In recent years, embroidered samplers have become highly collectible. Jane Greenoff uses her own historical sampler collection as the inspiration for over 30 unique antique style cross stitch designs so that you can begin a collection of your very own. Each project chapter is inspired by a popular sampler style. Samplers were traditionally used to teach young girls a variety of skills: darning samplers improved mending skills while alphabet samplers helped with literacy and samplers with improving mottoes instilled morality. Band and spot motif samplers were used to record the stitches they had learned. Many of the superb designs are complemented by additional counted thread stitches to encourage you to extend your stitching repertoire, including drawn and pulled thread techniques.

Jane Greenoff, managing director of the Cross Stitch Guild, is one of the most successful and popular cross stitch designers in the world. She is the author of 16 books. Jane lives in a converted barn in Fairford, Gloucestershire.