How to make a sampler

This is my pretty chaotic sampler. I love it.

Make an embroidery sampler before you start stitching up all your lovely creations. I cannot emphasize how much time and energy this will save you in the long run.

This is a photo of my embroidery sampler. I made it slowly during the first Covid-19 lockdown back in March-July 2020. I spent 3 months picking it up and putting it down. It was a fun way to keep myself busy during the uncertainty, but more importantly, it works as a road map for all my future projects.

The sampler serves to show you how different stitches look, so when you’re humming and hawing about how to fill a flower, or what type of stitch you should use to outline an object, or even what colours might look good together, you can refer back to your sampler. The more stitches you can fit in there, the better.

Erica Wilson, a highly accomplished embroider, notes that you should include variations on your stitches. “Then you can refer to it from time to time, just like a recipe book, when you are working on a specific project and trying to decide which stitch to put where.” (Wilson, Crewel Embroidery, p. 30).

To help you with your sampler, collect a large number of stitches that you wish to try out. You can either buy a book with a collection of stitches, such as Erica Wilson’s Crewel Embroidery, which was the basis for this sampler. Or you can make a list based on various websites and social media posts.

Last week I posted about 6 simple stitches to get you started!
Start working your way through the book to get as many as you want on your sampler.

Some of the hand-embroidered stitches found on my sampler are:
Cloud Filling
Satin Stitch
Backstitched Chain Stitch
(Regular) Chain Stitch
Basket Stitch,
Chevron Filling
Square Stitch.

I find it really fun to experiment in your own style. This will help you find your stitching voice and allow you to create something totally unique for yourself. But if you need help, The Spruce Crafts has some embroidery samplers to get you started.

Have a great week!
Sadie Gilker

Sources:
Erica Wilson, Crewel Embroidery, Scribners 1962
Cheryl Fall, “8 Embroidery Sampler Patterns” on The Spruce Craft, 10/09/20
(https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/sampler-patterns-1177631)

Images:
Sadie Gilker, Lockdown Tapestry, March-July, 2020.