Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler
For hundreds of years, if you were a European or American girl, chances are fairly good you would have made an alphabet sampler at some point in your education, whether at the knee of a female relative or governess or at a desk in a one-room schoolhouse. Alphabet samplers have a long and rich tradition that captures our imaginations, not only as historical records, but as a beautiful objects in their own right!
Our Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler Kit is inspired by the hundreds of thousands of samplers that came before it. It takes these techniques and traditions and gives them a modern spin. Airy and graphic, fresh and surprising, our version of an alphabet sampler isn’t just for girls or parlor rooms. It’s for everyone, everywhere!
Available in cool Sterling Blue or warm Cameo Pink (NOTE: This palette no longer available), our Kits include exactly what you’ll need to complete this Sampler, plus eight more sets of alphabets to play with, in a variety of sizes and styles. So, once you’ve finished your Sampler, you’ll be well equipped to personalize any fabric projects with monograms and dates, names and sayings.
You’ll also find in your Kit a full-color 22-page instructional booklet that walks you through every step of making your Sampler, from putting the fabric into the hoop and plying the floss to making French knots and chain stitches. Even if you’ve never embroidered before, our Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler Kit is as informative as that governess you never had!
Dip your toe into the river of history with our Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler Kit. It’s a wonderful way to honor the past while connecting to the present! -Corinne
Kit
Our Alphabet Sampler Kit comes in three beautiful palettes, Sterling Blue (above) and Flax and Bisque, and each one includes…
- 1/2 yard of woven fabric
- 7 skeins of cotton embroidery floss in 6 colors
- 7 paper bobbin cards
- 4 embroidery needles
- A 4-inch wooden embroidery hoop
- A water-soluble fabric marker
- 6 sheets of iron-on transfers, including the Alphabet Sampler Transfer and 8 other alphabets
- Straight pins
- A 12-inch wooden dowel (for hanging)
- A full-color instructional booklet
These are enough materials to make a 15 x 12-inch Sampler (plus transfers and floss for lots more embroidery!).
NOTE: The iron-on transfers included with this Kit create lines on the fabric that are not technically erasable, and we recommend trying to stitch directly over them. However, we have found that when you lightly press the transfers with a dry iron on a mid-tone natural fabric, the lines do tend to fade with time and sun exposure.
Pattern + Transfers
Don’t need the whole Kit? Our Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler Pattern + Transfers packet is also available separately. It comes with…
- A full-color instructional booklet
- 6 sheets of iron-on transfers, including the Alphabet Sampler Transfer and 8 other alphabets
NOTE: Please be sure to read the Note, above, about the permanence of the transfers’ lines.
Embroidery Floss Bundles
NOTE: These Embroidery Floss Bundles are no longer available, but recreate these palettes or make your own with DMC’s Embroidery Floss singles!
Try the Sampler in other colors, or get the same colors we used! Our Embroidery Floss Bundles include…
- 7 skeins of DMC’s 100% cotton Embroidery Floss
Choose from nine palettes (including the two that come in the Kit). They are…
Top Row: Summer Cosmos, Cameo Pink, and Purple Crocus
Middle Row: Daffodil Yellow, Pale Hydrangea, and Clamshell Gray
Bottom Row: Green Beetle, Crystal Blue, and Sterling Blue
Update: New Colors!
July 11, 2018
Joining our original Alphabet Sampler, Bisque and Flax now round out the picture with their punchy warmth. Bisque starts with a tomato-colored linen, while Flax uses a rustic neutral. Both are stitched in cream, pink, red and plum flosses… Classic!
Update 2024: You can explore our current collection of beautiful fabrics and supplies on our page of Sewing Tools + Notions!
This is a gorgeous kit. Would you guys think about releasing individual letter tutorials for free?
Kiersten
Hello, Kiersten!
Thank you so much for writing in and for your kind words! This is a lovely idea and we will take into consideration!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
The “Buy This Kit” link doesn’t work on my Mac. (page not found, etc.) I’m using Firefox. Is that a known problem for PurlSoho?
Hi June,
Thanks for writing in! Due to the response to this lovely kit, we experienced some outages on the site earlier today. It all should be back up and running!
Thanks again!
Cassy
I’m interested in purchasing your kit, but there seems to be a problem with the link.
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing in! Due to the response to this lovely kit, we experienced some outages on the site earlier today. It all should be back up and running!
Thanks again!
Cassy
Beautiful kit! I would like to do this with my daughter. We are both beginners in embroidering, is it possible to say about how long it will take us? Thanks a lot,
Viviane
Hello, Viviane!
Thank you for writing in! Everyone, whether they are seasoned or beginners, embroiders at different speeds so it’s difficult to say exactly just how long it will take you to finish. However, it is possible to complete a letter each day. So, you could aim for that and if you find that you’re a quick stitcher you can probably do two or even three in an evening.
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Kumeko
thanks a lot!!
