Hands Across the Sea Kit

The Needlework of Dorcie Sampson is a lovely 3 sampler project from Hands Across the Sea. 

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

The samplers are worked with cross stitch over two threads of linen and some Algerian eyelets. 

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 10 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 Half of Foxtail Millet - 35" x 35" 
• 53/63 ct Fat Quarter of Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 59"

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

• The 1906 Sampler:                                           
  SMS 067  ~ Antique mauve
  SMS 077  ~ Raspberry
  SMS 109  ~ Garnet
  SMS 152  ~ Moss green
  SMS 427  ~ Steel grey
  SMS 491**   ~ Hunter green  May be substituted with SMS 079
  SMS 647  ~ Avocado green
  SMS 679**   ~ Yellow  May be substituted with SMS 674
   
  
• The 1905 Sampler  :              
• SMS 313 ~ Navy Blue
  SMS 664 ~ Christmas Red 

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Dorcie Elizabeth Sampson was born in 1892 in Kintbury, Berkshire. She was the eldest of five children born to George John Sampson, a carpenter and joiner, and his wife Sarah, née Norris.

There were two fee-paying boarding schools in the village together with Anglican and Wesleyan Methodist Sunday schools. Dorcie recorded on her 1905 sampler that she attended St Mary’s School which was a daily school founded 1831.

A friend who is a needleworker was born in the village of Kintbury and lived there until she married in 1963. She wrote to me to tell me “… the name Sampson was quite common in the village, and I was (unsuccessfully) given piano lessons by a Mrs Sampson in the 50s; her family were farriers with a smithy in the nearby village of Elcot and another in the village of Hamstead Marshall. Her son Geoff was farrier for Royalty and had a Royal Warrant from the late Queen Mother, as he shod her racehorses.”

Dorcie married Albert Jubilee Beavis in 1916. In the 1911 census return, Albert can be found boarding with the Sampson family in Church Street, Kintbury. Albert’s occupation was recorded as a farrier and Dorcie’s as a draper’s assistant."

Fanny Bramley is a lovely school girl sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

The design is suitable for needleworkers of all abilities and is worked entirely in cross stitch over 2 threads of linen.

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

Full Kit options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 9 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)
• 30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 14 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads 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"
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake - 18" x 35"
• 38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 35"

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

• SDF 2144 Moss green ~ dark (2 skeins for 30 ct)
• SDF 2645 Salmon ~ very dark (4 skeins for 30 ct)
• SDF 2757 Grey green ~ medium
• SDF 3026 Raspberry ~ very dark
• SDF 3734 Khaki green ~ dark (2 skeins for 30 ct)
• SDF 4246 Hazelnut ~ dark
• SDF 4523 Desert sand
• SDF F11 Mocha brown ~ light
• SDF Noir Black

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Fanny Bramley in the tenth year of her age stitched a very pretty sampler. The alphabet in upper and lower case, separated by a pretty dividing row, has been stitched in a sweeping and attractive font. The body of the sampler has been laid out in a band format. We particularly like the dividing rows of plump strawberries and the two geometric rows. In the lower section, a four-storey house with many windows and three smoking chimneys takes centre stage. The shrubs that flank the house were an enjoyable stitch.

The sampler is contained within an unusual geometric border. Oh that border! Fanny’s maths was badly off and she ran into major problems. The sampler only has one perfect corner in the bottom left. This indicates to us that she started to stitch her border in this corner. Her border woes have given us a glimpse of Fanny’s personality and have endeared her and her sampler to us. She didn’t unpick and correct but simply improvised, quite creatively!"

