Stitcher’s guide
Our festive sampler is
stitched onto 14-count
antique white aida using
21 different colours
of stranded cotton. It
contains whole cross
stitch, fractionals,
backstitch, French knots
and Algerian eyes, so is
best suited to stitchers
with some experience.
Stitch up a reminder of what Christmas is
all about and give this sweet homespun
sampler pride of place in your home
By Gail Bussi
1
Find the centre of your
fabric by folding it in half
both horizontally and vertically.
Follow the arrows on the chart
to find its centre and start
stitching from here, in the
centre of the fabric, working
your way outwards.
2
Complete all the cross stitch
and the fractional stitches
using two strands of cotton.
3
Work the backstitch next –
backstitch is worked in one
strand of cotton for this project,
in four colours, so check the key
as you stitch to make sure you
are working correctly.
4
Work all of the Algerian eyes
next using two strands of
cotton in sand.
5
Work the French knots last
of all using one strand of
either red or grey cotton – refer
to the key to see which colour
you need at each stage.
6
Carefully check over your
finished stitching and then
prepare it for framing.
How to stitch the Christmas sampler
Threads
Stranded cotton as listed in
the key
Needle
Size 24 tapestry needle
Fabric
14-count antique white
aida measuring 41x36cm
(16¼x14¼in)
Extras
Frame of your choice with a
minimum aperture of 26x21cm
(10¼x8¼in)
Shopping list
Christmas sampler
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