The English Heritage Sampler

RCTN Community Project 1996

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The Project * Materials Required * Getting Started * News and Progress * End of Page

The Project

The English Heritage Sampler Project was proposed in July 1996 by Phoebe Carroll as a community sampler project for RCTN members. The sampler is designed by Darlene O'Steen and the chart is to be found in her book The Proper Stitch.

It is designed in the style of 16th and 17th century Band Samplers, and reflects the character of these English pieces. The sampler uses 12 counted thread stitches, and consists of alternating bands of colour and whitework depicting common geometric patterns of that time.

Detailed instructions for all the stitches are to be found in the book.

Stitchers will obtain their own materials, and proceed at their own pace with stitching the sampler, and will, if they wish, report their progress on RCTN, using the header: EHS. Any problems they encounter should be reported to the newsgroup, so that they can obtain advice and assistance.
[Contents List]

Materials Required

• The Chart:
  is in the book: The Proper Stitch, by Darlene O'Steen, ISBN 0-932437-03-6, published by Symbol of Excellence Publishers, 1994.

  Please note we have been warned that this book will NOT be reprinted when stocks run out, so if you wish to join the project, purchase a copy as soon as possible!

• The Fabric:
  32 count raw linen (Wichelt Imports, Inc.) Cut size 24" x 15"

• Needles:
  Size 26 or 28 according to your preference
  
• The Silks:
  

  Kreinik Soie d'Alger is used for the model stitched in the book, but you may use DMC as an alternative, and Phoebe has suggested the colour conversions, and Julie Hocking has offered some alternatives, with the comment:

  However I STRONGLY recommend changing DMC 221 to 3722. 221 is a quite dark red, and 3722 is more of a dark rose. It is almost exactly like the Soie 4623.

  Colour	Kreinik Soie d'Alger	DMC Floss	No. Skeins
  Medium Blue	1745	926 or 3768	1
  Dark Blue	1746	930 or 924	1
  Light Green	1834	320	1
  Medium Green	1835	367	1
  Dark Green	1836	890	1
  Light Rose	2911	3774 or 225	1
  Light Gold	3712 (replaces 2131)	822, 369 or 729	1
  Ecru	4231	Ecru or 822	2/3
  Dark Gold	4234	437 or 782	1
  Medium Rose	4621	224	1
  Dark Rose	4623	221 or 3722	1

• Frame or stand to fit

Suppliers:

Getting Started

• Please begin with serged or whip stitch edges. If you choose to hemstitch your sampler fray check will have been a very bad idea.
• 

  To aid correct counting and placement of the bands, work running stitch guidelines down the left hand side of the fabric; it is also helpful to work a row across the top as well.

  

  Measure down approximately 2" from the top left hand side of your fabric, and in the same amount from the LHS. Find the nearest set of vertical threads, and mark these with a cross stitch. Start basting, with a contrasting floss, across the fabric from the top LHS side of this cross, Work over and under two threads of the fabric, and mark every 10th stitch with an upright one. Next, again from the top LHS of the cross stitch, baste down the LHS of the fabric.
  All this takes time but is worthwhile as it makes counting so much easier!

• Read the general instructions on pp7-10, and the specific instructions on p132 before you start your actual stitching
• Use shortish lengths of floss so it doesn't wear thin
• Use away waste knots to start off
• Start working at the top left hand side of your fabric
• Your first stitch will be taken two rows down from the top and two rows in from your basting lines; this corresponds with the placing of the symbols on the chart
• Work all the dividing bands FIRST, as instructed, and COUNT CAREFULLY!!

News and Progress

Check out r.c.t.n. for various discussions on: