Counted Cross Stitch Pattern, William Curtis 1826, Reproduction Sampler, Antique Reproduction, Hands Across the Sea, PATTERN ONLY

This is for the PATTERN ONLY.

Counted Cross Stitch pattern, William Curtis 1826

Stitched in 1826 by a boy of just nine years of age, this eye-catching sampler challenges expectation. It speaks not only of skill, but of discipline, patience, and quiet determination. William worked with precision and care, producing a piece that stands confidently alongside, and in many cases surpasses, the work of his female contemporaries.

In presenting this sampler, we have chosen to honour William as The Lord of the May.

In England, May Day celebrations marked the arrival of spring, a time of renewal, growth, and community gathering. Central to these festivities was the Queen of the May, a young girl chosen to represent beauty, youth, and the promise of the season. She was crowned with flowers and presided over the celebrations.

Less often remembered, but equally present in historical accounts, was her counterpart — the Lord of the May. In some communities, a boy was chosen to stand alongside the May Queen, sharing in the ceremony and embodying balance within the festivities. Together, they represented youth, continuity, and the turning of the year.

It is in this spirit that we present William Curtis. His sampler, worked with such care and intention, stands as a fitting companion to the tradition of the May Queen — a rare and compelling example of a boy’s voice expressed through needle and thread.

William’s sampler is a study in learning and progression. Beginning with cross stitch over two threads of linen, he moves through four-sided stitch and eyelets, before working his verse in cross stitch over a single thread. Satin stitches complete the sequence, demonstrating a confident command of technique at such a young age.

The composition is structured and disciplined, with repeating motifs and a carefully controlled colour palette that brings clarity and balance to the design. His verse, stitched in his own hand, speaks directly to the viewer with humility and aspiration — a voice preserved exactly as it was formed.

The sampler is signed as his work, leaving no ambiguity as to authorship. This is not a name recorded on behalf of a child, but a declaration of effort, learning, and identity.

Samplers worked by boys are not unknown, but they are not common. Needlework was most often associated with the education of girls, while boys were directed towards literacy and numeracy. William’s sampler therefore stands apart, offering a rare insight into the breadth of early nineteenth-century childhood education and the values of discipline, obedience, and perseverance that shaped it.

Although many boys named William Curtis were born in 1817, it has not been possible to securely identify the maker within surviving records. What remains is his work — a lasting record of a young boy’s skill and determination.

Linen Sizes:
The design area is 252 stitches (w) x 263 stitches (h). Our calculations have included a 3" margin for finishing and framing. The model was stitched on a Zweigart-based linen that was overdyed by Seraphim Linen to a shade of Antique Lace.


28ct linen: Design: 18.00" x 18.79" Fabric: 24.00" x 24.79"
32ct linen: Design: 15.75" x 16.44" Fabric: 21.75" x 22.44"
36ct linen: Design: 14.00" x 14.61" Fabric: 20.00" x 20.61"
40ct linen: Design: 12.60" x 13.15" Fabric: 18.60" x 19.15"
46ct linen: Design: 10.96" x 11.43" Fabric: 16.96" x 17.43"
56ct linen: Design: 9.00" x 9.39" Fabric: 15.00" x 15.39"

Thread Legend:
William’s sampler has been reproduced using a palette of 14 colours The model was stitched using Soie 100.3 from Au Ver à Soie, and we have included below conversions for Soie d’Alger (SDA) and DMC. You will only require one spool or skein of each colour with the exception of SDA 1836 and DMC 890 when you will require two skeins when working with two strands on 32ct linen. When working on 28ct linen with two strands, you will require two skeins of SDA 1836, 2644, and DMC 890.


100.3 SDA DMC Colour
061 236 986 Forest green
080 F17 Ecru Ecru
289 1436 413 Pewter grey
354 4643 778 Antique mauve (lt)
376 4645 3726 Antique mauve (dk)
486 1714 931 Antique blue
493 2644 22 Alizarin
562 4533 3782 Mocha brown
601 115 3842 Wedgwood blue
620 204 991 Aquamarine
621 2756 927 Grey green
624 4536 3781 Micha brown (dk)
656 1836 890 Pistachio green
723 1343 32 Blueberry

PLEASE NOTE: Patterns are NOT returnable to protect the copyright of the designer.

We love our customers and want only to be fair. We never charge more than what we would want to pay ourselves. If you overpaid for shipping, we will gladly refund $1.00 or more for the overage.




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