With My Needle and Pen

With My Needle and Pen

An Internet Sampler Newsletter

The With My Needle and Pen Newsletter was established in 1997, and was originally called The Sampler Band. It was created to share news and information on sampler-related topics, and to provide a forum for members to work together on common sampler stitching projects. That first year there were approximately 100 members. The group eventually grew into its present format of nearly 2000 members from around the world. Group members from beginners to world-renowned experts are able to help and inspire each other.

With My Needle and Pen is published twice a month at no cost to recipients. Each issue discusses the group projects and other sampler-related topics. Each month a stitching schedule is suggested for the group projects, but individuals are welcome to stitch at their own pace.

Past Group Projects

1997	Barbara Jackson's Pineapple Bellpull from Fine Lines, a publication of the Historic Needlework Guild
1998	The Newburyport Sampler, designed by Page Dorsey, Sampler Workes
1999	**Treasured Friends by Darlene O'Steen,The Needle's Prayse Margaret Gibson, a Scottish reproduction sampler, from The Scarlet Letter**
2000	**Elizabeth Cofer, a reproduction sampler from the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. It was reproduced by Joanne Harvey, The Examplarery With My Needle Examplar, designed by Ellen Chester of With My Needle**
2001	*Darlene O'Steen's Late 20th-Century Huswif* from Sampler and Antique Needlework, Vol. 2 (also available as a separate chart) Northwest Huswif Sampler from Stitchin' and Stuff Rebekah** Vollintine, a reproduction sampler (ca. 1740), from Bittersweet House
2002	The Blue Rose Sampler designed by Sharon Cohen, The Nostalgic Needle **Agnes Scott,1810, a Scottish reproduction sampler, by Ellen Chester, With My Needle**
2003	**Catherine of Aragon sampler, a teaching sampler, designed by Eileen Bennett, The Sampler House Ann Hair, 1762, a reproduction sampler, from The Scarlet Letter Quaker Pincushions from The Scarlet Letter**
2004	**Ann Holewll, 1699, a reproduction sampler from The Examplarery The Marriage of Minds from The Drawn Thread Mouline Rouge from Long Dog**
2005	Jane Longstreth, a reproduction sampler from the Vassar College collection **Bands of Many Colors, by Eileen Bennett, The Sampler House**
2006	**Not For Us Alone, a teaching project from Amy Mitten, Fibers To Dye For John Foster, a reproduction sampler from Susan Biggers, Historic Stitches**
2007	**Janet Gibson, 1819, a reproduction sampler from Hope’s Dwelling Place A Most Noble Pursuit*, a limited-edition collaboration sampler designed by Brightneedle, Carriage House Samplings, Hands to Work,* La D Da, Patricia Ann Designs, Praiseworthy Stitches, Primitive Traditions, A Stitch and A Prayer, With My Needle, and The Workbasket.

2008 GROUP PROJECTS

For those newsletter subscribers wishing to participate in a stitch-along, two projects, Ann Holewll,1699 (from The Examplarery) and the Ackworth Friendship Book (from With My Needle) have been chosen for 2008. Hopefully, the SALs will begin in January.

Ann Holewll, 1699

Yes, I realize that this sampler was one of our 2004 SALs. We chose this sampler again for two reasons. First, there are still lots of needleworkers who would like to complete the reproduction of Ann's beautiful sampler. Some may have bought the kit back in 2004 and did not get it finished. There are others who never had the chance to get the sampler. The second reason this sampler was chosen is because Ann was one of Juda Hayle's students. Juda, an English schoolmistress between 1691 and 1710, was very active in girlhood education in the Ipswich area of East Anglia. With the much anticipated release of Edwina Ehrman's book on Juda Hayle, it seems only fitting that this sampler would be one of our projects.

Ann's sampler was purchased by Colonial Williamsburg in 1998. To read more about the acquisition, go to http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/4801/judahayle.htm. The reproduction is worked in the stitching techniques found on the original: Cross, Double Running, Algerian Eye, and Satin with accents of Chain, Bullion Knots and Double Back Stitch.

The sampler reproduction is available in kit form only. There are three options for ordering if you live in the US. If you live out of the US, please email Joanne at theexamplarery@sbcglobal.net for shipping costs.

35-count linen and DMC threads--$70.50 plus $7.50 US shipping
35-count linen and silk threads--$110.50 plus $7.50 US shipping
40-count linen and silk threads--$110..50 plus $7.50 US shipping

You can order your kit now by using paypal (send money to theexamplarery@sbcglobal.net). Make sure that you let Joanne which kit you want, and also include your shipping address. Joanne will most likely not be able to ship the kits until early January.

If you prefer to wait before placing your order, please go ahead now and email Joanne at theexamplarery@sbcglobal.net, and let her know which kit you will be ordering. This way she can order enough linen and fibers for the kits. She will let you know when she is ready to send your kit so that you can make your payment.

Ackworth Friendship Book

I was delighted to hear that so many of you are interested in stitching my Ackworth Friendship Book. You can either stitch this book yourself or gather a group of friends and stitch in each other's book. I suggest that the book's "owner" get all of the stitching supplies for her own book. Then mail the linen, with the backstitched page border already stitched, to those in your group. When choosing your thread color, keep in mind that it is easier to pick the lining and bag fabric first, and then the thread color rather than choosing the thread color first.

The chart and all the stitching supplies can be obtained at your favorite needlework shop.

How do I receive the newsletter??
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