Be It My Ambition

Project Description:  This compartmentalized-style sampler has nine octagonal cartouches surrounded by a luscious strawberry vine border.  The center cartouche has an old sampler verse, Be it my ambition to excel in the blest art of doing well.  This is truly a sentiment we should embrace not only in our needlework but also in our lives. Stitch Count:  232 wide x 184 high.

Stitches Used:  Backstitch, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, horizontally elongated cross stitch, mosaic, padded satin, satin, ray, Smyrna cross, star, straight, tent, and vertically elongated cross stitch.

Kit Contents: The kit includes charts and detailed directions for stitching (18 pages plus the cover), 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, and a needle.

Call of the Sea

Project Description:  Your heart will long to be near the sea as you stitch this nautical-themed sewing case. Some of the design motifs found on the outside are a lighthouse, a house with a widow's walk, a young lady tending chicken, a wonderful ship, sealife such as fish, seahorses, starfish, and octopuses hidden among the seaweed, and even a mermaid. Also on the outside of the case is a wonderful verse from an old sampler--Go take the wings of morn and fly beyond the utmost sea.

The inside of this case includes a stitched lining with more sealife. Also on the inside are a needlepage, an attached stitched scissors sheath, and a place to hang silver fish bodkins.   Options for a pocket will be included for those stitchers not wanting to use the bodkins.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, backstitch, brick, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, encroaching slanted gobelin, leaf, mosaic, Parisian, satin, shell, slanted gobelin, smyrna cross, straight, tent, and vertical closed herringbone.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes two colors of 32-count linen, silk threads (including some overdyed silk threads), doctor's flannel for the needlepage, hand-dyed ribbons, a bead for closure, a painted mermaid charm, skirtex interfacing, fish-shaped scissors, and a needle.

Also available is a set of silver fish-shaped bodkins.

Project Description: This sewing case celebrates the bonds created among stitching friends. The front of the case features two girls holding a piece of embroidery representing the bond between them. Also on the front of the case are cardinals and violets. You can personalize the case front with your own initials.

On the back of the sewing case is a small sampler with the lovely old verse, My needle does my heart engage. There are also dividing bands with various sampler stitches and more cardinals and violets. There is room to further personalize your case. The inside of the case has an embroidered pinkeep on one side and a pocket for storing your needlework treasures on the other side.

In addition to the sewing case, there is a needlebook resembling a sampler with dividing bands worked in different sampler stitches.

Stitches Used: alternating double backstitch, backstitch, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, four sided, mosaic, nun's stitch, Rhodes heart, rice stitch variation, satin, smyrna cross, tent, vertical closed herringbone, and zigzag.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 32-count linen, silk threads, silk dupioni for the lining, hand-dyed ribbon, beads for the closures, Skirtex interfacing, and a needle.

Also available is a silver cardinal charm (not shown in the photo) which looks wonderful as an added decoration.  (I attached mine to my scissors and then slipped my scissors under the pinkeep on the left side of the case interior.)

Fruit of the Vine Sampler Huswif

Project Description:  This project can be made as a sampler and framed, or it can be made into a huswif. On the inside of the huswif is a mattress-style pincushion and pockets for storing your needlework tools. An embellished dupioni silk band wraps around the folded huswif to keep it closed. The embroidery is the same for both the sampler and the huswif. The project also includes a coordinating needleroll and scissors weight.

The verse is from the Song of Soloman:

Arise, and come away, for behold, the winter is past;
The flowers appear on earth, the time of singing has come;
The vines in bloom give forth their fragrance;
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, alternating double backstitch, backstitch, barrier, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, four-sided, herringbone, horizontal elongated cross, long-armed cross, montenegrin, mosaic, nun’s stitch, plaited cross, queen, ray stitch, Rhodes, Rhodes heart, Rhodes octagon, satin, small plait, smyrna cross, star, tent, vertical elongated cross, and zigzag stitch.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk threads, cotton perle, hand-dyed silk ribbon, skirtex interfacing, dupioni silk, beads for the needleroll closure and decoration, mother of pearl heart-shaped thread rings, a grape charm, pearlized pins, and tapestry, beading, and curved needles.

