MFE Flosstube Ep. 4: More Questions, New Sampler! 

Another delightful video Jacob. It was the highlight of my day! Question for you: I am working on The Little Bird Quaker Sampler and using silk floss (in the magnificent colour Tulip by Classic Colorworks Belle Soie) but am finding it likes to shed fibres. Is this usual? Is there anything I should be doing to reduce this or is it just a character of the silk? I also loved hearing about the Groningen sampler where my in-laws are from.

Dear Jacob , What a FAAAABULOUS visit ! I truly was immersed in the History/show and tell of the Sampler . Jacob - this was a superb answer to Question 1. Thank you for the THOUGHT, and Preparation that you embarked upon to give the Sampler such a Fantastic Homage. Your Q and A to #2 and#3 were superb in there own right as well. And thank you especially for #3 as I am THRILLED that you will be doing an upcoming tutorial on the basics and how you stitch in hand ! Jacob, you are CHARMING and a dear Soul - and that is precisely evident in your designs . I am SO happy that you are sharing your talents for us to see ' up close and personal ' as they say. thank you thank you for this visit indeed . Bravo ! Stay safe you and your loved ones. marcia

🤗. Thank you Jacob for another very interesting visit. You share with us your knowledge of cross stitch and samplers which seems so serious, and then you add your delightful remarks of do whatever makes a stitcher happy when stitching their own pieces. I love it!

Hello Jacob, Your videos are so pleasant to listen to!! Liz and I are huge fans of all your work. It’s like a fantastic history lesson wrapped up with so much beautiful eye candy! We appreciate you “ sharing the joy of needlework” with us. ❤️Deb

Thank you so much for all you do for the stitching community! Your videos are so wonderfully different and I enjoy how you share the history of samplers. There are little tidbits of knowledge sprinkled through your videos which I find so charming. Thank you!

Could listen to you all day, you are an Audio book (with images) on the history of samplers from the different schools, regions etc. So interesting and informative, Thank You for doing all this work for us to enjoy!

Can’t tell you how much I enjoy your videos and how absolutely stunning your designs are. I have never stitched anything other then primitive designs that weren’t very “stitch intense” but I’m so tempted to try one of your designs.Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

THANK YOU Jacob, the closed captions work, I DO NOT expect you to sit and type in subtitles, I understand that job very well. THANK YOU for the explanation of Samplers it was EXTREMELY interesting with the examples to match. MANY MANY THANKS for the work you put into making these videos, GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I am just LOVING your videos...all your samplers are gorgeous! I look forward to your tutorials and more videos! Thank you 🙏

I absolutely love your channel! Your designs are so inspirational. I could listen to you all day. Love the history and the stories you share with us. The Crowned Heart is beautiful. I wish I could stitch my stash faster so I can get into your shop to stitch your designs. Bravo.

Lol, there are no cross stitch police. Thank you for you wisdom, teaching and loving presentation, I am so glad I found you!

Thanks for sharing...I'm in love with that black marriage sampler....wow....my heart was Singing when it was shown...thanks for taking the time to show us all your amazing work...take care and be safe..

Watching and listening to your videos is a joy. I have learned so much.

Lovely vintage samplers. Thanks for sharing your treasures!

What a lovely fraktur, Jacob! Your work is beautiful and your videos are so informative. Thank you.

Beautiful work & designs. Thanks for sharing the info on samplers...My favorite needles are Tulip from Japan. I love the way they glide through the cloth fibers...Looking forward to your upcoming releases.

Thank you so much for the informative video. Loved your samples and explanations of them. I look forward to your demonstration on how you stitch. I enjoy your designs .... they are some of my favorites.

Excellent presentation ! I love your projects, the history you present with each one, samplers included and the respect you show for each stitched piece and the work (labor of love) that was/is involved. Plus, I love the color of your sweater , it is my favorite and I often do 'red' samplers in various shades of green. Looking forward to your next video and stay safe. !!

Jacob, thank you for making this lovely Flosstube videos! Your update about the SAL made me start it! I saw there was no Bulgaria in the countries - I had to change this he-he.

