Vintage Cross Stitch Samplers: History & Values
Let’s talk about collecting cross stitch samplers–those kitschy, handmade pieces of art with quirky sayings. Do you love them as much as I do? Then you’ve come to the right place because today I have 13 to share with you.
Dating to about the 1930’s to the 1960’s, their designs would have been printed directly onto linen or cotton fabric and sold in kits with embroidery thread, an embroidery hoop, and a color chart.
The one’s you’ll see today I picked up for between 50¢ to $2, and I sell them framed for $25-35, depending upon their quality and size. Considering their kitschiness, they sell quite well from my antique booth.
As an alternative to the cross stitch kits, one could also buy transfer patterns and iron them directly onto a project.
Women’s magazines even gave them away as a special freebie. After finishing the sampler, the piece could be washed and the ink would “disappear.”
I’m particularly drawn to anything with a house on it or with sayings that have to do with home, like this one: Wherever you wander, wherever you roam, may you be happy and healthy and glad to be home.
This design, though completed in 1982 (see the signature on the lower left), dates to the 1950’s or 60’s. It’s especially lovely and exhibits real skill.
Over the years, interest in embroidery has ebbed and flowed. In the 1960’s interest in counted cross stitch rose and continues to be very popular, particularly counted cross stitch.
I read in several online articles about mid-20th century handicrafts that women had more free time and so could pursue handicrafts, like cross stitch.
How about she was going crazy in her suburban home with no real community, exhausted from raising children all by herself, and found a simple way to engage in something quiet and meditative that was hers alone?? Just my two cents on the matter.
Certainly in cultures across Europe, where early forms of embroidery developed, the upper classes primarily engaged in the fine art. They of course had “free” time since household duties and the raising of children were carried out by servants. Watching a Jane Austin movie, one would think embroidery was their primary occupation.
Young girls would receive training in the textile arts and their practice pieces came to be called, “samplers,” hence the use of the word as a generic term for finished works.
Of course the quality of workmanship varies from piece to piece and artist to artist. I like to think that a young girl stitched this one; perhaps her first: Home is where the heart is; love is where the home is. It even contains some additional embroidery stitches to make the flowers, tree, and bird.
It is nonetheless graphically appealing and would benefit from a simple black frame, which is how I sell all of my samplers (framed). I wait until just the right one comes along.
Typically, as with this one, I will frame the samplers with simple black frames. I think black tends to highlight the work best.
This saying, A ship is a breath of romance that carries us miles away, reflects a deeper, more lovely sentiment than most. It sold for $18 last December.
I found this cross stitch already framed; but it needed tightening, backing, and a hanger. I think the brown frame works nicely with the taupe color of the aged fabric and the muted tones of the design.
This example is earlier than most of the others in the post. I’d date it to c. 1940’s. It sold a couple of years ago for $32.
Here’s another sampler about home that I framed myself with a simple vintage frame: Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend of man. The line originates with one of my favorite poems, written by Sam Walter Foss.
It sold at the Shaker craft fair this past December for $25. The lettering makes me think this one is a bit on the older side as well.
This very popular saying, No matter where I serve my guests, they seem to like my kitchen best, can be found in a variety of different designs.
Here’s another with a pot belly stove and all sorts of food and livestock floating around the edges.
It has turned a bit pinkish due to the red embroidery floss running, even though I soaked it in cold water. For good tips about washing vintage linens, see my friend Rita’s suggestions on her blog, Panoply.
Friendship cross stitches are also common and popular with buyers. This one is so true: Good friends are like diamonds, precious and rare.
Come dear friend, come here and rest; you’ll always be a welcome guest. Perfect for the guest room!
I removed this pretty friendship sampler from its terrifying plastic frame and replaced it with a vintage black wooden one. It improved the look dramatically. Quite large, it sold for $38.
I find this one a little sobering: Hours fly, flowers die, new days, new ways, pass by, love stays. But I like the idea that “love stays.”
