler. I love stitching patterns that are vintage theme and these samplers from Hands Across the Sea Samplers are beautiful. Thank you for this opportunity to win one!
The first sampler I stitched, but didn’t finish, was a stamped version of The Chase. I started it when I was 17, had a cast on my leg, and knew absolutely nothing about samplers or cross stitch. I was desperate for something to do, and my mom had taught me embroidery a few years earlier. The Chase was a companion during college and kept me occupied when I needed it. I still have it, and my Sampler Guild ladies are encouraging me to finish. Eh, we’ll see.
Really enjoyed the podcast! My first sampler was done on 22 count hardanger 1989. The pattern was from a Good House Keeping magazine-still have the pattern. I did change it a bit so the house resembled ours. Boy was it a challenge! I had never done anything that big or that detailed. Used DMC floss. Did not know about linen back then. Now I stitch on nothing but linen. I do treasure my sampler and hope my kids will too.
My first sampler was a class with Darlene O’Steen, and while it has the antique look, I do not believe it is actually a reproduction sampler. This was in 1985. I am enjoying all the podcasts, and have put Gary’s shop on my agenda for my next trip back to Chicago. On another note, Christine, regarding the way the Kreinik metallic is “folding,” are you sure you are working with the 1/16″ ribbon vs. the 1/8″ ribbon?
Oh boy I don’t think I remember the very first sampler I stitched, but the first *reproduction* sampler I stitched (and finished) was Elizabeth Raysor from the Scarlet Letter, due to Nicola’s (and other stitchers’) encouragement! I had been stitching for years but put it aside when the kids were young. My interest was re-kindled when the internet ‘took off’ and suddenly stitching boomeranged! the variety of samplers and prolific designers were amazing, and I became interested in reproduction samplers. I searched and searched for that type of chart (I found ‘Wyndham Needleworks’ which is now out of business, and then discovered the Scarlet Letter samplers). I also want to mention how timely this broadcast is because I *just* this week finished reading “The Marriage of Katherine” by D.E. Stevenson (she writes a lot of fiction books set in Scotland). In that book the young couple, Katherine and Alec, discover a cave in the Scottish Highlands and a local shepherd tells them that it was used by the Scots soldiers who were hiding from the English. Although the English soldiers searched the area for two days they never found the cave or its entrance because the natural flora and fauna (and rocks) hid it so well. (Scots history is both fascinating and poignant!) Thank you for the chance to enter the drawing! I just started a HATS sampler, Susanna Millne. I love the greens, yellows and creams in that sampler! I own two other HATS samplers (Elizabeth Furniss and Hannah Coates) and love them.
I completed my first sampler when I was about 15 years old. It was printed on the cloth. I made it for my mother for Christmas. On that morning I decided I had done it wrong and took out all the stitches and started over. I am very excited about The old Scot because I recently discovered that my 5 great grandfather was convicted of treason by England for either fighting at the battle of Culloden with Bonnie Prince Charlie or hiding a Jacobite rebel. He was sent to the colonies (Maryland) and became an American!
I stitched my first sampler in high school. It was a needlepoint fill in the background with a man and woman and food motifs around them. The verse said first the roast ,then the toast, happy hostess, happy host. This resulted in a life long interest in samplers and in the history they represent.
My introduction to cross stitch was in 1972. I completed a stamped, kitted sampler design. Much of the work was done while on vacation with my in-laws — listening to their tales of growing up in post WWI Cincinnati. I thought I would hate the repetitive nature of cross stitch, but I loved it! That rhythm sang to my soul. And every time I see that sampler, which hangs in the vestibule by our bedroom door, I think of my dear in-laws and their wonderful stories. Sweet sampler, sweet memories.
My first sampler was a small bellpull by Emie Bishop. It was my first time stitching on linen, as well as using specialty threads other than DMC. It also had metallic threads and beads. I had recently gotten married, and stitched my new last name on it-Jackson. I believe there was some cutwork on the bottom, and an alphabet, of course. I was so pleased that I could actually make something so beautiful. I had a wonderful teacher, who is a good friend now in our Stitchery Guild here in Austin Texas. We have a Sampler Group that has monthly meetings, and it is one of my favorite things in the whole world. I have learned so much, and made wonderful friends. It has truly expanded my world. I also hold monthly stitch ins at my home, and we all sit in my dining room and visit, stitch, gossip, support each other, and share our latest needlework and sampler related finds. Boy, this turned into a long comment!. If any of you travel to the Austin area, please let me know, I would love to meet you and so would my stitching friends.
Thank you so much for doing this podcast. The first embroidery/cross stitch sampler that I did was when I was 8 yrs old. My mother taught me. It was a small piece that had kitchen mitts, salt and pepper shakers and other kitchen items which said I Would Rather Be In The Kitchen. My mother stitched a children’s sampler at the same time which I now have framed and hanging in my sewing room. I look back now and realize that stitching and hand work had always been a part of my life. I am fortunate enough to have a stitching group that meets weekly and I also belong to the Kansas Stitchers. We meet every other month somewhere in the state. I so enjoyed Nicole discussion of the history of the sampler and the auction process. Since I have an Antique business and attend auctions, it helped give me insight into online auctions. I’m so glad I found this site and will be listening to the podcast again. Thank you.
