MOJO STITCHES - LT 1909

There's something so charming about these schoolgirl samplers - the wonky spacing, the elegant red thread on neutral linen, the enigmatic stitcher's name...Reproducing this antique from my collection brought me some calm and peace in a busy time - I hope it brings you some calm moments as well.

The original is stitched with impressively small stitches (approx. 25 stitches per inch) on a neutral, mottled linen; my reproduction is stitched a little larger (as a concession to my older eyes!).  You could stitch it on any count that you prefer.

The model was stitched on 36-count 'Vintage Coffee' by JaysXStitch on Etsy, using Cottage Garden Threads JK03 Bronte (from the Bookshelf collection - my collaboration with CGT).  This colour is a very close match to the original.  The stitch count is 190w x 148h and I used 1 strand over 2.

In addition, I created a mini design, stitched on 36-count 'Iced Coffee', also from JaysXStitch on Etsy.  For the mini, I used CGT JK02 Leather Bound, also from the Bookshelf collection.  The stitch count for the mini is 81w x 46h and I used 1 strand over 2.  This mini would be easy to adapt to your initials (using the alphabet on the main chart), or to give as a gift to a friend, using their initials and a date that's significant to you.

Both of these designs only use full crosses over 2 and are suitable for beginners to advanced stitchers, and can be stitched on linen, aida or evenweave of any count that you prefer.

The original antique also includes a line of beautiful drawn thread work - I have suggested that in my finish with a border of elongated cross-stitchers.

Model Stitch only requires one thread:

JK03 Bronte