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This is on 32-ct hand-dyed linen. Those are wrinkles in the fabric not dye marks. I changed the thread colors as well. This called for one thread over two, but I just couldn't do it. I had to switch to two threads. And I seem to be having some kind of counting blight. I can't tell you how many mistakes are in this already.

The colors you picked look good on the fabric. Good progress!

Very pretty! I love samplers and prims!

Love it the colors are fab

Thank you!

Great progress! I love old samplers. One of my very very first pieces was an old embroidery sampler with many different types of stitches. Originally done in the 1700's. I gave it to my parents. Have to see if I can find it. Looking forward to your updates!

Carole

Amazing, and I really LOVE the fabric!!! Wow!!! This is looking fantastic already and I can't wait for your next update!! Can I ask who the fabric is dyed by and the name of the color!

what a great fabric for this sampler!

This is such a nice sampler you've chosen. I especially love the fabric you've picked out. It sets off the colors just beautifully.

That is a lovely design and you have made a grand start on it. Well Done.

I think using two strands will make the design stand out more against the fabric. Beautiful stitching!

Thanks all! I'll post another update later. I haven't been feeling well so I've been in my recliner stitching a lot. No,, really, I don't feel well....it's not an excuse.

Carole, I'd LOVE to see a pic of your sampler. I love them and have several I've stitched and I love specialty stitches. In fact, I'm currently replacing the date and name on this one with some rows of specialty stitches.

Karen, I dyed it myself with RIT dye. I priced the Rook-colored linen it called for and at $78 a yard I decided I'd pick up some linen at the craft store for a fraction of that and dye it myself (I've bought other dyed linen though and paid those prices!). I wanted it more of the charcoal color but ran out of patience with the dye process. I kept bouncing back and forth between purple and brown. Hand dyeing is easy (hot water and dye) but you have to be flexible with your expectations. But it's fun and affordable.


If anyone wants to try it here's what I do:

1. Rinse your linen to get most of the sizing out. Set aside.
2. Fill bucket or pot with very hot water. I used about 6 cups/1-1/2 liters of water.
3. Add in a dribble or two of your dye colors (I use both the powdered RIT and the liquid--liquid is less messy).
4. Mix well.
5. Dip a white paper towel in your dye mix to see how your color is looking. Customize from there using your paper towel as your test piece.
6. When you have color/intensity right put your linen in and slosh around. I use my hands to really get it well covered.
7. Remove linen, squeeze dry, and lay out to dry.

NOTES: You may have spots of intense color if you didn't mix your dye well. Ask me how I know. This also works well on Aida. WEAR AN APRON OR OLD CLOTHES!

Wonderful Sampler and I like the colour combo you've picked....hope you feel better soon!

Thanks for the advice on dyeing - I've not been brave enough so far but who knows

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Thanks for the advice on dyeing - I've not been brave enough so far but who knows

I agree!!!! I'm just too chicken to try it and hubby is constantly underfoot---I do love yours though and if you ever dye up a similar batch I'd be interested in buying it!!! I just love it!!

seedreemer wrote:Carole, I'd LOVE to see a pic of your sampler. I love them and have several I've stitched and I love specialty stitches. In fact, I'm currently replacing the date and name on this one with some rows of specialty stitches.

I did a search in my house to see if I could find the sampler and it was in a drawer in the china cabinet I have that was my mother's.
I stitched this nearly 40 years ago so please excuse the wrinkles and some of the discoloration. Definitely looks like it could be a candidate for the Antique Road Show It's pretty large 15" w x 23" l. The pattern was stamped on the linen. I'm sure it was a kit that I ordered from a craft catalog (long before the days of internet).
Full size:

close ups:



I put my parents names and wedding date, my and my sister's birthday years where the young girl who stitched this originally had a Bible verse.
(can't believe I remember that). The sampler was stitched sometime in the mid 1700's I think and the stitcher wasn't more than 12 years old. I tried searching for the image to see if I could find out more about the original stitcher and found some that were close, but not it. I also did some crewel work in those days and then moved to crocheting until I rediscovered stitching.

Hope you don't mind my "historical" hijacking of your thread with this post.

Carole

Gorgeous start seedreemer and wow Carole! That is beautiful!

Carole, that is BEAUTIFUL! I love the colors and love the bottom part. Is that the crewel part? Hijack away.

It was in a drawer? Send it to me. I'll.....put it in my own drawer with all my pieces, haha. You should write all that info on the back if you ever get it framed. That's the fascinating stuff.

Karen, it's the ability to re-create colorsl...... that's why we pay the big bucks for dyed linen. However, should I ever luck up and dye this color again I'll let you know.

Carole, that looks amazing!!!!
seedreemer, thank you---it would be awesome if you do dye that color again in the future!!

Carole that is beautiful, and how wonderful to have it as a family heirloom with dates and family info!