There are so many flowers and colors in this sampler. it is what makes it so attractive. Charming also are the haphazard size and placement of the letters of the alphabet and the signature squeezed up and down where space remained available. This brings back to mind the fact that samplers were used for learning and practice.

The sampler dated 1856 and signed « Anaïs Hermitte âgée de dix ans » is of French origin. The little girl who had so much difficulty stitching these letters was 10 years old and was named Anaïs Hermitte. 

A notable feature of this sampler is the borders. Many French samplers show different border motifs on each side. Notice how Anaïs manages to fit not only four but six different motifs thanks to the plants, growing from the vases on both sides, and which change at mid height. 

The original sampler is part of the personal collection of Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle. The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch of the original sampler (see last photo). While some colors have faded and others have been eaten away by moths, with hardly any fiber left (it's strange how moths find certain colors appetizing), the reproduction chart closely follows the original colors seen on the wrong side.

The sampler is stitched over 2, with the single exception of the double dot on the letter "ï". The original was worked using woolen yarn on canvas. The reproduction was stitched using wool on 36 ct linen, using a mix of Lana Aurifil  & Saint Pierre. Substitutes are provided should you want to stitch using silk (Soie d'alger - AVAS) or cotton (DMC).

Stitch Count: 213W x 126H
Linen: 36ct Edinburgh Cream 222