Kindred Spirits

Project Description: The beautiful tiger maple Shaker carrier in this project is the perfect size for holding many of your needlework necessities. This carrier, derived from the oval box tradition, is divided into three compartments: a large one in the back and two smaller ones in the front. The bottom of each compartment is lined with green dupioni silk. An embroidered linen band lines the inside of each compartment. In addition to the carrier, this project includes a silk-ribbon-embellished needleroll, a pin cube, a scissors holder, a pipkin, and an optional ruler holder.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, alternating double backstitch, backstitch, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, diamond eyelet, eyelet, four-sided, herringbone, mosaic, nun’s stitch, Rhodes, rice, satin, Smyrna cross, tent, tied half-Rhodes, tied herringbone, triple cross, and Williamsburg stitch.

Kit Contents: In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk threads, a tiger maple divided carrier (approximately 12-1/2 inches long x 8-3/4 inches wide x 2-1/2 inches high), dupioni silk, overdyed silk ribbons, mounting boards, cat’s eye beads for the needleroll closure and decoration, a custom-made bee marking pin,and tapestry, beading, and curved needles.

A Lady's Worke Box

Project Description: Needlework, both plain and fancy, at one time played a very important role in the daily life of many girls and women. Therefore, a sewing or worke box was a cherished possession because it was a place to safely store needlework items.

In this class, you will make two embroidered panels and a silk lining for a wooden worke box. You will also make a needlebook with a Jacob’s Ladder binding, a pincushion, a three-sided scissors weight, and an embroidered panel for a wooden hornbook threadholder.

Stitches Used: alternating double backstitch, backstitch, closed herringbone, cross, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion (traditional and reverse slant), diamond eyelet, double-sided Italian, four-sided, herringbone, mosaic, plaited cross, Rhodes, Rhodes heart, rice stitch variation, smyrna cross, tent, tied half Rhodes, and zigzag stitch.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, DMC threads for the twisted cords and the whitework on the needlebook, hand-dyed silk ribbons, hand-dyed wool for the needlepage, dupioni silk for lining the needlebook and box, a wooden hornbook threadholder, a wooden ruler, a painted box, two threadwinders, printed covers for making a small notebook, mounting boards, and a needle.

Long May She Wave

Project Description:  The cover of this diminutive needlecase features the American flag.  You will be able to choose between stitching a flag with 13 stars in a circle like the Betsy Ross flag or the modern flag with 50 stars.

The needlecase opens to reveal a small flag pinkeep and linen needlepage on one side and an embroidered pocket for "treasures" on the other side.  The pocket design features a young lady proudly holding the American flag and with her faithful dog by her side.  The back cover has a label with a patriotic flag and a place for your initials.  Beautiful silk satin ribbons embellish the case which is lined in a luscious red silk dupioni fabric.

Stitches Used: backstitch, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion, double-sided Italian, encroaching slanted gobelin, horizontal elongated tied cross, long-armed cross, Montenegrin, mosaic, nun's stitch, rice, satin, small plait, smyrna cross, smyrna cross variation, tent, and tied half Rhodes.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 32-count linen, silk threads (including some overdyed silk threads), hand-dyed ribbons, dupioni silk, mother of pearl beads for closure and decoration, skirtex interfacing, and a needle.

Project Description:  This needlebook is a small version of a Jacob’s Ladder toy. Perhaps you played with such a mind-engaging toy as a child. You can open your needlebook from either edge, and the wool needlepage appears to magically jump from one side to the other. How can that be?

The front of the needlebook features a large vase of carnation flowers and acorns. These have long been popular sampler motifs. There are also matching quilt squares in each lower corner. The design is most often called the Ohio Star, although sometimes it’s called Variable Star, Eight Point Design, Flying Crows, Lone Star, Eastern Star, Western Star, or Texas Star. Regardless of the name, this star design has been popular since the early 1800s.