Another wonderful video. Thanks for the sweet mention. I see a couple more designs I'm going to need to stitch. 😊

Jacob, I am a beginner stitcher...(yes, I have my own floss tube) you have inspired me. And at 62 I expect my golden years to render work almost equivalent to yours !!! I plan to do 'Dutch Beauty' with your favorite Reds, and it will always make me think of you.

Thanks so much for your enjoyable video...best wishes and happy stitching ❣️

Jacob, this video was not only entertaining but educational. You are so inspiring with your creativity, designs, and passion for cross stitching. Thank you for being so generous with your time. As always, look forward to the next video.

I look so forward to your videos. I always learn something and I appreciate the care you take in preparation. Thank you for sharing with us.

Thank you Jacob. I love all the samplers and the history behind them. I use 28 Pat Carson needles they are my go to needles. Your stitching is just beautiful ❤️

Every one of your videos has been lovely to watch. Thanks for all of the information and inspiration!

My, that Pennsylvania Dutch invitation was surprisingly beautiful! I wasn't expecting such bright colors on a historic piece like that, for some reason. I guess I've seen so many historic pieces with muted colors, or perhaps bright colors that have faded. Fraktur is lovely. I'm not much of a lettering stitcher (who knows, that may change), but the birds and caption would make a lovely small finish. I will check it out, thank you!

This was very enjoyable and educational. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of stitching

So enjoyable. Love the history information you put in your videos. Thank you so much.

Oh my goodness, what a show , I loved every second ! I do not believe you though about not being a romantic ! How could you find such joy in those old samplers if you were not ?! They were so interesting -just thinking of their age and the hands that stitched them ...Thank you for all of the background history , so interesting to me . Do you find that cross stitch is a popular hobby where you live ? Do you have friends with whom you stitch with and share ideas ? Can’t wait for the “teasers”you mentioned !

What a beautiful video full of gorgeous samplers and wonderful information!!!! I appreciate all the time and effort that you put into each of your flosstubes; they are a complete joy to watch! I am very excited to see what your new secret projects are going to be ... I have a feeling I had better be saving my money for that day... Hahaha :)!!

I love the double distelfink, in your fraktur love pattern. I'm half Pennsylvania Deutsch. My great grandparents lived with my mother growing up, and they spoke German. I rarely meet anyone familiar with the history. I love all your patterns and wasn't sure with which to start, but now I think I'll begin with that pattern.

Wonderful video Jacob. Always love to hear your tips and the history you provide with your antique samplers. My favorite needles are Piecemakers. Size 28.

Love your gentle approach to life!!

I will just add my voice to the chorus- your videos are just wonderful. I loved seeing your antique samplers, especially the lovely one from the latter part of the seventeenth century, as well as the lovely darning samplers. It must be so exciting to get to see the fine linens that used to be made. Thank you for all your effort in making your videos.

Thank you Jacob for yet another enjoyable informative video.. whilst I’m an avid cross stitcher now I have done many tapestries & absolutely love them.. I completed Jane Pattison sampler in wool & am working on a few others including a HATS pattern. Wool is beautiful to work with & I find just as easy on 28/32ct linen or Penelope canvas..

So much great information in your videos. I thoroughly enjoy them! - Sheri

I use Jane Greenoff gold plated needles, Cross Stitch Guild.. Thank you for sharing your beautiful samplers and the history.. I do enjoy learning about samplers my hubby has bought me Micheal & Elizabeth Feller book for my Christmas... I will enjoy reading through this... I love the dutch wedding sampler...Beautiful finish ... o dear another two of your patterns have fallen into me basket... I will have to finish a couple o samplers before I can start another... Thank you for sharing... Happy stitching... Louisa...

Loved your video, it was so informative and loved your wedding sampler pattern. Look forward to future videos!

Another super video. Love your projects and all the info you share, it’s so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Passion is always totally fascinating, thank you for yours!

I so enjoyed this video. Thank you for all the information. I look forward to many more videos about stitching and history.

Love the black wedding sampler!

Hi Jacob! hat a wonderful video. Your collection, my friend, is your own museum! I love learning from you! Re Needles, I love Pat's Favourite Needle (from Pat Carson) but unsure if we can buy them here in the UK or the EU, I ordered from the States.

