French Sampler Style Stamped Cross Stitch & that Blue

Remember Wednesday (I don’t know about you, but on Friday, I’m lucky if I can remember Wednesday!), when we talked about this table top needlework stand?

I’ve received much feedback and enthusiasm – thanks so much! – and I’ll be in touch as stock rolls in.

But that’s not what we’re chatting about today.

I’m always surprised what catches people’s eyes in my blog post photos! Sometimes, I don’t pay much attention to the details of the “extras” in the photos. Sometimes, we really are just using props – they aren’t things we’re actually working on at that very moment. So sometimes, I have to go back to look at the article, to find out what folks are enquiring about.

I had a lot of questions about the project that Anna is working on in the photo where she’s stitching with the stand in her lap.

That project is from the set of towels you see above, that I designed and started way back here in 2024 – last August.

These are the types of projects that we design and stitch in slack times, when we’re waiting for something. We try to get as much stitching in on samples while we’re waiting between the stages of Other Projects. We’re not necessarily rushing to get these out, because we know we will eventually get them out.

The set features three French sampler style floral motifs in stamped cross stitch, embroidered in monochrome blue to give them that vintage look, typical of early household embellished linens in this style.

The stamped cross stitch design for this set is the same in principle as the designs on other towel sets we’ve done, like this Vinterfolk set.

My thought in concocting collections of ready-to-stitch stamped-style cross stitch towel sets like these was that, besides having an endearing, classic, vintage appeal, they are the perfect type of project for … oh, how do I put it, without it sounding negative? It’s actually a very positive thing!

It’s what I might call “mindless stitching.”

It’s the type of stitching you do when you want something to do with your hands during down time, but you don’t want to have to concentrate too much or make too many decisions.

It’s stitching for relaxation; it’s calming, but productive, and it results in something pretty and useful that you can be pleased with.

There’s a satisfaction in the finish, but there’s not a lot of strain in the journey.

It’s TV stitching, movie stitching, audiobook stitching, or silent stitching.

It’s waiting stitching, traveling stitching, occupational stitching. The project you pick up when you need something, but not something that causes any stress or pressure to “get it exactly right” – because there’s not a whole lot you can get wrong!

So that’s what I was thinking when I started developing these occasional types of designs for ready-to-stitch products.

I’d love to put these designs on cotton pillowcases, too. That’s an idea we have brewing – but sourcing or developing the perfect embroider-able pillow cases for this type of work has been a bit tricky. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find pre-finished, un-cuffed, 100% cotton, preferably percale, preferably with French seams, pillow cases ready for embroidering!

As for the color of blue in it – a few folks asked – it’s just DMC 3838, and it’s worked with two strands.

Coming Up!

We’re working on many little things here in the studio. Easter is coming, so I’ve been toying with some seasonal stitchery in that regard. I’ll share the results soon.

I’ve also been testing some different linen, which is always fun! And of course, we’ll talk about that, because there’s nothing I love talking about more than linen!

Have a glorious weekend!