On the back of the needlebook is a small sampler with the lovely old verse, My needle does my hours engage. There are also seven dividing bands with various sampler stitches, two cardinals, and a large basket of fruit. The basket with the large “W” is an adaptation of those found on some Quaker samplers from Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania and Quaker schools in Waynesville, Ohio.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, backstitch, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, four-sided, herringbone, mosaic, padded satin, Smyrna cross, Rhodes, Rhodes heart, tent, and zigzag stitch.

Kit Contents: In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, hand-dyed silk satin ribbon, hand-dyed wool for the needlepage, dupioni silk for lining the needlebook, a mounting board, and a needle.

My Needle's Worke Sampler Huswif

Project Description:  This project can be made as a sampler and framed, or it can be made into a huswif.  A "huswif" or "hussif" is a folded or rolled case for holding needlework supplies.  Women often carried a huswif in one of the large tie-on pockets worn under their skirts.  The embroidery is the same for both the sampler and the huswif.  The project also includes a coordinating needlebook case and scissors sheath.  All of these pieces can be assembled by hand.

Cloth is my land so that I boldly stand
Needle is my plow so I can skills endow
Silk is my seed so I can name my deed

My inspiration for this project came from this lovely verse that was originally stitched in German in 1800 by Hanna Schottin, who lived in Pennsylvania.

Stitches Used:  Algerian eye, alternating double backstitch, backstitch, barrier, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion (traditional and reverse slant), double-sided Italian cross, four-sided, long-armed cross, Montenegrin, mosaic, nun's stitch, padded satin, Rhodes, rice, small plait, Smyrna cross, star, straight, tent, Williamsburg, and zigzag stitch.

Kit Contents: The kit includes charts and detailed directions for stitching and assembly, 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, dupioni silk lining, three needles (tapestry, beading, and curved), mother of pearl heart-shaped thread rings, three mother of pearl beads, hand-dyed silk ribbon, and comic book board.

Project Description:  This lovely project can be finished as a framed sampler or as a huswif with a matching needlebook. A "huswif" or "hussif" is the name for a case which stores needlework supplies. Before the days of pockets on clothing, women often carried a huswif in one of the large tie-on pockets worn under their skirts. The use of a huswif was certainly not exclusive to women. Sailors, soldiers, and other men who needed sewing items sometimes carried huswifs.

The verse, My needlework wrought with so much care, adorned with colours so rich and fair, came from an old sampler.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, alternating double backstitch, backstitch, barrier, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion (traditional and reverse slant), double running, double-sided Italian cross, four-sided, gobelin, horizontal elongated tied cross, long-armed cross, Montenegrin, nun's stitch, queen, diagonal queen, rice, satin, smyrna cross, straight, tent, three-sided, upright cross, and zigzag.

Kit Contents:  In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk threads, hand-dyed ribbon, skirtex interfacing, dupioni silk, beads for the closures, tatting thread, and a needle.

Olivia and Her Sampler

Project Description:  A handmade Shaker box will hold your needlework treasures.  On the inside, the box features an embroidered bottom.  Also included are three needlework accessories -- a scissors case doll, a pincushion, and a sampler needlebook.  The scissors case doll is perfect for storing your embroidery scissors.  The case has a front and back view of a young lady, Olivia, with her embroidery work.  You will be able to personalize your case with an initial on the linen in Olivia’s embroidery hoop.  The needlebook is Olivia’s completed sampler.

Stitches Used:  Algerian eye, alternating double backstitch, backstitch, Belgian cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, double-sided Italian, four-sided, mosaic , nun’s, Smyrna, and tent stitches.

Kit Contents: The kit includes charts and detailed directions for stitching and assembly, 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, a wooden Shaker box, dupioni silk lining, three needles (tapestry, curved, and beading), four beads, hand-dyed silk ribbon, and comic book board.

(The scrimshaw items shown in the photos are no longer available.)

Project Description: A huswif, which is a roll-type sewing case, and the needlework tools it contained were essential. This project is a modern adaptation of an antique huswif (ca. 1780) with a complementary trinket case.

Both the outside and the inside of the antique are made of silk edged with a gold metallic trim. On the inside are five small pockets and a pincushion; all are made from different colors of silk fabric. The inside is also embellished with beads and mirrors.