My first sampler was by Blackbird Designs/Souvenirs Of Summer. The best sampler! I love it to this day! I’ve been stitching for over 34 yrs. and this is my therapy from the world When my stress level is high! I started in this adventure when my mother-in-law introduced me to stitching when my first son was born. I’ve been hooked ever since and have fallen in love more with stitching mostly samplers now. What a joy to be able to do the thing I love after those who came before me. Thanks for the gift of stitching!
My first Sampler was a gealogical Sampler. It was great fun, although I have stitched various items for years. I was introduced to reproduction samplers a few years ago by a friend, and I am absolutely addicted. My spinning wheel is ready to leave me, although I am investigating a process for silk spinning. Would it not be incredible to spin your flax and silk, weave the linen, dye the silk and then stitch? Retirement cannot get here soon enough.
I am so new to stitching samplers that I have not yet completed one. Through our EGA group I took a class from Catherine Theron and currently have her Magnolia Sampler Guild sampler on my scroll frame. This is my first and probably last sampler since it is HUGE and I am not getting any younger! From the sound of things on your podcast and in these comments, stitching samplers is going to turn into another obsession and I will be collecting more charts! Thank you for the inspiration.
Christine – Sorry you received negative responses to your big-box comments. I have seen other posts/comments on other websites/chat rooms regarding the same subject. Some have been so backbiting that I had to quit following/reading. I was “afraid” to enter the LYS, LQS, LNS in various places that I lived – I was not “skilled” enough, I could not afford, etc. (Albeit I was lucky enough to have at least one of those in a drivable distance. However, the internet brings the stores with shopping reach of anyone with a computer.) I finally took the plunge. My experiences were varied – some gave the impression it was a “club” and only members were well received, while others welcomed me with open arms. In those where I felt welcome, I did find a treasure trove of materials that I did not know exist outside of the big box stores. Can I afford them all? No. But I can go in and dream. And I can find items that I can afford. It has brought a renewed pleasure in needlework. I completely agree with you that working with quality materials is a totally different experience. I tend to be a slow stitcher, crocheter, knitter, quilter. I am not just buying to rush thru a project. I enjoy the process. Consequently I do not buy large quantities, my “stash” is small and within my budget. I appreciate you directing me to sites/stores for quality products. As you and Tess and Thorn said – the time and pleasure which goes into a project must be considered with the price. We all must make our individual choices. We all must have “dreams” to work towards. Thanks to you and Gary for creating this needlework community.
As a small child I always liked to “play school”. Later when I was finishing up my teaching degree and checked over my portfolio of materials, I realized I had gathered a lot of alphabet clippings. The alphabets were in all types of media; books, photographs, stitched pieces, etc. and I thought, “hum, obviously I am attracted to alphabets”. Fittingly my first sampler was an alphabet stitched onto colored gingham blocks and made into a baby’s blanket.
My first sampler was stitched right after I joined Needle Artists by the Sea chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. It was a band sampler from the guild’s magazine, Needlepoints. It is in a dark corner of a back bedroom, because a new stitcher, I did not know to check it three times before I had it framed and there is a stitch missing! That is the only thing that I focus on when I look at it, although if I don’t mention it, no one has ever pointed it out.
My first sampler was one I did sometime in the 80’s called “A Colonial Sampler” by Pat Waters. I didn’t stitch in my initials or the year, probably because it wasn’t on the pattern and I didn’t know enough to put them in. I did a lot of cross stitch and knitting in those days, but I just kind of quit when I started working full time in 1989. Then last year I started thinking about taking it up again. I pulled out all my old patterns and floss and fabric. Amazingly, it was all in good shape and I just jumped right in and did another sampler with a pattern, fabric and floss I already had from all those years ago. It was so enjoyable! It was like I had never stopped, everything came flooding back.
I then discovered what had happened online in the time I’d been gone. Needless to say, I was astounded with the embarrassment of riches that was available. I found out about Hands Across the Sea on Mary Corbet’s site and fell in love with Sarah Borton and bought her sampler immediately.
Thanks for doing the podcast. It is wonderful to hear what other people are doing and I am learning so much. It really does feel like a community.
My first sampler was an Eva Rosenstand piece that I did in 1977. I also stitched a sampler for my brother when he graduated from College, this would have been a little later. Would love to own the Old Scot Sampler. Love the podcasts!!
I’ve never done a sampler but after listening to both of your podcasts with Nicola and reading all these comments, it sounds like it’s time I tried. I have done plenty of cross stitch, needlepoint, hand embroidery, including stumpwork, schwalm, punto antico, needlepainting, goldwork, crewel, etc, – but no samplers!
The first sampler I stitched was the Mary Victor sampler that I purchased as a kit in Colonial Williamsburg Virginia. I would love to stitch the Old Scot, I love the colors and I have quite a lot of Scotsmen in my family tree.
I love your podcast and although I’m a new subscriber I listen to you often as I play with needles! I have been embroidering for many years and started with cross stitch back in the 80’s. I’m currently focusing on the Gentleman’s Glittering Nightcap from Thistle Threads :). I’m sorry to say I have not worked on a sampler yet but would love to have a go at the Old Scot! Looking forward to all your fiber talk!
I Adored listening to this podcast and to all the amazing information and history! My very first sampler that I chose was Permin Sampler – Anna 1859. I loved the different colors and different motifs.
My father passed away in August 2010. I did on sampler during that time and sat my passion aside to grieve. So it has been almost 7 yrs and I miss it terribly. Stitching brings me a sense of peace and as I get older I want to do more and more!