It is amazing listening to you and watching your flosstube.

Your videos are so wonderful and packed with information! I thought I knew a lot about samplers but didn’t know many of the things you talked about in this episode. My favorite needles are Bohin 26s, the eye will probably be too big for your tastes, but these needles have the PERFECT tip - not too sharp, but not so blunt that I can’t easily slide it under stitches to finish off a thread.

Jacob I want to say Thank You! Your FlossTube is such an inspirational addition to our community. I watch your videos at night right before I go to sleep. You are so calming and soothing. What a gentle soul you are. I love the way you say pattern 🥰 it makes me smile 😊 I also wanted to add I love hearing about how you were inspired to create a design. Even if it is a reproduction, so I am placing my request that you continue to do so. I do have a question: Do you have plans to get pictures of models on your website? The reason I ask because when you showed Fraktur Love I was stunned at its beauty which did not come across to me until I saw your stitched piece.

You are always a wealth of knowledge, and I love listening to you! One of my best friends were stationed with the military near Eindhoven. I visited her there. It’s a beautiful country!!! I have to say your accent throws me because I definitely hear Dutch when you speak, but I also hear Scottish!! I know you said you lived in the UK, so maybe that’s why, but I hear Scottish dialect in your voice! I maybe crazy though🤷🏼‍♀️😂 Regardless your designs are some of my favorite and your Flosstube’s are always a joy to watch! Thank you for taking the time to share with us all!!!

Jacob, your Flosstube is one of my favorites! So informative and calming at the same time. Thank you for doing these videos!🪡

Wonderful video and I love learning new information. Thank you for the research and sharing! I will be visiting your shop.

I love your videos. You are so talented and it is wonderful to learn so much about the stitching that we all are doing or want to do. I am so inspired

Well, I love your videos, very informative, and your designs are beautiful. Re needless, I am partial to Bohin brand, from France, although right now, I am using Jonh James number 12 tapestry pointed short beading needles, they work well on high count linen. A stitcher friend has recommended tulip needles, made in Japón. I have never use them, but my friend said that they are the best. So good luck.

Love your videos..stopped midstream and went to your website and bought Fracktur Love sampler!!!!!!

I enjoyed your video! I am watching and stitching Susannah Walker!! I am having a hard time putting this one down!! Blessings to you!!

Thank you. Very relaxing and informative video.

how amazing to have such wonderful samples.

So glad to see you!!!! Love that large sampler!!! My favorite needles are Piecemakers - they seem like they are a little longer and have a larger eye - my backups are Bohin's - I always use the size 28 as I mainly stitch on 40 or 46 count linen, or I love stitching over one on 28 count. All the best.

I want to thank you for explaining the “What makes a Sampler a Sampler?” I love to learn as much as I can and you are truly a wealth of knowledge. I love ALL your designs and your beautiful stitching. Looking forward to more of your teaching and videos!!💕

Your Love Fraktur sampler is stunning. You did an amazing job with answering the questions...I may have missed you mentioning it, but another advantage of stitching the neighbor's design on your band sampler was to determine how much thread you needed. It was too costly to buy more than needed. 😁 Thank you! I really enjoy your videos.

Had not heard about ‘The Zimmerman Coverlet’ prior (for some inexplicable reason), so headed straight to your Website and corrected that situation …such a worthy cause. Was fascinated by the sampler variety foursome. I resisted playing favorites until you presented the Darning Sampler 1874 with dog in silks, yet soon again became enamored by the Embroidered Cloth, Dutch 1860-1890, in chemically dyed wool. Will you be stitching using wools? Or might called-for threads offer this option? Seems the perfect project to have a go with Au ver à Soie Fine d'Aubusson Wool. Whatever fibers are chosen, this colorful piece promises to make the future even brighter 😊 Thank you tremendously for another invigorating video visit.

I love all the information you share Thank you.

Thank you, Jacob! I'm new to your youtube but they are so informative. I learn new things from each episode!

I had to pause you twice to add charts to my wishlist. Your designs are beautiful, and I want to stitch them all!

Thank you for all the information about samplers! I learned a lot!

