Adaption of an old sampler - Maria Cooper 1790 from the collection of Gigi R (2015).

Stitch count: 361W x 405H
Reproduction stitched on 40 count linen - Weeks Dye Works 'Confederate Grey'.

Most of the sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads using one strand of cotton. Other stitches used are: cross stitch over one thread of linen, counted satin stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch and straight stitches.

This is an adapted reproduction of an antique English sampler, dated 1790. The sampler was embroidered by
Maria Cooper from Hambledon. Maria’s sampler is filled with lovely motifs including the Sun and The Moon,
Adam and Eve, a shepherd with sheep, a lovely house, two cherubs holding a heart shaped cartouche with
Maria’s name and date, two checker-winged birds and most strikingly – a lady holding a flower and a dancing
man. The man’s clothing and his black face suggest that he might be a Morris dancer.

Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music.

The verse at the top of the sampler says: “Revenge is a pleasure only to a mean spirit”. In the heart shaped
cartouche Maria stitched: “Maria Cooper completed this work, (at Hambledon;) March 3, A.D. 1790”. On
both sides of the cartouche she worked: “Have Faith in God”, but next to the tree of the knowledge: “The
Serpent beguil’d me, and I did eat”.

Gentle Art Sampler Threads: Cucumber*, Blue Spruce*, Roasted Marshmallow*, Flax, Pecan Pie, Brandy, Pumpkin Pie, Wheat Fields, Harvest Basket, Cinnamon, Mint Jubilee, Apricot Blush, Parchment

Classic Colorworks: Straw Hat*, Polliwog, Peanut Brittle, Blackbird, Cobbled Peach, Ye Old Gold

Weeks Dye Works: Oscar*, Pamlico

* You may need to skeins of Cucumber, Blue Spruce, Roasted Marshmallow, Straw Hat and Oscar.