Elisabeth Thevenot 1851 Reproduction Sampler
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER PATTERN, READY TO DOWNLOAD, BY Couleur Tourterelle

This French reproduction sampler dated 1851 is charming with its classic cross stitch motifs of potted flowers and birds, typical of the designs used in the first half of the century in France. What makes it unique and unexpected however, is the central motif of the young lady in the blue dress.

The sampler, stitched by a seven-year-old,  is dedicated to her grandmother on the occasion of the celebration of her "Fête". In those days, in catholic France, it would not be on her birthday, but on the day celebrating the saint her grandmother was named after.

Note: Interestingly, the designer has reproduced another, earlier sampler also dedicated to "Bonne maman" (grandmother), this time with a poem.

Meriem Chauvet, a collector of antique samplers, and the needlework designer behind the brand Couleur Tourterelle, searched through records and identified not only our young stitcher, Elisabeth Thevenot, but also both her grandmothers, who by coincidence were both named Marie Elisabeth. The chart includes all the research about the stitcher's family, based in Meudon, a town on the outskirts of Paris overlooking river Seine.

While the original wool colors of the sampler are well preserved, the piece was unfortunately trimmed and used as a tray liner by a previous owner, also suffering heavy coffee stains. The reproduction sampler gives it a new life, stitched in perfectly matching silk threads from Au ver à Soie (AVAS) on Zweigart Newcastle linen.

Original Sampler (last photo) worked in cross stitch, over 2 fabric threads. 

Reproduction Sampler stitched using Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC, with cross stitches worked over 2 fabric threads on 40ct linen. Size 7.1 x 6.6 inch (18 x 12,65 cm).
As the design only features full cross stitches, you can stitch it on any fabric of your choice, including over 1 fabric thread, or on Aida fabric.

A cross stitch pattern by Couleur Tourterelle.

>> see more Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Elisabeth Thevenot 1851 Reproduction Sampler

Chart size in stitches: 141 x 132 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen from Zweigart ,in color 309
Stitched size: 7.1 x 6.6inch (18 x 12,65 cm)
Stitches: cross stitch over 2 threads
Chart: Color and B&W, includes one-page chart for Digital stitching
Threads: Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC
Number of colors: 7

Themes: France, 19th century, grandmother, gift, saint, girl in blue dress
 

>> see all Reproduction sampler patterns (all designers)

>> see all Greetings patterns (all designers)
 

All patterns on Creative Poppy's website are printable and available for instant download.