Soie d'Alger

Hannah and Ellen Wikinson, 1835 to 1841 is beautiful red sampler made by two sisters from Hands Across the Sea Samplers. 

The stitches used are cross stitch over one and two threads of linen. The sampler is suitable for needleworkers of all abilities.

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.

Kit Options : 

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

 Full Kit Options:

• Soie 1003 Version: Includes linen +  1 spool of SMS 523, printed chart booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping in USA)
• Soie Surfine Version: Includes linen +  1 spool of SSS 2523, printed chart booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 10 Beading Needles  (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping in USA). We recommend stitching with Soie Surfine when using counts 46ct or higher
• Soie d'Alger 37 Version: Includes linen +  2 skeins of SDF 2645, printed chart booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping in USA)
• Soie d'Alger 30 Version: Includes linen +  6 skeins of SDF 2645, printed chart booklet and 2 Tapestry Size 26 Needles  (Gift with Purchase + Free Shipping in USA)

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half - Victoria Sponge Cake - 35" x 36  (Recommended linen for using Soie d'Alger)

• 37 ct Fat Quarter of Corn Tassel - 18" x 35"  (Recommended linen for using  Soie d'Alger)

• 38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 35"  (Recommended linen for using  Soie 1003 or Soie d'Alger - 1 strand)
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• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 17.5" (Recommended linen for using  Soie 1003)

• 53/63 ct Fat Eighth Sycamore Seed Pod - 18" x 29" (Recommended linen for using Soie Surfine or Soie 1003)

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

About the Sampler from Nicola Parkman:

"The two sisters were born at Wincobank in the parish of Ecclesfield, Sheffield, to James, a farm labourer, and his wife Mary. Hannah was christened on February 24, 1824 and Ellen on November 20, 1827 at the Zion Independent Church in Attercliffe, Yorkshire, England.

Ellen tells us that “Hannah Wilkinson worked this first, second and part of the third Alphabet in the 11th year of her age and died May 12, 1835 aged 11 years and four months.” We believe that Ellen picked up her sister’s needle at the letter “N”.

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 18 spools:

SMS 022
SMS 050 ~ Maybe Substituted with SMS 572
SMS 129
SMS 148
SMS 207
SMS 211
SMS 274
SMS 299
SMS 303 ~ Maybe Substituted with SMS 241
SMS 396
SMS 491
SMS 499
SMS 518
SMS 531
SMS 629
SMS 686
SMS 697
SMS 750 ~ Maybe Substituted with SMS 183

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 18 skeins:

SDF 523
SDF 613
SDF 2136
SDF 2216
SDF 2226
SDF 2243
SDF 2531
SDF 2615
SDF 2645
SDF 3722
SDF 3734
SDF 3745
SDF 3834
SDF 4246
SDF 4534
SDF 4536 ~ maybe substituted with SDF 3836
SDF 4626
SDF F10

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 14 spools:

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 14 skeins:

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 18 spools:

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 18 skeins:

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 15 spools:

SMS 071
SMS 115
SMS 170
SMS 328 - may be substituted with 658
SMS 427
SMS 481
SMS 509
SMS 561
SMS 562
SMS 634
SMS 662
SMS 710
SMS 712
SMS 773
SMS Creme

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 15 skeins:

SDF 111
SDF 206
SDF 1712
SDF 1826
SDF 3193
SDF 3226
SDF 3341
SDF 3441
SDF 3841
SDF 3843
SDF 4140
SDF 5021
SDF Blanc Optique
SDF F18
SDF F23

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 12 spools:

SMS 076
SMS 166
SMS 191
SMS 264
SMS 384
SMS 393
SMS 524
SMS 536
SMS 537
SMS 550
SMS 607
SMS 681

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 12 skeins:

SDF 936
SDF 946
SDF 2936
SDF 2944
SDF 3012
SDF 3021
SDF 3425
SDF 3725
SDF 3870
SDF 4144
SDF 4631
SDF 4636

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Soie 1003 Kit includes 12 spools:

SMS 034
SMS 247
SMS 329
SMS 396
SMS 415
SMS 441
SMS 512
SMS 531
SMS 624
SMS 666
SMS 740
SMS 765

Soie d'Alger Kit includes 12 skeins:

SDF 163
SDF 1422
SDF 1733
SDF 2131
SDF 2216
SDF 3413
SDF 3434
SDF 3711
SDF 3714
SDF 3735
SDF 3832
SDF 3835

Build your stash! Our April kit is here full of bright spring colors

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Build your stash! Our May kit is here full of bright spring colors

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Build your stash! Our June kit is here full of sunshine and greenery for summer.

