Traditional Sampler - PDF

Traditional Sampler Embroidery Pattern – Kooler Design Studio (KDS #2432)

The Traditional Sampler is a classic counted cross stitch embroidery design created by Sandy Orton for Kooler Design Studio, a well-established independent design house based in Lafayette, California. Released as a downloadable PDF chart under the Kooler Classic Charts collection, this pattern offers embroiderers a timeless sampler project that draws on heritage needlework traditions. It is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, making it well-suited for stitchers who are comfortable with basic cross stitch and ready to explore a broader range of decorative stitches and color management.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a traditional decorative sampler intended as a finished piece for home display or gifting. Samplers have a long history in needlework, traditionally used to showcase a stitcher's skill across a variety of techniques, motifs, and color combinations. The Traditional Sampler KDS #2432 continues this heritage, featuring a rich palette of colors and a variety of stitch types arranged into a cohesive decorative composition. The finished piece also includes a personalization line, allowing the stitcher to customize the work — though this line is marked as "Do Not Stitch" on the chart itself, meaning it serves as a guide for adding a name, date, or other personal text.

Stitch Count and Finished Size

The design has a stitch count of 237 stitches wide by 141 stitches high. Depending on the fabric count chosen, the finished dimensions will vary:

• 28 Count evenweave stitched over 2 threads: approximately 16⅞ inches wide by 10 inches tall
• 14 Count Aida: approximately 16⅞ inches wide by 10 inches tall
• 16 Count: approximately 14¾ inches wide by 8¾ inches tall
• 18 Count: approximately 13⅛ inches wide by 7¾ inches tall

As with all counted embroidery projects, it is recommended to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting your fabric to allow sufficient margin for framing or finishing.

Recommended Fabric and Materials

The design is specified to be stitched on 28 Count White Evenweave fabric. Evenweave fabric has an equal thread count in both directions, making it ideal for counted embroidery worked over two threads, which produces a stitch size equivalent to 14 Count Aida. However, the pattern also provides size references for 14 Count, 16 Count, and 18 Count fabrics, giving stitchers flexibility in their material choice based on personal preference or the desired finished size.

All thread colors listed in the pattern are DMC embroidery floss, a widely available six-strand cotton floss used in counted cross stitch and surface embroidery worldwide. The color palette for this sampler is broad and carefully curated, featuring over twenty individual DMC shades spanning purples, pinks, blues, greens, golds, and earth tones.

Thread Colors Used

The following DMC floss colors are called for in this pattern:

• DMC 208 – Lavender Very Dark
• DMC 224 – Shell Pink Light
• DMC 341 – Blue Violet Light
• DMC 352 – Coral Light
• DMC 402 – Mahogany Very Light
• DMC 420 – Hazelnut Brown Dark
• DMC 435 – Brown Very Light
• DMC 502 – Blue Green
• DMC 503 – Blue Green Medium
• DMC 561 – Jade Very Dark
• DMC 729 – Old Gold Medium
• DMC 744 – Yellow Pale
• DMC 793 – Cornflower Blue Medium