Plum Street Samplers Free Cross-Stitch Patterns And The 12 Days Of Christmas Mystery Sampler

Plum Street Samplers, a cross-stitch design company, offers a collection of free patterns and charts for enthusiasts. These free resources span various themes and occasions, providing stitchers with accessible designs without cost. The company's free offerings include seasonal patterns, holiday-themed designs, and specialty charts that cater to different skill levels and interests. Among their most notable free projects is the "12 Days of Christmas" mystery sampler, released as a series over multiple weeks. Unlike traditional physical product samples, these free offerings are digital patterns that can be immediately accessed and used by crafters.

The 12 Days of Christmas Mystery Sampler

The "12 Days of Christmas" represents one of Plum Street Samplers' most extensive free offerings. This cross-stitch project was developed over multiple years and released in segments. The original motif was first published in Just Cross Stitch magazine in 2011, with a second part following in 2012. Designer Paulette Stewart, the creative force behind Plum Street Samplers, later decided to complete the entire series in time for Christmas 2015. The full project was then released over ten weeks beginning in November 2015 as part of the Sunday Mystery Sampler series.

The series consists of twelve distinct motifs, each representing a day from the traditional Christmas song. According to one crafter's experience, the project can be approached with minimal supplies, as evidenced by someone who successfully started the project with just red, green, and black thread on 16 count Aida fabric. The simplicity of color requirements makes this accessible to stitchers with limited resources.

The 12 Days of Christmas sampler offers stitchers an opportunity to return to basics, focusing on the fundamental pleasure of forming cross stitches rather than complex shading or color work. One blogger noted the enjoyment of working on a two-color piece after having completed more intricate designs with multiple shades and realistic colors. The sampler provides a meditative stitching experience that many crafters find appealing.

For those interested in undertaking this project, individual segments are available through various links provided by fellow crafters. These links include: - Introduction to the Stitch Along (SAL) - FAQs about the SAL - First, Second and Third Days of Christmas, with layout chart - Fourth Day through Twelfth Day (each available separately)

It should be noted that while the sampler is free, some crafters have reported difficulty locating it on Paulette's official website, suggesting that the pattern may be somewhat hidden or not prominently featured in the current catalog.

Other Free Patterns from Plum Street Samplers

Beyond the 12 Days of Christmas, Plum Street Samplers offers numerous free cross-stitch patterns across diverse categories. These designs cater to various interests, skill levels, and occasions throughout the year.

Seasonal Patterns

The company provides designs suitable for different seasons: - Winter patterns featuring snowmen and cold-weather scenes - Spring designs with floral elements and imagery of renewal - Summer and patriotic patterns suitable for 4th of July celebrations - Fall and autumn-themed designs, including Halloween motifs

Holiday Designs

Plum Street Samplers offers multiple holiday-themed patterns: - Christmas patterns beyond the 12 Days of Christmas series - Valentine's Day designs, including a "Valentine's Stocking" pattern that can also serve as a Christmas ornament - St. Patrick's Day designs featuring traditional Irish symbols - Easter patterns with bunnies and spring themes - Halloween patterns including "Hares Halloween"

Specialty Designs

The company also offers unique charts such as: - "Mother Hare and Child Hare" cross-stitch chart - "Hare family celebrate" fireworks pattern suitable for New Year's or 4th of July - "Easter blessings" free cross-stitch chart - "Blackwork Embroidery Chart Heart Sampler"

These patterns showcase the designer's versatility and attention to different stitching techniques and styles. The animal-themed designs, particularly those featuring hares and rabbits, appear to be a recurring specialty of the company.

How to Access Free Patterns

Plum Street Samplers' free patterns are available through multiple channels, making them accessible to a wide range of crafters:

Pinterest Boards

The company maintains Pinterest boards that feature collections of free patterns. These boards provide visual inspiration and direct links to various designs, making it easy for stitchers to discover and save patterns of interest.

Blog Posts

Blog posts on various platforms showcase and link to free designs from Plum Street Samplers. These posts often include images of completed projects and personal experiences with the patterns, adding context and inspiration for potential stitchers.

Direct Downloads

Some patterns are available as direct downloads from the company's website or designer's sites. These patterns are typically provided in PDF Chart format, allowing for immediate access and printing. The digital format means that crafters can begin their projects immediately after requesting the patterns.

It's worth noting that while these free patterns are readily available, some may be more challenging to find than others. The 12 Days of Christmas sampler, for example, has been reported as somewhat difficult to locate on the official website, suggesting that interested crafters may need to follow specific links or search through multiple sources to access all parts of the series.

Designer Background and Company Information

Plum Street Samplers appears to be the creation of designer Paulette Stewart. The company has been active for several years, with patterns dating back to at least 2011. Paulette Stewart is recognized for her contributions to the cross-stitch community, including her work published in Just Cross Stitch magazine.

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" series exemplifies Paulette Stewart's approach to design, as she developed it over multiple years, releasing segments gradually and then completing the entire project in time for the holiday season. This method of pattern development allows for careful refinement and testing of designs before their full release.

The company's free offerings demonstrate a commitment to making high-quality cross-stitch designs accessible to crafters regardless of their ability to purchase patterns. By providing free digital resources, Plum Street Samplers contributes to the crafting community and supports stitchers at all skill levels.

Conclusion

Plum Street Samplers offers an extensive collection of free cross-stitch patterns that cater to various interests, skill levels, and occasions. Their free resources include seasonal designs, holiday patterns, and specialty charts that can be accessed through multiple platforms. While these "freebies" differ from traditional product samples in that they are digital patterns rather than physical items, they provide significant value to the crafting community by making high-quality designs accessible at no cost.

The 12 Days of Christmas mystery sampler stands as one of the company's most ambitious free offerings, representing a substantial commitment to providing stitchers with an engaging, multi-part project. Combined with the wide variety of other free patterns available across different themes and seasons, Plum Street Samplers has established itself as a generous contributor to the cross-stitch community.

For crafters interested in exploring these free resources, multiple access points are available, including Pinterest boards, blog posts, and direct downloads from the company's website. The digital format ensures immediate availability and eliminates shipping costs, making these patterns particularly accessible to international stitchers.

Sources

1. Plum Street Samplers 12 Days of Christmas Mystery Sampler
2. Twelve Days of Christmas Cross-Stitch Project
3. Plum Street Samplers Free Cross-Stitch Patterns