Ann Rayner 1839 - Hints and Pitfalls

Evidently a lot of stitchers have Ann in their stash, and after I shared my updates and final finish, have expressed an interest of the things I discovered, in stitching Ann.  So, I decided to share these hints and discoveries, and then you can decide whether to ignore them, use them, or wing it on your own.

First of all supplies!
These are the colors I recommend that you should have 3-4 skeins of DMC of each color.  These colors are used over and over again, and are the predominate colors in the sampler.  If you have these on hand prior to starting, you aren't going to have to work about lot color changes.

DMC 347    3-4 skeins
DMC522     2-skeins
DMC760     3-4 skeins
DMC 3012  3-4 skeins
DMC 3363  3-4 skeins

Outside border

If you look at the border, prior to stitching, you'll note that there are squares that are left blank,

or have "\", or "/".  If you are like me, and especially since this chart is printed on large paper, you may want to make a working copy, to stitch from.  Note the blanks, \, /, and decide for yourself, whether you want to stitch in these areas with DMC 3363.  There is no DMC color associated on the symbols list for either the "/" or "\".  These same symbols appear randomly throughout the sampler, so you will need to decide how you want to stitch them or not stitch them!

Long Stems and Short Stems for Outside Border

These are stitched quite regularly, except for 2 places.  The pattern goes as follows, long stem, 11 stitches, short stem, 4 stitches.  The only exception, is on the top right side of the chart, there is a "5" on the chart, where there are 5 stitches instead of the four, like the rest of the chart.  Also, on the bottom left, there is one section that has 10 stitches before the short stem, instead of the 11stitches before the short stem.  It is clearly noted on the chart.  Also, the short stem on the top right side (3 one down) has an irregular stitch pattern.

Band after the first alphabet

Everyone stitches differently, I decided to tackle this band in 3 parts.  I stitched the top line, 3 stitches, 1 down stitch, space, stitch, up, then 3 stitches.  Repeat.  This was the quickest for me.

Please note after the 17 section of 3 stitches, the border takes a shift down one stitch for the rest of the border.  If you look at the chart this shift happens right about where the N and O are.  This band follows a pretty specific stitch pattern, EXCEPT for the part around the letter X.  There are four stitches there and only there.  The second part of the band, I stitched, 3 stitches, space, stitch, space, 3 stitches, and just followed the pattern from the top line of this band.  Bottom stitches of the band where stitched 3 stitches, up 1, stitch, space, stitch, down one, 3 stitches.

2 small alphabets and band in between

If you read the directions, it suggests to use 2 thread over 1.  I didn't.  Didn't like how it looked, I decided to use 1 thread over 1 (in fact that all areas that called for 2 over 1. Like the people and the lambs).  But that is up to you.  According to the separate sheet of this chart, it shows you the detail for stitching the small alphabet and where to line up with the letter Z.  I didn't care for the suggestion, and adjusted my stitching, so that the alphabets end would line up on the far right, creating more space between the beginning of both small alphabets and the Z.

I stitched the smallest letters first, since it was the longest line.  I lined it up using the stitches from band above.  If you look at the band above, I counted over 4 circles from the only area on that band that has 4 stitches.  This sits slightly left to the letter U above it.  My little letter "a" starts in the middle stitch of the 3 stitches on the bottom part of the circle.  Both alphabets, and the line, end at a the middle stitch of the circle on the farthest left. (Last circle)

Stitching the Lady

If you look at the main chart for stitching the lady, she has 9 stitches of "Z" in a single line.  This is a mistake!  You won't find it until you look at the detail part of stitching the lady. It should be,

from bottom to top, 1 stitch of Z, then 4 rows of 2 stitches of Z , then 4 single stitches, of  Z.

Stitching the Pasture

Pretty much like it shows.  Although once again, it will show some blanks, or random symbols, that you will need to figure out to include or not.  The only thing, is the 3 sheep from the left's back hoofs go into the actual border of the pasture.  I missed that, and so my 3rd sheep's back hoofs, begin 1 stitch up where they supposed to be.