MARY LEE
An English sampler made in 1786
At the age of fourteen, Mary Lee stitched this beautiful band sampler with a good assortment of flowers, birds, swans, squirrels, and other traditional motifs. Worked into the center of a band in tight, precise stitches, is the cautionary aphorism “In thy youth fear the god of truth.” There are three more couplets stitched on her sampler:
Happy are they who hath a Friend indeed But they more happy is who none do’s need
See how the Lillies flourish white and fair see how the Ravens fed from Heaven are
Happy’s that soul that is content alone And needs as Entertainment but its own
Stitches used in the sampler are cross stitch (over one and two threads of linen), eyelet over one thread, counted satin, and double running. On 35 count linen, the finished sampler will measure approximately 12-1/2″ x 21-1/2″, the same size as the original antique. The project is recommended for any skill leve
Copyright by The Scarlet Letter. Description thanks to Marsha
