The Scarlet Letter ~ Betsy Davis

Made in Providence, Rhode Island, this sampler is a superb example of the work done at Miss Mary (Polly) Balch’s school, one of the most important female learning institutions in America at that time. Combining sophisticated architectural, landscape and figural motifs with elaborate and unusual stitch variations, including filled-in tapestry-like woven backgrounds, this group of samplers is one of the finest known in the American tradition.

Stitches used in this sampler include cross (over one and two threads of linen), half cross, satin and stem filling, backstitch and queen stitched. Stitched on 25 count linen the finished reproduction will measure approximately 13″ x 15″, very close to the size of the original sampler which is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The project is recommended for more advanced needleworkers. The chart is printed in full color.