Stitching Sampler - PDF

Stitching Sampler Embroidery Pattern PDF by Kooler Design Studio

The Stitching Sampler is a charming cross stitch embroidery pattern designed by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio (KDS #2332), available as a downloadable PDF. This project is ideal for crafters looking to create a decorative sampler — a classic embroidery format that showcases a variety of stitches, motifs, and colors in a single cohesive piece. Samplers have a long tradition in needlework as both a learning tool and a display piece, making this pattern equally suitable as a beginner's practice project or a finished decoration for the home.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a decorative stitching sampler — a finished embroidered piece intended for display. Samplers of this style are typically framed once complete, making them a wonderful handmade decoration for walls, shelves, or gifting. The design is part of the Kooler Classic Charts series, reflecting the studio's signature approach to timeless, well-structured needlework designs.

Design Size and Fabric

The sampler has a stitch count of 103 wide by 130 high, giving crafters flexibility across multiple fabric counts:

• 14 Count Aida: approximately 7¼ inches wide by 9¼ inches high
• 16 Count Aida: approximately 6⅜ inches wide by 8⅛ inches high
• 18 Count Aida: approximately 5⅝ inches wide by 7⅛ inches high

The design is stitched on 14 Count White Aida as the recommended base fabric. Crafters should add 4 to 6 inches to each measurement when cutting fabric to allow for framing and finishing. Aida cloth is the most beginner-friendly evenweave fabric available, with its clearly defined grid of holes making it easy to count and place stitches accurately.

Stitches Used

This sampler pattern incorporates a variety of classic embroidery stitches, making it an excellent introduction to fundamental needlework techniques:

• Full Cross Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the design, worked with 3 strands of floss. A cross stitch is formed by two diagonal stitches crossing at the center, creating the characteristic X shape that gives the craft its name.
• Quarter Stitch (¼ Stitch): Used to add detail and smoother curves to the design, also worked with 3 strands. Quarter stitches fill only one quarter of a fabric square, allowing for more refined outlines and shapes.
• French Knots: Worked with 1 strand of floss, these dimensional stitches create small raised dots of texture and are used as accent details throughout the sampler. French knots are formed by wrapping the thread around the needle before inserting it back into the fabric.
• Backstitch: Used for outlining and fine detail work, with 1 or 2 strands of floss depending on the area. Backstitch creates a continuous line of stitches and is essential for defining shapes, adding lettering, and creating crisp borders in cross stitch designs.

Materials — Floss and Thread

The pattern uses DMC embroidery floss, one of the most widely available and trusted brands in the needlework world. The full color and symbol listing includes the following DMC thread colors:

• DMC 208 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 310 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 321 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 341 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 350 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 352 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 402 — used for cross stitch
• DMC 414 — used for cross stitch and backstitch
• DMC 415