A collection of 26 new sampler designs, one for each letter of the alphabet, ranging from sophisticated designs to more traditional ideas. There are designs for every level of skill with easy to follow instructions, graphs indicating every stitch and a list of specific materials.

"American classrooms have gone largely unrecorded, these astonishing embroideries which are usually signed, dated, and even sometimes inscribed with the names of the towns in which they were worked and the names of the embroiderers' teachers serve as historic documents, attesting to the existence of colonial education for women. There is a story behind each of the nearly eighty samplers illustrated in this book"--Insleaves.

Express your creativity--and your sentiments--with these popular Cross Stitch designs by Lori Markovic. Whether you're looking for the right words to thank a friend, brighten a family member's day, or remind yourself and others that "nice matters," you can't go wrong with these pleasing patterns. Also included are traditional verses to decorate a nursery or declare your love. Why not treat yourself with a sampler that echoes the sweet simplicity of an earlier era? All eight designs are perfect to stitch for gifts, for your home, or just for fun! Designs include By Her Hand, Mares Eat Oats, The Tie that Binds, My Friend, Roses Are Red, Nice Matters, My Sunshine, and Merry Sunshine. Each was cross stitched over two fabric threads on linen.

Artwork by Pamela Parmal.

An introduction to the sixteenth century embroidery technique in which beautiful patterns are created by stitching geometric designs onto evenweave fabric. Inspired by the past, Lesley Wilkins illustrates her techniques with a whole host of wonderful designs flowers, plants, birds, animals and figures. She covers everything from the materials to use and working with a chart, to getting started and how to stitch. Patterns are created by small stitched units which are combined in many different ways some heavily textured, some delicate and light. Borders can be built up by repeating and joining motifs. Clear step-by-step photographs accompany the author’s comprehensive instructions, and the motifs, borders, fill-in patterns and images are all charted, with inspirational pictures of embroideries showing how to build up finished designs. “The designs in this book are amazing. Some are very simple and others have a look of intricacy in them. There are figures, flowers, borders and much much more, this gives a lot of inspiration if you want to design your own piece.” —Postcard Reviews “A comprehensive book about the blackwork technique, covering the materials to use, how to use a chart, getting started and what designs we could do.” —Mr X Stitch

Contains many illustrated alphabets for themes such as baby, flowers, hearts, Art Deco, dinosaurs, holidays, and more.

Containing unique reproductions of samplers and smalls from private collectors and museum collections, this DVD edition features one-of-a-kind antique needlework projects from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as well as antique-inspired designs. Also featured are well-researched articles profiling sampler makers, sampler-producing schools, needlework tools, museums and the various historical events that have shaped needlework. Some of the articles and projects cannot be found anywhere else, making this DVD essential to any collection. The DVD incudes full-color photography, easy-to-read charts and complete instructions.

The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is well respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forwards in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides has been produced in close collaboration with the RSN with the aim of providing a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. All of the authors were chosen by the RSN and all are graduate apprentices of the Royal School. Shelley Cox presents an expert guide to all aspects of bead embroidery, including information on counted thread beadwork, bead embroidery, beaded surface embroidery, and fringing. Here you will find stitches and technique for every sort of needlework that involves beads. Decorative effects are explored too, making this a fantastic source book and an invaluable reference for beadwork.

"Elegant and timeless needlecraft designs in red and blue."--Cover.