Hands Across the Sea - Elizabeth Atkinson 1829

If you would like to order the complete kit for this project including all threads and linen required, please contact me on 07 5546 0558 or [email protected].  We carry the complete range of Au Ver a Soie d’Alger. We carry most of the 100/3 threads with the remaining colours currently on their way to us. This shipment also includes all the Legacy Linen available for HATS Samplers. The threads and linens are due in the shop by mid July. If you require the kit before then, we have a wide range of other beautiful linens in stock.

“Make much of precious time” Elizabeth most certainly did in the year 1829 when she finished this delightful sampler. Stitched with a cheerful palette of 15 colours including a mouth-watering orange which sits so well against the glowing reds, pretty pinks, restful blues, rich greens and golden olives. Her colours caught our eye together with her sweet motifs. Whilst Elizabeth does not give her age, we sense that she was a young girl and this may have been her first sampler. The original was worked with wool on a coarse linen.

We were unable to identify our Elizabeth as there are numerous Elizabeth Atkinsons listed in family history records in the period during which Elizabeth lived. Many of the motifs Elizabeth stitched we see on the “Solomon Temple” samplers and have associations with the northern counties of England. She has stitched 7 sets of initials. The inclusion of family initials is a feature that appears on many Scottish samplers. The surname of Atkinson is particularly common in Northern England and is very similar to the Scottish surname of “Aitchison.” We suspect that the sampler was stitched either in the far North of England or in Scotland.

The design area is 281 stitches (w) x 220 stitches (h).The stitches used are cross stitch over one and two threads and Algerian eyelets. The sampler is suitable for needle workers of all levels of ability. The model of Elizabeth’s sampler was stitched by Nicola whilst travelling by road, air and sea; in hotel rooms and lobbies; in a ship’s cabin and on deck; and whilst lying in the shade of palm trees on secluded beaches in the West Indies. The sweet motifs and size of the sampler make this an ideal project to stitch whilst on the move or watching the world go by. We hope that you will enjoy stitching Elizabeth during your vacation too.

Thread Legend

Elizabeth’s sampler has been reproduced with Au Ver à Soie 100.3 silks on 46ct Weeks overdyed Zweigart linen in the colour Straw. The skein quantities listed below were calculated using 1 strand of d’Alger and 2 strands of DMC on 36ct fabric. The original sampler was stitched on linen in a colour closest to DMC shade 738 and measures approximately 16.25 x 15.50 inches.

The stitches used are cross stitch over one and two threads and Algerian eyelets. The sampler is suitable for needle workers of all levels of ability.

Remember that just like the longest journey begins with a single step, so does each sampler begin with a single stitch. All stitches begin the same way by pushing the needle through the fabric, first one way, then the other. The only difference between one type of stitch and another is where you put that needle and how you manipulate the thread.

Soie d’Alger / DMC  / 100.3 ~ Colour Description 

F20 x 1 / 543 x 1 / 211 x 1 ~ Beige brown ~ ultra light
525 x 1 / 832 x 1 / 022 x 1 ~ Golden olive
945 x 1 / 347 x 1 / 681 x 1 ~ Salmon ~ very dark ****
1735 x 1 / 931 x 1 / 486 x 1 ~ Antique blue ~medium
1843 x 1 / 522 x 1 / 108 x 1 ~ Fern green
2625 x 1 / 720 x 1 / 293 x 1 ~ Orange spice ~ dark
2757 x 1 / 926 x 1 / 468 x 1 ~ Grey green ~ medium
2915 x 1 / 3712 x 1 / 494 x 1 ~ Salmon ~ medium
2936 x 1 / 815 x 1 / 109 x 1 ~ Garnet ~ medium
3046 x 1 / 3685 x 1/  222 x 1 ~ Mauve ~ dark
3724 x 1/  3051 x 1 / 707 x 1 ~ Green grey ~ dark
3726 x 1 / 520 x 1 / 705 x 1~ Fern green ~ dark
3744 x 1 / 829 x 1 / 048 x 1 ~ Golden olive ~ very dark
3842 x 1 / 3024 x 1 / 401 x 1 ~ Brown grey ~ very light
4523 x 1  /3064 x 1 / 093 x 1 ~ Desert sand

**** #681 in the 100.3 has now been discontinued. We recommend 664 as a substitute.

LINEN SIZES

The design area is 281 stitches (w) x 220 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing.

28ct ~ Design: 20.07″ x 15.71″ Fabric: 26.07″ x 21.71″ 30ct ~ Design: 18.73″ x 14.67″ Fabric: 24.73″ x 20.67″
32ct ~ Design: 17.56″ x 13.75″ Fabric: 23.56″ x 19.75″ 36ct ~ Design: 15.61″ x 12.22″ Fabric: 21.61″ x 18.22″
40ct ~ Design: 14.05″ x 11.00″ Fabric: 20.05″ x 17.00″ 46ct ~ Design: 12.22″ x 9.57″ Fabric: 18.22″ x 15.57″
56ct ~ Design: 10.04″ x 7.86″ Fabric: 16.04″ x 13.86″