Edlin, Martha - 11668

Martha Edlin's work is rather well known and she was a accomplished stitcher. Besides her band sampler she stitched a cutwork sampler dated 1669, small needlework items which include two pincushions, a bird ,a needle case and several other items. She also worked a beadwork box dated 1673 and a fabulous casket dated 1671. All of her needlework is housed at the V&A.
Stitches used double running, satin, marking cross, long armed cross, montenegrin, running stitch, eyelets and detached buttonhole. It is mainly worked with soie d'Paris, a filament silk.
The original sampler was worked over three threads of linen as were most 17th. century samplers and measures 8.25" x 32.25" (81.9cm x 21cm). Ours is worked on 55 count linen and measures 8" x 36". It can also be worked on 45 count (9.3" x 35"), 40 count (10.5 x 39.5) or 35 count (12" x 45"). Another option is to work it on 35 count linen over two threads in which case it will measure 8" x 30" but then algerien eye alphabet at the bottom will have to be adapted and some of the running stitches.