I Bathya - Hands Across the Sea Samplers - Cross stitch chart

From Hands Across The Sea Samplers

This beautiful reversible band sampler has been reproduced with Au Ver à Soie d’Alger silks based on the vibrant colours found on the front of the sampler today. The skein quantities have been calculated based on 1 strand on 36ct fabric.

We have included a Soie 100.3, DMC and NPI conversion below.

We have not specified a particular brand or colour of linen. However, the original sampler was executed on uneven linen that is closest in colour to the DMC shade 3782. The original sampler is approximately 7.50” x 26.50”.


LINEN SIZES

The design area is 140 (w) x 490 (h). Our calculations have included a 3” margin for finishing and framing.

32 ct – Design: 8.75″ x 30.63″ Fabric: 14.75″ x 36.63″

36 ct – Design: 7.78″ x 27.22″ Fabric: 13.78″ x 33.22″

40 ct – Design: 7.00″ x 24.50″ Fabric: 13.00″ x 30.50″

46 ct – Design: 6.09″ x 21.30″ Fabric: 12.09″ x 27.30″


The stitches include two different versions of reversible cross stitch. One forms a cross on the reverse with a vertical stitch on the left, and the other a four sided stitch on the reverse. Bathya also used double back stitch and diagonal double back stitch. These stitches appear plaited from the front and as two parallel rows of back stitch on the reverse. You might know them as closed herringbone.

Others stitches used were double sided Italian stitch, alternating double back stitch in groups of three, which represents the Trinity, detached buttonhole, French knots, four sided stitch, satin stitch, stem stitch, eyelet, running stitch and Holbein stitch (double running stitch). The alphabet towards the top of the sampler demonstrates her ability to mark household linen. It was common practice to include initials and numbers on household linens so that women could track their household goods when they were laundered.

Bathya’s whitework bands are particularly elegant. Narrow whitework bands were an important part of a stitcher’s repertoire, they were used on collar bands both as an adornment and as stiffening so that the collars would stand proud. On some samplers whitework bands were stitched with linen thread that had been withdrawn from the actual ground.
**Unless otherwise stated all fabric is sold in 1/2 yard increments. If you need a longer length, just order multiple units at checkout.
e.g. If you want 2 yards just select "4" in the quantity box.
Note: 1/2 yard = approximately 45.72 cms