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Our July kit is here full of summer coral and aqua tones.

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Our August kit is full of warm hues to assist with your next seasonal project. 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Our October kit gives that fall feeling to assist with your next seasonal project. 

Build your stash! 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions

Our December holiday kit warms hearts to give that holiday cheer and assist with your next seasonal project. 

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions 

Our summer kit blends contemporary elements with desert inspired earthy tones, and natural colors for your next seasonal project.

Curated silk threads shade assortments for seasonal stitching.

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions 

Attention customers, conversion to 1003 will not be provided if threads are not purchased with chart. It is only provided if you purchase the thread kit

Note, this chart comes available with a bonus Irish Quaker chart Mary Williams, 1804 which is one of her daughters samplers. Option to add thread kit for Mary Williams with purchase here.

Dorothy Walpole, 1774 is a beautiful Irish Quaker Historical Sampler from The Scarlet Letter.

Stitch count: 181 x 477
The project is recommended for needleworkers of intermediate level.

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 + 25 colors of either Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping). 

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half  - Mariner's Map -35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only 
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake - 17.5" x 35"  Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
• 45 ct Fat Quarter -Jersey Cream - 18" x 35" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads 

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 25 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

"Dorothy Walpole was born in New Garden in the Painestown Parish of Carlow, Ireland. On August 25th, 1794, she married Christopher Williams also of New Garden which was home to a large Quaker community. Where Dorothy worked her sampler is not known but it seems likely she attended a small private school in the locality. Certainly her family owned land in the area and enjoyed a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.

Embroidered on unbleached linen this beautiful band sampler employs Florentine, cross, petit point, queen, herringbone and counted satin stitches. It is divided into sections within a simple strawberry border comprising alphabets in a variety of stitches, a four line verse, a wide band of Florentine work and flowers on curling stems with the petals dramatically outlined. On 40 count linen the reproduction sampler will measure approximately 9″ x 24″ and most closely approximates the size of the original. It is recommended for intermediate level needleworkers. (See also the sampler by her daughter, Mary Williams.

Mary Williams, 1804 is another beautiful Irish Quaker Historical Sampler from The Scarlet Letter. This sampler chart is included with purchase of Dorothy Walpole chart.

Stitch count: 220 x 273

The project is recommended for needleworkers of any skill level. Stitches used in the sampler are cross, counted satin, eyelet and petit point. 

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

Note, this chart is a bonus  Irish Quaker chart packaged with Dorothy Walpole, 1774. Mary Williams sample is one of Dorothy Walpole's daughters. 

Full Kit options:

Includes linen of choice, Printed Chart Booklet + 25 colors of either Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+Free Shipping). 

Linen Choices:

• 30 ct Fat Half  - Mariner's Map -35" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only 
• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Russian Tea Cake - 17.5" x 35"  Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads
• 45 ct Fat Quarter -Jersey Cream - 18" x 35" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads 

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 14 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 14 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

"It is a rare to find family groups of samplers particularly those which span mroe than one generation. This smapler is one of a rare group of Irish samplers providing a tangible record of education recieved by Dorothy Walpole in 18th century Ireland and later her daughters Mary and Elizabeth in the early 19th century. 

This is a reproduction of one of Mary's earliest samplers clearly showing influences of Quaker deisgn in the lettering. Ligatures and the floral and bird sprays in the lower register. The first two-stanza verse come from an anonymous publication titled "Poetical Prenzy or a venture in Rhyme" and its called "Enthusiasm"

Read more information about this historical sampler: https://scarlet-letter.com/dorothy-walpole-1774/

Attention customers, conversion to 1003 will not be provided if threads are not purchased with chart. It is only provided if you purchase the thread kit

Margaret Reid, 1837 is a vibrant Scottish Historical Sampler from The Scarlet Letter.

