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