This is a Scarlet Letter original design created in collaboration with Terry Meinke, draws upon the needlework traditions of two centuries, in both England and America.

The idyllic landscape and more naturalistic figures (as opposed to the blocky shapes of later figures on American samplers such as Rhoda Ann's) are taken from 18th century English canvas work - a technique that travelled to America and manifested itself in the famous Fishing Lady and Boston Common pictures. The inspiration for these scenes came from engravings and other prints popular in Europe, and expressed itself here in some of America's finest and most famous crewel and canvas needleworks. The flowers in the border were drawn from several antique sampler borders in the collection of The Scarlet Letter, and the verse comes from the Rubaiyat of Omar Shayyam.

Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 13-1/2"x15-1/2". Kit contains fabric, cotton or silk thread, needle and instructions.

Stitches: Cross, double running, satin, stem, tent