As I was looking and sampler just in the last few weeks I came across this sampler that had just been completed and was now for sale. Well, I have it bookmarked as one of the top samplers I would like to do for my husband who is an “Old Scot”, who is an American, but his lineage goes back to Dunbar Castle in Scotland.
I would love, so very much, to beginning stitching again and to start on such a beautiful and piece with significance to my husband and daughter! It makes it just that much better.
I stitched my first, and only, sampler at age 11. I still remember sitting on the screen porch one summer and finishing it. I was proud of myself. My father made a nice frame for it and hung it next to an old family sampler from 1820. I now have both samplers in my home.
I really enjoyed both shows with Nicola and am crossing my fingers that I’m the lucky winner of the Old Scot.
Thanks to you both for putting so much time and energy into a really enjoyable podcast. I’m learning a lot from it.
The first sampler that I stitched was The Flower Sampler by Needles Prayse (Darlene O’Steen) in 1987. This was good because I learned to Queen stitch. I enjoy your podcasts and I love the HATS designs.
I have, currently on my frame, Emma Miles 1848. Charted by the Scarlet Letter. This will be my first sampler. I am really enjoying podcasts and I love listening to Nicola!
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Blackwork is our topic this week and our guest is Sian Fish of The Urban Stitches. The show is sponsored by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and Sassy Jacks Stitchery. Sian Fish is a self-taught stitcher and designer who loves to work in the macabre/gothic world of needlework design. But not all of her topics […]
Lita O’Hara, the Nashville Needlepointer and Patron Saint of Chaos, is our guest this week. Lita is a self-taught painted-canvas designer and project finisher. In our conversation we learn about her design process, what it was like to paint those first canvases, and how her finishing business evolved. To keep sanity in her life and […]
It’s Midweek Chat week and Beth and Gary connected through our respective internet providers to talk about eyeglasses and what we learned from Kelly Lea Teske, supporting Ukraine designer Ekaterina at stitchyprincess.etsy.com, selecting projects vs. being influenced by stitching friends, projects we have that need to be at the top of the pile, stitching in […]
It’s hard to stitch if you can’t see well and, for most of us, seeing well requires a good pair of glasses. This week, in a show sponsored by CyberPointers, Kelly Lea Teske returns to help us better understand how to make the most of our next visit to the eye doctor and the optician. […]
She creates top-flight cross stitch designs, reproduces intriguing antique samplers, designs original samplers, and has started designing punch-needle art. This week’s Fiber Talk guest is Robin Mayer of Little Robin Designs. In addition to learning about her design approach, how she became addicted to samplers, and her preference for the primitive design style, we get […]
My very first sampler was stitched in 1988. I found the chart in a hard cover book cross stitch book. Probably put out by Better Homes and Garden or Just Cross Stitch. Very country style sampler, but it was my first step of a journey into the world of samplers.
How many hundreds of samplers have you and your electric needles stitched? Or don’t you publish that number?
Gary
I stitched my first sampler in 1995. It was a Pat Rogers samplers and still hangs in my home today. It is a lovely pattern, but I have a new love for all antique sampler reproductions. This sampler The Old Scot is amazing. I can’t wait to start on it.
Have you stitched any of the HATS samplers?
Gary
My first sampler was for a friend’s son back in the mid 1970s. It was the alphabet with each letter represented with a Winnie the Pooh character. It measured about 18 x 30.
No doubt an antique reproduction sampler. 😉
I think I remember that one!
First off, I loved the podcast! Thank you for asking the right questions and thank you, Nicola for your informative answers! My first sampler, riddled with mistakes because it was my first ever stitch on linen, was Scottish Wedding Sampler by Moira Blackburn. It is so beautiful and hands in the home of my son and daughter-in-law in Spokane WA.
Willa, thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed the show. Also, thanks for sharing your heart-warming/healing story about starting a guild. Really enjoyed reading it. Gary
My first sampler was a Moira Blackburn one too. Moira was certainly a pioneer (particularly in the UK) in reproducing samplers.
I started crossstitching just 3 years ago and just recently found the love for samplers. I started Sarah’s Chapple by the Shakespeare’s Peddler but am far from finishing it. I love all the Hands Across The Sea Samplers and to know the background and history about the Old Scott really wants me to stitch him.
You own all of the HATS sampler charts? Wow! That’s a nice collection. How many have you stitched?
Gary
I am so please you love our samplers, we dearly love them too.
I truly enjoyed this second podcast with Nicola…a well as all of the other podcasts….They are perfect to listoen to while stitching……I have just finished my one and only “sampler”…..Although it is not an antique one like the ones you have been discussing, it is a medieval mille-fleur needlepoint alphabet piece with flowers and fauna of the time period. But I have so enjoyed learning about the history of actual samplers, that I might leave my painted canvas basket weave needlepoint comfort zone and attempt a charted sampler !
If you set your needlepoint aside to do a sampler, it’s OK to blame it on Nicola. It’s working for me. Thanks for listening.
Gary
Ha!
I stitched my first sampler in 1992-it was from a magazine with a bible verse about mothers. I gave it to my mother for Mother’s Day.
My first sampler was an ethnic sampler I made with the St Paul Needlework Guild of EGA. I must admit, I love these podcasts. They are perfect to listen to while stitching. I have to go back and listen to your older ones. Orna’s class does sound interesting. And I was very interested in Christine’s answer about Michaels and yarns. Keep up the good work! And thanks Nicola for sharing.
