Historic Sampler Patterns & Original Cross Stitch Designs
Moments Sewn Into Time
Rooted in history, made for the joy of stitching.
A Stitch Through Time
Rebecca Worrall Sampler 1847
Stitched in 1847, Rebecca's beautiful sampler has survived nearly two centuries. Now her charming flowers and delicate motifs can find new life beneath your needle.
Of Feather & Thread
Hi, so glad you are here!
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I'm Birgit, the maker behind The Wishing Thorn. Grab a cup of tea and stay a while.
My love of needlework began as a little girl in Germany, inspired by the beautiful stitching of my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Their treasured samplers sparked a lifelong fascination with historic needlework and the stories of the girls who stitched them.
Today, I have the pleasure of bringing those old stitches and their stories back to life, alongside creating original designs inspired by the past.
I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
Have a magnificent day!
Original Sampler Designs
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Night Thistle Cross Stitch Sampler PDF
Regular price $9.50 USDRegular price -
Swan Sampler Cross stitch Pattern PDF
Regular price $9.50 USDRegular price -
Wheel Of the Year Cross Stitch Sampler Pattern PDF
Regular price $11.50 USDRegular price -
Twilight Woods Sampler Pattern PDF
Regular price $9.50 USDRegular price
Why I do what I do
Jane Jones 1832
Antique samplers offer us a precious glimpse into the lives of the young girls who stitched them. Their needlework tells stories of everyday life, education, beliefs, and the world they knew.
Bringing their stitches and stories back to life is an honor. When I see a beautiful sampler like Jane's, stitched nearly two centuries ago and now so fragile, it breaks my heart to think of the love and hours of work that may one day be lost.
Each sampler in my collection is cherished, almost like one of my own daughters. They are little pieces of history, entrusted to us for a time, and I find such joy in preserving and sharing them with others who love needlework as much as I do.
A Garden Stitched in Time
Caroline Berry's Garden of Eden
Stitched in the late 18th or early 19th century, Caroline Berry's remarkable sampler depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Worked in silk on delicate gauze, her enchanting landscape is filled with animals, trees, and intricate details that invite a closer look.
An extraordinary piece of needlework history, preserved for more than two centuries and waiting to be discovered.
Fresh from the Needle
FROM FRANCE, 1895
AH 1895 French Sampler
A beautiful French alphabet sampler filled with ornate red and blue lettering, delicate flowers, and charming little details. A lovely piece of needlework history, ready to find new life beneath your needle.
FROM THE NETHERLANDS, 1855
IW 1855 Dutch Sampler
A wonderful celebration of Dutch needlework, with crowned lions, floral garlands, and a magnificent garden of colorful motifs. The original's faded stitches have been brought back to their richer colors in this reproduction.
FROM WALES, 1847
Mary John 1847 Welsh Sampler
Stitched by Mary when she was only ten years old, this remarkable Welsh sampler is filled with birds, flowering branches, deer, and delightful little surprises. A beautiful glimpse into the imagination and needlework of a young girl.
Stitch More, Save More!
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8 Patterns = 20% Off
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Mix and match any cross stitch patterns; printed paper charts or instant PDF downloads! Your discount is applied automatically when you add the patterns to your cart. No code needed.
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Discover Something Lovely
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My Samplings
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When War Reached the Sewing Basket
(The Railway Station, 1866, a hand-colored engraving by Francis Holl after William Powell Frith. The Victorian railway network connected ports, mills, merchants, and customers, carrying the materials that eventually reached...
11 commentsWhen War Reached the Sewing Basket
(The Railway Station, 1866, a hand-colored engraving by Francis Holl after William Powell Frith. The Victorian railway network connected ports, mills, merchants, and customers, carrying the materials that eventually reached...
11 comments -
The Story Behind Ada Davies' 1852 Welsh Sampler
When thirteen-year-old Ada Davies carefully stitched her sampler in 1852, she could not have imagined that more than 170 years later someone would still be admiring her work and searching...
3 commentsThe Story Behind Ada Davies' 1852 Welsh Sampler
When thirteen-year-old Ada Davies carefully stitched her sampler in 1852, she could not have imagined that more than 170 years later someone would still be admiring her work and searching...
3 comments -
Eliza Powell (b. 1821) A Life Stitched Between ...
(Eliza Powell, photo from the early 1860s was attached to her framed sampler) Eliza Powell Before the wide skies of Illinois and the long roads westward, there was a young...
4 commentsEliza Powell (b. 1821) A Life Stitched Between ...
(Eliza Powell, photo from the early 1860s was attached to her framed sampler) Eliza Powell Before the wide skies of Illinois and the long roads westward, there was a young...
4 comments
