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Sew-Along Sampler
Our ever-talented Lauren designed this fun Sew-Along Embroidery Sampler. It has a food theme, perfect for your kitchen (or someone else’s… An early start to a great holiday gift?!). Download your free Sew-Along Sampler PDF today!
You can transfer the sampler design with Margie’s pencil method, or there are disappearing ink pens (like in our Deluxe kit) or iron-on transfer pens that will also do the trick. Or maybe you can try Kristin’s favorite–the tape and trace technique.
Everyone seems to have a different preference… Do you have any tips for your favorite method? Add them in the comments!
If you’re new to embroidery, here are a few resources to get you started. You might also check the comments in this post to see what other readers recommend.
Best Knot Ever from Heather Bailey
Sublime Stiching’s Now-I-Get-It Stitching Diagrams (and even one for lefties!)
Embroiderers’ Guild Stitch Index
Happy stitching! We look forward to seeing your finished version of the sampler in the SMS Hand Sewing photo pool!
Comment in any post this week for a chance to win a SMS Deluxe Hand Sewing Kit or one of 4 $20 gift certificates to Sew,Mama,Sew! This week you can also win a Clover Holiday Rotary Cutter Gift Set!
Be sure to add your sampler photos to the Hand Sewing pool. We want to see progress shots, not just the finished deal!
Nice sampler! I might have to do the trace method on the window or the pencil method. I am loving this month of hand-sewing.
This is perfect for gift giving! I am gong to start it today. Thanks for the great pattern.
i second the “window on a sunny day” method! doesn’t require special tools, just tape and a pencil.
Oh so very nice! Thanks for the pattern.
this pattern is so cute! I’ve never tried this before, I’ve always been a strictly “cross-stitch” girl. I think I will be printing this pattern out and trying my hand at something new!
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been thinking about a sampler for our kitchen, maybe I’ll give it a try!
Great tips! Thank you!
Very nice. Thanks for the great links!
Super cute! Thanks!
Looks like fun. I can’t wait to see everybody’s sampler.
The window method makes my arms ache. Sometimes I use Sulky Iron On Transfer Markers if the design isn’t too thin.
i love to embroider.
I love this sampler.
I see a mixture of cross stitch and embroidery stitches in the sampler – what fabric would you recommend using?
Another fun project! I am really going to need 36 hour days to work on everything.
I have been looking for something like this for my daughter and I to do! Thanks so much.
I love this sampler, I think I might try to do some of the images in a small piece of fabric to sew onto a soon to be clothespin bag.
Great idea for a cute gift!
I think I may attempt this as we’re driving to our vacation destination next week. Sweet! Thanks guys!
I’m kind of a sampler junkie this year. thanks for the new one!
Very cute sampler. I haven’t cross stitched in years but I’m thinking about digging up some of my old supplies after seeing this!
i LOVE the fruits and veggies on this sampler. it’s been since i was a kid that i did a sampler, but i just might try this one. i’ve never used the window tracing method before on fabric, but do it all lthe time with paper.
Hmmm…now who should I make this for? I’m not sure yet, but it’ll definitely get made for someone! Thanks!
Love this but when I download the PDF, the hearts become astrices and the letters are a plain font, not little crosses. Did this happen to anyone else?
Oh how fun! We just moved and can totally use some of these to decorate the kitchen!!!
Very cute pattern. Thanks for sharing.
I love tracing with disappearing ink on the window. I never seem to really follow the lines though!
I am suffering from hand sewing project overload! I want to do them all this month.
I can’t think of anyone right now that would appreciate this sampler as a gift, but I will keep it in mind! Thanks for posting it!
Thanks a bunch! I love the sampler. I can’t wait to see some of them finished. ~Susan
Thank you so much for the sampler pattern. It will make a great gift.
nice sampler! thanks for the links and for providing a variety of transfer methods!
What a fun sampler. My 2 most-used tracing methods are the tape-on-a-window (or rather hold on a window with one hand and write with the other), and my homemade light box. My light box isn’t really a box – it’s an old piece of storm window braced on scrap 4×4s with a florescent light underneath that I move around at will. Works for me!
Thanks, I’ve never done a sampler. I guess I should add this. It would be great for me to keep in the truck for when I am out and about.
This looks like it would be cute to hang in the kitchen!
The tape and trace technique made me laugh. Thanks!
This is great – thanks!!
How fun…I’m going to print this right now!