Thank you so much for this delightful podcast! I have really enjoyed listening to Nicola’s discussion of the history of samplers.. I have done some cross stitch in the past but not a sampler. However listening to you talk with Nicola I have to say that my interest in samplers is definitely peaked and would love to make the Old Scot my first!
I completed my first sampler last year. Hearts Entwined by Northern Expressions as a wedding gift for my niece and only 2 years after the wedding ? I changed the colors from mauve and blue green to the wedding colors – hot pink and bright green with a bit of navy blue. In addition to cross stitch, it has specialty and pulled thread stitches. It is a band sampler, no alphabet just their names, wedding date, and a phrase.
Enjoyed tonight’s conversation greatly!
[…] Hands Across the Sea Samplers are having a giveaway for 3 copies of the chart of The Old Scot. If you already have the chart you can choose another chart from our portfolio. The giveaway is in conjunction with the FIBER TALK SHOW . […]
Great podcast!
My first sampler was stitched when I was about 8 years old, (about 1965) but it was needlepoint, so I don’t know if that counts The subject was a girl sitting at her school desk, with an alphabet at the top of the sampler. My first sampler on fabric was a wedding sampler for my sister’s marriage in 1975, though I probably stitched it in the 80’s.
I really enjoyed your Podcast on the Old Scot Sampler today. The first Sampler I stitched was in 1992 and it was a Sampler by Eileen Bennett. It was a Sampler with 42 Sampler stitches. I took the class at a stitching shop in Canada and Eileen Bennett taught the class in person.
I love the Old Scott Sampler. I have travelled on the Flying Scotsman train in the 1980’s from Edinburgh to Londaon and it was a wonderful train trip.
I must say I am so enjoying your podcast!
My first sampler was of the Lord’s Prayer that I gifted to my sister that had taught me to stitch! It was the most wonderful gift she gave to me, the art of cross stitching! She is gone now, but I think of her every single time I pick up my needle.
My very first reproduction sampler was The German Band Sampler by The Examplarery. Joanne Harvey has been reproducing samplers of historic relevance for many years and her boxes filled with quality materials and charts are treasured items in my stash
I stitched my first sampler around the time I got married in 1988. I have always been drawn to samplers. This was surely a result of my grandmother introducing cross stitch to me when I was 13. This sampler had my newly acquired family name and was dated for when this new exciting time in my life began. My son now has it hanging in his home, some 30 years after I completed it.
I stitched my first sampler, when I was in grade school (age 10). My mother bought a stamped sampler of a red brick house while she was at a convention in Colonial Williamsburg VA. She helped me stitch it and I still have it…I should get it framed.
Oh boy! I can’t remember my first sampler that I made because I was probably 12 or 13, but my first I framed was a Noah’s Ark theme I hung in our daughter’s nursery. If I remember it came from Cross Stitch & Country Craft Magazine (I’ve done 8 of those stocking you keep talking about!) and the verse goes something like this…
“When rainy days upon you hold, remember the rainbow’s promise told.”
Love the Podcasts!!
Unfortunately, I don’t remember what my first sampler was. I began stitching when I was about 7 years old. I stitched on an off (mostly off) through school, and when my children were very small. After they began to grew up, I again found time to stitch. The first large project I did was Celtic Noel which isn’t a true sampler, but was a lot of fun.
I finished my first sampler, which is framed on my wall, when I was 14. Not sure how many years I worked on it sporadically before finishing it.
I was a child when my grandmother taught me embroidery and the patience of completing a sampler. In recent year have been involved with everything fiber. I love how Hands Across the Sea and Fiber Talk has expanded my education of the crafts and the history behind them.
This is my first Fiber Talk podcast and I found that I really enjoyed it. However, I would like to make a comment about Gary’s story of the woman who spent so much time in Welcome Stitchery and then announced she was going to Michael’s to buy her floss. There is no question that the woman was very rude to the staff at the LNS and her behavior was awful. I would never dream of doing something like that. But I will support the woman to a certain degree. DMC floss and small pre-cut pieces of aida or linen are about the only things you can generally purchase at the hobby and craft stores. If the woman had wanted good quality fabric or overdyed fibers, silks, or any of the specialty fibers, she would have had to purchase them at the LNS, but based on her comments, she was looking for DMC floss. Gary commented several times during the podcast on the “few added cents” it would have taken to purchase the fibers at the LNS. Most needlework stores in the US now charge 80-90 cents per skein, while Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or Joann’s Fabric generally charge 30-40 cents per skein at regular price. That’s not “a few cents” – it’s 40-50 cents per skein. The craft stores also routinely run sales that will bring this price down. This can mean a significant savings on materials.
Let me provide a hard example. I recently kitted out a Heaven and Earth design that uses 237 different colors. Add in an additional 30 skeins for colors that required more than one skein and I was looking at purchasing 267 skeins of fiber to kit out this design. Buying that at an LNS at the conservative cost of 80 cents per skein would have cost me $213.60 for the floss. The same number of skeins from Joann’s Fabrics at their regular 40 cents per skein came to $106.80. And I had a coupon for $40% off the total cost of the purchase so the end price for the floss was $42.72. That’s a difference of more than $170, which is a long way from “a few cents”. I believe strongly in supporting local needlework stores, and I do so at every opportunity; but that support doesn’t mean I don’t do my best to be as economical as I can. As Christine noted, this is not an inexpensive hobby. By all means, be critical of the rudeness of the woman’s behavior in Welcome Stitchery, but cut her some slack when it comes to trying to minimize what it costs to kit out her project.
