Model Information:
Linen: Aida; White; 14 count (See comments below)

Frame: Contact The Attic; 480.898.1838; 888.942.8842
Model Stitcher: Courtney Glau

Black Work Show
Width 159 x Length 471



NOTES CONCERNING THIS SAMPLER:
I designed and stitched this sampler in 1982. I loved black work and there weren't any black work samplers out there, so if I wanted one, I would have to design it myself. Back in the ancient times, we didn't have the luxury of having a counted cross stitch program, let alone a computer. There was a lot of erasing, redoing then more erasing and more redoing. When I recharted this design in Pattern Maker, I moved some of the designs so they would be more evenly distributed throughout the piece. Please follow the chart and not the picture.

There are ten items in the sampler that I stitched with a gold metallic floss. They are a leaf, sail boat, snail, cactus, tulip, pine tree, strawberry, place setting, teapot and a bell. The metallic floss I used isn't produced anymore. So pick out your favorite gold (or other color that will make the piece your own), whether it's silk, cotton or metallic. If you really want to individualize the piece, stitch some items in the piece that have special meaning to you.

When I stitched this piece, I had never heard of even weave linen, let alone thinking of stitching with silk instead of cotton. If I were to do this piece again, I would use linen and silk. I wouldn't use a count smaller than 32 count because the stitches would be too small. I want the viewer to see the detailing of the stitches.