Absolutely lovely! This would be so beautiful as a gift for a new baby’s nursery! Would you mind sharing the type of fabric that you used in the two kits? It looks like linen from the photos…
Hi Ainsely,
Thank you for your question and for your kind words! For these lovely samplers, we recommend Robert Kaufman Essex. It provides a sturdy and easy to stitch background!
I hope that this helps and happy stitching!
Cassy
Hi!
What is the name of the color for the Robert Kaufman fabric used in this project? It seems to fit the yarn colors so well that I would like to use it. I already have everything else I need, but haven’t found a good fabric from my own stashes.
Thank you!
Hi Elena,
Thanks for writing in! For this project we used our own Daily Linen in Ash Green and Warm Clay! Alternately, you could use Robert Kaufman Essex!
Best,
Cassy
I love this pattern, I was just wondering how big the letters are in the sampler?
Hi Katie,
They are approximately 2″ high. Hope this helps!
-Adam
What are the DMC numbers of the colors in the Sterling blue set?
Hi janet,
Thanks for writing in! The colors used in the Sterling Blue set are: 712, 926, 930, 3768, 3756 and 1568.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Is 1568 the right number? I cant find it. Thanks
Hi Barbara,
I am so sorry! That was a mistype! It is 168!
Best,
Cassy
Is this for the advanced embroider or can a beginner figure it out?
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for the question! I think that a beginner could take this on with the aid of the pattern book and some YouTube tutorials. I would try to master the stitches first before attempting the letters so you get the best result possible. Thanks again and good luck!
-Adam
Would you mind telling me the colour numbers in the green beetle palette? Thanks!
Hi Erica,
Thanks for writing! The colors oF DMC in the Green Beetle set are so follows: 712, 954, 500, 772, 523, and 367.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thanks 🙂 Your customer service people were so helpful in sending me the pattern to Canada…and quickly shipping a replacement when we discovered it was accidentally mailed to someone with the same name as me!
Thank you!
I’d really like to know the color numbers for the Pale Hydrangea colorway if possible… Thank you very much!
Hi Manon,
Thank you for writing in! The DMC colors included in the Pale Hydrangea bundle are 452, 739, 437, 453, 451, 738 and 950.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
You all should release tutorials on your youtube page for transferring. I received this kit for Christmas but I’m a little worried about transferring the pattern correctly and would love to see a video of it.
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for the suggestion. We will keep it in mind for future embroidery projects.
Best,
Adam
Is it possible to purchase the pattern and transfers together with the fabric for the out-of-stock blue-ish kit. I have the floss, the hoop, etc., but would like to get the fabric that corresponds to that kit?
Thank you,
Jean
Hi Jean,
We do sell the pattern and transfers separately. Click here for that! As for the fabric you can use either Essex or Essex Yarn Dyed. Hope you enjoy the project!
-Adam
There is a beautiful stitch sampler below the floss bundles on the alphabet sampler kit. It is available?
Hello Valerie!
Thank you for writing in! The stitch sampler you see below the floss bundles is from the Learn to Embroider an Alphabet Sampler instructional booklet. This sampler shows all the stitches that the instructional booklet goes over. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hello, I was wondering if I could purchase the Sterling Blue kit with the Green Beetle floss bundle instead of the blue floss? Thank you.
Hello Erin,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we are unable to custom build kits, but if you look in the description of the kit it will list everything included and you can purchase each item (except for the wooden dowel) separately.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Hello!! Just purchased this in excitement for my impending birth..but there was no instruction booklet with it!
Please assist with how I can receive one so I can get going…
Thank you!!
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for getting in touch! We are so sorry that the kit came incomplete! Please send an email to [email protected] and include your order number and let us know what happened and we will get it in the mail to you!
Best,
Cassy
Hello! I just started winding my floss on paper bobbins to stitch the Cameo Pink alphabet and noticed that two of the colors seem to be mixed up on the back of the booklet. Color C is listed as 758 and Color D as 3824. It just seems like Color D ought to be 758 since it’s the darker of the two. Maybe I’m the one who’s mixed up! Can you help straighten me out? 🙂
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! We checked the pattern and the thread colors and they are correct as listed. Of course, as you are the boss of your crafting, you can certainly switch them around if it works better for you!
Happy stitching!
Cassy
Hello,
would it be possible to purchase only the instruction booklet and the Alphabet Samplers of this beautiful kit as a download (for an oversea fan)?
Best,
Simona
Hi Simona,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, because this pattern requires the iron on transfers, we are not able to sell a PDF version. We certainly appreciate the challenges of overseas shipping and try our best to make our patterns as available as possible. With the patterns that have necessary physical pieces makes it difficult for some of our patterns, this one included!
Best,
Cassy
I want to try this kit but was wondering if there’s any way to make it without an iron. Would I have to draw on the fabric myself?
Hi Jen,
Thanks for reaching out! If you are unable to use the iron-on transfers, you will most likely want to draw the designs yourself using a Chaco Pen or Water Soluble Pencil in a color that will show up clearly on the fabric you have chosen. It is possible to embroider free-hand without drawing your designs first and is how embroidery was traditionally done, but for me and many other embroidery beginners, having a line to follow will help keep your stitches on track while you are mastering the stitches!