Debbie,
First, thanks for listening. Point well made, and certainly more compelling when you involve a HAED chart. Those are beasts. The issue of supporting LNSs vs. keeping costs under control in what can be an expensive hobby has many facets. I tend to err on the side of supporting the LNS, though in your situation, I would definitely be tempted to follow your lead. It will always bother me that that person used the store resources, particularly the expertise of the staff (which has considerable value) and then rubbed salt in the always-festering LNS wound of “I can buy it cheaper at a big box store or online.” In her case, buying the threads at LNS prices would still not have compensated the owner for the value of the time, inventory availability, and expertise the customer consumed. Thanks for your thoughts. BTW, did you finish the HAED chart?
Gary
First I want to say thank you for these wonderful podcasts! I’m enjoying them immensely! As for my first sampler, I believe it was With One Accord, an original sampler design by Heartstring Samplery. I stitched it in 2009. It was the start of a passion for all things sampler!
Thanks for listening. Glad you’re enjoying the shows.
Gary
i am new to the sampler world and the first I began in February and is a WIP is HATS Mary Lea 1793. Loving it!!
Probably can’t get off on a better foot than starting with a HATS chart. I simply enjoy looking at and reading mine.
Really enjoyed your podcast! Lots of interesting topics covered, and very interesting details on auctions!
The first sampler I stitched was a Jeanette Douglas Designs one about Northern Canada. I stitched it for a friend of mine who had left Northern Ontario to live in England and was feeling homesick! My first introduction to specialty stitches – I still love them.
The first “serious” sampler I finished was “I Sigh Not for Beauty” by Ruth Ann Russell, published in SANQ. I did my own conversion to overdyed silks. Of course I have many more samplers in the works and am currently working to finish Ann Rayner. Love listening to Fiber Talk while I stitch.
The first sampler I ever stitched was a pattern from Better Homes and Gardens I think. It was in the shape of a Christmas tree, and consisted of sampler motifs arranged like the tree. I had never seen a sampler, didn`t know what one even was, but I fell in love with the motifs. I stitched it on Hardanger over one with colours I just picked at random from the craft store. That was in 1989…I have been stitching samplers ever since.
My first sampler was stitched and reproduced by myself called “Margaret Wright, 1857”. It eventually got published in a magazine. I was smitten with samplers from that point on. I am fortunate to have a lovely collection in my house. (I have since reproduced even more samplers.)
Hand Across the Sea Samplers are doing such a beautiful job on their reproductions!
[…] Hands Across the Sea Samplers reproduction, The Old Scot? Find out how to win one by listening to this week’s Mid-Week Chat with guest Nicola Parkman of Hands Across the Sea Samplers. If you already own the chart, enter anyway. If you win, Nicola […]
My first sampler is Death by Cross Stitch. It was such a joy working on it.
My first sampler was a Danish Handcraft piece and after I finished that I moved right to Scarlet Letter kits.
I am so enjoying your podcast. Lovely to hear Nicola share so much of her knowledge.
My first sampler was a stamped piece that I did at about the age of 12….no name, just a garden theme…
I stitched my first sampler at the age of 12. It was a stamped piece of linen and featured a house, fence and of course, the alphabet. I gifted it to my grandmother who proudly displayed it in her kitchen. I have gone on to stitch many more samplers, but fondly remember my mother’s patient help and encouragement in my first “big” needlework project.
I began stitching way back in the 1980’s, and I stitched a lot of small kits and Prairie Schooler Santas. My grandmother had taught me how to embroider and needlepoint when I was young, so after my needlepoint phase, I began cross stitching! Loved it ever since! My first sampler was a band sampler that I got from a Jeremiah Johnson publication and it was on Aida cloth! Of course, since then I have stitched a multitude of samplers and smalls, and high count linen is my favorite! I love cross stitching! It is my relaxation and therapy!
My first sampler was an alphabet sampler that also had the names and dates of birth of all my brothers and sisters (5 of us) stitched for my Mum when I was ten?
I’m pretty sure my first sampler was a baby present for a friend’s daughter in about 1987 or 1988. I really didn’t get hooked on samplers until I took a class at my LNS and made a scissor fob, using double running. This is also when I discovered that I needed bi-focals!! I have way too many charts and threads in my stash.
My first Sampler was stitched on my honeymoon 36 years ago. It was stamped cloth in a kit. I stitched while hubby fished. It hangs over our bed. I have grown in stitching and now love the history of fellow needle women of my ancestors of Scotland, England and Wales.
Oh gosh. My first sampler was stamped cross stitch on linen and I was a teen. I fell in love with samplers and knew I could make them even prettier by not using stamped on designs!
And slap my eye Dr taught me the 20/20/20 rule for great vision- every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. You’d be surprised how long 20 seconds is….
Enjoyed the talk.
I have been stitching since I was four, so I did not pay as much attention as I should have when I was younger about what types of things I was stitching…I just picked what I liked. However, my first sampler was when I was about 12 and it was very simple. I made it for my grandmother (I rarely keep what I stitch, I prefere to gift it). I have been stitching for about 37 years now and love every minute of it. My grandmother taught each grandchild (she actually wrote a book on needlepoint ages ago) and I am the only one who took to it. I still love visiting her and stitching together. She can still stitch circles around me!
I love these podcasts, always so interesting. This one was especially good, hearing information from Nicola is inspiring. I stitched my first sampler in 1972, it was a birth sampler for my daughter!!! Since then I have stitched many many more, I try to stitch two reproductions every year. Would love to stitch more!!!
