Hands Across the Sea Kit

Ann Castle is a lovely sampler from Hands Across the Sea. The design is suitable for intermediate and advanced needleworkers but is not beyond a determined beginner. 

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice + 26 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
• 30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice + 36 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart, and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half of Pecan Shortbread - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"

Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Kit Includes: 

• SDF 1814 - Blue green ~ light 
  
• SDF 2242 x 2 - Yellow Beige ~ medium (3 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 2633 - Terracotta ~ light
• SDF 2644 x 2 - Salmon ~ very dark (4 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 2756 - Grey green ~ light
• SDF 3424 - Brown grey ~ medium (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 3425 - Blue green ~ dark
• SDF 3426 - Blue green ~ very dark
• SDF 3714 x 2 - Green grey (4 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 3716 - Green grey ~ dark (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 3745 - Golden olive ~ dark
• SDF 3746 - Mocha brown ~ dark
• SDF 3814 - Old gold ~ medium (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 3834 - Beige grey ~ dark
• SDF 4245 - Old gold ~ very dark
• SDF 4525 x 2 - Hazelnut brown ~ dark (3 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 4541 - Mahogany ~ ultra very light
• SDF 5384 - Grey green ~ medium
• SDF F10 - Tan – ultra very light (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF F22 x 2 - Yellow Beige ~ light (3 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SMS 517 - Hazelnut -brown dark - Included in 37 ct version for verse

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

“A 19th century needlework Sampler by Ann Castle, dated 1811, 45cm x 32cm, (the owners grandparents believe the image of the house in the sampler is that of Holly Cottage, 18 High Street, Wargrave, Berkshire. Ann Castle lived in the cottage which formed part of the estate of the local manor house, the (owners) grandparents lived in the house as both were in service at the local manor house, one as a chauffeur and the other as a housemaid. They continued to live at Holly Cottage after their retirement and it is possible that the sampler was in Holly Cottage while they lived there and was subsequently gifted to them at some point. While the sampler shows three upstairs windows you can see from the photo with the sampler that the middle window was bricked up during the Georgian period to avoid the window tax”.

Eliz Fitch, 1787 is an pretty historical sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

Elizabeth executed her sampler predominantly with cross stitches laid over two threads of linen; only the verse has been worked in cross stitch over one thread of linen.

The project is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. 

Choice of purchasing thread only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 8 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Quarter  - Victoria Sponge Cake - 18" x 35"
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake - 17.5" x 18"

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Includes:

• SDF 2224 ~ Olive green 

• SDF 2542 ~  Old gold

• SDF 2756 ~ Grey green

• SDF 3024 ~ Dusty rose

• SDF 3434 ~ Beige brown  

• SDF 3734 ~ Khaki green  

• SDF 5024 ~Blue green

• SDF F09 ~ Hazelnut brown

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales. 

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

Isabella Uffindell, 1829 is a beautiful sampler from Hands Across the Sea.

The sampler has been stitched using cross stitch over two threads with a small number of cross stitches over 1 thread (e.g. Isabella's name, age and the King's initials "GR". This sampler has been rated as suitable for an intermediate stitcher but is not beyond a determined beginner wishing to explore satin stitch.

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only, printed chart only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 37 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)  - Free Shipping included

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct 1 Yard - Mariner's Map - 36" x 71"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Russian Tea Cake - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"

Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 kit Includes:

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"When we reproduce samplers, we not only follow the path that the little girls’ needles and floss originally took but as we research the girls, we also follow a meandering thread back through time casting a light onto their lives.

Isabella and Ann are two very special samplers. They are special not only as they are very, very beautiful samplers but also because they were stitched by two sisters. Both the sisters were 10 years of age when they stitched their samplers, Isabella in 1829 and Ann 6 years later in 1835. As a collector sister samplers particularly fascinate me. I find it so remarkable that two samplers remain together through the centuries."

Elizabeth Atkinson, 1829 is another beautiful sampler from Hands Across the Sea. 

The sampler has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all abilities. The stitches used are cross stitch over one and two threads and Algerian eyelets.

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 15 spools of Soie 1003 thread, Printed Chart and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller’s Teazel - 35" x 36"
• 45 ct Fat Quarter of Foxtail Millet - 18" x 35"
• 45 ct Fat Quarter of Wildbird Seed - 18" x 35" 
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth of Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

15 spools of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 100/3 Kit Includes: 

• SMS 022 x 1 Golden olive
• SMS 048 x 1 Golden olive ~ very dark
• SMS 093 x 1 Desert sand
• SMS 108 x 1 Fern green
• SMS 109 x 1 Garnet ~ medium
• SMS 211 x 1 Beige brown ~ ultra light
• SMS 223 x 1 Mauve ~ dark
• SMS 293 x 1 Orange spice ~ dark
• SMS 401 x 1 Brown grey ~ very light
• SMS 468 x 1 Grey green ~ medium
• SMS 486 x 1 Antique blue ~medium
• SMS 494 x 1 Salmon ~ medium
• SMS 681 x 1 Salmon ~ very dark ***will be substituted with 664
• SMS 705 x 1 Fern green ~ dark
• SMS 707 x 1 Green grey ~ dark

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

Mary G Ramage is another beautiful and colorful Scottish temperance sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

The project has been stitched using cross stitch over two threads with the exception of the verse which has been worked in cross stitched over one thread.

