Constant Companion by Erica Michaels

Description

Inspired by a charming little antique, Constant Companion uses the vibrant border stitched by Margaret Farms in 1854. I wasn’t a fan of her rather pious verse so have instead highlighted two stitching related quotations, which showcase her design quite nicely.

The original sampler’s border is stitched in wool and the verse in cotton; I mirrored that in the model shown here on linen. The pretty cream-colored linen certainly makes the colors pop and the verse comes from 19th century author, Nathanial Hawthorne.

The model on silk gauze uses exactly the same border, but looks completely different! Colors are similar, but the background highlights the design in a very distinctive manner. You would get a similar look if you use darker linen should you elect not to stitch on the silk gauze.

The quotation here really speaks to me as I cannot imagine ever putting down my needle. It comes from the introduction to The Ladies’ Work-Table Book; Clear and Practical Instructions in Plain and Fancy Needlework published in 1844, ten years before Margaret stitched her sampler.