Review: Cross-Stitch Samplers

Samplers are the classic, quintessential cross-stitch project, probably what most people think of when they think of cross-stitch.

And while they are kind of old-fashioned, they’re a great way to build skills and to commit to working a larger project. You’ll definitely learn a lot if you choose to stitch a sampler!

Cross-Stitch Samplers is a booklet from Herrschners and Leisure Arts that includes five samplers.

The Pedigree of Honey features the alphabet and an Emily Dickinson poem, along with bee and flower motifs. The Joy of Stitching includes a variety of flowers and hearts, while A Giving Heart features the alphabet and a heart with the sentiment “My heart is yours.”

A Mother is Love includes those words, a heart-shaped wreath, butterflies and flowers, and Stitches of Love also includes lots of hearts and flowers.

The projects can be stitched as designed or you could pull out a motif or a section to use alone or on another project. For instance a row of flowers could be stitched on a bookmark, or a single heart used on a greeting cards.

The samplers themselves would also be fun to stitch (the first one is my favorite) and this booklet is great for people just starting out stitching samplers or for long-time sampler fans.

About the book: 24 pages, paperback, five patterns. Published April 1, 2016 by Leisure Arts. Retail price $9.99

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85 Free Cross-Stitch Fonts

Since I covered Ted Lasso cross stitch patterns the other day, it feels like it’s time to share some cross stitch inspired by another show that just wrapped its final season, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” This show gave us retro style and a bunch of sassy female characters to remember. And again the patterns get a little salty thanks to one of Midge’s catchphrases.

Stitch a bunch of little characters from the show, or just your favorites from this sampler from Pixel Power Designs. The full piece measures 92 by 103 stitches and uses 13 colors. It comes out to 6.57 by 8.79 inches when worked on 14 count fabric.

Snarky Crafter Designs has a great Midge quote done in cross stitch. It is 116 by 156 stitches and uses two colors, and it uses cross stitches and back stitch. On 14 count fabric it comes out to 8.25 by 11 1/8 inches, but you can use whatever count fabric you like. And don’t act sorry about it!

Say “Thank you and goodnight!” with this Mrs. Maisel cross stitch pattern from Not Nana’s Cross Stitch on Etsy. This one looks like it uses five colors, and the design is 55 by 48 stitches.

OK, now for the salty ones. Midge and Susie are known for saying “Tits up” before a show, so of course that phrase has made it into Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cross stitch patterns. Stitch just those words in a retro font with the pattern from Stitch and Poke Company. It looks like two colors are used and the designer notes that if you use 18 count fabric the design will fit in a six-inch hoop.

Or you can stitch a Midge along with her famous phrase with a design from Fushia Hoops. This one is 72 by 105 stitches and is just over 5 by 7.5 inches worked on 14 count fabric. Let these designs be a reminder to greet every day as your feisty, awesome self.

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