I’ve been working on my little stitch sampler- a project that a group of us began last year under the very capable tutelage of Jan Knight. We had all professed a desire to practice our hand stitching and agreed that we could make a little stitch sampler book- something that was very popular in days gone by.

The design of the sampler was up to the individual, as was the materials to be used. We also wanted it to be a means of exploration and ‘stretching’ the stitch. Jan would show us the basic stitches and then we could copy them and re-interpret them how we wished. I decided to make my pages out of pre-loved linens and soft fabrics. Each page would therefore be different, and probably a different size to each other. These are some of my pages.

I’m still finishing the pages so I’ll keep some to show you when all complete!


I’ve done each page in a wide horizontal shape which I then plan to fold in half into its own little ‘signature’, and put the next page back-to-back with it. I still have to work out how I will stitch the pages into the cover.

I have this old piece of a linen tablecloth which will be the cover, and which also needs some stitching on it.

At the recent quilters meeting, Marilyn showed the group her finished stitch sampler and its beautiful cover –

…such an effective use of the bullion stitch.
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I need to get back to stitching… see you next week!