Emily Ann Greenaway is a delightful sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

This sampler has been worked with cross stitch over 2 strands of linen.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit option:

Includes linen + 18 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 - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18 " x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct  Fat Eighth - Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

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

• SMS 031 Hazelnut brown ~ light
  
• SMS 070 Salmon ~ dark
  
• SMS 073 Grey green ~ light
  
• SMS 091 Pumpkin ~ pale
  
• SMS 137 Terracotta ~ very dark
  
• SMS 152 Olive green
  
• SMS 207 Beige grey ~ very dark
  
• SMS 278 Antique mauve ~ light
  
• SMS 338 Shell grey ~ dark
  
• SMS 352 Navy blue ~ medium
  
• SMS 491 Hunter green ~ dark
  
• SMS 493 Alizarin
  
• SMS 549 Forest green ~ very dark
  
• SMS 557 Antique violet ~ medium
  
• SMS 629 Coffee brown ~ very dark
  
• SMS 656 Pistachio green ~ dark
  
• SMS 684 Coral ~ medium
  
• SMS 740 Shell grey ~ light

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

Emma and Martin Noah Hubbard 1869 ~ 1870 is another small adorable sampler set by a brother and sister from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

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

The design is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen. 

Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 2 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, Printed Chart Booklet + 4 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

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

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

• SDF 2144 ~ Moss green (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
• SDF 3323 ~ Lavender ~ dark (2 skeins for 30 ct version)

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"We were so pleased to find a pair of samplers stitched by a brother and sister. The icing on the cake was the additional discovery of the Hubbards’ family history and that the samplers came from Norfolk.

The dates on the two samplers are the date of birth for Emma and Martin; Emma having been born on July 26, 1869 and Martin on October 16, 1870. The samplers were stitched in the year 1880 when Emma was 11 years and Martin 10 years old.

Emma and Martin’s parents were Noah Eli Hubbard, a master mariner, and his wife Emma Christiana (née Callow). The family lived in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk."

The sampler has been rated as suitable for needleworkers of all abilities. The stitches used are cross stitch over two threads of linen with the verse and part of the date being worked in cross stitch over one thread of linen.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 21 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:

"The sampler is contained within a carefully planned and elaborate border that is heavily laden with leaves, flowers both in full bloom and in bud. The border needs careful counting, and we would recommend that you stitch out the single vine that undulates around the border first before adding the leaves, flowers and buds.

The text is stitched in cross stitch over two threads and is taken from a hymn by Issac Watts who was an English Christian minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician. He was a prolific and popular hymn writer and is credited with some 750 hymns. He is recognized as the “Godfather of English Hymnody.” Verses from his hymns were very popular with young needleworkers and their school teachers and appear in many samplers."

Mary Goodwin is a 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 two threads of linen with the verse and part of the date being worked in cross stitch over one thread of linen.

Kit Options : 

Choice of purchasing thread only OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 20 spools of Soie 1003 thread, Printed Chart and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Russian Tea Cake - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"
  
• 45 ct Fat Half of Foxtail Millet - 35" x 36" 
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth of Gothic Ivory - 18" x 29"
  

20 spool of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 100/3 Kit Includes: 

• SMS 029 ~ Grey green ~ medium
  
• SMS 148 ~ Golden olive ~ very light
  
• SMS 177 ~ Shell pink ~ light
  
• SMS 191 ~ Antique mauve ~ very light
  
• SMS 318 ~ Coffee brown ~ dark
  
• SMS 384 ~ Mauve ~ dark
  
• SMS 396 ~ Khaki green ~ dark
  
• SMS 433 ~ Mocha beige ~ medium
  
• SMS 443 ~ Shell pink ~ dark
  
• SMS 465 ~ Green grey
  
• SMS 494 ~ Salmon ~ dark
  
• SMS 528 ~ Pewter grey ~ very dark
  
• SMS 531 ~ Olive green ~ very dark
  
• SMS 562 ~ Mustard
  
• SMS 565 ~ Green grey ~ medium
  
• SMS 596 ~ Black avocado green
  
• SMS 603 ~ Beige grey ~ very dark
  
• SMS 616 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
  
• SMS 621 ~ Fern green ~ light
  
• SMS 740 ~ Drab brown ~ very light
  

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"We wonder who it was that planted the old, gnarled tree that inspired Mary to include a mulberry tree in the sampler. You plant a flower for yourself, but you plant a tree for your grandchildren: so the saying goes."