I thought this one was darling and was so pleased when I found the perfect frame. Since it would likely hang in a baby’s room, the antique white with a touch of gold made more sense than a stark black frame. It took quite a while to sell, finally at $38.
My sweet husband bought me this cross stitch (cost: $27) on our overnight in Lancaster (PA) a couple of years ago.
I love the sentiment and hold to it as dearly as I can: Sweet are the thoughts that savor of content; the quiet mind is richer than a crown. And just think, in a little over a decade, it’s going to be 100 years old and a true antique.
I hope you enjoyed taking a look at some of the cross stitch samplers that have crossed my path the past couple of years. Are they are your vintage buying radar? Do you have any hanging in your home?
For more info about cross stitch:
Nordic Needle
Classic Cross Stitch
Other posts you might be interested in:
Collecting Enamelware
Collecting Amber Bottles
Collecting Yellowware Bowls
Thanks so much for stopping by–
If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you’ll subscribe and never miss a post.
You’ll receive access to my brand new
Adirondack Girl Member Library
When You Click Here To
With your subscription, you’ll receive the PASSWORD to give you access
to the Library where you’ll find free price guides like this one:
Bye for now,
I’d love it if you’d pin me 🙂
Oh, these cross stitch pieces are so great. I have a couple of them in my stack to rehab and sell. And it’s interesting that all of yours seem to be about home, love, contentment. I remember when needlearts were popular around the late 70’s, early 80’s – it was all about counting squares on a linen cloth. But when I first learned to embroider it was all stamped on fabric. I think the earlier cross stitch was counted, but the more mid century pieces were stamped. Remember the Auntie Anne (I think that was the brand name) iron ons you bought packaged in a yellow envelope? Typically they sold at the five and dime! Ah yes, I’m old.. Great tutorial and fun pieces.
Dianna, once again you have hit on one of my favorites! I have bought many that are halfway done to finish. Alas, they sit in the top of my closet waiting on me! Lol! I don’t have the heart to get rid of them and since they take up so little room I will probably never get rid of them! If I do finish them I will probably frame most of them and sell them.
My favorites of yours in this article are the black on white. I never thought to do one like this.
Have a wonderful week!
Jeri
I am 77 and stayed with my Aunt quite a bit. She felt I needed to learn to sew and do embroidery work. I did both and to this day love those little embroidery pieces with those cute sayings. I have several but my favorite one hangs in my living room with my other older samplers. Thank you for this article…thought I was the only one who adored those. Blessings.
I love samplers, too. A good friend (she must be to put that many hours into a project for me!) did a counted cross stitch house one for my wedding in ’88. Another friend did the Serenity Prayer; I wasn’t expecting that! And professionally framed, no less. I have several waiting for just the right frame including a 70’s SP that appears to be tea-stained to make it look old. I always iron them; prob shouldn’t spray starch them because of bugs but it sure improves the appearance. Remember how moms sprinkled laundry to be ironed, rolled up to let the dampness spread thru, sometimes even refrigerated. Well, I roll ’em and let them sit a bit; no room in my fridge. I’ve never used the stick on boards, preferring to do the lace up the backs to tighten them. I was surprised to see several of yours looking like they’d been washed multple times due to the fringed edges. What were they thinking? I am going to copy some of the images (someday!) and make some samplers for my dollhouse people! I’ve made tiny embroidery hoops from a plastic wedding ring favors, a square of cloth, and a bit of thread with a wire “needle” glued on. See what I do instead of housework!!! Those new sandals of yours must have the soles danced off by now with those 3 weddings; hope they were comfortable!
A True Friend sampler is one I made years ago for a friend. It sure looks like mine.
Enjoyed looking at these as I still do cross stitch and embroidery.
