Erica Michaels | Nancy Alden 1795

I stumbled across the original tablet format sampler one day at my local frame shop – and was delighted when the owner allowed me to reproduce it. That bird in the lower corner really grabbed my attention, but the entire sampler is wonderful. It's likely English, although we don't know much about Nancy Alden herself. Mostly worked in cross stitches, there are also eyelets and a few bullion knots, with the Lord's Prayer and Apostle's Creed worked over one thread.

If the large amount of over-one stitching seems a bit much for you, I've also charted the Lord's Prayer over two threads so it fills both tablet sections. It's still completely in character with the original and makes a nice alternative stitch.

In addition, a set of smalls based on these sampler motifs also available: Nancy's Sewing Necessaries.