This beautiful Family Register Sampler follows a tradition which goes back hundreds of years. In bygone days, these samplers were a means of recording events in the life of a family. Births, deaths and marriages were all carefully recorded and displayed. The antique samplers have now become treasured family heirlooms, and are an invaluable source of genealogical information. By working your own Family Register Sampler, you carry on this tradition and leave an heirloom which will give pleasure to your descendants for generations to come.

This design is a French-style spot sampler, and uses many traditional alphabets, patterns and motifs. Each chart is individually prepared and personalised with the names, dates and events already charted -- all you have to do is stitch. It is worked in your own choice of two colours. Stitch it in cottons or silks, or perhaps used some of the beautiful hand-dyed fibres that are available.

Stitch it for yourself or offer it as a special anniversary gift to your parents or grandparents. Or, for those of you interested in family research, use it to commemorate one of the generations of your ancestors.

Cutwork diagrams and instructions

Different versions for different stitchers

The design comes in a choice of three different stitching techniques:

Cross stitch version

  • This version of the sampler is worked in full cross stitches, with just a tiny amount of back stitch. It can be worked either on aida, linen or other evenweave fabric.

Cross Stitch and Speciality stitch version

  • In this version, over 35 bands and motifs have been transformed with the use of more than 65 speciality stitches. All of these stitches are clearly explained in almost 150 detailed diagrams and clear written instructions. Also included in the 28 pages of instructions, are ideas and examples of how you can use these and other specialty stitches to further personalise your sampler.

Cross stitch, Speciality stitch and Cutwork version

  • This version of the sampler uses traditional French drawn threadwork techniques to make this a true work of art. As well as all the speciality stitch areas mentioned above, a further 20 areas have been chosen to be worked in cutwork techniques. Even if you have never worked this fascinating form of stitching before, the detailed instructions included in more than 30 pages of diagrams and instructions will help you master this type of heirloom embroidery.

Part of the sampler worked in Kreinik silk Mori on Vintage Magnolia hand-dyed fabric from Lakeside Linen

Personalisation details

Traditionally, Register Samplers would have included the marriage date of the parents and the names, birth dates, and dates of the loss of any children, plus their age at death. But times have changed, and with reconstructed families, a different range of family events may need to be included on your sampler. Contact us --We can usually find a way to cater for most circumstances.

 

The personalisation offered in the price includes:

  • The family name, in a choice of 4 different lettering styles.
  • Details of the couple, in a choice of 3 different lettering styles
  • .Details of up to four births or deaths in the above lettering style are included in the price. Extra births and deaths can also be included for a small supplement.
  • Your personal monogram letter.
  • Stitchers details - name, relation to the family and date of stitching can all be included.
  • If the sampler is being worked for special anniversary, the number of that anniversary can be included in the sampler.

Design information

The cross stitch and speciality stitch versions of the design are 404 stitches wide, and the cutwork version is 407 stitches wide. The height is variable according to your family details, but for a family with two or three children, the sampler will be approximately square. The charts are large and clear -- the average number of pages of graph is 35. The charts and instructions come in a spiral bound booklet with a computer-generated view of how your finished sampler will look. The front cover of the booklet is personalised for each family, and within the booklet there is a dedication page for the family featured in the sampler. For those choosing the speciality stitch version, a 28 page instruction supplement is included in the booklet, and for those choosing the cutwork version a further 32 page supplement of diagrams and instructions is included. To further help with stitching, we will provide you with a downloadable file of the chart so that you can print out a copy to work from.

Prices are as follows:

Cross stitch version :
£GBP 75.00
€EUR   80.00

Cross stitch/speciality stitch version:
£GBP 90.00
€EUR 100.00

Cross stitch/speciality stitch/cutwork version
£GBP 110.00
€EUR 120.00

Additional birth/death date event records for all versions of the sampler:
£GBP   7.00
€EUR   10.00

Ordering

To order, click on the link below to open the order form. No money is required at this stage. Complete and submit the order form. We will then contact you with an estimated date when we can start to work on your sampler. If this is more than one month ahead, we will place your name on our waiting list and ask you for a small deposit. If we are able to start working on your order immediately, or when your name reaches the top of the waiting list, we will contact you for final confirmation of the order details, at which time full payment, less any deposit, becomes due. We aim to despatch your booklet within a month of starting to chart your sampler.

We can accept all major credit cards via the PayPal secure payment system.

Order Form