Thank you for very nice video. Love learning from you. Your samples items are beautiful. I try different needles what I'm working on. I do wear off the finish from my needle. I have to throwaway that needle. But try make sure I have lots of that needles . Thank you Emily

Love what you share, there is so much information in your video’s! I too hope you do a tutorial on how you Finnish your pieces with a hem stitch. I love the idea of finishing them as a tapestry! I like using ball point needles, they are fairly long and thin with a small eye. I use S. Thomas & Sons, size 10. I’m working on your pattern, P.F.W. 1858 sampler and loving it. Thanks again!

I do the same thing with my finger after every cross! I noticed it a few months ago and was thinking “have I always done this?” So interesting to hear others do it too!

A lovely video again xx thank you for explaining about the samplers and the different types xx I find this very interesting plus loving your new sal 2021 it's a joy to stitch

Having stitched a few of your designs already I am now really enjoying your regular videos Jacob, and enjoying the educational information shared too .. My favourite needles for years now have been John James petites, however I just happened to be using one of the ball tipped needles you mention for the first time this morning, as I watch this and think you may indeed like them .. It's very long, both compared to my usual (obviously), but also the regular size my son stitches with, and the eye is half the size of those others too .. It finds the holes very easily on my 40ct, though does require a little more push to get through holes already worked .. Too early to say if it's for me or not, but I wanted to try and am not disappointed .. Also thank-you to the people who allowed you to share their January finishes of the SAL .. Having so much already to work on I didn't sign up, but after seeing them I'm thinking what beautiful ornaments could be made with just the centre designs ~ side note it is mid-Summer here and I've been chasing the birds off my plum harvest, until yesterday when I decided we had enough and they could finish what was left to ripen, so I very feel that particular image of birds and basket of fruit

Wow, what a delight to listen to you and the history. I've never heard of bleaching fields, thanks for sharing. The old samplers and cloths are remarkable!!! This is the first time I've listened to you--Finally a Farmgirl flosstuber mentioned you. I will be a devoted follower from now on. I'm even thinking of trying your sampler!! I love greens, so I would do it in green :) Beth in Georgia, USA

What a very informative video. Thank you. 😃

Hello Jacob - am enjoying my first MFE project, the Julbocken. With regard to Clover needles, ebay uk has some Clover tapestry needles but can only see size 24. Kind regards. Allyson

Thank you Jacob for another informative video. You have a wonderful, charming manner of speaking and it is such a pleasure to watch you show and talk about your wonderful collection of samplers. I hope to have the Fraktur Love Sampler stitched for my partner in time for his birthday on 13th Feb - not quite Valentine's day! Do you have any samplers which feature a ship? My favourite needles are John James Gold Plated Tapestry Petites - size 26 or 28. Unfortunately, they are like hen's teeth and I think I am on my last packet. Looking forward to your next video

Very informative video thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

Truly interesting video.

You are doing a stellar job with these videos, Jacob! They're such a pleasure to watch. I recently started using Bohin needles and found them a definite step up in quality from what I was using before. It's just a shame they're not easy to come by in the UK - the ones I have I got from Missus Sedas in Spain.

Great teacher!

You are an absolute delight to watch! Your work and the glimpses back into history are wonderful!

Thank you Jacob!

Really enjoy your videos so interesting and learning so much thank you⭐️

First off, Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and skills with the world. The Love sampler is stunning and on my "must do" list. I live on the Ohio/Pennsylvania border and the Fraktur influence is quite prevalent. I love the way you hemstitched the edge and was wondering if you are planning on elaborating on the "how-to" for those of us new-to-finishing stitchers. I look forward to each and every one of your FlossTubes. Kind regards.

I'm a little late to the party but was able to catch up this morning with a nice pot of coffee and stitching! I'm going to be honest, when it comes to needles, I've never had a particular brand that I favor. I've basically used every brand of needle and can say that one does not tickle my fancy over another. However! I do gravitate towards size 26 needles. I feel like their small enough to work on the finest of linens but big enough to where I don't feel as though I'm struggling to thread the eye of the needle.

thanks again for the nice video!! love your tips and history .. I cant wait for more information!!

I learn so much from you it is fabulous. Thank you for sharing. I hope one day to be able to stitch one of your pieces.

Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge with us. Your videos are fantastic. You seem to be on a roll with design ideas also, which is great for us! My favourite needles would be no good for you - I like piecemakers, but they are short with lovely big eyes 😳!

What a delightful video! I learned so much!

What a wonderful video, absolutely found the history of the Dutch Samplers interesting. I also loved seeing the Scottish samplers, my Mom was born in Glasgow, Scotland so we are always looking at the samplers especially the filigree letters. I typically use Bohin Size 10 or 12 for 45 count. Piecemaker is one of my favorite for 40 count (size 28). But the Bohin 28 is nice too. I find the ball point needles great for stitching one over one, not sure they would be good for stitching in hand. Take care and be safe

Hi Jacob! Thanks so much for the piece on Dutch samplers! I am partial to all things from the Netherlands as I am first generation here in the USA. Is threre a specific history from the are of Rotterdam/Vlaardingen, this is where my family is from and many still live today. Thank you in advance! Best wishes, Teresa Wilhelmina

Will be checking your designs on the Silk App..

Part of my ancestry is Pennsylvania Dutch (also known as Quakers) so I knew about it being Germanic peoples. My dad was of the northern Germanic tribes but they left that area about 4-500 years ago, with my paternal grandmother’s family ancestry coming across on the Mayflower. It was oral history only and we younger generations are forgetting the details...year by year. Sad but true...

I am also enjoying all the stitching and history you are sharing with us. Are there any reference books that you might suggest for further reading? I am also interesting in learning more about the history of stitched maps and learning about any examples you might have come across. Thank you so much for taking your time to share your talent and knowledge with us.

LOVE your videos! Learning so much. Will begin 2021 SAL soon.

Oh my gosh - I’m so late to floss tube - but I do the thumb thing too with running my thumb over the stitch (I stitch in hand too)!! I thought I was the only one to do the thumb thing!!! ❤️

Well, yes I was thinking if black tea, bc you mentioned it, and I drink tea in the afternoon.....English tea....we bring it from london....and Jacob, thank you for responding, you are a nice person. Something intrigues me....you do the dying after you stitch your sampler.....aren’t you afraid the threads will bleed ....impatient for my order with threads and linen to get here.

Beautiful job 😍

I love your Videos - I have learn so much from you - I love hearing the History behind the Samplers. I have A Real Old Pattern Sampler that was stitched by one of my Ancestors on my Dad’s side and she has the same last name only it is spelled the old German way. The Spelling is spelled a slight differently now and has been for years. I got the Fabric and I just need to buy Silk threads for it but I think I am just going to use regular DMC Threads instead. I just cannot afford like 30 Skeins of Silk. Back then they made their own Threads too. It is a Beautiful Sampler and I do want to stitch this one. The Pattern itself is very difficult to go by. I love all of the Samplers that you shows this morning in the Video. Thank You. Stay Safe - Stay Well - Happy Stitching ❤️🪡❤️

Jacob There are additional reasons that the letter J & V was not included in the early samplers. The letter J wasn't created until 1524, but because there was no internet or good mail service back then, no phones, etc, the word didn't get out to everyone. Often the the letter 'I' was used interchangeably for the J. The other late arriving letter was the U because the V was used as both the U & the V. The U was added in 1386. Samplers took a long time to encapsulate both of those letters.

Oh Jacob I so enjoy your flosstube videos. I could watch you all day. Your finished fraktur piece is gorgeous. Stay well and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Nicky xx.

I learn so much from watching your videos. Thank you for all the preparation it must take to gather the information & your thoughts to present it to us. I am relatively new (1 year) back to cross stitch and really can't imagine at this time finishing you Love pattern in a couple of days...but then again I do love other hand work. I am sure that you will answer this question if you have not already, it there a certain measure that you allow extra around your work? Thank you again and warm regards..

Dank je wel Jacob, het is iedere keer weer interessant wat jij over samplers te vertellen hebt. Dit keer met een stukje Nederlandse geschiedenis ❤️ De letterlap die je liet zien, prachtig, ik zou hem graag maken. Net als een stoplap, die staat ook hoog op mijn lijstje om te leren wat mijn voorouders gebruik was.