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 + 10 spools of Soie 1003 thread, printed chart booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

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

• SMS 073 Blue green ~ medium
• SMS 106 Coral ~ dark
  
• SMS 226 Golden brown ~ light
• SMS 271 Emerald green ~ dark
• SMS 303 Golden olive
• SSM 494 Salmon ~ medium
• SMS 524 Garnet ~ very dark
• SMS 605 Turquoise ~ dark
• SMS 616 Golden olive ~ dark
• SMS 647 Moss green ~ dark

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Mary G Ramage is a beautiful and very colourful sampler from the Scottish Borders. Mary was 12 years old when she stitched this sampler in 1891, mainly using cross stitch over 2 threads on approximately 24ct Penelope canvas. She has also included in her sampler a beautiful alphabet stitched using Algerian eyelets over 4 threads, carrying on the tradition of using repeated eyelet stitches to form the letters in an alphabet.

Mary originally stitched her sampler using wool threads which have faded overtime, and some colours on the front of the sampler have changed and become muted and dull. The colour palette was therefore taken from the reverse of the sampler, as these were still so vibrant and fresh. Should Mary happen to gaze down on us while we are stitching, these are the colours she would recognize, and the finished sampler is how Mary intended it to be seen and a true reflection of her own choice of colours and how she used them together.

The verse leads us to think that this may be a Temperance sampler and is taken from Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.” Maybe she stitched this sampler at Sunday School."

Ruth Bates 1823, is sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

This sampler is suitable for intermediate and advanced needleworkers but is not beyond a confident beginner. The stitches used are cross stitch over 1 and 2 threads and satin stitch.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice, Chart + 23 spools of Soie 1003 thread + 1 skein of SDF 3446 and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

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

Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 kit Includes:

• SMS 048
  
• SMS 148
• SMS 156
• SMS 160
• SMS 209
• SMS 211
• SMS 274
• SMS 425 ~ will be substituted with SMS 634
• SMS 455
• SMS 468
• SMS 486
• SMS 492
• SMS 499
• SMS 518
• SMS 550
• SMS 572
• SMS 576
• SMS 580
• SMS 584
• SMS 627 -   Soie d’Alger 3446 will be substituted
• SMS 634
• SMS 705
• SMS 707
• SMS 746

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Ruth’s sampler had so many similarities to Isabella’s that there had to be a connection. We were able to make contact with one of Ruth’s descendants, a medieval archivist who had some information on the family’s history. Ruth was born in Plaistow, London, on August 16, 1815 to Joseph Bates and Esther Bates, née Cartwright."

Ann Castle is a delightful, cute 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:

Includes linen of choice + 20 spools of Soie 1003 thread, Printed Chart and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth of Manuscript Vellum - 18" x 29"

20 spool of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 100/3 Kit Includes: 

• SMS 031 - Old gold ~ medium
• SMS 072 - Grey green ~ medium
• SMS 129 - Mocha brown ~ dark
• SMS 135 - Terracotta ~ light
• SMS 148 - Yellow Beige ~ medium
• SMS 197 - Brown grey ~ medium
• SMS 211 - Tan – ultra very light
• SMS 217 - Mahogany ~ ultra very light
• SMS 378 - Green grey ~ dark
• SMS 492 - Old gold ~ very dark
• SMS 517 - Hazelnut brown ~ dark
• SMS 550 - Blue green ~ dark
• SMS 562 - Yellow Beige ~ light
• SMS 603 - Beige grey ~ dark
• SMS 616 - Golden olive ~ dark
• SMS 621 - Blue green ~ light
• SMS 644 - Salmon ~ very dark
• SMS 712 - Grey green ~ light
• SMS 718 - Green grey
• SMS 756 - Blue green ~ very dark

***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”.

Mary Carter 1712 ~ the 2020 Queen of the May  is another sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

By the time Mary was taught needlework, the need to learn a great variety of stitches and complex traditional patterns had reduced. In the 1700s embroidered costumes and furnishings were replaced by extravagant woven and printed fabrics. In this century the format of English samplers was evolving, reflecting the changing perception of their purpose.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 32 skeins of Soie d'Alger thread, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half - Legacy Linen Pecan Shortbread - 35" x 36"
  
• 37 ct Fat Half - Legacy Linen Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half - Legacy Linen Corkscrew Willow - 35" x 36" 

