American Sampler - PDF

American Sampler Cross Stitch Pattern by Kooler Design Studio – Downloadable PDF

The American Sampler is a classic counted cross stitch decoration pattern designed by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio (KDS #921 / 42852). Released in 2010, this timeless sampler design celebrates traditional American needlework heritage and is well-suited for stitchers at the beginner level who are ready to explore a richly detailed yet approachable project. The finished piece makes a beautiful decorative display, ideal for framing and home décor.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single decorative sampler — a style of embroidery with deep roots in American and European textile history. Samplers traditionally showcase a variety of motifs, alphabets, borders, and folk imagery worked together in a unified composition. The American Sampler by Linda Gillum follows this beloved tradition, resulting in a finished piece that is both a functional stitching exercise and a decorative heirloom-quality artwork.

The design has a stitch count of 118 wide by 209 high, making it a substantial project with a satisfying amount of detail. Finished dimensions vary depending on the fabric count chosen:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 8⅜ inches wide by 14⅞ inches tall
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 7⅜ inches wide by 13 inches tall
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 6½ inches wide by 11½ inches tall

Stitchers are advised to add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for finishing and framing.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several core counted embroidery techniques that are fundamental to the cross stitch craft. Because multiple stitch types are used together, the finished sampler achieves a rich combination of filled color areas, fine detail lines, and decorative texture.

• Full Cross Stitch: The primary technique used to fill large areas of color and form the bulk of the design's imagery. Each cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the center over a counted grid of fabric threads.
• Quarter Cross Stitch (¼ Stitch): Used to refine curves and edges within the design, quarter stitches allow for smoother outlines and more precise shaping than full stitches alone can achieve.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining, lettering, and adding fine detail lines that define shapes and add crispness to the overall composition. The pattern specifies 1 to 2 strands of floss for backstitching, allowing for variation in line weight.
• French Knots: Small, raised decorative knots that add dimensional texture and detail to specific areas of the design. The pattern calls for 1 strand of floss for French knots.

Stitches Used

The combination of stitches used in the American Sampler is characteristic of traditional counted embroidery and gives the design both visual depth and tactile interest:

• Full Cross Stitch – worked with 3 strands of floss
• Quarter Cross Stitch – worked with 3 strands of floss
• Backstitch – worked with 1 or 2 strands of floss depending on the area
• French Knots – worked with 1 strand of floss

Materials – Floss and Fabric

The pattern is designed to be stitched on 14 Count White Aida fabric, the most widely available and beginner-friendly counted embroidery fabric. Aida cloth features a clearly visible woven grid that makes it easy to count and place stitches accurately, making it an excellent choice for those new to cross stitch as well as experienced stitchers who appreciate its reliability.

The floss palette is extensive and rich, drawing on a wide range of DMC embroidery floss colors to create the warm, layered tones typical of American folk samplers. The full color listing includes the following DMC thread numbers: