[Patriotic stitching completed by Rachel Rodewald and Erin Rodewald]
Next July 4th is America’s 250th birthday, but it’s not too soon to start stitching! Even as the autumn leaves are falling outside my window in Northern Virginia, my youngest daughter and I have been busy stitching in anticipation of the nation’s semiquincentennial. (You can view my latest efforts in more detail on the WIP page.) If you’re looking for a patriotic project or two to set you in the mood for next year’s festivities, here are a few recommendations:
Note: though some designers sell direct to the public, most do not. Contact your local needle arts shop or visit Etsy to find your favorite designers
Heartstring Samplery
Beth Twist at Heartstring Samplery has a wonderful collection of Americana cross-stitch patterns, including wall hangings, pin drums, biscornus, and adorable red, white, and blue fobs. On the Heartstring Samplery website, most of Beth’s offerings are in digital PDF format for easy downloading—you provide the threads and grounding fabric. She does have a few printed patterns available online, as well as finishing kits for several of her designs.
Little House Needleworks
Diane Williams owns Little House Needleworks in Tucson, Arizona. “Small town living is still in my heart and is where I get many of the ideas and inspirations for my needlework designs,” writes Diane, who also owns Classic Colorworks, hand dyed cotton and silk threads for the needlework industry. Among her many patriotic offerings is a nine-part series called, The Early Americans, which features memorable characters like Betsy Ross, Martha Washington, John Hancock, Abigail Adams, and Paul Revere.
With Thy Needle
Designer Brenda Gervais has long been a popular cross-stitch designer of patriotic themes in a delicate, vintage style. Find her designs under the With Thy Needle brand at fine embroidery shops or online at sites like Country Stitches or Hobby House Needleworks.
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Plum Street Samplers
Designer Paulette Stewart has been publishing beautiful cross-stitch designs under the Plum Street Samplers label since 2005. Among her designs are a few patriotic treasures, including the one pictured here featuring George Washington and his beloved horse, Nelson. Look for Paulette’s designs online at Hobby House Needleworks or Etsy, or ask your local, fine embroidery retail shop.
And finally (though by no means conclusively), The Shops at Colonial Williamsburg have many stitching delights fitting for celebrating America’s founding. Find the handsome colonial couple pictured above as a kit on the website, as well as several other counted cross-stitch, needlepoint and embroidery options.
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