Stitch count: 240 x 270

Stitches used in the sampler are cross, petit point, double running, satin, and stem.  

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 + 20 colors of either 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

• 45 ct Fat Quarter -Jersey Cream - 18" x 35" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads 

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 22 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 20 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

"Possibly Scottish, a very well-preserved sampler that was likely never framed. (There is an acquisition tag sewn to the edge but the source collection is unknown.)  An unusual, elaborate four-sided floral and leaf border surrounds a central reserve with a brief moral verse, Adam and Eve with a turquoise serpent under the tree of life, and many colorful floral, bird and animal motifs are scattered about symmetrically including roosters, rabbits, parrots, peacocks, quail, stags, dogs, and two strange three-legged flying birds over the stags.  Stitches used in the sampler are cross, petit point, double running, satin, and stem.  The illuminated initials at the top likely refer to her parents.

The inscription includes other family  initials:

MARGARET REIDS    JR

WORK AGED 13    ER  JR

FINISHED JANY THE 19  1837

AR  JM  TCID  MR  EC

THE LOSS OF GOLD IS MUCH

THE LOSS OF TIME IS MORE

BUT THE LOSS OF CHRIST IS SUCH

AS NO MAN CAN RESTORE"

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 Fat Eighth -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 16 skeins. 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."

Sarah Milthorp, 1834 is a beautiful Historical Sampler from Hands Across the Sea.

The sampler is suitable for confident beginners through to advanced needleworkers.

The reproduction of Sarah’s sampler is predominantly worked with cross stitch laid over two threads of linen together with some Algerian eyelets. The verse is worked in cross stitch over one thread 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

• 38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 35" ~ Recommended for both Soie d'Alger and Soie 1003 threads

• 45 ct Fat Eighth -Foxtail Millet - 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads 

• 53/63 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 15 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 30 ct version includes 21 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 30 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 15 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

"The sampler that Sarah stitched when she was 12 years of age in 1834 is most certainly decorative. The young girl showed great diligence in working the intricate border and cartouche surrounding her name. We were strongly drawn to Sarah’s sampler the moment we glimpsed her in an auction catalogue. The red house takes centre stage.

The geometric motifs flanking the verse were another focal point of interest. Although we have seen these on other samplers, they are not common place. Sarah showed great industry with her needle and filled her sampler with many beautiful motifs, she would have been hard pressed to squeeze another motif in.

On March 2, 1822 Sarah Milthorp was baptised in Darrington. This small village and civil parish is located in the heart of the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire. Sarah’s father Thomas Milthorp was an agricultural labourer. Life as an agricultural labourer was hard work. Wages were usually low and housing standards often poor as labourers worked extremely long hours to scrape a living. Thomas’ children would have been expected to work on the land from as young as six years old, particularly at harvest time when everyone lent a hand making hay or harvesting crops."

Attention customers, conversion to 1003 is only provided if you purchase the thread kit

Jane Atkinson, 1780 is a beautiful English Sampler in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston from The Scarlet Letter.

Stitch count: 290 x 460
The project is recommended for needleworkers of intermediate level.

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:

• 37 ct Fat Quarter - Corn Tassel - 18" x 35"
• 38 ct Fat Quarter - Fuller's Teazel - 18" x 35"
• 45 ct Fat Quarter - Foxtail Millet - 18" x 35"

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 27 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 26 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 needlework was designed after an English sampler in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts-Boston. The lush border flowers are similar to those on a sampler made by Sarah Brignell  from around the same period, suggesting the existence of a school or teacher whose “specialty” was opulent floral borders. The border includes elaborately stitched tulips, roses, carnations, daisies and lilies. The verse is as follows:

On 40 count linen, the sampler will measure approximately 14-1/2″ x 23″. Stitches used are cross, back, and counted satin."

