This Pennsylvania sampler features a four-sided border of queen stitched strawberries alternating with cross stitched tulips, surrounding a central reserve with petit point floral and avian motifs, arranged around a grand house. The single row of letters across the top is worked in various stitched over four threads of linen.

Stitched in lovely shades of intense azure blue, rose, golds and greens, the original sampler measures 21"x17". Rachael Ayres was born November 8th, 1816, in Montgomery County, the daughter of William and Mary Ayres. She married William H. Hart, also of Montgomery County.

Linen count and finished size: 30-count 18-1/4"x15". Kit contains fabric, silk or cotton thread, needle and instructions.

Stitches: Cross, rice, eyelet, queen, Smyrna cross, and double four-sided. The sampler uses 29 different colours of thread.

Source: The Scarlet Letter

Scroll down to view close up pictures of sections of this piece and also the original sampler.