Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Stitch Historic Samplers from Fox and Rabbit Designs

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I came across Fox and Rabbit Designs recently, and while they have a variety of cross-stitch designs to choose from, what most interested me when looking through their website is the patterns that are reproductions of sampler patterns first stitched hundreds of years ago.

For example, there’s the Botany Bay sampler, shown here, which was probably originally stitched by 10-year-old Margret Begbie in the late 1700s or early 1800s in Scotland. (Botany Bay was the original name for the Australian colony used in the UK.) It features ships, buildings and other symbols of the colony, and comes with an interesting backstory, too.

A woman named Margaret Begbie was sentenced to transportation to Tasmania in 1845, so it’s possible that’s the same woman who stitched about this far-off land and ultimately ended up going there herself.

There’s also Dorothy’s sampler, a Dutch design from 1792 covered with birds and flowers. The original stitcher is unknown. Or Elizabeth Cooper’s 1866 pattern that includes an alphabet and numbers, butterflies, birds, flowers, a greyhound dog, and a religious verse.

These projects are all so cool and it’s really interesting just to look at them, but it would also be fun to stitch them to allow their history and stories to continue. Check out all the reproduction samplers here.

Fox and Rabbit designs is an Australian company that produces cross-stitch charts and hand-painted linen. They have a Patreon where you can get more patterns, or you can buy individual patterns from their website. Many of them have the classic look of old samplers (they call them antique-inspired, which sounds a little nicer than old) but there are some with a more modern design as well.

If you want to learn more about them and see what’s on offer on Patreon, check out their Instagram page.

 

Have you read?

Fox and Rabbit Cross Stitch: Free Sampler Patterns and Tips for Getting Started

Some cross stitch designs make you think, “That’s lovely.” Others have you rummaging through the thread drawer before you’ve even finished looking at the photograph. If traditional samplers, decorative borders and stitching with a sense of history are your weakness, Fox and Rabbit cross stitch is well worth a look.

Fox and Rabbit Designs is an Australian business specialising in reproduction samplers, original designs with an antique feel, and hand dyed linen. Think of the sort of needlework you would happily hang beside a favourite old cabinet or a collection of vintage sewing treasures.

There is also a free mystery sampler to explore, which makes a rather tempting excuse to start another project. As though the basket beside the sofa needed encouragement.

What Is Fox and Rabbit Cross Stitch?

Fox and Rabbit is the designer’s name, so searching for their patterns will lead you to much more than woodland animals.

Their sampler designs are particularly appealing if you enjoy traditional needlework. Reproduction samplers offer a connection with an earlier stitcher, while antique-inspired designs bring that old-fashioned character into a new piece.

We previously explored some of these historical designs in our feature on Fox and Rabbit reproduction cross stitch samplers. It is a lovely starting point if the stories behind the stitching interest you as much as the finished design.

The Free Fox and Rabbit Mystery Sampler for 2026

The 2026 Fox and Rabbit Mystery Sampler, called AI 1664, is released in monthly sections. The full design measures 135 stitches wide by 245 stitches high, and each monthly chart includes the previous sections.

That cumulative format is useful if you discover the project partway through the year. You can download the latest available chart and work at your own pace rather than trying to stitch fast enough to catch everyone else.

You can find the downloads and supply information on the official Fox and Rabbit 2026 Mystery Sampler page.

Download timing matters: Fox and Rabbit states that the design is free until midnight Sydney time on 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the download will cost US$10. Save your copy while the free offer is available, even if stitching has to wait.

Can You Stitch the Sampler on Aida?

Yes. The designer’s notes explain that the 2026 sampler uses full cross stitches and backstitch, making it suitable for Aida as well as linen. It is offered in a single-colour version and an alternative three-colour arrangement.

That gives you room to choose a fabric you can comfortably see and count. There is no prize for struggling with tiny holes under the living-room lamp.

If you are returning to stitching after a break, our guide to learning cross stitch points you towards help with supplies, chart reading and getting started.

Although the stitches are straightforward, this is still a substantial counted project. A small practice piece first can help you settle into an even tension before committing to a larger sampler.

Choosing Fabric for a Traditional Cross Stitch Sampler

Before buying fabric, check the chart’s stitch count, recommended materials and finishing allowance.

For Aida, dividing the stitch count by the fabric count gives the approximate stitched dimensions in inches. Leave additional fabric around every side for handling and framing. Our explanation of how big your cross stitch fabric should be walks through the calculation.

Lay your chosen threads across the fabric before starting, particularly if you are changing colours. A pale thread that looks beautiful on its bobbin can almost disappear against a light background.

I would also keep a note of the fabric name, count and thread choices with the chart. Future you, standing in front of the framing counter, will appreciate it.

Make a Large Sampler Feel More Manageable

A sampler does not need to become a stitching deadline. Try approaching it one small section at a time:

  • Check your counting before repeating a border mistake across an entire row.
  • Mark your place on a working copy of the chart.
  • Keep the project’s threads together in a labelled pouch.
  • Photograph your progress occasionally so you can see how far you have come.

Most of all, choose a design you want to spend time with. A traditional sampler can be a slow, satisfying companion through quiet evenings, rainy weekends and those moments when you would rather count stitches than look at another screen.

Browse the official Fox and Rabbit website for their designs and fabrics, and let yourself enjoy the choosing. Just remember to check the size before declaring it a “little project.”