Antique Rose Alphabet
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER CHARTED BY MURIEL BERCEVILLE - COUNTED CROSS STITCH 

This monogram alphabet was used as a guide for stitching initials on household linen. Young girls, at the beginning of the 20th century, would learn to stitch at school. They would reproduce series of letters and numbers on small canvases, using red thread. Red was not only a symbol of life, if was also a colorfast color that would best resist heavy laundering. These canvases were used as samples and would be transmitted from one generation to another.

The original piece was stitched on canvas with red cotton thread. This color was the original “Turkish red” also called “Andrinople red” and corresponds to DMC 321.

Together with this alphabet design is an extra "rose wreath pattern", a modern pattern created by the designer to accomodate the initials. You can use one of the monograms and stitch it in the center of the wreath or alternatively stitch a tiny rose. The wreath is stitched over two threads. However the inner part (monogram or rose) is stitched over one thread which created a very refined effect.

You can also use this pattern as an alphabet for stitching individual monograms (weddings, anniversaries, his and her's towels, etc...). See size of letters below.

Note letter "I" and "W" are missing. This was current with early samplers where letters “I” and “J” were often merged (as were letters “V” and “W”).

A reproduction of an antique alphabet, charted by Muriel Berceville.

>>Visit Muriel Berceville's pattern gallery.
 

Number of stitches: 246 x 176   (wide x high)

Each letter is about 41 stitches high x 35/38 wide or about 2.9 inch x 2.7 inch on 14ct (or 28ct over 2)
Size of stitched design: View size *** of full sampler *** in my choice of fabric - Click here (fabric calculator)
Stitches: Cross stitch (no fractional stitches)
Chart: Black and White
Threads: DMC embroidery floss
Number of colors: 1

Themes: Antique sampler, Antiques, Reproduction, Monogram, initials, household linen, rose

>> see more reproduction samplers charted by Muriel Berceville

>> see more red monochrome patterns (all designers)

>> see more monograms and alphabets (all designers).

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