A Schoolgirl's Work

Barb Adams and Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs have joined with the Spencer Museum of Art to share historical schoolgirl samplers with the cross stitchers of today. You will find examples of samplers spanning the years of 1710 to 1841. Nine projects to stitch based on these wonderful works of art that were crafted by children so long ago. The book was published in 2011 and has 104 pages. The cost of the book is $30. The book is out of print.

A Schoolgirl's Work cover.

There is much to admire when perusing these lovely examples of needlework. Figures stroll through gardens of enormous flowers, baskets can be as large as a house and blossoms almost as big as a person can float through the sky. Still the casual observer strolling through the garden feels that all is right with the world … it is folk art at its best!

The eleven projects from the book are shown in the gallery below.

  • Remember Me
  • Where Flowers Bloom
  • Hannah’s Small Basket
  • Polly's Sewing Box
  • Polly’s Pinkeep
  • Polly's Floss Ring
  • Polly’s Thimble Box
  • Rosebud Sachets
  • So Fade My Hours Needlebook
  • Ann’s Sewing Tray
  • Ann’s Darning Pincushion

Remember Me

Stitch Count: 75w x 76h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct Irish Creme by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks, Gentle Arts, and Weeks Dye Works

  • CC Camouflage (DMC 3022)
  • CC Dublin Bay (DMC 926)
  • CC Fool's Gold (DMC 3828)
  • CC Red Currant (DMC 3857)
  • CC Ripple (DMC 3772/632)
  • GA Dried Thyme (DMC 3052)
  • GA Endive (DMC 3012)
  • GA Old Brick (DMC 3722)
  • GA Old Red Paint (DMC 315)
  • WDW Baked Apple (DMC 3721)

Specialty Stitches: Lazy Daisy, Eyelet

Where Flowers Bloom

Stitch Count: 130w x 64h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct Abecedarian Blend by R & R Reproductons
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Dublin Bay (DMC 926)
  • CC Jakey Brown (DMC 3859)
  • CC Sunkissed (DMC 950)
  • GA Adobe (DMC 950/3864)
  • GA Cidermill Brown (DMC 3863)
  • GA Picnic Basket (DMC 3790)
  • GA Straw .Bbonnet (DMC 543)

Specialty Stitches: Lazy Daisy and some of the verse is stitched over 1

Hannah's Small Basket

Stitch Count: 95w x 55h
Recommended Fabric: 32ct Vintage Pear by Lakeside Linens
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC La Tierra (DMC 3860)
  • CC Muddy Puddle (DMC 451)
  • CC Stepping Stones (DMC 640/642)
  • CC Weeping Willow (DMC 3012/3011)
  • GA Mustard Seed (DMC 832)
  • GA Tin Bucket (DMC 3799)

Polly's Sewing Box

Stitch Count: 98w x 83h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct Korty's Special Bland by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Cocoa Bean (DMC 840)
  • CC Hazelnut (DMC 3045)
  • CC Peanut Brittle (DMC 437)
  • GA Avocado (DMC 372)
  • GA Cidermill Brown (DMC 3863)
  • GA Endive (DMC 3012)
  • GA Lexington Green (DMC 524/522)
  • GA Mountain Mist (DMC 502/503)
  • GA Straw Bonnet (DMC 543)
  • GA Woodrose (DMC 407)

Specialty Stitches: Eyelet, Lazy Daisy, Smyrna Cross

Polly's Pinkeep

Stitch Count: 57w x 40h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct Korty's Special Bland by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Peanut Brittle (DMC 437)
  • GA Endive (DMC 3012)
  • GA Lexington Green (DMC 524/522)
  • GA Mountain Mist (DMC 502/503)
  • GA Straw Bonnet (DMC 543)

Rosebud Sachets

Stitch Count: 46w x 50h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct St. Valentine Blend and/or 30ct Apple Brown Bindy by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Jakey Brown (DMC 3859)
  • GA Apple Cider (DMC 611)
  • GA Endive (DMC 3012)

Specialty Stitches: Eyelet

So Fade My Hours Needlebook

Stitch Count: 114w x 58h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct Korty's Special Bland by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Country Lane (DMC 3064)
  • CC Dublin Bay (DMC 926)
  • CC Jakey Brown (DMC 3859)
  • CC Nutmeggie (DMC 3772)
  • CC Pea Pod (DMC 732)
  • GA Aged Pewter (DMC3022)
  • GA Dried Thyme (DMC 3052)
  • GA Endive (DMC 3012)
  • GA Heirloom Gold (DMC 167)

Ann's Sewing Tray

Stitch Count: 114w x 85h
Recommended Fabric: 30ct American Chestnut by R & R Reproductions
Recommended Floss: Crescent Colors/Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts

  • CC Camouflage (DMC 3022)
  • CC Jakey Brown (DMC 3859)
  • GA Antique Rose (DMC 223)
  • GA Harvest Basket (DMC 612)
  • GA Lexington Green (DMC 524/522)