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

• SDF 542 x 3 ~ Topaz ~ light
• SDF 1811 x 1 ~ Sky blue ~ very light
• SDF 2145 x 6 ~ Moss green
• SDF 2223 x 4 ~ Moss green ~ medium light
• SDF 3045 x 6 ~ Plum ~ dar
• SDF 3812 x 4 ~ Tan ~ very light
• SDF 5384 x 4 ~ Peacock blue ~ light
• SDF F07 x 4 ~ Off white

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Mary’s sampler was worked in the traditional bands of the 1600s on a long and narrow piece of linen. She used several reversible stitches, all exquisitely executed with skilled hands. However, we do not believe that her aim was to embroider a reversible sampler. The reverse of her sampler is extremely neat; Mary had pride in her work. There are no knotted starts and all her tail ends are neatly buried but her threads are visibly carried."

Alice Park is a charming small sampler designed by Hands Across the Sea.

The sampler is executed in cross stitch over two threads and can be worked on Aida or linen. It is rated suitable for beginners through to advanced needleworkers.

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

Full Kit options: Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 23 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"
• 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 524 ~ Golden olive
  
• SDF 525 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
  
• SDF 945 ~ Garnet
  
• SDF 1742 ~ Antique blue ~ light
• SDF 1842 ~ Pistachio green ~ very light
  
• SDF 2125 ~ Avocado green
  
• SDF 2224 ~ Olive green ~ medium
  
• SDF 2226 ~ Olive green ~ very dark
  
• SDF 2513 ~ Topaz ~ very light
  
• SDF 2914 ~ Salmon
  
• SDF 3596 ~ Desert sand ~ light
  
• SDF 3735 ~ Avocado green ~ very dark
  
• SDF 3745 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
  
• SDF 4236 ~ Brown ~ light
  
• SDF 4513 ~ Brown ~ very light
  
• SDF 4524 ~ Yellow beige ~ dark
  
• SDF 4636 ~ Garnet ~ dark
  
• SDF 4933 ~ Delft blue ~ medium
  
• SDF 4531 ~ Off-white
  
• SDF 4935 ~ Blue ~ very light
  
• SDF F4 ~ Tan ~ light
  
• SDF F8 ~ Yellow beige ~ light
  
• SDF Noir ~ Black
  

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"It is such a shame that Alice did not record more personal information on her charming sampler. The scene that she stitched when she was 12 years old depicts the mutual love between children and dogs; it’s timeless! The surrounding autumnal border is delightful and catches the eye."

Alice Park is a charming small sampler designed by Hands Across the Sea.

The sampler is executed in cross stitch over two threads and can be worked on Aida or linen. It is rated suitable for beginners through to advanced needleworkers.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit option:

Includes linen + 23 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 - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18 " x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct  Fat Eighth - Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

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

• SMS 022 ~ Golden olive
  
• SMS 048 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
  
• SMS 071 ~ Antique blue ~ light
  
• SMS 081 ~ Topaz ~ very light
  
• SMS 088 ~ Desert sand ~ light
  
• SMS 129 ~ Golden olive ~ dark
  
• SMS 142 ~ Yellow beige ~ light
  
• SMS 155 ~ Tan ~ light
  
• SMS 179 ~ Olive green ~ very dark
  
• SMS 199 ~ Olive green ~ medium
  
• SMS 344 ~ Salmon
  
• SMS 378 ~ Avocado green ~ very dark
  
• SMS 391 ~ Blue ~ very light
  
• SMS 465 ~ Pistachio green ~ very light
  
• SMS 499 ~ Garnet
  
• SMS 524 ~ Garnet ~ dark
  
• SMS 542 ~ Brown ~ very light
  
• SMS 543 ~ Brown ~ light
  
• SMS 634 ~ Yellow beige ~ dark
  
• SMS 646 ~ Delft blue ~ medium
  
• SMS 647 ~ Avocado green
  
• SMS Crème ~ Off-white
  
• SMS Noir ~ Black

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

Full Kit options:

• 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 Half of Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Russian Tea Cake - 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:

"It was so nice to see the name of Amanda on a sampler from the first half of the 19^th century, and what a pretty sampler this 10-year-old stitched. Amanda is a Latin name meaning “lovable” or “worthy of love.” Whilst it was a popular literary name in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is not often seen on samplers from the 1800s.