I enjoyed the Podcast. It is the first one I had listened to all the way through. I will listen again. My first sampler was one I did for my brother, a simple alphabet one done in the 1960’s, in red and black to go in his kitchen. I started on Aida but changed a few years later to linen and never looked back. I have done all kinds of needlework and sewing encouraged by my grandmother and great-grandmother, but samplers are by far my favorite. I imagine the lives of the stitchers and their families. I have an antique sampler and actually found the family in New Jersey on Ancestry. I love stitching and giving samplers to my family. I recently had a grandchild and a wedding so both those occasions called for a sampler. I really love the Old Scot and I know I would enjoy stitching it. I particularly like accurate reproduction samplers.
Wonderful podcast! I am so happy to learn of your show and thank you for featuring Nicola – I really hope you can convince her to come back on again – all of you are fascinating to listen to! My first sampler was a small Quaker that I converted to antique patriotic colors. I now have several more lined up to do (of various themes).
I stitched my first sampler in 1975. It was a simple Paragon stamped sampler design that reads “With letters red and number blue my needle flies from hue to hue” . I was hooked from then on and of course moved on to stitching counted sampler designs. Reproduction samplers are my passion. Thanks for these wonderful podcasts. It is fun to listen and learn while I stitch!
The first sampler I ever stitched was a stamped Christmas sampler. I was 8 years old. My grandmother had taught me to stitch several years before and I thought I was in the big time stitching a sampler that big. The oldest unfinished sampler I have is a Girl Scout sampler I statrted when I was in 3rd grade. It is still unfinished. Make new friends but keep the old from the Girl Scout camp song is the theme.
I love all the podcasts, especially this one. I’m loving all Nicola Parkman’s floss tube videos. All of them very informative and interesting. I’ve been stitching off and on for over 35 years. I didn’t stitch my first sampler until 2003. It was, Let Virtue Reside by Eye and Eye and Friends.
I’m not sure if this was my first Sampler or not but it is one I remember the most….a Sampler of Flowers I stitched for my late Mother-in-Law she lived in Cheltenham in the UK , in a flat. The framed piece was hung in the corridor outside her flat…I was never sure if that was because she loved it and was thrilled with it or because she felt that’s where I belonged…sadly after she died it was not returned to me.
Firstly thank you for the opportunity to enter into your draw, I am a huge fan of HATS Samplers!
The first sampler that I stitched was the Alpha Trio sampler from Sheepish designs. It is the accumulation of three separate charts, Alpha Sheep, Alpha menagerie and Alpha birds which I was able to customize with colours, layout and made it my own by adding in my families initials!
A true delight to stitch!
My first sampler was made in the 1990’s in a Dawn Lewis. Loved it because of all the needlework techniques included.
Great episode and wonderful hearing more from Nicola. I have never stitched a sampler – maybe the Old Scot could be my first! 🙂
My first sampler I stitched was a country sampler with a blue house in 1983 while I was in college. I can’t remember the chart name. I stitched a few more and then took a break from stitching once my son was born until about 10 years ago. I love all the HATS samplers but have not stitched one yet.
My first sampler was finished in 1985. It was a large Shepherd’s Bush design that I purchased at the Attic Needlework shop. We are so lucky to have this wonderful shop in our area. It’s about an hour’s drive away and I’ve been there many times. I have enjoyed all of your podcast. I am thrilled with the reproduction samplers created and sold thru Hands Across The Sea. I am planning to go back to the Attic in the next week or so with a friend to purchase one of the designs. I really like one of theit first samplers stitched in all red by two sisters who lived in an orphanage. However I have not seen it pictured recently. Thanks for all your involvement with these samplers. They are really special.
Eleanor – I will do a video presentation of Louisa’s sampler especially for you to enjoy. N xx
I have done cross stitch for several years now but I never stitched a sampler. I love stitching patterns that are vintage theme and these samplers from Hands Across the Sea Samplers are beautiful. Thank you for this opportunity to win one!
I love listening to your podcast!
The first sampler I stitched, but didn’t finish, was a stamped version of The Chase. I started it when I was 17, had a cast on my leg, and knew absolutely nothing about samplers or cross stitch. I was desperate for something to do, and my mom had taught me embroidery a few years earlier. The Chase was a companion during college and kept me occupied when I needed it. I still have it, and my Sampler Guild ladies are encouraging me to finish. Eh, we’ll see.
Really enjoyed the podcast!
My first sampler was done on 22 count hardanger 1989. The pattern was from a Good House Keeping magazine-still have the pattern. I did change it a bit so the house resembled ours. Boy was it a challenge! I had never done anything that big or that detailed. Used DMC floss. Did not know about linen back then. Now I stitch on nothing but linen. I do treasure my sampler and hope my kids will too.
My first sampler was a class with Darlene O’Steen, and while it has the antique look, I do not believe it is actually a reproduction sampler. This was in 1985. I am enjoying all the podcasts, and have put Gary’s shop on my agenda for my next trip back to Chicago.
On another note, Christine, regarding the way the Kreinik metallic is “folding,” are you sure you are working with the 1/16″ ribbon vs. the 1/8″ ribbon?
