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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Old Samplers  |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 2:31:21 PM
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I love them. For 15 years I was a needlework designer, primarily cross-stitch, and my passion is recreating old samplers, and making my new ones look old. My stairway is lined with 15 or more sampler reproductions that I stitched from either a pattern or designed for myself.
I do not know why they speak to me. Maybe it is because they contain the history, the work, and the love of women who went before me.
Anyone else love them too?
Peace |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 2:37:14 PM
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Jeannie- I love old samplers as well. My parents have one that my great great-grandmother did. It comes to me later ( you know.) It is beautifully done and has always been a treasure for me to look at and think of her. I used to think that one day, when I had time, I would make a copy. Well, time never came my way - Not yet anyway. I bet your collection is beautiful.
Karin |
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Whimsy_girl
True Blue Farmgirl
576 Posts
USA
576 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 3:00:03 PM
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If you get a chance I would love to see some pictures of your work!
B.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 4:35:53 PM
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Hi girls,
YES I love samplers too, over the years I have made lots. Given several away, and have about eight around the house here. I have one that is dated 1865 and signed of a chimney sweep, found it in an old book, maybe put in there to press, so I framed it. Still do them when I find one I REALLY LIKE.
Jeanie, would like to see the ones you have designed.
NANCY JO |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 8:25:04 PM
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I love them to don't have any on my walls yet I have about 5 in drawers that in time will make it to my walls
have a lovely day |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 8:38:25 PM
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I love samplers too. I especially like doing samplers in cross stitch (on linen the best) and did a sampler for both my sister and brother's weddings. The one I made for my brother and his wife 20 years ago this year is my favorite. I go through phases of doing cross stitch more. Havn't done it for awhile..but I have all the stuff handy should I feel the need. I should do a sampler for us for our home. I have a problem with not keeping things I make for us.
I wish I could find some old ones..I love stuff like that!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 8:45:30 PM
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I grew up with my Mom always doing samplers. She has many that she has done and collected. She is a whiz at doing counted cross stitch. I have tried my hand at from time to time, but not so good. Thank God she does it and I have reaped the rewards. Guess I will someday have to get better so I can produce my own.
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 9:47:51 PM
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Jeannie,
I too love samplers. I think my facination with them began when I read "The Scarlet Letter" in high school. Hester Prynn is such a wonderful character. I have done many samplers myself but don't own anything old. I just bought a piece of fine woven linen to start on a sampler after finding a reproduction pattern, at the thrift store of all places! I also purchased a very fine piece, already finished at the same store for $1.50! It was professionally framed and had a tag on the back that says it was adapted from an antique bedcover (1765) from the Williamsbug collection. The woman used very fine stitches and signed the back "worked by Judy Vluestra, 1984". Not old, but very lovely. I was pleased to find it.
We'd all love to see pictures of your designs or finished work!
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 05:35:27 AM
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I love them also, havent made very many though. For me, if the little X's arent there, Im terrible!
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 06:15:29 AM
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Rhonda
Good find at the thrift shop!!You have to wonder why someone would want to part with the sampler, maybe the whole family just hated judy.HA.
NANCY JO
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 06:51:14 AM
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I love samplers, but I don't have the finger dexterity to do them. I did one stamped sampler when I was pregnant with my son...27 years ago. Still have that one, but that is the only one I ever did. My sister does them though. Although I think she stopped after having a stroke a few years back. Would love to see your designs!
Georgann |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 07:27:38 AM
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Rhonda, What a find at the thrift store!!! The Williamsburg themed patterns are very collectible. Not long ago on Antiques Roadshow, a woman brought a very old sampler and it was valued at $30,000! I do not own an authentically old one, except for my first one, since I am authentically old now. :) Just kidding. I would love to come across a find like that, or have one handed down in the family, but until then I will create my own. I like to stitch on 28ct. linen, preferably undyed.
The mid-80's were a popular time for samplers, since the Williamsburg type of decor was very popular. I still love that look. I will try to take some photos and post here soon. Would love to see yours too!
Peace |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 07:38:24 AM
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jpbluesky
Maybe in time your samplers after going down a few generations will be on antiques road show 28 ct linen is very fine work and probably gorgeous
have a lovely day |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 07:39:33 AM
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forgot to say ladies you should post some pictures of your lovely work for all to see it would be fun
have a lovely day |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 07:41:41 AM
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When stitching on linen, it is normally "over 2", so it is actually 14 count finished...not so fine, but has a nice look.
Peace |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 08:31:59 AM
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oh I haven't worked on linen I assumed it had the same count as cross stitch aida cloth or as latch hook fabric
have a lovely day |
Edited by - sunshine on Jun 23 2006 2:56:15 PM |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 2:10:45 PM
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Yes, on linen, and it is common to stitch over two. I have seen it stitched over one and it is absolutely gorgeous. Kind of like pixels on a camera lens, the finer you go, the more beautiful it is.
It is tricky at first to see the place to insert the needle over two, but after a while it becomes quite natural. I only wish I could stitch on 28 count and make it that petit point! It would be quite beautiful, as you said.
Peace |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jun 23 2006 2:12:46 PM |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 12:15:54 AM
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Yes Nancy, I have wondered about poor Judy and why her handwork was so unappreciated! LOL It is such a lovely piece,on linen, featuring birds & flowers, done in mostly golds & blues. I thought the frame did not do it justice so I removed it, leaving it pinned to the backing. I'm still pondering what I'd like to do with it.
Can you believe the things we see on "Roadshow"? I keep hoping one of my trash bin finds will turn out to be a real treasure! Ha!
I do need to take an afternoon & figure out how to post photos here. I am pretty computer challenged. Took me a week to post a picture of my dog! I never got any farther! LOL Dial up internet makes it even harder! The price we pay for living in a cornfield!
Rhonda
...and I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance, even if I'm the only one! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 04:51:30 AM
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I have dial-up, to, and boy am I getting tired of it! Oh well, it is cheaper!
When you say your sampler was pinned, that is probably good in some ways, but if they are metal pins, they will evenutally rust and spot the linen, or create holes over time. If you re-frame it, which is probably the best idea, stretch it around a non-acid mounting board and lace it together on the back like a shoe, using strong thread. You can stretch it just enough to get it nice and flat. This preserves the fabric. Frame it so it does not touch the glass, if you use glass, and hang it somewhere away from bright window light. You might keep the information that told you who stitched it, too, and when. That is important.
Karin, how lucky you are to have a very old one in your family that has been handed down. You are just the person to "keep" it for awhile before it travels on to perhaps one of your children.
Sunshine (my hubby used to call me that) neat that you have five ready for framing. Did you do them yourself? I even like the small mini samplers. They are much quicker, can look just as authentic, and give variety to a grouping on the wall.
I always keep looking for an old one in some hide-away shop, but have only found ones from the 60's or 70's that were stamped and not very pretty. Heck, I already hve one of those that I did the first time! :)
Peace |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jun 24 2006 04:57:09 AM |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Old Samplers |
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Old Samplers