I’m an almost lifelong stitcher – cross stitch, crewel, needlepoint, crochet, and regular sewing. I’ve done a lot of counted cross stitch over the years, but sadly didn’t keep many of the completed ones. I subscribed to lots of Cross Stitch magazines back in the day, but let them go about 10 years ago. I thought I was done with that craft. Of course, last year I got the itch again, and had to buy some new designs, lol. Thankfully I kept my threads and Aida/linen cloths. I started picking up samplers like yours at thrift shops a few years ago – I don’t think I paid over $5 for any of them. They are on display throughout my house. I think they’re becoming popular in my area, because I don’t find them in thrifts anymore. Thanks for showcasing one of my favorite collectibles and activities 🙂
Nice to know these are treasured and may be coming back. I have loved cross stitch too over the years & had my stint of indulging in it during the 80’s. If I run across some, I sell them as is (without framing) for around $15-16. I’m in the process of selling all the ones I did that never got framed.
Yes, I love picking them up when I see them. One I bought very long ago is a favorite: Come oft to the home of thy Friends, Lest Weeds Grow in the Path. Another purchased some years ago is all in red. Two women in an old kitchen with wall shelf, kitty and old stove. “Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Or just a cup of tea, Served in the kitchen, seems more Friendly.” In a red frame. It’s in my kitchen of course.
I just love them, too…I can just imagine someone working on them! Charming post!
I just gifted one to a good friend, the kitchen best, but cute girl toiling over a stove and serving tea. I know I have had many of these pass through my fingers, but they all have such a story to tell. And, always so much love and time put into making them. Lovely post.
I have three hanging in my home because I buy them whenever I see them to resell but then can’t part with them. I just love them. I have the “A True Friend” one. All three are hanging in my dining room! You have a nice variety.
P.S. Go ahead….paint your front door yellow! It will look so fabulous!
I have always loved cross stitch, it reminds me of my mom who was quite good at it. My best one was a counted cross stitch I completed for my then boyfriend now husband upon his graduation from Wake Forest University’s MBA program — first in his class, I was so proud! My mom made huge samplers for each of us kids (5) upon our college graduations. Oh I almost forgot – I also did a cross stitch baby blanket (it was huge) for my sister’s first baby (he’s 31 and engaged now!) from Beatrix Potter. She loved it so much she didn’t want to use it as a blanket, she used it as a wall hanging in the baby’s room:) I’ve never really come across any vintage ones in my travels but then maybe I just wasn’t looking for them:) Thanks for sharing yours with Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen
I just thrifted the one your husband got you in Lancaster of the fireplace scene. It’s gorgeous. It was framed at Staton’s Galleries Rare Etchings and Engravings in Philadelphia and is marked #40978. It was a steal at the Goodwill. Great read. Thanks for the information.
You’re welcome Kelly! So neat that we have the same cross stitch 🙂 I still love it! I’m glad you were able to get it for such a bargain price–
I have a picture of the sampler my grandmother made. Is there a company who wouldmake me a stamped pattern from this picture
I’m not aware of that Mary Anne but perhaps try googling it or looking on Etsy for someone who might offer that service? Best of luck!
I have a collection of these all framed and hanging in my mud room. I LOVE them. They just make me happy looking at them. Some were done by relatives, friends, or me. A few are thrifted or bought at an antique mall. They are all different sizes and sayings. I am looking for Christmas themed ones now- plan to take the usually ones down and replace with the Christmas ones for the holiday season next year!
I do a little selling on eBay of items I find in thrift stores. The cross-stitch always sell, though it might take some time! The ones I find are always framed, and like the rest of you, I like to think of the people who took the time and money to make and frame their pieces!
Thanks for the insights Mary! Good to know they sell fairly well on eBay-
I started doing counted cross-stitch during my freshman year in college, almost 50 years ago. Mine were always done from a pattern, not printed on fabric and most were given away as gifts. When I see them in thrift shops, I have to buy them – one actually is part of the same series as one my mother made for me!
That’s quite a history you have with cross stitch Jay! I’m sure all your recipients cherish your handiwork 🙂