The original sampler size is: 10 inches wide x 10.5 inches high (stitched area)

Mary didn't sign her name to this sampler, instead she stitched her ID number. This traditional style 1869 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 with approximately 31 full stitches per inch.

This sampler is a fun example of the redwork samplers created in the Orphan Homes in the 1860's and 1870's. What makes Mary's sampler special is the number of motifs she stitched. She worked the required alphabets and numbers at the top of her sampler. Many samplers stitched during this time then had rows of border band patterns beneath the alphabets. Mary shortened her band patterns into short repeats spaced among many different types of motifs. We can imagine that she loved to stitch because she filled every inch of her fabric. This style is easily recognizable as a Bristol Orphan sampler.

This sampler is in the private collection of Claudia Dutcher Kistler.

This sampler has been charted for stitchers. You can purchase a chart from a needlework store or directly from Hands Across The Sea Samplers. The second picture of Mary shown on this page is the HATS stitched model. Our thanks to Nicola Parkman for allowing us to share this picture.