Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Introducing Ada Mary Hornsey

In an earlier blog post, I showed you some snippets of the Ada Mary Hornsey sampler which I've reproduced. Here she is in her entirety. Isn't she delightful? This well balanced sampler is worked in such pretty colors and has a very interesting outer border worked in long straight stitches. I've never seen such a border. Have you?

I found the verse particularly interesting. Was Ada attempting to honor her parents or was she required to stitch the verse as punishment for some act of childish disobedience? Perhaps some of you remember school teachers who would make a disobedient student write something 100 times on paper or on the blackboard as a reminder not to break that rule again at school.

Ada's sampler was originally stitched on perforated paper with 24 holes per inch. I stitched my reproduction over two linen threads on 40-count light sand linen from Zweigart using 8 colors of Needlepoint Inc. silk thread. (On the chart, I've listed DMC color substitutions for anyone who doesn't want to use silk thread. Just keep in mind that the DMC thread colors listed are not exact matches for the silk colors.)

The stitch count for this sampler is 184 wide x 239 high. It is stitched completely in cross stitch except for the border which is in long straight stitches.

Instead of linen, you can also use 18-count Aida or 22-count Hardanger fabric. However, if you want your sampler to be the same size of Ada's original sampler, use 48-count linen instead of the 40-count I used on my model.

In addition to the main chart (which has been divided into 4 parts to make it easy on your eyes), the package includes a small color photo of Ada's orginal sampler and some genealogical information about her and her family who were from Wellingborough, England.

As is the case with many old samplers, there are irregularities in the design. This is particularly noticeable in the the two borders. To make your stitching more relaxed and enjoyable, we've pointed out these irregularities on the chart.

I hope you'll enjoy getting to know Ada and stitching her sampler. I know I did!

This sampler reproduction will be available at the Nashville Needlework Show next month.

9 comments:

Pat said...

Another great sampler. I am so glad that you included the irregularities as I think that makes it all the more special.

Catherine said...

I rather like this one!

Sun City Stitcher said...

This is really nice looking.

Margaret said...

Oh my! I really like it! So pretty! And thank you so much for pointing out the irregularities! That is such a biiiig help! I can't wait for market -- I'm in trouble already. lol!

Nancy said...

Congratulations on such a lovely sampler Ellen! The verse is very interesting isn't it? If only we knew the reason she stitched it! Very pretty!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Thank you for reproducing this very sweet sampler. It's lovely. Thank you also for pointing out the irregularities... I'm sure it will be much appreciated. Market is really looking good!

Cathy B said...

She is a beauty! Thank you for sharing your insight into this sampler.

Lisa S said...

This is so pretty Ellen! I love the information you have about it! Very interesting!

woolwoman said...

Ellen - it is lovely - I have actually stitched that triangular long stitch border on something - I'll have to go home and look at my samplers and see if I can find it. Good luck at market - you have some lovely pieces and isn't it just great you are feeling well and able to stitch and make this trip - YGG - Mel