Hands Across the Sea - Mary Choaks, a Cornish vanity sampler ~ Silk Thread Kit
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."
Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger is a lustrous thread made from a spun silk. Made in France by the Au Ver a Soie company, whose quality has remained steadfast since 1820.
Soie d'Alger consists of a single strand with 7 plies which is easily divided
Each skein is 5 meters (5.5 yards) of silk thread
Can be used for cross stitch, needlepoint and hand embroidery on linen
Soie d'Alger is durable for canvas work
All seven plies cover tent stitch on 13 mesh canvas
Soie d'Alger makes beautiful cording and tassels for needlework finishing
If there is a color you are interested in that is not listed or if you would like additional quantities, please reach out to us at hello@hoopandframe.com and we can order it for you.
Please note, this product is excluded from any discounts orpromotions
Hands Across the Sea - Sarah Spencer c. 1870 – A Little Gem - Soie d'Alger Thread Kit
Regular price
$43.00
Save $-43.00
Sarah Spencer, c 1870"is the 3rd in a series of “Little Gems” from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. Sarah is suitable for needleworkers of all abilities and would make an ideal “starter” project for those wishing to explore sampler.
**Please note, Sampler Kit doesnot include chart. Purchase is required separately on Hands Across the Sea.**
Kit Options:
Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.
Full Kit options:
37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice + 9 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice + 10 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 28 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Quarter - Pecan Shortbread - 18" x 35"
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 Silk Thread colors include:
SDF 945 - Garnet (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
SDF 2216 - Avocado green - dark
SDF 2532 - Straw - light SDF 2636 - Terracotta
SDF 3734 x 2 - Khaki green - dark
SDF 4622 - Salmon
SDF 4623 - Salmon - very dark
SDF 5383 - Grey Green
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:
"Sarah Spencer is a very common name in England so we were unable to research our Sarah. You will note the reversed “S” in Sarah. It is not unusual for young children to reverse letters when they read and write but Sarah stitched the letter correctly in her surname. She could have simply got it wrong and did not take the time to correct her mistake. However, that does not tally with the neatness of her stitching and the diligence she showed in completing her sampler. We think it could be her way to record that although her name was spelt with an “S” it is pronounced differently like a soft vibrated “Z”."
Hands Across the Sea - Mary 395 ~ 1869, A Bristol Orphanage Sampler - Soie d'Alger Thread Kit
Regular price
$55.00
Save $-55.00
Mary 395, is a reproduction sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers.
Kit Options : Choice of 30 ct, or 37 ct thread kit.
30 ct kit includes two full 45 meter hanks of your favorite red.
or
37 ct option includes a 45 meter hank of your favorite red + 1 skein extra in case you have to rip anything out.
Soie d'Alger Red Silk Thread color options include:
SDF 926
SDF 2923
SDF 945
SDF 946
Optional purchase for full kit which includes linen of choice, Printed Chart + silk thread and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
30 ct Fat Half of Mariner's Map - 35" by 36"
37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" by 36"
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:
"Regrettably, Mary did not record her surname on the sampler she so diligently stitched. The only clues she left behind are the year she finished her sampler “1869” and the number of the bed she occupied “395.” Each orphan has a heart-wrenching story to tell but our little girl, identifying herself by a bed number, has touched me deeply from the first moment I saw her."
Hands Across the Sea - Mary Eliza McMillan 1869 – A Little Gem - Soie d'Alger Thread Kit
Regular price
$67.00
Save $-67.00
Mary Eliza McMillan, 1869" is the 4th in a series of “Little Gems” from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. The Mary Eliza McMillan sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all abilities, no speciality stitches are required.
**Please note, Sampler Kit doesnot include chart. Purchase is required separately on Hands Across the Sea.**
Kit Options :
Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.
Full Kit options:
Includes linen of choice + 14 skeins of Soie d'Alger thread and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)
Linen Choices:
30 ct Fat Quarter of Pecan Shortbread - 17.5" x 35"
37 ct Fat Eighth of Corn Tassel*** - 17.5" by 18"
37 ct Fat Eighth of Corkscrew Willow*** - 17.5" by 18"
***This fabric cut gives you a 2" margin on the top and bottom of the Sampler. If you would like a larger cut, please purchase a Fat Quarter and the thread kit alone.
