Samplers

[Jean C]

Does anyone else here have a preference to samplers? I just returned to stitching, but my preference for cross stitch is Samplers, whether they be reproductions or newer designs or old motifs. Currently Im working on SVW (Wiehenburg) Tranquility Sampler, which you can see here in my blog.

I started with the top center motif which was on page 3, and I have been able to click right along with only 3 errors that I needed to stop and correct. I have attributed my progress to good lighting, 2.75+ cheaters (which I need to post two retinal detachments - an basically no vision in the right eye) and K's Creations Lap Standard.

You can see my set up as well on my blog, I wondered if anyone else has noticed or feels that frames or stands do make a difference in their stitching and productivity (not that this is race, but it is nice to move along a little bit faster)

Thanks for looking

[Joy Vale]

Hi Jean,
I also love doing samplers, but the old alphabet type ones. Like you I always use a frame - I have two, a small lap one for working smaller motifs/patterns and a floor frame which allows me to use both hands, for larger stitching. Another thing I do is to get the chart I'm working from photographed and enlarged (don't have to squint to see it!!) and I use a light coloured highlight pen and mark off the areas I stitch. The idea of using a light coloured one is that if I want to do it again I can use another coloured marker.

Good lighting is also important. A hint I learnt from a fellow stitcher when working with a dark fabric is to place a white pillowcase or something similar on your knees - it shows through the holes in Aida cloth or a lightly woven cloth and you can see more easily where the next stitch goes.

[AnnieB]

Your sampler is looking very pretty. Personally, I don't really find it very interesting to stitch that type of large sampler myself, although I enjoy looking at them. I do sometimes stitch smaller stitcher's toys using motifs from some samplers. Like the little Quaker cube I recently completed. Click here. And I recently made a little bag with a sampler design. Click here.

I usually stitch with spring tension hoops or Q-snaps. I don't have a lot of space to set up a large frame. Although I never tried a frame, it seems like it would slow me down, not speed things up. But I suspect it would make my stitches more even. I'm not a perfectionist so that would not be a draw for me anyway. ;-)

I'm very nearsighted and I stitch while watching TV. I look through my glasses when I look up to see the screen and I look under my glasses when I stitch. Being this nearsighted, my eyes have a natural magnifying effect for close work.

Do you use DMC cotton floss or are you now hooked on silks?

[LadyDoc]

Do you use DMC cotton floss or are you now hooked on silks?

I have always used whatever the chart called for until recently. Last year, at The Stitching Jubilee, I discovered Vikki Clayton's Hand Dyed Fibers and I am now HOOKED on her silks. I am slowly, via one of her monthly clubs, building a stash of silks in all colors and will use them from now on for most of my work.

The only definite exception will be after I finish Aury's Sampler, when I start Martina Weber's Hawaiian Garden Mandala, and any other of Martina's designs. I have three charts waiting but will definitely be starting the Hawaiian Garden first. Martina spends so much time making sure that her thread choices enhance the design that I will always use the exact threads she lists in her charts.

Silks are so much better, and easier to work with than they were 10-15 years ago; they really are addictive now!

[Mips]

I love Samplers. I love so many other things as well but I have to admit that samplers are my preference. Many of them are on my webshots pages. I started SVW's Quaker Welcome sampler last month. I plan to turn it into a Quaker Go Away sign for my den door.

One of the reasons I love samplers is that most of them are fudgeable when errors are made. I am unable to count to 2 (threads) on some occasions. I had to undo 2 hours of stitching on a pictoral recently when I miscounted by 1 thread. I might have gotten away with that miscount if it was a sampler.

I wouldn't be able to stitch without magnification. I use assorted means depending on where I am stitching, how I am sitting, etc. I use a frame or Qsnaps 99.99% of the time. It helps stabilize my tension. I use a stand when convenient or working with very large projects on scrolls or Qsnaps. Since I stitch 2 handed even when I don't have the piece in scrolls, my speed doesn't falter with that. I am a slow stitcher because I spend more time looking at what I stitched than I do actually stitching.

[Gina E.]

I jusst adore the traditional samplers, and I've got books and patterns by the truckload, but I've never had time to do one because I've always got something else on the go :-(
I use my tapestry frame on a stand when I'm working on a big project. I had an American Indian UFO for 20 years that I just couldn't be bothered finishing, as I had to put it on a frame every time I picked it up to work on. I only had one frame at the time, so I had to rotate my WIPs in turn! But when I finally bought the frame on the stand, I was able to leave the Indian on it all the time, and it encouraged me to finish it. I've since done some other big projects on it, and it makes such a difference.
I'm okay with 14ct Aida using my day to day glasses which are multi-focal, but anything smaller and I have to use a magnifying glass around my neck. I got a pair of those specs you put on over the top of your own glasses, but they are useless. They just keep falling off!

