If you’ve been a stitcher for a while you will probably recognize the name “Mary Beale.” She hasn’t designed anything new for several years, but her designs from many years ago are what I would call “timeless.” You can still purchase her patterns on her website.
https://www.marybeale.com/shop
I’ve always loved her Christmas stockings (and someday, I hope to stitch one!) Some of my stitching friends have lusted over her “Days of Advent” pattern. It’s not for the faint of heart when stitched as a sampler. There are 25 blocks and when stitched four across in five rows, the entire piece measures about 19 inches by 34 inches. The group was not interested in stitching it as a sampler though.
My Partner in Crime (PIC) had the bright idea to stitch the pages horizontally and make the finished piece into a book. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) set in and I had to join the group. We are stitching it on 32 count Vintage Country Mocha with DMC. Our linen is four yards wide (that’s not a typo!) and nine inches high. We decided to start in the middle and work to the right, toward the birth of Jesus. When those blocks are finished we’ll go back to the middle and work to the left.The pattern is challenging in places because it is hand-charted. There are also pages of notes that have to be closely followed since large blocks of color are not charted!
When the stitching is finished, we will fold the piece accordion style and stitch everything together. Between now and then, we need to come up with a front and back cover. Quite an undertaking! I expect it will be at least a two year project (I have other things I want to stitch!)
Here’s a picture of the first two blocks. The one on the left depicts the story of Ruth. The one on the right depicts the story of David and Goliath.
I will start working on the next block in May.
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