The Three Ships sampler was inspired by a visit made in December 1993 to Jamestown, Virginia, USA, whilst attending a needlework seminar in nearby Colonial Williamsburg. Jamestown was America's first English colony, predating the Plymouth, Massachusetts colony by thirteen years. The Americans honour these early pioneers with a reconstruction of the settlement on the original site, and replicas of the three tiny gallant ships that carried them on their long voyage are moored in the harbour there. The epic voyage made by these three ships impressed me greatly and I decided to make a sampler in celebration of their achievements.

For the full story, visit the Three Ships web page.

The sampler depicts the epic voyage, which began in December 1606, of three small ships which took early settlers to Jamestown, Virginia, USA. The sampler is stitched on 36 count natural linen, using DMC stranded floss, DMC Flower Threads and Kreinik metallic threads. Eleven different sampler stitches are used in the design. All stitches are worked over two threads with the exception of the petit point which is done over one thread. One strand of either DMC floss or Kreinik metallic is used for most of the design, except for the highlighting, where DMC and metallic are blended; the text is worked in a single strand of DMC Flower Thread.

• High quality computer produced cross stitch chart (A3 size, colour with black symbols)
• List of fabric and threads requirements
• Stitching instructions and detailed stitch diagrams
• Numbered "Stitched by" card to fix to the back of your framed work
• Information about the sources of inspiration for this design

• Fabric: 36 count natural linen
  This design is not suitable for stitching on Aida, unless worked entirely in cross stitch
• Stitch Count: 172 wide x 124 high
• Design Size: 9.6" x 6.9" (24.3cm x 17.5cm) on 36 count
  Alternative counts are listed on the chart pack
• Threads: DMC Six Strand Cotton in 13 colours; DMC Flower Thread; Kreinik gold and silver metallics.

Suitable for expert stitchers. It is possible to work the design using cross stitch only, in which case an ambitious beginner could attempt it.

Available from The Sampler Guild Shop.