Oh boy I don’t think I remember the very first sampler I stitched, but the first *reproduction* sampler I stitched (and finished) was Elizabeth Raysor from the Scarlet Letter, due to Nicola’s (and other stitchers’) encouragement! I had been stitching for years but put it aside when the kids were young. My interest was re-kindled when the internet ‘took off’ and suddenly stitching boomeranged! the variety of samplers and prolific designers were amazing, and I became interested in reproduction samplers. I searched and searched for that type of chart (I found ‘Wyndham Needleworks’ which is now out of business, and then discovered the Scarlet Letter samplers).
I also want to mention how timely this broadcast is because I *just* this week finished reading “The Marriage of Katherine” by D.E. Stevenson (she writes a lot of fiction books set in Scotland). In that book the young couple, Katherine and Alec, discover a cave in the Scottish Highlands and a local shepherd tells them that it was used by the Scots soldiers who were hiding from the English. Although the English soldiers searched the area for two days they never found the cave or its entrance because the natural flora and fauna (and rocks) hid it so well. (Scots history is both fascinating and poignant!)
Thank you for the chance to enter the drawing! I just started a HATS sampler, Susanna Millne. I love the greens, yellows and creams in that sampler! I own two other HATS samplers (Elizabeth Furniss and Hannah Coates) and love them.
Hi Theresa
We had such fun stitching all together in 2013.
Thank you for supporting HATS. You have chosen three beautiful samplers to stitch and I look forward to seeing photos of Susanna as she grows.
Scottish history is so fascinating, the Scots have great heart.
I completed my first sampler when I was about 15 years old. It was printed on the cloth. I made it for my mother for Christmas. On that morning I decided I had done it wrong and took out all the stitches and started over.
I am very excited about The old Scot because I recently discovered that my 5 great grandfather was convicted of treason by England for either fighting at the battle of Culloden with Bonnie Prince Charlie or hiding a Jacobite rebel. He was sent to the colonies (Maryland) and became an American!
I stitched my first sampler in high school. It was a needlepoint fill in the background with a man and woman and food motifs around them. The verse said first the roast ,then the toast, happy hostess, happy host. This resulted in a life long interest in samplers and in the history they represent.
My introduction to cross stitch was in 1972. I completed a stamped, kitted sampler design. Much of the work was done while on vacation with my in-laws — listening to their tales of growing up in post WWI Cincinnati. I thought I would hate the repetitive nature of cross stitch, but I loved it! That rhythm sang to my soul. And every time I see that sampler, which hangs in the vestibule by our bedroom door, I think of my dear in-laws and their wonderful stories. Sweet sampler, sweet memories.
My first sampler was a small bellpull by Emie Bishop. It was my first time stitching on linen, as well as using specialty threads other than DMC. It also had metallic threads and beads. I had recently gotten married, and stitched my new last name on it-Jackson. I believe there was some cutwork on the bottom, and an alphabet, of course. I was so pleased that I could actually make something so beautiful. I had a wonderful teacher, who is a good friend now in our Stitchery Guild here in Austin Texas. We have a Sampler Group that has monthly meetings, and it is one of my favorite things in the whole world. I have learned so much, and made wonderful friends. It has truly expanded my world. I also hold monthly stitch ins at my home, and we all sit in my dining room and visit, stitch, gossip, support each other, and share our latest needlework and sampler related finds.
Boy, this turned into a long comment!. If any of you travel to the Austin area, please let me know, I would love to meet you and so would my stitching friends.
Thank you so much for doing this podcast. The first embroidery/cross stitch sampler that I did was when I was 8 yrs old. My mother taught me. It was a small piece that had kitchen mitts, salt and pepper shakers and other kitchen items which said I Would Rather Be In The Kitchen. My mother stitched a children’s sampler at the same time which I now have framed and hanging in my sewing room. I look back now and realize that stitching and hand work had always been a part of my life.
I am fortunate enough to have a stitching group that meets weekly and I also belong to the Kansas Stitchers. We meet every other month somewhere in the state.
I so enjoyed Nicole discussion of the history of the sampler and the auction process. Since I have an Antique business and attend auctions, it helped give me insight into online auctions. I’m so glad I found this site and will be listening to the podcast again. Thank you.
My first sampler was by Blackbird Designs/Souvenirs Of Summer. The best sampler! I love it to this day! I’ve been stitching for over 34 yrs. and this is my therapy from the world When my stress level is high! I started in this adventure when my mother-in-law introduced me to stitching when my first son was born. I’ve been hooked ever since and have fallen in love more with stitching mostly samplers now. What a joy to be able to do the thing I love after those who came before me. Thanks for the gift of stitching!
My first Sampler was a gealogical Sampler. It was great fun, although I have stitched various items for years. I was introduced to reproduction samplers a few years ago by a friend, and I am absolutely addicted. My spinning wheel is ready to leave me, although I am investigating a process for silk spinning. Would it not be incredible to spin your flax and silk, weave the linen, dye the silk and then stitch? Retirement cannot get here soon enough.
I am so new to stitching samplers that I have not yet completed one. Through our EGA group I took a class from Catherine Theron and currently have her Magnolia Sampler Guild sampler on my scroll frame. This is my first and probably last sampler since it is HUGE and I am not getting any younger! From the sound of things on your podcast and in these comments, stitching samplers is going to turn into another obsession and I will be collecting more charts!
Thank you for the inspiration.
We’re more than happy to “enable.”
Gary
Christine –
Sorry you received negative responses to your big-box comments.
I have seen other posts/comments on other websites/chat rooms regarding the same subject. Some have been so backbiting that I had to quit following/reading.
