Patterns featuring the Linenmaid's alphabet

COUNTED CROSS STITCH PATTERNS TO DOWNLOAD

>> see all Reproduction Samplers

Passed through generations of women over several centuries, the cross stitch letter and number templates of the Linenmaid's Alphabet were used in France to identify each piece of household linen with one’s initials, and each piece numbered so that every sheet, towel, and shirt of the household was accounted for and neatly stored in the linen closet. 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.

Early Linenmaid's alphabet* are preceded with a cross, the "Croix de par Dieu" and letters come in various heights while later versions are standardized. 

*such as the one used for E. Loir featured right

>> more information about the Linenmaid's alphabet

Check out our selection below of Reproduction Samplers featuring this alphabet*.
*Samplers may include other alphabets too

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