Weavers Animals Band Sampler SAL - Information and Border Pattern

After the success of the 2018 Weavers Tapestry Band Sampler SAL and 2019 Weavers Birds SAL I decided to make another pattern based on the same weavers draft patterns found on the Antique Pattern Library for this year. The theme this year is animals.


This year there are two versions - the full sized one, which is below and a smaller version, more like the 2019 version in style which you can read more about here

What: 

• This is a band sampler of animals and non-animal borders chosen from the patterns of a weavers draft manual found on the Antique Pattern Library.
• The pattern is 191 stitches wide and 515 stitches long. (48 stitches wider and 13 stitches longer than the 2018 one)
• The pattern is whole cross stitch only - no backstitching or speciality stitches!
• There are 11 bands in total which range between 15 and 96 stitches high with a small 3 stitch border between each.
• There will be 12 monthly patterns.
• January's pattern will be 42 stitches high 
• The rest will be 41 stitches high each.
• The border has been given below so you can get started with that before the patterns start.
• I will show a picture of each band once we get to it so you can plan ahead a bit with colour if you choose. I didn't do this in 2019 which proved to be difficult for some people who like to add lots of colour to their embroideries, so for 2020 I'm bringing it back
• The pattern is given in a single colour, not because you have to stitch it that way but to make it easier for you to plan the placement of your own colours if you wish. 

 Where: 

• All patterns are posted here on my blog.
• If you don't want to miss a pattern then if might be a good idea to set up an RSS feed or to sign up for an email notification at the bottom of the page (I don't see your email addresses, only the blogger platform does).
• There is a Facebook group to share progress and talk about the project here.

When:

• I am giving the border pattern now - it's at the bottom of this blog post.
• Patterns will be given every first Tuesday of the month at 10PM Amsterdam time - there will be a "calendar" in the side bar so you can see the exact dates, it will be added some time in December after the last part of the 2019 Weavers Birds has been posted.
• I will start on the 7th of January 2020 (link goes to the timer for part 1) - if you are able to keep up you will be finished before Christmas 2020! Admittedly life happens and so do other projects but the SAL will stay on this blog so you don't have to worry about the patterns vanishing. Links to all previous year's SALs get moved to a page that can be found in the header: Previous Weavers Band Sampler SALs

Fabric:

• I have rounded up the numbers working from the actual size of the stitching to make sure you have enough fabric. 
• Fabric amounts are given based on stitching over one bunch of Aida or over two threads of evenweave. 
• If you decide to stitch over one you will of course need less fabric. 
• I have given 3 inches / 7.62 cm of fabric on each side for framing. 
• If you wish to calculate the fabric for yourself based on your plans then this is a helpful tool. 

Size in inches:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 13.6 inches x 36.8 inches.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 20 inches x 43 inches. Zweigart Aida is 43 inches wide which would be perfect for the job.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 11.9 inches x 32.2 inches.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 18 inches x 39 inches.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 10.6 x 28.6 inches.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 17 inches x 35 inches.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 9.6 x 25.8 inches.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 16 inches x 32 inches.

Size in cm:

• For 14ct Aida/28ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 34.7 cm x 93.6 cm.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 50 cm x 109 cm. Zweigart Aida is 110 cm wide which would be perfect for the job.
• For 16ct Aida/32ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 30.3 cm x 81.7 cm.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 46 cm x 97 cm.
• For 18ct Aida/36ct evenweave:
• The pattern is 26.9 cm x 72.5 cm.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 43 cm x 89 cm.
• For 20ct Aida/40ct evenweave.
• The pattern is 24.2 cm x 65.2 cm.
• It requires a strip of fabric that is 40 cm x 81 cm.

Floss:

• Floss is calculated based on using two strands over one (or two for evenweave). Though I have added a one strand option for 20ct/40ct as I often get asked about that. 
• Skein amount is given for DMC floss which has six strands and eight metres long - if you use another brand you may need more skeins. 
• I have given the total amounts in whole skeins only, rounded up so you are sure to have enough even if you need to rip on more than one occasion.
• If you decide to stitch with one strand of floss over one fabric thread you will of course need less thread. If you need help calculating this please do ask!
• This pattern is perfect for variegated threads!
• Floss use:
• For 14ct/28ct you will need a total of 19 skeins of floss.
• You will need 3.9 skeins of that for the border.
• For 16ct/32ct you will need a total of 16 skeins of floss. 
• You will need 3.4 skeins of that for the border.
• For 18ct/36ct you will need a total of 15 skeins of floss.
• You will need 3 skeins of that for the border.  
• For 20ct/40ct you will need a total of 13 skeins of floss.
• You will need 2.7 skeins of that for the border.   
• For 20ct/40ct stitching with ONE strand of floss you will need a total of 7 skeins of floss.
• You will need 1.4 skeins of that for the border.  

The border pattern:

Although the pattern is larger than last year's I'm only doing one size of pattern for the border. It's only five pages in landscape mode with an additional page used for the information page (so six pages in total). I will however continue to offer the pattern in colour and black and white so you can choose which you prefer. If the size proves to be too small let me know and I'll add a larger size too!

Border - Black and White can be downloaded here
Border - Colour can be downloaded here


As I know some of you enjoy making a pincushion and fob to use while stitching a larger pattern I have made a fun pattern for both using one of the patterns - as I don't want to spoil things I won't say if it is - or isn't - included in the SAL. Since they are small patterns I'm only doing one version of each.

The fob pattern can be downloaded here
The pincushion pattern can be downloaded here

I am excited to share this pattern with you and hope to see many of you in the FB group as well as here! If you have any questions please do ask! Either here or in the FB group works and I'll answer ASAP!  I'll be back later with the smaller version information in case you'd prefer to stitch less each month.