Amanda was born on April 25, 1834 in Austonley, a small hamlet on the outskirts of the town of Holmfirth, Yorkshire. This was a beautiful rural area of rolling hills, grassland, and woods, but in the 1770s the first spinning jenny was introduced to Holmfirth and by the 1850s textile mills had sprung up by the river valleys. Holmfirth rapidly expanded in the 1800s due to the growing cloth trade and the production of stone and slates from the surrounding quarries. The peaceful, rural area was gone forever as around 60 textile mills were built, employing hundreds of men, women, and children. Today, it is the renowned location of the British TV classic Last of the Summer Wine and as the home of another British tradition, Bamforth’s saucy seaside postcards!"

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 OR as full kit.

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice + 3 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"
• 37 ct Fat Half of Russian Tea Cake - 35" x 36"
• 38 ct Fat Half of Fuller's Teazel - 35" x 36"
• 45 ct Fat Half of Foxtail Millet - 35" x 36" 
• 53/63 ct Fat Half of Sycamore Seed Pod - 36" x 59"

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

• SMS 681 x 3 

***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."

Mary Clayton is another cute sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

This sampler has been cross stitched over two threads.

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 + 20 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half  - Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" 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 Includes:

• SDF 1736 ~ Antique blue ~ very dark
  
  
• SDF 1814 ~ Blue green ~ light
  
  
• SDF 2216 ~ Avocado green ~ dark
  
  
  
• SDF S2578  ~ Desert sand ~ light
  
  
  
• SDF 2636  ~ Red copper
  
  
  
• SDF 2926 ~ Garnet ~ dark
  
  
  
• SDF 3342 ~ Beaver grey ~ light
  
  
  
• SDF 3344 ~ Beige grey ~ ultra dark
  
  
  
• SDF 3416 ~ Black brown
  
  
• SDF 3745  ~ Hazel nut brown ~ very dark
  
  
  
• SDF 3834 ~ Mocha brown ~ medium
  
  
  
• SDF 3835 ~ Beige grey ~ very dark
  
  
  
• SDF 4244 ~ Old gold ~ dark
  
  
  
• SDF 4535  ~ Drab brown ~ dark
  
  
• SDF 4536  ~ Mocha brown ~ very dark
  
  
  
• SDF 4611  ~ Terra cotta ~ light
  
  
  
• SDF 4624 ~ Garnet
  
  
  
• SDF 4644 ~ Cocoa ~ light
  
  
  
• SDF F09 ~ Hazel nut brown – light
  
  
  
• SDF F022  ~ Drab brown ~ very light

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Mary  sweet sampler is a delightful example of a young child’s artwork. Mary tells us that she was aged 9 years when she stitched her sampler. She has given no year or location, however, we believe that the sampler is English and was stitched in the mid 1800’s.

An imposing building first catches the eye. Maybe this was a church run school or orphanage as the roof is topped by a cross. Above hovers two trumpeting angels signifying the word of God and reinforcing our first thought that the building is connected in some way to a church institution. The bottom section of the sampler is full of out of proportion trees, potted roses and a basket of fruit."

Elizabeth Wood 1850 is another unique Anglo-French red sampler  from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

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

The design is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen. 

Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

Includes linen + 1 spool 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 - Corn Tassel - 18" x 17.5"
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 17.5"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

1 Spool of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 Includes:

• SMS 523 

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Boulogne is a city and a major fishing port on the north coast of France. It is possible that Elizabeth stitched her primer when her family were holidaying in Boulogne, although the month of November may indicate a lengthy stay rather than a summer sojourn.

Boulogne-sur-Mer housed a large British population of around 3,000 in the mid-1800s. Although there were migrant workers there, Boulogne’s British population was composed largely of genteel, middle-class residents, some of them in debt, many with servants.

We wonder if Elizabeth kept the promise she so diligently stitched.'

Marie Louise Piret 1911 ~ ~ A Little Gem is another cute sampler from Hands Across the Sea.

The sampler has been stitched using cross stitch over two threads and is suitable for needleworkers of all levels of ability.