I was “afraid” to enter the LYS, LQS, LNS in various places that I lived – I was not “skilled” enough, I could not afford, etc. (Albeit I was lucky enough to have at least one of those in a drivable distance. However, the internet brings the stores with shopping reach of anyone with a computer.) I finally took the plunge. My experiences were varied – some gave the impression it was a “club” and only members were well received, while others welcomed me with open arms. In those where I felt welcome, I did find a treasure trove of materials that I did not know exist outside of the big box stores. Can I afford them all? No. But I can go in and dream. And I can find items that I can afford. It has brought a renewed pleasure in needlework. I completely agree with you that working with quality materials is a totally different experience. I tend to be a slow stitcher, crocheter, knitter, quilter. I am not just buying to rush thru a project. I enjoy the process. Consequently I do not buy large quantities, my “stash” is small and within my budget. I appreciate you directing me to sites/stores for quality products. As you and Tess and Thorn said – the time and pleasure which goes into a project must be considered with the price. We all must make our individual choices. We all must have “dreams” to work towards.
Thanks to you and Gary for creating this needlework community.
As a small child I always liked to “play school”. Later when I was finishing up my teaching degree and checked over my portfolio of materials, I realized I had gathered a lot of alphabet clippings. The alphabets were in all types of media; books, photographs, stitched pieces, etc. and I thought, “hum, obviously I am attracted to alphabets”. Fittingly my first sampler was an alphabet stitched onto colored gingham blocks and made into a baby’s blanket.
My first sampler was stitched right after I joined Needle Artists by the Sea chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild. It was a band sampler from the guild’s magazine, Needlepoints. It is in a dark corner of a back bedroom, because a new stitcher, I did not know to check it three times before I had it framed and there is a stitch missing! That is the only thing that I focus on when I look at it, although if I don’t mention it, no one has ever pointed it out.
My first sampler was one I did sometime in the 80’s called “A Colonial Sampler” by Pat Waters. I didn’t stitch in my initials or the year, probably because it wasn’t on the pattern and I didn’t know enough to put them in. I did a lot of cross stitch and knitting in those days, but I just kind of quit when I started working full time in 1989. Then last year I started thinking about taking it up again. I pulled out all my old patterns and floss and fabric. Amazingly, it was all in good shape and I just jumped right in and did another sampler with a pattern, fabric and floss I already had from all those years ago. It was so enjoyable! It was like I had never stopped, everything came flooding back.
I then discovered what had happened online in the time I’d been gone. Needless to say, I was astounded with the embarrassment of riches that was available. I found out about Hands Across the Sea on Mary Corbet’s site and fell in love with Sarah Borton and bought her sampler immediately.
Thanks for doing the podcast. It is wonderful to hear what other people are doing and I am learning so much. It really does feel like a community.
My first sampler was an Eva Rosenstand piece that I did in 1977. I also stitched a sampler for my brother when he graduated from College, this would have been a little later. Would love to own the Old Scot Sampler. Love the podcasts!!
I’ve never done a sampler but after listening to both of your podcasts with Nicola and reading all these comments, it sounds like it’s time I tried. I have done plenty of cross stitch, needlepoint, hand embroidery, including stumpwork, schwalm, punto antico, needlepainting, goldwork, crewel, etc, – but no samplers!
The first sampler I stitched was the Mary Victor sampler that I purchased as a kit in Colonial Williamsburg Virginia. I would love to stitch the Old Scot, I love the colors and I have quite a lot of Scotsmen in my family tree.
I love your podcast and although I’m a new subscriber I listen to you often as I play with needles! I have been embroidering for many years and started with cross stitch back in the 80’s. I’m currently focusing on the Gentleman’s Glittering Nightcap from Thistle Threads :).
I’m sorry to say I have not worked on a sampler yet but would love to have a go at the Old Scot! Looking forward to all your fiber talk!
I Adored listening to this podcast and to all the amazing information and history! My very first sampler that I chose was Permin Sampler – Anna 1859. I loved the different colors and different motifs.
My father passed away in August 2010. I did on sampler during that time and sat my passion aside to grieve. So it has been almost 7 yrs and I miss it terribly. Stitching brings me a sense of peace and as I get older I want to do more and more!
As I was looking and sampler just in the last few weeks I came across this sampler that had just been completed and was now for sale. Well, I have it bookmarked as one of the top samplers I would like to do for my husband who is an “Old Scot”, who is an American, but his lineage goes back to Dunbar Castle in Scotland.
I would love, so very much, to beginning stitching again and to start on such a beautiful and piece with significance to my husband and daughter! It makes it just that much better.
I stitched my first, and only, sampler at age 11. I still remember sitting on the screen porch one summer and finishing it. I was proud of myself. My father made a nice frame for it and hung it next to an old family sampler from 1820. I now have both samplers in my home.
I really enjoyed both shows with Nicola and am crossing my fingers that I’m the lucky winner of the Old Scot.
Thanks to you both for putting so much time and energy into a really enjoyable podcast. I’m learning a lot from it.
The first sampler that I stitched was The Flower Sampler by Needles Prayse (Darlene O’Steen) in 1987. This was good because I learned to Queen stitch. I enjoy your podcasts and I love the HATS designs.
I have, currently on my frame, Emma Miles 1848. Charted by the Scarlet Letter. This will be my first sampler. I am really enjoying podcasts and I love listening to Nicola!
My favorite pod cast was May 17 with Nicola talking about the old Scot sampler.