Hands Across the Sea - Mary Choaks, a Cornish vanity sampler ~ Silk Thread Kit
HATS_CHOAKS_SDF30CT
Regular price
$85.00
Save $-85.00
Mary Choaks is a beautiful Cornish Historical Sampler from Hands Across the Sea
The sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability. Mary executed her sampler predominantly with cross stitches laid over two threads of linen together with Algerian eyelets, backstitches, and rice stitches.
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Chart Booklet + Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping).
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Half - Victoria Sponge Cake -35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only
37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake- 18" x 35" Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel- 18" x 35" Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
45 ct FatEighth -Jersey Cream- 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
48 ct Fat Eighth - Bride Cake - 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 37 ct version includes 14 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 30 ct version includes 16skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 30 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 13 spools. Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
"Mary finished her sampler on November 22 but, alas, the last two digits of the year have been removed. This is what is known as a vanity sampler. Later in life, when a samplermaker did not want to reveal her true age, she would remove or alter the date on her needlework.
Without the decade the sampler was worked in, we thought that we would not be able to find our Mary Choak(s). However, the research gods were smiling down on us. A search of family history records for baptisms in the 1800s resulted in 17 hits. Through our knowledge of sampler styles in this century we discounted those born before 1810 and after 1880. This left us with three Marys. Two were born in Cornwall, and one was born in London to Cornish parents who returned to Cornwall where they raised their daughter.
All three girls we found were raised in or around Helston which is the town nearest to where Nicola lives. We strongly suspect that our Mary is Mary Ann Choaks who was born in 1841 in the village of Mawgan-in-Meneage, just south of Helston on the Lizard Peninsula. Within the booklet there is detauled information about Mary’s life."
Hands Across the Sea - Elizabeth Stephenson, 1854 the Queen of the May 2025 ~ Silk Thread Kit
Regular price
$95.00
Save $-95.00
Pre Order Available. Estimated Ship Date Mid-Late May 2025
Elizabeth Stephenson, 1854 is a gorgeous sampler and the Queen of the May for 2025 from Hands Across the Sea.
The sampler is executed with cross stitches laid over two threads of linen. There are a small number of cross stitches that Elizabeth “squeezed in”, and these are laid 2 threads wide and one thread wide. The sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Chart Booklet + Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping).
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Half - Victoria Sponge Cake -35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only
37 ct Fat HalfCorn Tassel- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
37 ct Fat Half Russian Tea Cake - 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
38 ct Fat Half - Fuller's Teazel- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
45 ct FatHalf -Foxtail Millet- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
48 ct FatHalf - Bridecake- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
53/63 ct FatEighth - Sycamore Seed Pod- 18" x 29" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 37 ct version includes 24 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 30 ct version includes 31 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 30 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 22 spools. Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
"Elizabeth finished her stunning sampler on Wednesday, February 1, in the year 1854. The sampler would have been worked as part of her education. It would have taken many hours to complete and is an amazing achievement. A bobby dazzler of a sampler! Elizabeth created a cohesive, engaging, and visually balanced sampler. The sampler draws the viewer’s eye.
Regrettably, Elizabeth did not record her age or a location on her sampler; without this information we could not identify our Elizabeth as there were numerous girls of that name born in the 1840s. We do know that Elizabeth was born in the very early years of the Victorian era. This was a time of strict social structure, traditional gender roles, and rigid expectations, particularly for women and young girls. A Victorian girl’s life was largely shaped by her family’s social class, but across all classes, she was expected to be modest, obedient, and well-mannered. Her upbringing revolved around domestic skills, education, and preparation for marriage and motherhood.
While wealthy girls were groomed for lives of refinement and marriage, working-class girls often faced hard labour and limited opportunities. Regardless of status, most Victorian girls grew up in a world that emphasised obedience, modesty, and domestic skills over personal ambition or independence. Though their experiences varied, they all lived under the rigid expectations of a society that saw their primary role as future wives and mothers."
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The Scarlet Letter - Ann Ward, 1808 ~ Silk Thread Kit
Regular price
$58.50
Save $-58.50
Pre Order Available.
Attention customers, conversion to 1003 is only provided if you purchase the thread kit. Purchase of chart only will not provide conversion to Soie 1003.
Ann Ward, circa 1808 is a Quaker sampler by The Scarlet Letter made in Chester County, Pennsylvania consisting of alphabets, numerals, ligatures* and lineal patterns executed in a variety of stitches
Stitches used include cross, petit point, counted satin, queen, eyelet and four-sided making this a true exercise in needlework skills for a young girl of eleven years old.
