Needlework Sampler, Polly Noyes

Needlework sampler stitched by Polly Noyes on 20-count unbleached linen over one and two threads. Right side is selvage, other edges are turned under and hemmed. Floral vine border on sides with green cross-stitch vine, gold cross-stitch flowers and pale green cross-stitch leaves. On each side at bottom are two flowering plant motifs, cross-stitched in the same colors as the vine. Row 1: Floral vine in cross-stitch with green vine, brown and gold and yellow and beige flowers, and pale green leaves. Row 2: Row of green cross-stitch, alternating two stitches up and two down. Row 3: Upper-case letters A through L (no J) cross-stitched in blue, gold, beige, brown and green with the color alternating in pairs of letters. Row 4: Upper-case letters M through V (no U) cross-stitched in gold, blue, yellow and beige with the color alternating in pairs of letters. Row 5: Upper-case letters W through Z cross-stitched in yellow, beige and blue, blue cross-stitched ampersand, vertical line of blue cross-stitch, "1774" cross-stitched in blue. Row 6: Single row of blue cross-stitch. Row 7: "Polly Noyes Her Sampler Made" cross-stitched in gold, first letter of each word is stitched over two threads, remaining letters are stitched over one thread. Row 8: Single row of beige cross-stitch. Row 9: "In The 11th Year Of Her" cross-stitched in gold, first letter of each word is stitched over two threads, the other letters and the numbers are stitched over one thread. Row 10: Single row of yellow herringbone. Row 11: "Age Born October The" cross-stitched in gold, first letter of each word is stitched over two threads, the other letters are stitched over one thread. Row 12: Single row of green cross-stitch. Row 13: "9th 1764" cross-stitched in gold over one thread, star motif cross-stitched in beige over two threads, numbers 1 through 10 cross-stitched in beige over one thread, crown motif cross-stitched over two threads in beige. Row 14: Single row of blue cross-stitch. Bottom half of sampler consists of spot motifs in beige, gold, yellow, green and dark brown. Almost all motifs are in cross-stitch, but the top center motif has a queen stitch section. Motifs include hearts, crowns, flowering plants, a bird and geometric shapes. At the bottom is a flowering vine like Row 1, cross-stitched with green vine, beige flowers and pale green leaves. Along the bottom right edge are one practice eyelet stitch in dark brown and four cross-stitches in blue over one thread.

Date: 1774