[Joy Vale]

I have purchased those specs also - agree they are useless - actually made it worse to see. Can't use a magnifying glass either - I can't keep them still because I twist to look at my chart and they move (I don't have anything to rest them on !!!!!). As mentioned in my earlier post above re using a white pillowcase if your aida is black or dark - the same goes in reverse - place something dark on your knees when stitching on a light cloth - it really does make a difference.

[Jean C]

Wow, how wonderful to have all this camaraderie for samplers. I haven't been back to this thread, due to a cat issue. In June a mama cat arrived on my deck, then she had a baby, then dad showed up. Dad we had seen before, but he had an old collar and medallion with a phone number. I did start feeding mama and baby (she was very feral, but now she will let me pet her so we are backing progress). As far as Dad, that is what took up time, I started calling the number on the tag, it transferred me to a voice mail box so I left a message. Then a week later, with no answer I looked up the name in our community directory, that phone has been disconnected. So I called the cell number again, and waited. Through all this I was checking rescue groups, and ASPCA and our SPCA to see if someone would take the whole group. No luck of they are booked up. I'm in the DC Metro area, I'm an 1hr out of DC or an 1hr to Richmond, so I tried groups as far down as Richmond. Nothing. Through the ASPCA, I found a low cost neuter and spay facility in the area, that would also give shots. This past Wednesday we took Dad, who I call "beau" to get taken care of. As we speak his in the house, he's a good cat. We have six already-3 are geriatrics. My cats have always been indoor cats. Now I just have to get the Mama and baby taken care of, but they will be probably stay outside cats. So that's what took me away from checking my groups and posting, sorry).

Actually Im getting really frustrated with HDF Silks, because her colors run to close sometimes in a family group or they are off. Two of the colors called for in the Tranquility Sampler, I have changed to DMC. I will posted a more updated picture tomorrow, but I can show you as of the 24th. Oh the red was suppose to DMC 777, the HDF conversion was alter of roses, which was brownish looking not at all like the vibrant 777. So I used DMC 777

[Jan Lennie]

Your sampler is looking beautiful - I have a couple waiting in the wings . I'm using Pearsalls silks for one of them and they're beautiful to work with but as I have eye problems , I often have to wait for a lull in my eyesight before I can work

[Bernadette]

I love working on samplers. In fact, they are also my preference. I love all types - the Just Nan style, Reproduction, white work (not cross stitch, I know) and traditional style samplers.

I am currently working on Little House Needlework's Little House Neighbourhood, which is in the sampler style.

Bernadette

[Sherri Hagar]

I haven't been to Stitchin Fingers for a while so I just saw this post. Samplers are my favorite thing - especially reproductions or new samplers designed with elements from old samplers. I'm working on charting reproductions of some of the antique samplers in my own collection.

Jean, your Tranquility Sampler is beautiful. I can't wait to see more.

Good luck with the cats!

[LadyDoc]

I don't have a "preference" for samplers but I do have two in my current WIPs. I seem to go through phases where I like a certain type of project, then move on. If you like, you can see what I am working on by clicking the "current stitching projects" links on my BLOG sidebar. The two samplers are an original design that was an SAL (which I am WAY behind on, as usual) and the gorgeous Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler.

Right now I keep looking at all the Quaker samplers- they are wonderful. I have a link on my blog to Needleprint, which specializes in Quaker Samplers, especially from the Ackworth School. They have a WONDERFUL thing available- you can get a cross stitch software program, and then download different Quaker charts, with the ability to make your own charts, including personalizing things like the initials, etc. It's really terrific!

The one traditional sampler, which I have had kitted in my stash for years, and which I WILL get to one of these days, is the Dunvegan sampler from The Samplar Workes. I bought it more than 10 years ago and it is still the most beautiful, to me, of all the traditional American style samplers- the layout, the motifs and the colors are just so appealing to me. I also love The American Sampler from Barbara& Cheryl, but I won't do that as I gave the chart to my friend as a gift and the finished piece is now gorgeously hanging in her dining room. It is wonderful to look at, but now I don't feel like doing it myself.

As for stands and frames- they are the BEST! They make stitching so much easier on my eyes, my hands and my shoulders! I have several frames and stands and like them all, but my definite favorite for home is the Tomorrow's Treasures stand- so beautifully made, so versatile and so easy and comfortable to use. My other favorite is the Elan stand for travel, classes and retreats. It is SOOOOO portable and works for almost everything smaller than 20".

OK- I'm preaching again! Sorry- I'm a teacher, force of habit, lol!

Teresa