Best of luck and happy stitching!
Julianna
Hi! Could you tell me what color the letter C is in the sterling blue alphabet kit? it is so beautiful!!
thanks!
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for writing in! We used DMC Embroidery Floss in 712 and 3756 to embroider the letter C!
Happy stitching!
Julianna
Hey there!
I’m interested in buying just the pattern + transfer, but I can’t find out how big the letters are! Just needed to see if they was big enough for my project idea !
Thanks!
Hi Savannah,
Thanks for reaching out! The letters are all about 2″ tall.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m new to your site and embroidery patterns in general. I’d love to buy the patterns for many of the fonts in the sampler. Are they sold separately? Otherwise, wonder if you could tell me which letters are samples of the fonts that are included in the kit.
Thanks for your help,
Chris
Hello Chris,
Thank you for reaching out! You can buy the Alphabet Sampler Pattern + Transfers separately from the pattern. This whole package would also come in your kit if you were to purchase the kit.
I hope this helps and happy sewing!
-Marilla
Are the 8 full alphabets included any of the fonts that are used in the sampler? If so, can you tell me which letters are representative. If not, are patterns available for the full alphabet of any of the fonts used in the sampler?
Thanks for your help,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Great question! The sampler is all one font which is included as a single transfer sheet. Each letter is embroidered with a variety of stitches, which are explained in the pattern, but they are all based on the same basic outlined font and you can mix and match embroidery stitches as you please. The additional alphabets that are included vary in font type and size, but all can be used as the base for your own custom embroidery embellishments!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hello, wonderful people at Purl Soho!
I stitched an alphabet sampler in Cameo Pink from the kit a few years ago and have come back to order new supplies to make another. I already have the transfer and floss—I just need the linen. My question is which color to buy. In comparing the one I made from the kit to the Daily Linen colors, it appears to be Pink Dune, though the materials listed on your site suggest Warm Clay. That looks like a totally different color to me! I’d appreciate your help 🙂
Hi Mary Katherine,
Thank you so much for pointing this out! You are indeed correct, the Cameo Pink kit includes Pink Dune, not Warm Clay. Great catch! The item description has now been updated with the correct fabric!
Best,
Julianna
do you have a suggestion on how to cut the linen down to size in a straight line. I am concerned that if the cut is not straight that the whole sampler will be off kilter.
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for reaching out! I recommend using a rotary cutter to get the most even and straight cut! Our Rotary Cutting tutorial is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps, happy crafting!
Gianna
Would this kit be available as a pdf by any chance. Still in lockdown & I live in Thailand so the delivery costs are quite high. I absolutely love this sampler though & would be happy to pay for a pdf of the instructions, please please 🤩 (this &/or the circle sampler too!!)
Hi Jen,
Thanks for reaching out! Please email us at [email protected] and they may be able to help you further from there!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello!
I’m interested in the Alphabet sampler but am completely confused about the colors. When I choose from the drop-down menu, the image does not adjust. So I simply don’t know what to get.
Also, I’m wondering if an iron is needed to transfer the pattern onto the linen or if it already comes printed.
Thanks.
Hi Kathie,
Thanks for reaching out! The Alphabet Sampler Kit comes in 3 color options, Flax, Bisque and Sterling. The pictures are different from each other (they all have the same packaging so may look similar) Flax and Bisque have the same 7 embroidery floss colors (a variety of reds/oranges/neutrals) but Flax comes with our Daily Linen in Natural Flax (a neutral “flax” color) and Bisque comes with Daily Linen in Goji Berry (a bright orangy coral color.) You can see the different fabrics in the top left corner of the product photos. Sterling on the other hand is much different, it comes with a blue/silver/neutral embroidery floss bundle and Daily Linen in Ash Green (a warm toned gray color.)
The kit includes 6 sheets of iron-on transfers, including the Alphabet Sampler Transfer and 8 other alphabets. So you will need an iron for this project to transfer the alphabet to the linen.
I hope this helps, happy crafting!
Warmly,
Gianna
Is this kit still available for purchase?
Hi Mary!
Thank you for your question! This kit is still available for purchase, and you can find the link right here.
I hope this helps, and happy stitching!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! My sampler embroidery kit arrived safely today, only one week after ordering. It was well packed ( and I worked at UPS for 21 yrs so I know good packaging) I can’t wait to get started on the sampler. I’m glad I decided to order the kit rather than just the pattern. The fabric is exquisite. I believe in using quality materials when I know I will be spending hours and hours making an heirloom project. Will definitely order again, as soon as I work through the 5 projects in process.
Hello! What are the DMC numbers of the colors in the Summer Cosmos set?
Hi Helena,
Thank you for writing in! We have seen your message and are currently working to get an answer for you on this. We will be in touch as soon as we know more.
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi Helena,
Here are the requested colors that are included in the Summer Cosmos kit! Summer Cosmos: 3341, 351, 3706, 963, 741, & Ecru (2 skeins)! Please let me know if you have any more questions and I would be happy to help!
Happy making,
Gavriella