Suitable for stitchers of all abilities.
Stitch count: 128 x 174
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 26 colors of either Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+ Free Shipping).
Linen Choices*:
30 ct Fat Eighth - Victoria Sponge Cake - 17.5" x 18"
37 ct Fat Eighth - Russian Tea Cake - 17.5" x 18"
45 ct Fat Eighth - Jersey Cream - 17.5" x 18"
48 ct Fat Eighth - Bride Cake - 17.5" x 18"
*Linen sizes assume a 3" border
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 11 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower. Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 11 spools. Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
This is a reproduction of a Quaker sampler made in Chester County, Pennsylvania consisting of alphabets, numerals, ligatures* and lineal patterns executed in a variety of stitches. The uppermost border with the dangling central flower is often seen on American Quaker samplers of this period (see “Rebecca Nut” in The Scarlet Letter collection).
Stitches used include cross, petit point, counted satin, queen, eyelet and four-sided making this a true exercise in needlework skills for a young girl of eleven years old.
On 30/32 count linen the reproduction sampler will most closely approximate the size of the original: 8-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ (the original is 10″ x 12″ stitched on homespun linen with vegetable dyed silk floss).
The project is recommended for any level of skill and is a lovely small way to learn a variety of stitches in an historic context.
*Ligatures are characters consisting of one or more joined letters and are often seen on Quaker samplers.
Hands Across the Sea - Sarah Daws circa 1840 ~ Silk Thread Kit
HATS_DAWS_SMS
Regular price
$108.00
Save $-108.00
Sarah Daws, circa 1840 is a gorgeous sampler from Hands Across the Sea.
Sarah stitched her sampler with cross stitch mainly over 2 threads. The lowercase letters of the verse are stitched with cross stitch over 1. There is a scattering of cross stitches over one on a flower stalk. Backstitch has been used to outline the two ladies’ eyebrows and lips.
Whilst a large sampler with some 72,000 stitches it is suitable for all levels of ability.
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Chart Booklet + Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping).
Linen Choices:
30 ct 1 yard - Victoria Sponge Cake -72" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only
37 ct Fat Half Corn Tassel - 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
38 ct Fat Half - Fuller's Teazel- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
45 ct FatHalf -Foxtail Millet- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
48 ct FatHalf - Marchpane- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger version includes 34 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 25 spools. Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
"Sarah’s exquisite sampler is worked almost entirely in cross stitch with the exception of a handful of backstitches. Sarah did not include a date on her sampler, however, from other dated samplers in Nicola’s collection, which include some of Sarah’s distinctive motifs, we are able to date the sampler to around 1840.
Worked in brightly coloured silks the sampler clearly shows the influence of the Berlin woolwork patterns which became so popular in Victorian England. The sampler is contained within a particularly beautiful and intricate floral border that captivates and delights. When viewing the sampler the eye is drawn to the lower section of the sampler where Sarah stitched a truly splendid parrot flanked by two pretty young ladies. Sarah incorporated 3 seashells into her design."
"
Hands Across the Sea - Elizabeth Dinsdale 1846 ~ Silk Thread Kit
Regular price
$91.00
Save $-91.00
Elizabeth Dinsdale, 1846 is a beautiful historical Sampler that includes a primer from Hands Across the Sea
The main sampler is worked mainly in cross stitch over two threads of linen with the verse and bees worked in cross stitch over one thread of linen. The bonus Primer sampler is worked entirely in cross stitch over two threads of linen.
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Chart Booklet + Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping).
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Half - Victoria Sponge Cake -35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only
37 ct Fat Half - Corn Tassel- 35" x 36" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
45 ct FatQuarter - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 25" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
63/63 ct Fat Eighth - Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 37 ct version includes 21 skeins ~ e.g. 15 skeins for the Sampler + 6 skeins for the Primer.. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 30 ct version includes 24skeins ~18 skeins for the Sampler + 6 skeins for the Primer.. Recommended linen for this thread is 30 ct or lower.
