Happy New
Year! For our first interview of the
year we visit with Melinda from Merry Wind Farm!
Some of you
may be familiar with Melinda from her blog where she shares her stitching and
rug hooking and life at Merry Wind Farm in Ohio. Today she is sharing all of these things with
us, especially, you will see, her love of Scarlet Letter samplers!
Melinda, how old were you when you first
picked up a needle and who taught you to stitch?
My mother was quite the seamstress and tailor. I can remember
sewing beside her at a very young age. I made doll clothes, woven hot
pads (remember those?) aprons, etc., before progressing on to my own clothes. My mother and I made my clothes up until the age that I decided I didn't
want "homemade" anymore, probably as a teenager. Then there was
probably a time span of 8-10 years where I abandoned sewing, before discover
stitching.
What was the first sampler that you
stitched?
My
adventure with sampler stitching began in 1978, when while on vacation I
stopped into a shop somewhere in Wisconsin (no, it was not the Scarlet Letter)
and purchased a screen-printed motto sampler, God Bless Our Home. I was
hooked. I do still have it, but it is quite hideous. As bad as it
was, it hung over the kitchen sink for many, many years.
What is your favorite time of day to stitch?
What is your favorite time of day to stitch?
I
always stitch while listening to the television. Evening is my favorite
time. I usually stitch, or sometimes rug hook, from about 8 to 12.
If something happens, like company, that I cannot stitch, I feel
very nervous and anxious and can't get to sleep. I think I have a
stitching addiction! It is a regular part of my day and I really
*must* stitch!
Do you sit in a set place and what tools
do you like to have on hand?
In
my home, the colonial "look" is the most important thing. As long as I have a chair with a small
table for my ott light on my left, I'm set to go. The only kind of chair
that fits in with my decorating style is a traditional wingback, so that is what
I stitch in.
Do you use the stick and stab
technique, or a sewing stitch?
I
always considered the way I stitch a "sewing method" but I now
realize it is different. Each stitch is completed as I go, and I stitch
in this direction: Upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, then
underneath the previous stitch going to the left to start the next stitch.
I turn the sampler up and down, and this stitch can also be done
vertically. The only downside is that more thread is used, since you go
completely under each stitch to start another. Since I rarely use expense silk
floss, this isn't an issue with me. Using this method, I never have to stop and
reach behind the linen. I have stitched probably around 100 samplers, and never
would have been able to do that without this quicker method.
Do you prefer to stitch in hand, or
with a hoop or frame?
I use
a 6" English wood hoop that I purchased from Scarlet Letter years ago.
I have wrapped the bottom hoop for additional hold. I love this
hoop and never use anything else! I am even using it for Manifesto and
stitched Dutch Beauty with it also.
What is your favorite linen and
thread?
My
favorite count of linen to stitch on is 32, because I find that is the easiest
on my eyes. I also love 34 legacy, as it is so nice and soft and easy to
handle. I can manage 35 and 36, and barely 40. I don't use a
magnifier, so I only stitch on what I can see with my regular glasses. My
philosophy is that if I can't see it and have to struggle, it isn't fun!!
Have you tried specialty stitches and
do you have a favorite?
I
hate, hate, hate queen stitch, and I WON'T do it! If there is a sampler I
like and it has queen stitch, I will probably pass on it. I don't really
know fancy specialty stitches, other than satin, rice, herringbone, double
running, etc.
![]() |
Ann Wallace Sampler (left) and Scarlet Letter Christmas Sampler (middle) |
When did you discover the Scarlet Letter?
It
was my Mother who originally discovered a Scarlet Letter ad in a magazine, and
I sent for the catalog. I would guess this was in the early 90's.
What was the first Scarlet Letter
sampler you stitched?
I'm
really not sure of what was my first Scarlet Letter sampler. It could be
one of many, all stitched in 1994 or 95. Red House Sampler and Rebecca
Robinson were early stitches, and both of those have been given to a dear
friend. The other possibilities are this Dutch sampler,
the Antique
Alphabet, Martha Smith, or Mary Ann Hutton. These are the ones that
I can remember that were stitched early on.
Letterndoek IT |
![]() |
Antique Alphabet Sampler |
Martha Smith Sampler |
Mary Ann Hutton Sampler |
What is your favourite period of sampler-making and
why?
I would
say my favorite era of sampler stitching was early 19th century, 1800
until maybe 1830 or so. I have done one 17th century sampler, Martha
Salter.