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 + 7 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles + Chart (Gift with Purchase)
• 30 ct option for 2 strands : Includes linen of choice + 12 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles + Chart (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half of Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" x 36" 
• 37 ct Fat Half of Corn Tassel - 35" x 36"
• 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 d'Alger Kit Includes: 

• SDF 236 x 2 ~ Jade green (3 skeins for 30 ct version)
  
• SDF 4242 ~ Yellow beige ~ medium (2 skeins for 30 ct version)
  
• SDF 4624 x 2 ~ Christmas red ~ dark (4 skeins for 30 ct version)
  
• SDF 5023 ~ Blue green ~ medium
  
• SDF F9 ~ Hazelnut brown ~ light (2 skeins for 30 ct version)

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Marie Louise’s sampler dates from the beginning of the 20th century and is a simple but beautiful example of what school children were expected to produce — work of a very high standard that taught them a skill which would be useful to them as adults, either in their home or to earn a living. Stitching alphabets prepared the young girls to monogram their household linen with their initials.

Whilst the sampler was acquired in England, we believe that the sampler was most probably stitched in France, Belgium, or Germany. Regrettably, we have been unable to find Marie Louise in family history records. We have been hampered by our lack of the Dutch, French, and German language. The surname of Piret is most commonly found in Belgium."

Mary Cornwall is a cute small red sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

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

The design is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen, with a section under Mary's name which she worked in cross stitch over four threads of linen. She used cross stitch over one thread to record her name. The other stitches used are backstitch, alternating double backstitch, Algerian eyelet, and four-sided stitch.

Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

Includes linen + 1 spool of Soie 1003  thread, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles + Free Shipping  (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 17.5"
  
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5"
• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29"

1 Spool of Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 Includes:

• SMS 523 

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"In the year 1827 in the historic city of Edinburgh, Scotland, a young girl finished stitching a sampler. Today, we celebrate the life of Mary Cornwall through the reproduction of her sampler.

Scotland’s family history records are not the easiest ones to research, and without an age to indicate a year of birth, we cannot pinpoint Mary with certainty. However, a possible Mary was born on March 24, 1819. She was baptised in Saint Cuthberts in Edinburgh on April 25^th. Her parents were James Cornwall and his wife Elizabeth, née Sime.

One of the distinguishing features of Scottish samplers are the inclusion of family initials. Mary’s parents’ initials matched the first two recorded by Mary on her sampler. Mary had a brother Thomas and a sister Margaret, a TC and an MC are the third and fourth set of initials on her sampler."

Emilie Kalwar 1890 is an delightful geometric historical sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

The sampler is worked entirely in cross stitch over two threads 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 + 13 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 Eighth - Russian Tea Cake - 17.5" x 18"
  
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Himalayan Fog - 17.5 "x 18"

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

• SDF 0124 ~ Turquoise
  
• SDF 0136 ~ Dark Turqu
  
• SDF 946 ~ Alizarin
  
• SDF 2135 ~ Hunter Green
  
• SDF 2143 ~ Olive Green
  
• SDF 2533 ~ Straw
  
• SDF 2636 ~ Red Copper
  
• SDF 2942 ~ Salmon
  
• SDF 2945 ~ Rose
  
• SDF 3431 ~ Mocha Brown
  
• SDF 4214 ~ Golden Brown
  
• SDF 4525 ~ Mocha Beige
  
• SDF 4636 ~ Garnet

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

Emily Ann Greenaway is a delightful sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

This sampler has been worked with cross stitch over 2 strands of 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 + 18 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 643 ~ Pumpkin ~ pale
  
