Blackwork Samplers make great cushions/pillows

Traditionally blackwork samplers were stitched to learn and show off new stitches and patterns. You can do the same thing today with these delightful needlework sampler designs.

Blackwork chess board

16 different patterns using black and gold metallic threads make up the centre of this blackwork chess board pattern. Surrounded by the chessmen themselves this design is a winner for any chess player.

See bottom of page to purchase this design as a downloadable pattern.

Design size: 16.9 x 16.9" (on 14 count)

Chart £8.99

Kit £24.99

Garden Sampler

Two greens and a gold metallic thread are used to create this interpretation of a knot garden. This blackwork sampler looks good framed or made into a cushion.

Design size: 12 x 12 inches

Chart £4.99

Complete Kit £15.99

Maze sampler

A partner design to the blackwork sampler above, the maze sampler is worked in black and gold.

Design size: 12 x 12 inches

Chart £4.99

Complete kit £15.99

Blackwork Motif Sampler

A very versatile blackwork sampler design, the motif sampler can be stitched whole or parts can be used for smaller projects.

Design size: 12 x 12 inches

Chart £4.99

Complete kit £15.99

Tudor Oak

A pretty repeating pattern of oak leaves is used on this cushion design.

Design size: 15 x 15 inches

Chart £6.50

Complete kit £19.99

Pincushion

You can stitch this mini blackwork sampler and make it up into a pincushion or choose to stitch just one square as a doll's house cushion (i.e. 1/12th scale).

Chart £2.50

Complete kit £4.99

Downloadable blackwork sampler patterns

The following designs are also available as downloadable patterns. These will not be delivered to your door, they will instead be able to be downloaded instantly after purchase as a file to save on your computer.

Important:
Once you have made your purchase paypal will show you a congratulations screen. You must click on the button in the screenshot below in order to be taken to the download page.

merchant (8K)

Chess board downloadable pattern

Download for just £6.00

Return to online catalogue

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History of samplers

We have been stitching samplers for hundreds of years, in fact there are surviving samplers from the 15th and 16th centuries.

They were originally used to collect samples of new patterns for the needleworker to look back on. Back then books of patterns were not easily available.

They were not meant to be framed, rather being an ongoing project throughout the stitcher's lifetime.

They were treasured and often passed down through the generations and are now looked upon as heirlooms.

The Victoria and Albert Museum houses the oldest surviving sampler. It was stitched by Jane Bostocke and is dated 1598.

Various types of sampler were popular during the ages.

Band samplers (like the one featured in my Stitchin'Time ezine were often made in the 16th Century. They used narrow bands of fabric due to its expense. All kinds of stitching techniques were used on these samplers, not just blackwork.