Martha Salter is pictured 2nd from right in top row. Ann Hair is pictured middle in the top row. Jean Scrimgeowr is pictured 2nd from right in bottom row. |
Now that I look through
Marsha's list of 18 century, I see 4 or 5 that I have stitched. And
I was surprised to see that Jane Atkinson is 18th century, which is one of my
favorites.
Which designs appeal to you the most?
My
absolute favorite of all types of samplers is Scottish House samplers, followed
by English, samplers with houses, animals, then Quaker style. My ancestor
was taken prisoner during William Wallace's war and sent to Rhode Island as an
indentured servant. Merry Wind Farm was built in 1810 by Quakers, so I
enjoy stitching Quaker samplers also.
M Quertier Stitched during the Scarlet Letter Year challege |
Has working with reproduction samplers given you
any new insight into the lives of the girls and women in the 17-18-19th
centuries that you did not realize before?
Something that amazes me is that these young girls did these samplers with only daylight! Here we sit with our ott lights and your magnifiers, and still struggle to see.
How do you display your stitched samplers? Do
you frame them? Hang them singularly or in groupings?
I
frame my own samplers most of the time. I have tons of vintage and
antique frames I have collected, and I love the look of samplers in
antique frames. Since my home is decorated with antiques in a colonial
style, they look great with my decor. They are hanging everywhere!
Except for the bathrooms, there is not a single room that does not
have samplers. I chose what to display where depending on what I think
looks the best.
![]() |
Dragonfly Sampler (center) |
Maria Theresa Wilkinson Sampler |
Freelove Hazard Sampler (left) |
Susan McPherson Sampler (right) |
Do you collect antique samplers? Or have any other
collections special to you?
I
never really thought of it as a collection until now, but yes, I guess I
do collect antique samplers. For several years I have had it in the back
of my mind to reproduce them and have my own little company, which I will call Merry
Wind Farm after my home. After several years of thinking about it, I have
actually finished charting my first antique, Elena Trainman 1824.
I'm currently working on stitching my model, and hope to have it
available in a couple of months. Here is a peek of the antique.
![]() |
Elena Trainman 1824 For a further sneak peek of the reproduction progress see Melinda's most recent blogpost here! |
I
collect many things, too many things, actually, all related to antiques of some
sort. Pewter, flow blue china, antique history books, pottery. And
cats and dogs!! The real ones!! LOL
What other types of hand work do you enjoy?
I
enjoy quilting, rug hooking, and punch needle. I also like to make
primitive stitchery related items and sometimes sell them on EarlyWork Mercantile. The first picture is
an example of one of the things that I make. There was no pattern, I just
started in, picked a verse, and just stitched what came to me. It is
mounted on a vintage breadboard which I painted and aged.
Any guilty secrets to confess? (e.g leave tails on the back, drink tea or coffee
whilst stitching, let your cat sleep on your work, etc)
I
don't leave tails, but yes to everything else! Cats, coffee, pop, you
name it. :)
What has been your worst needlework disaster?
I
don't even have to think about this one :) It was when one of my cats,
how can I say this delicately, had a #1 accident on this beautiful needlework
book designed by With My Needle. I spent months and months working on
this, first stitching all the pages and then putting it together. And, to
make matters worse, I stitched it in silk, which I never do. I was able
to soak it over and over and over and get the smell out, but it is very faded
now.
If you can pick just one, which is your favorite
sampler that you stitched? And why?
I think number one would be Isabel Redie, followed closely by Sarah Wilson. I love Isabel Redie and it is also special because it was one of the first large samplers that I stitched, and I was so pleased when I finished it.
Isabel Redie Sampler |
Sarah Wilson is special because Marsha had published a picture of the
antique, and I believe that I was instrumental in getting people together
to pester her to chart it. Sarah was also one of the first large samplers
that I framed myself.
Sarah Wilson Sampler |
What Scarlet Letter sampler are you currently
working on now? What do you most enjoy about it?
I'm
currently working on Manifesto on 34 count legacy with DMC floss. This is
my first needlework "picture" and I knew when I saw it that it would
be beautiful in my home. I love stitching on this sampler.
If I want to concentrate on my work, I can stitch on some of
the pictorial elements. If I want to watch tv and just mindlessly
stitch, I can work on filling in background. I knew this would break the
bank to frame, and I have already found a vintage frame that will be the
perfect size, I only need add a couple of background rows to make it fit.
