SARAH E. HOLLINGS by The Scarlet Letter

This is an expansive English sampler with an unusual four-sided leafy branch and floral border, centering a very busy reserve filled with baskets of fruits and flowers, stylized trees and plants, birds, lions rampant, butterflies, rabbits, and stags. A large building/mansion/institution is at the center flanked by topiary-like trees and two elevated temples. The brick red color of the structure has faded to gold on the front of the sampler but it has been reproduced using the unfaded rosy color from the back. Across the top in symmetrical horizontal rows, like little soldiers, are flower baskets and flowering plants. Lavishly beautiful and exotic birds roost in leafy boughs beneath the building. Sarah stitched this sampler in 1835 at the age of eleven years.
Stitches used in the sampler are backstitch, cross, and petit point (only the verse). On 32 count linen the finished reproduction sampler will measure almost exactly the size of the original: 23″ x 24″.
The project is recommended for any level of skill.