The project is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. 

 Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only, chart only or as full kit.

Full Kit Options:

Includes linen of choice + 10 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Eighth  - Victoria Sponge Cake - 18" x 17.5"
• 37 ct Fat Eighth - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
  
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 17.5"

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Includes:

• SDF 145 Emerald green ~ dark
• SDF 524 Golden olive
• SDF 1723 Turquoise ~ dark
• SDF 2125 Moss green ~ dark
• SDF 2546 Golden brown ~ light
• SDF 2915 Salmon ~ medium
• SDF 2921 Coral ~ dark
• SDF 2936 Garnet ~ very dark
• SDF 3744 Golden olive ~ dark
• SDF 5022 Blue green ~ medium

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales. 

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"The original sampler was stitched in wool, and the background was entirely stitched in cross stitch. We have not filled in the background, instead we used a linen of a similar colour to the colour used by the child.

We believe that the sampler is Welsh, although we have nothing other than instinct to make this assumption. We are fairly certain that it was stitched by a child. The back of the sampler is a tangle of carried threads, ginormous knots and long loose ends!"

Emily Wildhack, 1874 is a beautiful historical sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

The project is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. 

Choice of purchasing thread only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice + 13 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
• 30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice + 15 skeins of Soie d'Alger thread, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Quarter  - Victoria Sponge Cake - 18" x 35"
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Corn Tassel - 18" x 35"
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake - 18" x35"
• 38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 35"

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Includes:

• SDF 1735 ~ Antique Blue ~ medium
  
• SDF 2126 ~ Avocado green ~ medium
  
• SDF 2213 ~ Khaki green ~ medium
  
• SDF 2645 ~ Salmon ~ very dark   (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
  
• SDF 3735 ~ Avocado green ~ dark
  
• SDF 3345 ~ Driftwood ~ dark
  
• SDF 3423 ~ Fern green   (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
  
• SDF 3843 ~ Beaver grey ~ medium
  
• SDF 4242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
  
• SDF 4622 ~ Salmon ~ medium
  
• SDF 4626 ~ Garnet ~ very dark
  
• SDF 5114 ~ Antique Violet ~ medium
  
• SDF F21 ~ Cream

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales. 

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Emily’s needlework has been reproduced using the slightly mellowed colours found on the front of her sampler. The ten-year-old child used wool and 20ct Penelope canvas to create an elegant sampler that gracefully flows from row to row. Her sampler contains elements that are reminiscent of the artwork on Roman Catholic prayer cards. Emily recorded that she completed her pretty sampler on November 18, 1874 at the Convent of Mercy in Chelsea.

Emily Augustine Marie Wildhack was born on April 13, 1864 in Chelsea, London, to Robert Andrew Frederick Wildhack and Marie Josephine Arcolier. Robert, a courier, was born in Vienna and became a naturalised British subject; Marie was born in Belgium. They married on August 31, 1847 in London. Emily was named after a sister who died in 1860 before reaching her first birthday."

Charlotte Entwistle, 1860 is a delightful sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers and is the sister sampler of Margaret Entwistle. 

The design is suitable for needleworkers of all abilities. The stitches used are cross stitch over 2 threads of linen and can be stitched on Aida, Linaida, or linen.

Choice of purchasing thread only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.

Full Kit options: Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 19 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Eighth  - Victoria Sponge Cake - 17.5" x 18"
• 30 ct Fat Eighth - Pecan Shortbread - 17.5" x 18"
• 37 ct Fat Eighth - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 17.5"

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Includes:

• SDF 616 ~ Copper ~ medium
  
• SDF 643 ~ Mahogany ~ very light
  
• SDF 1446 ~ Navy blue ~ medium
  
• SDF 1724 ~ Turquoise ~ very dark
  
• SDF 1814 ~ Grey green ~ light
  
• SDF 1835 ~ Jade green
  
• SDF 1843 ~ Fern green
  
• SDF 2125 ~ Avocado green ~ light
  
• SDF 2242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium
  
• SDF 2541 ~ Ecru
  
• SDF 2925 ~ Christmas red
  
• SDF 2942 ~ Shell pink ~ very ighlt
  
• SDF 3346 ~ Driftwood ~ dark
  
• SDF 3426 ~ Blue green ~ very dark
  
• SDF 3732 ~ Yellow green ~ light
  
• SDF 4623 ~ Raspberry ~ medium
  
• SDF 4633 ~ Antique mauve ~ light
  
• SDF 4636 ~ Mauve ~ dark
  

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales. 

