M. R. 1919 Reproduction Sampler
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER PATTERN, READY TO DOWNLOAD, BY Couleur Tourterelle

This French sampler was completed in 1919, just after the end of WWI, and the words « Cours moyen », referring to the pupil’s grade, indicate it was a primary school assignment. The stitcher must have been about 9 years old. 

Surprisingly for its time, the sampler is stitched over extremely fine and tight linen fabric which results in its miniature size. The original, worked in 1 strand of cotton thread, over 1 fabric thread, measures only 3 ½ inches wide (9 cm). This must have been quite a challenge for our young stitcher.

The original sampler (last image) is almost perfectly square. Once charted however, it is a rectangle. The reason the original is square is that it was worked on unevenweave fabric. The reproduction sampler, worked on 32ct Belfast linen is slightly elongated, giving the heron a more realistic shape.

Indeed, all the cross stitch motifs used in this sampler originate from a single DMC pattern booklet “Point de croix – Nouveaux dessins – 1re série”. The booklet is not dated but we know that DMC started publishing this format in 1900. It includes the heron motif of course, as well as the flying birds, and the tiny flower motif picked from a butterfly border (see extracts of booklet - 2nd picture).

The reproduction chart was stitched over 1 fabric thread. An alternative is provided on 40ct, should you wish to stitch over 2 threads. Finally, as the chart only includes regular cross stitches, you can stitch on any fabric of your choice, including Aida.

This sampler is part of the personal collection of Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle. The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch and matches all colors of the original sampler (see the 1st photo to compare the two samplers).

A cross stitch pattern by Couleur Tourterelle.

>> see more Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
M. R. 1919 Reproduction Sampler

Chart size in stitches: 105 x 125 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 32ct Belfast linen from Zweigart ,in color 224
Stitched size: 3 ½ x 4 inchinch (8.5 x 10 cm)
Stitches: "cross stitch over 2 threads
Chart: B&W (one-page chart for Digital stitching)
Threads: DMC or Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS)
Number of colors: 1

Themes: France, pupil, primary school, red monochrome

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