1 each of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Silk Thread colors include:
SDF 523 - Mustard ~ medium
SDF 2125 - Moss green ~ dark
SDF 2143 - Olive green ~ medium
SDF 2757 - Grey green ~ medium
SDF 3343 - Beaver Grey ~ light
SDF 3414 - Shell grey ~ dark
SDF 3423 - Fern Green
SDF 3445 - Pewter grey ~ very dark
SDF 3822 - Tan ~ very light
SDF 4224 - Straw
SDF 4545 - Brown ~ light
SDF 4611 - Desert sand
SDF 4623 - Straw
SDF 4633 - Antique mauve ~ medium
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:
"Mary Eliza McMillan has been in Nicola’s private collection for some time and has been whispering in her ear to be reproduced. Now, as we hunker down in isolation and time has lost any meaning, it seemed the right moment to do so.
Rather than a carefully planned symmetrical sampler, Mary’s needlework is very much a one-off example of a young child’s nonsensical art. Very similar to the scraps of crinkled, paint-smudged paper that can be found in countless homes today proudly displayed on fridge doors.
There is often a variety of wisdom and information to be found on samplers. Some samplers convey a message, others knowledge. Samplers illuminate the lives of their makers when they document moral issues, family histories, personal experiences, and national events."
Hands Across the Sea - Jane Fiddes 1835 – A Little Gem - Soie d'Alger Thread Kit
Regular price
$101.00
Save $-101.00
Jane Fiddes, 1835 is another sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. Jane’s sampler is possibly Irish in origin and is filled to bursting with motifs that vibrate with color. The more you study the sampler the more you will see.
Jane’s sampler has been rated as suitable for intermediate and advanced needle workers but is not beyond a confident beginner. The sampler is an ideal choice for those who wish to expand their repertoire of stitches.
Kit Options :
Choice of purchasing thread only, chart only or as full kit.
Full Kit Options:
Includes linen of choice + 21 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 Half - Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" x 36"
37 ct Fat Quarter - Corn Tassel - 18" x 35"
1 each of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger Silk Thread colors include:
SDF 944 - Christmas red
SDF 1434 - Antique blue ~ medium
SDF 1436 - Antique blue ~ very dark
SDF 1745 - Grey green ~ dark
SDF 1814 - Grey green ~ light
SDF 1845 - Blue green ~ dark
2 Skeins - SDF 2146 - Khaki green ~ dark
SDF 2213 - Olive green ~ medium
SDF 2234 - Straw ~ dark
SDF 2645 - Salmon ~ very dark
SDF 2914 - Salmon
SDF 2926 - Garnet ~ medium
SDF 3026 - Dusty rose ~ ultra very dark
SDF 3846 - Beaver grey ~ ultra dark
SDF 4236 - Brown ~ light
SDF 4524 - Hazel nut brown
SDF 4644 - Antique mauve ~ very light
SDF 4645 - Antique mauve ~ dark
SDF 5384 - Turquoise ~ light
SDF F18 - Old gold ~ light
Kit Option 2: 21 Skeins of Soie d'Alger Only
***Please note, this item is excluded from any discounts or sales.
About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:
"On first viewing the sampler, when it was listed in an auction catalogue, we thought that the sampler was Scottish. There are numerous sets of initials scattered throughout the sampler, together with a house with the lawn below executed in Turkey work, and both features are characteristic of Scottish samplers.
When the sampler arrived, in an old but not necessarily original frame, we discovered on the backing board a label that indicated that the sampler had been framed in Dublin, Ireland. Was Jane born in Ireland, did she or one of her descendants marry an Irishman, was the sampler acquired by a collector who took the sampler to Ireland? Regrettably, we shall never know as we cannot link the initials Jane diligently stitched to the Janes that appear in family history records.
This charming sampler has been mainly executed with cross stitch over two threads with a small amount of cross stitch over one thread for Patch the dog. Other stitches used are double running stitch, satin stitch, Algerian eyelet stitch, four-sided stitch, plait stitch and stem stitch. "