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 version kit includes 15 spools for the Sampler + 6 spools for the Primer. Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher
The Sampler
SDF 526 ~ Golden olive (2 skeins for 30 ct) - will be substituted with SDF 525
SDF 2225 ~ Olive green
SDF 2924 ~ Christmas red
SDF 2941 ~ Peach
SDF 3341 ~ Beige grey
SDF 3346 ~ Mocha brown ~ dark
SDF 3422 ~ Fern green
SDF 3716 ~ Green grey
SDF 3734 ~ Khaki green
SDF 3821 ~ Old gold
SDF 3833 ~ Mocha brown
SDF 4535 ~ Beige grey ~ dark (2 skeins for 30 ct)
SDF 4541 ~ Tan
SDF 4612 ~ Mahogany
SDF Noir ~ Black (2 skeins for 30 ct)
The Primer:
SDF 926 ~ Coral red
SDF 3423 ~ Blue green
SDF 3745 ~ Golden olive
SDF 4126 ~ Beige brown
SDF 4242 ~ Hazelnut brown
SDF 4622 ~ Shell pink
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 15 spools for the Sampler + 6 spools for the Primer.
Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
The Sampler:
SMS 089 ~ Mahogany
SMS 147 ~ Old gold
SMS 176 ~ Peach
SMS 179 ~ Olive green
SMS 196 ~ Fern green
SMS 274 ~ Khaki green
SMS 323 ~ Tan
SMS 378 ~ Green grey
SMS 597 ~ Mocha brown ~ dark - will be substituted with SMS 697
SMS 603 ~ Mocha brown
SMS 616 ~ Golden olive
SMS 673 ~ Beige grey ~ dark
SMS 681 ~ Christmas red
SMS 740 ~ Beige grey
SMS Noir ~ Black
The Primer:
SMS 031 ~ Hazelnut brown
SMS 060 ~ Shell pink
SMS 073 ~ Blue green
SMS 129 ~ Golden olive
SMS 592 ~ Beige brown
SMS 779 ~ Coral red
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
"It is with great pleasure that we present to you the needlework of Elizabeth Dinsdale. It is so unusual for three pieces of a young girl’s needlework to stay together through the centuries. We feel honoured to be the present custodians of Elizabeth’s work.
Two of the three samplers bear the date “May the 26th1843” and three very poignant words “LIFE IS SHORT” emphasised in capital lettering.
Contained within this booklet are two reproductions. Elizabeth’s simple primer worked when she was 12 years of age and the sampler she worked three years later. Several motifs in the sampler have been taken from the third sampler. Note the three urns of flowers and the pairs of deer.
A curious feature of the primer and the unreproduced sampler is that they both have the exact same date. Would Elizabeth have been working both projects at the same time, finishing them on the same date? How we wish we could ask her!"
Hands Across the Sea - Mary Ann Groom, 1876 ~ Silk Thread Kit
Regular price
$32.00
Save $-32.00
Mary Ann Groom, 1876 is a beautiful historical Sampler from Hands Across the Sea
The sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.
The sampler is stitched with cross stitch over two threads of linen with a satin stitch sawtooth border that encloses the verse.
Choice of purchasing thread kit only, Printed Chart only or as full kit with linen.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice, Chart Booklet + Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping).
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Eighth - Victoria Sponge Cake -17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only
37 ct Fat Eighth - Russian Tea Cake-17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
45 ct FatEighth -Jersey Cream- 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
48 ct Fat Eighth - Bride Cake - 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads
Thread Options:
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger kit includes 6 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.
SDF 1422
SDF 2144
SDF 2533
SDF 3415
SDF 4624
SDF 5413
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 6 spools.
Recommended linen for this thread is 37 ct or higher.
SMS 072
SMS 109
SMS 149
SMS 152
SMS 188
SMS 416 - will be substituted with 382
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from the Designer
"We are delighted to present to you this sweet sampler that was worked by Mary Ann Groom in the year 1876 when she was ten years old. We particularly liked the border that frames the young maker’s stitching. Mary Ann worked with a limited palette, yet she has created a colourful sampler with some very pretty motifs.
Although Mary Ann did not record her age or location on the sampler, her granddaughter Jackie carefully noted on the reverse of the frame that
“This was done by my grandmother, mother of Robert Edward Wesley Whitbread, my Dad. Bless him”
Jackie also included her name, address and telephone number. We telephoned Jackie, and she told us that she had inherited the sampler and only sold it when she downsized. Jackie knew very little about her grandparents as they were never talked about. She believed they had died when her father was a child.
Mary Ann was born on April 24, 1866 in Tebworth, a hamlet located in Central Bedfordshire. Her parents were Thomas Groom, a labourer, and his wife Charlotte. She was baptised in the Methodist church in Toddington.
The 1891 census return records that as a young woman Mary Ann worked as a straw-hat maker."
