Ada's 1885 sampler was stitched over 2 threads on an uneven-weave fabric that was 60+ threads per inch. The entire piece was worked in Cross stitch.

This sampler is a common example of the red Tic Tac Toe, or grided style of sampler, that was created in the Orphan Homes in the 1880's and 1890's. The top section consisted of the required alphabets and numbers. The bottom section was separated into sections by borders and then filled in with words, motifs, and border bands. The large squirrel was seen stitched in many of this style of sampler. The Sajou elephant was also often included. This style is easily recognizable as a Bristol Orphan sampler.

Ada Violet Haxby's sampler is in the collection of Ruthie Taylor.