The Scarlet Letter produces reproductions of the world's finest samplers, found in museums and private collections. Exquisite materials are assembled to recreate these masterpieces of needlework, and kits are complete with detailed instructions and stitch diagrams, enabling the modern needleworker to reproduce these pieces exactly as they were originally made in centuries past. This collection encompasses four centuries from 17th century aristocratic England, to 19th century rural America. Over 300 samplers are available in their beautiful collection.

Many majority of these kits offer you a choice of silk or cotton. The majority of early samplers were stitched with vegetable-dyed, twisted silk flosses. The DMC cotton floss used in these kits closely resembles this early silk floss in its texture and sheen; however, silk is the material recommended by The Scarlet Letter, as its colours are subtler than the equivalent in cotton floss because the translucent cell structure of silk absorbs the dyes differently. Cotton is less expensive than silk, and the resulting needlework is quite satisfactory. To the untrained eye, the difference between cotton and silk floss will not be obvious. Sewing techniques are similar, except that you use only one strand of silk, versus two strands of cotton. Samplers stitched with silk floss will have a more delicate appearance, slightly more polished, and silk is stronger than cotton. The silk used in these kits is fine French Au Ver a Soie, Soie d'Alger, which does not knot, twist, or stick to your fingers. We sell this silk thread by the skeins too. You can also view The Scarlet Letter canvaswork kits.

17th Century Samplers

18th Century English Samplers

18th Century American Pocketbooks

18th Century American Samplers

19th Century English Samplers

19th Century American Samplers

Continental Samplers

Miniature Reproduction Samplers

Original Design and Stamped Samplers

Quaker Samplers

Scottish Samplers