I'm already debating where the perfect spot will be for it, maybe over
the mantel? Note artistic addition of cat tail on photo, haha!
Manifesto in progress |
What other hobbies or interests do you enjoy?
I
live on a small farm with three adopted off-the-track retired racehorses, 4
dogs, 13 cats, my son, Evan, and my elderly Mother. I am a widow as is she.
We both love
our animals, and love to garden also.
I am also quite obsessed with
antiques and decorating, I am constantly changing things around. The farm
was settled in 1804 and the current home built in 1810 by Quaker farmers, so my
love of samplers, antiques, and hooked rugs fits in well.
This place is a
lot of work but I feel blessed to live in such a peaceful, beautiful location.
Thank
you so very much, Melinda, for sharing your story, your love of the Scarlet
Letter, and your beautifully stitched samplers! Your work is so inspiring and lovely to see
displayed in your colonial style home, it has been a wonderful tour!!
Thank
you for sharing the sneak peek on your own reproduction sampler. We look forward to seeing your progress on
Manifesto and your very own reproduction sampler!
***Update!*** Since our interview, Melinda has finished her first reproduction sampler, Elena Tratman 1824! Here is a look at this beautiful sampler and a link to Melinda's blog post all about it....here. Congratulations, Melinda!
***Update!*** Since our interview, Melinda has finished her first reproduction sampler, Elena Tratman 1824! Here is a look at this beautiful sampler and a link to Melinda's blog post all about it....here. Congratulations, Melinda!
To
follow along with Melinda’s and her future endeavors please visit her blog at
Merry Wind Farm.
17 comments:
Melinda - thank you so much for a brilliant interview. I have thoroughly enjoyed every word and the photographs - well what can I say !!!!! I know I will be returning many times to drool over them.
I would love to visit Merry Wind Farm one day. Through your love of antiques you have created a warm and cosy home that looks so welcoming.
I would be interested in acquiring your design as soon as it is available.
Very interesting and. Motivational....what a great place to live and stitch....I particularly enjoyed seeing all the samplers.....it transpires love for life....thank you for letting us into your paradise....
Melinda, it was wonderful to read this interview. I love the same samplers you do and in the same order ,too.! I have always enjoyed hearing other people's history and wish I had had the same growing up.it is so nice that you have that and shared it with us. I would love to visit the area. I live in Michigan and it is always interesting to me to see other peoples antiques,etc...thank you for sharing your interests.
Loved this!! Your home is amazing ~ so comfy and inviting! I have a feeling a lot of us would love to be guests for a weekend!
WOW !! Melinda! I loved reading your interview. I am in awe of all the awesome samplers you have stitched. I am sure I will be back here again and again and look at your samplers.
Thank you melinda for such an interesting interview. i am in awe of your stitched work.
Melinda, I also thoroughly enjoyed your interview. I have always enjoyed reading your blog and along with Carol Sims,the pair of you are my inspiration :). Thank you.
It was so lovely to have the chance to spend time looking at your beautiful samplers. I have many of them kitted up to do. I was also thrilled to see Maria Foster who hangs on my loungeroom wall. She is such a beautiful sampler. Thank you again. Thoroughly enjoyed it. - Sandra.
Thanks for the wonderful interview.
What a treat! I have loved Melinda's farm, garden, home and stitching since I first discovered her blog, years ago! What a great interview and such a special collection of samplers!
Yay, yay, yay! I am so glad to see this interview!
I love your blog Melinda, and have been hoping some day
there would be an interview of you on the SL blog! Your stitching is awesome.
Do you have any wallspace at all left? : )
and you quilt and hook rugs and have animals and lovely gardens...wow. Do you ever sleep? : )
Really enjoyed reading this.
Melinda...thank you so much. Your work is outstanding. I love your home!! You are truly an inspiration.
Thank you Melinda for sharing your life's works & marvelous home with us. You are truly a delightful inspiration. I am looking forward to your new sampler chart and hope more are to come.
You are such a prolific and accomplished needle worker. I enjoyed reading your comments and am inspired by your work:)
Thank you for sharing your wonderful prolific body of samplers. You are an inspiration to all of us. :)
What is this "Dutch sampler?" I LOVE it.
I had to save this for a time where I could sit down and enjoy it. I'm so glad I did. A lovely post and interview!
Truly enjoyed seeing your beautiful and extensive collection of samplers. Perfectly stitched and framed. I am totally with you on the Queen! Thanks Melinda ... and Krista.
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