How to Cross Stitch a Sampler

Years ago, the sampler was a way to highlight a young woman's feminine artistry. Originally, the sampler was simply a piece of fabric where a young woman would practice a variety of stitches. Over time, the sampler developed to include dates, names, the alphabet, symbols and quotations. Today, samplers are used to demonstrate a stitcher's skill or to celebrate a momentous occasion like a birth or a marriage. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pattern
• Fabric
• Acid-free tape
• Hoop
• Needle
• Embroidery floss
• Towel
• Frame

1. Find or create your pattern. There are several kits available online, in craft stores, and through catalogs like The Stitchery. You can create your own pattern by pairing up alphabets and images you find online or in design books. Using cross-stitching software or graph paper and colored pencils, you can create your own original patterns.

2. Mask the edges of your aida, linen or other fabric. Use an acid-free tape or a quick whip stitch around the edges to prevent fraying.

3. Find the center of your fabric by folding it in half twice, first lengthwise, then widthwise. Where the creases meet is the middle. Begin working your sampler from this point on the fabric and following your pattern.

4. Secure the fabric in the hoop. Starting with the color floss that appears in the center, make a row of slanted stitches going one way, then back again to form X's. Continue until you have finished your sampler.

5. Clean your sampler by washing it in cold water with mild soap. Rinse out all the soap and roll it dry between two towels, squeezing out the water as you go. Lay flat to dry over night.

6. Press your sampler face down. You may wish to place a thin dishtowel between your work and the iron to protect it.

7. Frame your sampler. Traditionally, cross-stitch designs aren't framed behind glass, but some people choose glass to protect their work from dust and UV rays. Both are fine options; determine which look fits best with where you intend to hang it.

Tips & Warnings

• Samplers range from traditional Americana designs to playful, kid-friendly patterns. Determine what style best suits your needs when creating a sampler from different patterns.
• If you're a beginner, consider buying a kit; they come with all the materials you need except for a hoop.
• Consider initialing your design and dating it even if the pattern doesn't call for it. Find a place at the bottom to "sign" your work if you like.

Resources

• Free patterns and links to cross-stitching sites.