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. 

Mary Hood, 1768 is an 18th century English Sampler from The Scarlet Letter.

Stitches used are cross over one and two threads of linen, and eyelet stitched over one and two threads of linen.

Stitch count: 269 x 236

The project is recommended for needleworkers of intermediate level.

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 + 18 colors of either Soie d'Alger or Soie 1003 threads (+ Free Shipping). 

Linen Choices:

• 37 ct Fat Eighth - Corn Tassel - 17.5" x 18"
• 38 ct Fat Eighth - Fuller's Teazel - 17.5" x 18"
• 45 ct Fat Eighth - Foxtail Millet - 17.5" x 18"

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger includes 20 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 18 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 English sampler retained its vibrant original color when I acquired it, having been conserved and de-accessioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the ground suffered many small holes, the needlework itself was still in brilliant condition. It features bold- original!- primary colors in its four sided floral border, verses, and scene with a lovely but asymmetrical brick house with dormer windows, flanked by trees. The verses are:

Oh may once more the happy Age appear
When words were Artless and the Soul sincere
When Gold and Grander were unenvy’d things
And Crowns less coveted than Groves and Springs

Fragrant the Rose is but it fades in time. The Violet
Sweet but quickly Past the Prime White Lilies hang their
Heads and soon decay And Whiter Snow in Minutes
Melts away Such and So With’ring Are our early Joys
Which Time or Sickness speedily destroy
Mary Hood Finished This Work October the 4 1768"

Our peacock themed silk thread kit blends the beautiful vibrant greens and blues of a Peacock.

Curated silk threads shade assortments for seasonal stitching.

Limited quantities available, while supplies last!

Note: This item is excluded from any sales, discounts or promotions 

Charlotte Amelia Stephans, 1834 is a beautiful 19th century English Sampler from Hands Across the Sea.

Please note that the border in the sampler requires careful counting when stitching. Sandra found that she had miscounted when stitching the model. Please follow the graph and not the photograph!

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 - Honey Glaze -72" x 36" ~ Recommended for Soie d'Alger Threads only  
• 37 ct Fat Half - Wild Honey - 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 Fat Half -Foxtail Millet - 17.5" x 18" ~ Recommended for Soie 1003 Threads 

Thread Options:

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 37 ct version includes 36 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 38 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie d'Alger - 30 ct version includes 56 skeins. Recommended linen for this thread is 30 ct or lower.

 Au Ver a Soie®, Soie 1003 includes 28 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

"

In the March of 2019, I stumbled across a stunning sampler in an auction catalogue. The sampler had been worked by Jane Harris Hogson in 1833. When Jane arrived, there were many oohs and aahs amongst my needlework friends. I decided to gift Jane to my dearest friend Sandra as she had fallen in love with the sampler. We both share a passion for large samplers with sweeping floral borders.

Amazingly, I then came across an almost identical sampler for sale which I was lucky enough to acquire. The second sampler was dated 1834 and was stitched by Charlotte Amelia Stevens. There was no doubt that these two samplers were closely connected.

Both girls were 13 years old when they worked their samplers. Other than their names and the years (1833 and 1834) there are no discernible differences. The composition of the samplers, colours, verses and the wording of the dedications are the same. Jane finished her sampler on Friday, September 20, 1833, and Charlotte on Thursday, June 19, 1834.

When Sandra received Jane, she initially planned to reproduce her. However, when I acquired Charlotte, Sandra decided that she would recreate Charlotte, so that the two girls could hang together in her home. It has been an epic four-year journey for Sandra with the girls. The sampler presented to you within this booklet is Sandra’s interpretation of Charlotte and Jane.

At the start of my research, the two girls were initially illusive. Jane’s surname was spelt Hodgson in the family history records. In the 1800s the spelling of names was much less consistent than today. Many people did not read or write, and parish clerks and census enumerators wrote names down in various ways.

I eventually found both girls in the village of Stoke. The village lies in the parish of Stoke Damerel, one of the ancient parishes of Devon. The parish includes stretches of the coast west of Plymouth and north of Devonport...."