Eugénie Hucher Reproduction Sampler
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER PATTERN, READY TO DOWNLOAD, BY Couleur Tourterelle

This French sampler is signed Eugénie Hucher age 8 and is tenderly dedicated to her father. it is part of the personal collection of Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle .

Interestingly it combines two types of very practical and utilitarian needlework exercices:

In the upper part the young girl practices cross stitching a particular alphabet, the one used for marking household linen. The whole text in the upper part only uses this alphabet, known as the linenmaid's alphabet* and passed through generations of women over several centuries. Indeed linen was marked with one’s initials and each piece numbered so that every sheet, towel, and shirt of the household was clearly identified. Laundry women knew who owned any piece entrusted to them, and there could be no confusion when women gathered at the communal wash house to do their laundry.

* the cross stitch alphabet is already featured in Didierot and D'Alembert's 18th century encyclopedia.

In the lower part, Eugénie practices darning stitches. Because fabric was so expensive and precious, it was also necessary to make clothes and linen last as long as possible, so girls also learned to mend, darn and patch.

The chart pack includes some further research and examples of darning exercices found on French and Dutch samplers.

The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch a of the original sampler (see last photo).
Original Sampler (last photo) worked in cross stitch, over 2 fabric threads. Size 10 x 10 inch (25 x 25 cm). 

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 5.8 x 5.8 inch (14.5 x 14.5 cm).

This design combines cross stitches over two threads of fabric and running stitch worked side by side. I can only be stitched on linen or evenweave fabric.

A cross stitch pattern by Couleur Tourterelle.

>> see more Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Eugénie Hucher Reproduction Sampler

Chart size in stitches: 115 x 114 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 40ct Belfast linen from Zweigart ,in color 222
Stitched size: 5.8 x 5.8inch (14.5 x 14.5 cm)
Stitches: cross stitch over 2 threads, darning stitch (running stitch)
Chart: Color and B&W
Threads: Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC
Number of colors: 1

Themes: France, 19th century, linenmaid alphabet, letters for marking house linen, darning practice
 

>> see all Reproduction sampler patterns (all designers)

>> see all patterns related to Needlework (all designers)
 

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