For the adaptation that you will stitch, I chose silk dupioni for the outside. Opening the case will reveal four embroidered linen pockets on a linen background, all in different colors, and a silk pincushion. Pockets one and three have a lovely verse written by Robert Burns from his poem, Farewell to Eliza, (1786): Boundless oceans, roaring wide, / Between my love and me, / They never, never can divide / My heart and soul from thee. Pocket two celebrates the life of whalers and features a bark (a sailing vessel often used for whaling) and other motifs relating to the whaling life. Pocket four shows the Admiralty Head Lighthouse (formerly known as the Red Bluff Lighthouse) on Whidbey Island in Washington. Mirrors and beads are included for further embellishment.

The front of the accompanying trinket case once again features a whaling bark. On the back are whales and a verse from Psalm 104: Yonder is the great and wide sea. Inside the case is a whale-shaped needlepage, a unique pocket for holding special treasures, and a seahorse charm.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, backstitch, broad diagonal cross, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion, double-sided Italian, framed double cross, long-armed cross, Montenegrin, mosaic, plaited cross, ray, Rhodes heart, rice stitch variation, satin, smyrna cross, star, tent, tied half Rhodes, vertical closed herringbone, and vertical elongated cross stitch.

Kit Contents: In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes five colors of 32-count linen, silk threads (including some overdyed silk threads), cotton threads, dupioni silk, gold trim, beads for closure and decoration, mirrors, a seahorse charm, skirtex interfacing, and a needle.

Fish-shaped scissors and silver fish bodkins can also be ordered.

This project is a companion piece to Tokens from the Sea.

A Sampler Needlebook

Project Description: This needlebook project was created in honor of the 20th anniversary of The Sampler Guild of the Rockies. The front features a wreath of columbine flowers along with birds, hearts, and butterflies. A small sampler, with a band for personalization, is on the back of the needlebook.

The needlebook is a small version of a Jacob’s Ladder toy. Perhaps you may remember playing with such a toy. You can open your needlebook from either side, and the wool needlepage appears to “jump” from side to side.

Stitches Used: Algerian eye, backstitch, closed herringbone, cross, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion (traditional and reverse slant), double-sided Italian, four-sided, herringbone, Montenegrin, Rhodes heart, Rhodes, smyrna cross, straight, tent, tied half Rhodes, and zigzag.

Kit Contents: In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes 36-count linen, silk embroidery threads, hand-dyed silk satin ribbon, hand-dyed wool for the needlepage, dupioni silk for lining the needlebook, a mounting board, and a needle.

Project Description:  This nautical project includes a beautiful reproduction sailor's ditty box with an embroidered linen band on the inside, a compass pincushion, and a fish-shaped case for storing scissors and needles.

The ditty box used in this project is a reproduction. The lid and bottom are cherry wood. The sides are made of a synthetic material that simulates panbone. The box measures 8 inches by 6 inches and is 3-1/2 inches high.

The embroidered linen band on the box interior has a vine border at the top and bottom that resembles the carved borders on the outside of many antique ditty boxes. In addition, the band includes a verse from Psalm 104: Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living creatures too many to number, creatures both small and great. There is a small embroidered pocket on the band.

The outside of the fish-shaped case is designed like a small band sampler and has a verse from Psalm 107: They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; / These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. Store your scissors inside the case. The fish tail opens to reveal a pair of needlepages.

Stitches Used:  alternating double backstitch, backstitch, barrier, closed herringbone, cross stitch, cross stitch over one linen thread, cushion, fishbone, four-sided, mosaic, nun's stitch, plaited cross, Rhodes, rice stitch variation, smyrna cross, tent, tied half Rhodes, and zigzag.

Kit Contents: In addition to photos and detailed directions for stitching and assembling the project, the kit includes a reproduction ditty box, two colors of 32-count linen, silk threads (including some overdyed silk threads), cotton threads, dupioni silk, beads for closure and decoration, skirtex interfacing, and a needle.

Fish-shaped scissors and silver fish bodkins can also be ordered.

This project is a companion piece to A Sailor's Remembrance.