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Charlotte is one of a pair of sister samplers and was stitched in 1860. Her sister Margaret finished her sampler at the age of 10 years in 1854 at Hoghton School. Using the clues that the two sisters recorded in cross stitches, we were able to locate the girls in family history records.

Charlotte was baptised on July 2, 1848. Her parents were Thomas Entwistle, a farmer, and his wife Charlotte (née Whitehead). Charlotte was one of six children born between 1841 and 1848. Her mother certainly had her hands full!

When Thomas and Charlotte (senior) married on December 23, 1839 in St James, Thomas was an agricultural labourer. In the 1851 census return, Thomas farmed 36 acres at Top o’th Lane in Brindle, Lancashire."

Mary Hillier, 1867 is a gorgeous red sampler from Hands Across the Sea. 

The sampler has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all abilities.

The stitches used are cross stitch over 2 threads of linen.

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only, printed chart only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice + 5 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)
• 30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice + 13 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 28 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half of Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Russian Tea Cake  - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"

Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger kit Includes:

• SDF 2922 x 5  (37 ct version)
• SDF 2922 x 13 (30 ct version)

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Mary was born on 3 September 1852 in Newton, Somerset, England. Her parents were Thomas Hillier, a labourer, and Elizabeth. On 18 August 1858 at 7 o’clock, Thomas, who was the foreman of a gang of workmen who were working on the Great Western Railway line between Bath and Twerton, met with an accident. As a train of empty carriages approached the workmen, in moving away from the line, Thomas slipped, and both of his feet went under the passing train and were “dreadfully crushed”. He was taken to hospital, and both his feet were amputated. A newspaper report noted that he was expected to recover. However, the accident proved to be fatal, and he died on 27 September. Within a year, Mary’s mother, died of pneumonia at the County Lunatic Asylum at Wells."

Amelia Bachelor 1863 is another delightful small sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

This sampler has been worked with cross stitch over 2 strands of linen. The project is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. 

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.

Full Kit option:

Includes linen + 8 spools of Soie 1003  thread, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles + Free Shipping  (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 37 ct Fat Eighth - Russian Tea Cake - 18" 17.5"
• 37 ct Fat Eighth - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Jersey Cream - 18" x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct  Fat Eighth - Gothic Ivory - 18" x 29"

8 Spools of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 Includes:

• SMS 022 ~ Golden olive ~ light
  
• SMS 079 ~ Avocado green ~ medium
  
• SMS 152 ~ Moss green
  
• SMS 335 ~ Terracotta ~ very dark
• SMS 338 ~ Shell grey ~ dark
  
• SMS 468 ~ Grey green ~ medium
  
• SMS 499 ~ Garnet
  
• SMS 628 ~ Black brown

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales. 

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Amelia has left us some clues in her sampler which she completed in 1863. She attended Berkswell School. The village of Berkswell is situated 7 miles West of Coventry City centre.

Amelia’s birth was registered in the first quarter of the year 1852. We cannot find her baptismal records, only the entry in the civil registration of births. Amelia appears in the 1861 census living at Cornets End Lane, Meriden, Berkswell. Her father, Thomas Batchelor, had died in 1860. Her mother, Ann (née Bond), is noted as a widow and the occupier of two acres of land. Amelia’s brother William, aged 11 years, was working as a ploughboy. Ann died in 1873.

Amelia stitched her sampler between 10 to 11 years of age, almost certainly under the guidance of her teacher at Berkswell School. Amelia probably had to leave school shortly after this to help contribute to the family income."

Mary Ann Ragg, 1826 is another delightful antique sampler from Hands Across the Sea.

Mary Ann stitched her sampler mainly with cross stitch over two threads of linen. The verse and dedication have been worked with cross stitch over one thread of linen. The sampler has been rated as suitable for all levels of ability.

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only, printed chart only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 17 spools of Soie 1003 thread, + Printed chart booklet  and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase) - Free Shipping included

Linen Choices:

• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"
• 45 ct Fat Quarter of Foxtail Millet - 18" x 35"
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth of Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 kit Includes:

***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Mary Ann Ragg recorded that she was 12 years old in 1826 when she finished her sampler. However, this is not the only clue to her identity that she left behind. The pastoral scene, red building, mature cedar trees, birds, and cartouche are characteristic to samplers stitched in the city of Sheffield.

Several years ago, Hands Across the Sea Samplers reproduced another sampler that was stitched in Sheffield, Elizabeth Furniss. Whilst researching this sampler, we discovered five girls who stitched very similar samplers. They all lived within 1 square mile of each other; in the ensuing years we found several more.

Many of these girls were baptised in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. We believe that the girls shared the same needlework teacher, and all probably attended Darnall School (assuming that the teacher taught in the same school between 1816 and 1844)."