• SDF 934 Salmon ~ dark
  
• SDF 935 Coral ~ medium
  
• SDF 1423 Navy blue ~ medium
  
• SDF 1835 Forest green ~ very dark
  
• SDF 1836 Pistachio green ~ dark
  
• SDF 2135 Hunter green ~ dark
  
• SDF 2214 Olive green
  
• SDF 2644 Alizarin
  
• SDF 2646 Terracotta ~ very dark
  
• SDF 3341 Shell grey ~ light
  
• SDF 3414 Shell grey ~ dark
  
• SDF 3834 Beige grey ~ very dark
  
• SDF 4124 Coffee brown ~ very dark
  
• SDF 4242 Hazelnut brown ~ light
  
• SDF 4643 Antique mauve ~ light
  
• SDF 5022 Grey green ~ light
  
• SDF 5114 Antique violet ~ medium

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Emily Ann Greenaway is a truly beautiful sampler with a decorative multi-coloured border which encloses some very sweet animals and motifs. The colour palette has been taken from the front of the sampler as these have mellowed into lovely soft colours. The eye is drawn to the colourful basket of fruit in the centre, and it is here that Emily dates her sampler to 1884. On either side are a deer and an extremely cute, realistic little rabbit.

Emily places her sampler in Sibertswold, which is a village situated about 6 miles from the port city of Dover, Kent. Emily Ann Greenaway was born on the 16th of October 1864 in Sibertswold, Kent. This makes her around 20 years old when she stitched her sampler in 1884. The majority of samplers were stitched by younger girls, so it is interesting that she was older. Emily had a very long life. She died on the 22nd of February 1958 at the grand old age of 95 years in Chatham and is also buried at Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent. She would have witnessed many changes in her life and would have had to adapt. I have a feeling that she was a strong and kind woman, with a sense of duty and care towards her family, providing a loving home when one was needed."

Elizabeth Wood 1850 is another unique Anglo-French red sampler  from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

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

The design is worked in cross stitch over two threads of linen. 

Options : 

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

Full Kit options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 2 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, Printed Chart Booklet + 3 skeins of Soie d'Alger threads and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Linen Choices:

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

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

SDF 2645 x 2 (3 skeins for 30 ct version)

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Boulogne is a city and a major fishing port on the north coast of France. It is possible that Elizabeth stitched her primer when her family were holidaying in Boulogne, although the month of November may indicate a lengthy stay rather than a summer sojourn.

Boulogne-sur-Mer housed a large British population of around 3,000 in the mid-1800s. Although there were migrant workers there, Boulogne’s British population was composed largely of genteel, middle-class residents, some of them in debt, many with servants.

We wonder if Elizabeth kept the promise she so diligently stitched.'

Annie Bayliss, 1877 ~ God Save the Queen is another unique small  sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

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

The design is worked in cross stitch over one and two threads of linen and running stitch. The sampler could be stitched over 4 and 2 threads of linen if preferred.

Kit Options : 

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

Full Kit Options:

• 37 ct option for 1 strand: Includes linen of choice + 1 skein 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 + 3 skeins of Soie d'Alger thread, Printed Chart Booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase)

Note, if full kit (thread+linen+chart) is purchased and shipping is charged >> we will refund the difference. We have a limitation on our website. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Linen Choices:

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

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

SDF 4624 x 1 (3 skeins for 30 ct version)

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"Annie’s monochrome sampler has been a delight to reproduce. The little girl recorded that her sampler was stitched in Belvedere and completed in the December of 1887. She dedicated her sampler to her sovereign with the words “God Save The Queen”.

Belvedere is a town in the south-east of London that lies close to the River Thames.

The year of 1887 that Annie’s sampler marked was a very special year in Great Britain’s history. This year was the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Royal jubilees are an occasion to celebrate the life and reign of a monarch and are significant events which are celebrated around the world. Though the concept of the jubilee began in biblical times, today the term is most closely associated with the Royal Family and the ceremony and spectacle which the term symbolises."

Jane Jackson is delightful and colorful 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 two threads of linen with the verse and part of the date being worked in cross stitch over one thread 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 + 26 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 + 29 skeins of Soie d'Alger thread, Printed Chart Booklet 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:

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"The sampler is contained within a carefully planned and elaborate border that is heavily laden with leaves, flowers both in full bloom and in bud. The border needs careful counting, and we would recommend that you stitch out the single vine that undulates around the border first before adding the leaves, flowers and buds.

The text is stitched in cross stitch over two threads and is taken from a hymn by Issac Watts who was an English Christian minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician. He was a prolific and popular hymn writer and is credited with some 750 hymns. He is recognized as the “Godfather of English Hymnody.” Verses from his hymns were very popular with young needleworkers and their school teachers and appear in many samplers."