Cross Stitch samplers contain elements that are similar no matter what era they represent. Learn more about these and find free motifs listed below to enable you to create your own modern sampler. Sampler articles and resources are also listed below.
Alphabets and Numbers
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cross Stitch and other Needlework samplers usually feature at least one set of letters. Many times they feature more than one alphabet in different sizes. Girls originally learned to stitch letters so that they could "mark" linens that were sent out to be laundered. Modern Samplers don't always include lettering, however, many stitchers include their initials and the date the sampler was stitched just as their stitching ancestors once did, if a bit smaller.
Here at About.com there are many alphabets to select from including:
Here at About.com there are many alphabets to select from including:
- Eight Stitch Tall Cross Stitch Alphabet
- Six Stitch Tall Back Stitch Alphabet
- Coordinating Lowercase Alphabet
- Alphabet Mini Samplers
- More Alphabet and Back Stitch Charts Redwork Alphabet Series from About.com Embroidery More Featured Alphabet Patterns from various sites around the web.
Buildings
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Vintage Cross Stitch samplers often contain buildings, usually an image of a home. The young stitcher might be stitching a motif that represented her own home. Since embroidery is definitely associated with home arts, that is not surprising.
Some samplers have historical buildings in them instead. Many American historical sites, for example Mount Vernon offer samplers based on the famous buildings at the site.
Some samplers have historical buildings in them instead. Many American historical sites, for example Mount Vernon offer samplers based on the famous buildings at the site.
People
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Figures are common in samplers. A family is often represented. There may be a groom and a bride. A famous figure from history may be incorporated. Or in a modern sampler, there may even be two robots. Any sort of figure may be included in a sampler including the following which would be great in a fun Christmas Sampler:
Animals
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Whether it is the family pet, or an animal on a family crest, animals are prevelent in sampler designs too. Here are some motifs you may want to include in your own sampler.
Trees
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Many traditional embroidery samplers also include a tree or a pair of trees. (One thing I love about samplers is that they are often symmetrical which pleases my OCD.) Trees come in many shapes and sizes and there are quite a few free charts available here at About.com Cross Stitch.
Flowers
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
I love when there are over-sized flowers in tiny pots as part of a sampler, but you can include any flower you want in the mix if you create your own sampler. Here are a few you could add:
Borders
Borders are important elements of samplers. They break up sections, go around entire samplers and in the case of band samplers, border elements can be used to create entire samplers. Band samplers were originally ways for stitchers to remember patterns for later. Then they became popular in and of themselves.Sayings and Proverbs
Design © Connie G. Barwick, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Proverbs and sayings are often part of samplers as well. Whether you are using sage advice from Ben Franklin or using lyrics from the latest rap song, sayings are a long-time part of sampler tradition.
Free Sayings and Samplers from About.com Cross Stitch.
Free Sayings and Samplers from About.com Cross Stitch.
