This English sampler combines embroidered pictorial, alphabetic, and upholstery techniques, becoming in every sense a sampler of Ms. Topham's best work.

Bargello work (also known as canvas work, Irish stitch, flamestitch, or Florentine stitch) appeared on the earliest seventeenth century samplers, and in fact was the technique used on much earlier needleworks. It was primarily used for furnishings, and reflects the importance of textiles in brightening early interiors. It is not at all difficult to execute, as it is no more than a variation on counted thread stitchery. The colour of the original sampler is in an amazing state of preservation. It appears to never have been framed, but folded with the inside in, resulting in some minor fading only to the back. The original linen might have been dyed a dark saffron colour.

Linen count and finished size: 35-count worked over two threads our reproduction will be very close in size to the original, 8-3/4"x11-1/2"

Stitches: Montenegrin cross, cross, four-sided, eyelet, counted satin, and bargello. Kits are supplied with hand-dyed linen provided by R&R Reproductions.

Source: Private collection

Kit contains fabric, silk or cotton thread, needle and instructions.

Scroll down to see close up pictures of sections of this piece.