We Live in Hope, Blackbird Designs

We Live in Hope

Eleanor Davey's sampler from Belfast, Ireland, pictured on page one, inspired both of the designs contained in this pattern booklet. We could imagine a young girl waiting for her father or older brother to return safely from sea. The stitched words, "We live in hope" applies to us all.

This was the first time we both had stitched ships into our work, and we enjoyed it so much! I don't think it will be our last.

Stitch Count: 199 w x 191 h

Finished Size: 11″ w x 10 5/8″ h

Fabric: 36ct. Vintage Homespun from R & R Reproductions

Weeks Dye Works threads: 

• Beige, Blue Jeans, Bright Leaf, Caper, Cocoa, Deep Sea, Garrison Green, Kris’ Bon Bon, Red Pear, Williamsburg

Home From Sea

The inspiration for this pattern was stitched by Elanor Daveys from Belfast, Ireland. She completed her piece on July 2, 1834. Her age is not noted on her sampler.

During her lifetime she must have seen many changes. Belfast was beginning to grow quickly. Industrialization, and the rural famines of the early 1800s caused the influx of migrants into the city. Most of the newcomers worked in the linen mills and other factories. Conditions in Belfast during 1800 - 1850 were appalling. The streets were narrow; houses small and the conditions were crowded. The immigrants arriving in the city suffered during outbreaks of typhus and cholera.

Shipbuilding had begun in earnest in Belfast 42 years before Elanor completed her sampler. Belfast was one of the greatest shipbuilding ports in the world. Some of the largest ships were built there. Noting the motifs on her sampler it's easy to believe someone in her family sailed the seas.

Stitch Count: 119 w x 106 h

Finished Size: 6 5/8″ x 5 7/8″

Fabric: 36ct. Vintage Homespun from R & R Reproductions

Weeks Dye Works threads:

• Beige, Blue Jeans, Caper, Cocoa, Deep Sea, Dove, Flatfish, Palomino, Red Pear, Schneckley, Williamsburg