Very Cute I might have to make on for my mom’s kitchen! I’m new to embroidery but I bought carbon papers in the isle with the thread (about $3), and they work great. I’ve only used one sheet about 6 times so far and the packet came with four. The trick is to do it on a hard surface and press hard. I really love all the hand sewing stuff this month keep it up
Sew Fun! It’s a nice size too to begine with. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! That is so cute.
I used to tape to a window and had to giggle when I saw the picture. Last week I picked up a little light box at a yard sale! $3 It had been on my ever growing, everlasting shopping list!
I always have my eye on expensive vintage samplers – maybe I should just make my own? Soak it in a bit of tea and who’d know the difference? Heehee
That is so cute! Thank you!
Jenny
This is lovely! I can’t wait to get started on it! Thank you so much!
I love this sampler! I think this may be something I take on once I am done with all the red work I am currently obsessed with.
Love the tape and trace idea!! How clever.
I wish I knew how to do embroidery!
Oh, this is great! I love the sampler….this is awesome for a beginner like myself. Thanks!
What a great sampler! A great take along project. I like to transfer my patterns with something that won’t disappear. Sometimes it takes me awhile to finish an item, especially something that I designate as a take-along. Thanks for the pattern!
I am excited about using the vegetable designs on various dishtowels…too cute. Thanks for the pattern!!
Really cute sampler, I have done a cross stitch for a while, this is the perfect project, Thanks for the pattern!
Great Sampler! Thanks for posting it for all of us to try!
What a cute sampler!
A M A Z I N G L I N K S ! ! ! ! !
Thank you!
Thanks for the sampler pattern! I have a light box and I trace onto the fabric with a water soluble fabric pen. If I want to embroider on a dark fabric I found the easiest way is to trace on some water soluble stabilizer (I use solvy) and pin or baste it on the fabric. You can embroider right on it and when you’re done you get it wet and the fabric dissolves right away!
Oops! I mean the stabilizer dissolves …. the fabric is fine!!
What a cute sampler! I may have to join in on this stitch-a-long
This would be a cute house warming gift.
Wow, I need to work on my embroidery skills. It will take me months (yes, plural) to finish this project. I think you can find yourself through embroidery (a lot of meditation can be done during a project)
how cute! i’ve been wanting to give embroidery a try!
I’m completely new to sewing, but I love to learn to make this sampler for my baby’s room!
I never thought I would really have the patience for hand sewing, but it turns out I enjoy it quite a bit. I’m not as comfortable as with my machine, but maybe someday I’ll ge there (or, maybe I’ll just keep it for fun and do it for me!).
These samplers are great. I usually flip through a pattern book or a sewing magazine on my lunch, and would get antsy that I couldn’t break out some fabric and get to work. With hand sewing, I can do that. Usually it makes me cheery enough to get through the rest of the day!
I’ve been wanting to try hand embroidery. This might be a great project to try. Thanks!
I love this sampler. It’s the perfect thing to help jazz up my kitchen. Thank you for sharing. I’ll post a picture when I’ve finished it.
I am definitely going to have to make this one as a gift!
Thank you! I can’t wait to get started.
love that design! (i admit to also using the window and pencil method. tried the vanishing ink but found i wasn’t fast enough! smile)
I just “rediscovered” embroidery. I also have a sister and a best friend who just both put bids on their first homes. This would make a cute house warming gift for both. Thanks
That is a cute kitchen sampler!! Thanks also for all the links
This is such a fun sampler! I can totally see it hanging in my kitchen! Thanks!
I know people who use super-fine tip pigma pens and just make sure the floss covers the lines. But I usually use a disappearing ink because I don’t want to have to worry about covering anything or making perfect stitches!
Perfect for vacation! Thanks so much!
I think this is just what i need to get back to stitching! thanks!
So cute! Perfect for keeping busy in front of the television!
Thank you for these great resources and THE SAMPLER! I am a beginner in the art of embroidery and am so greatful for all the free help available. Again, thank you!
oh bummer, i must not have the right fonts or something… see what i see at http://jackiesue.com/sampler.jpg
*hugs*
jackie
Yay, so much fun, i love samplers, you never get bored with a little of everything! And i love learning new things, thanks again for the pattern!
I love this sampler! Thank you so much for sharing!
Tracy
Thanks for the great sampler! It’ll look great in my kitchen. This site is the best…always inspirational and full of great projects! =)
fab im going to blow my print off up bigger and use it to make a t towel using one of my sons old muslin cloths
Great way to sample different stitches and show of some skills
i second the “window on a sunny day” method! doesn’t require special tools, just tape and a pencil.