Initials Frame
Two initials joined by an ampersand inside a geometric frame.
Free Cross Stitch Samplers and Lettering Patterns
Framed words and alphabets: house signs, greetings and a traditional alphabet sampler. Every one can be reworded in the Studio, so treat them as starting points.
13 free patterns · PDF, PNG and editable chart
Samplers & lettering patterns
Home Sweet Home Sampler
A lettered sampler with a heart, two leaves and a double border.
Alphabet Sampler
All 26 capitals in four rows inside a geometric frame.
Welcome Sign
“Welcome” in navy inside a gold geometric frame.
Happy Birthday
A two-line birthday message with gold stars and a dashed frame.
Eid Mubarak
“Eid Mubarak” in teal with a gold star and double frame.
Christmas Wreath
A leafy green wreath with berries and a red bow, 17×17.
Merry Christmas
A framed “Merry Christmas” sampler with a star and two sprigs.
Let it Snow
A two-line “Let it Snow” sign in navy and ice blue.
Joy
The word “JOY” in red inside a gold geometric frame.
To and From Gift Tag
A stitched gift tag with “TO:” and “FROM:” lines and a heart.
Trick or Treat
A “Trick or Treat” sign in midnight and pumpkin orange.
Boo!
The word “BOO!” in purple inside an orange geometric frame.
Words in thread
A sampler was once how stitchers practised and recorded their alphabets. Today the same idea makes signs for a hallway, a kitchen or a new home. These charts use full cross stitches for the letters, which is slower than backstitch but bold enough to read from across a room.
Because lettering is made from repeated shapes, small counting errors are easy to spot and easy to fix: every letter of the same kind should look identical. If a line does not fit your frame, change the words or the alphabet in the text generator and the border resizes itself.
Sizes and stitching time
Smallest first. Finished size is on 14-count Aida; times assume about 120 full stitches an hour, a relaxed pace, so treat them as a guide and allow more for a first project.
| Pattern | Stitches (w × h) | On 14‑count | Colours | Total stitches | Rough time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Wreath | 17 × 17 | 1.2 × 1.2 in 3.1 × 3.1 cm | 5 | 154 | about 1 hour |
| To and From Gift Tag | 36 × 22 | 2.6 × 1.6 in 6.5 × 4.0 cm | 2 | 197 | about 2 hours |
| Let it Snow | 37 × 34 | 2.6 × 2.4 in 6.7 × 6.2 cm | 2 | 225 | about 2 hours |
| Joy | 27 × 17 | 1.9 × 1.2 in 4.9 × 3.1 cm | 2 | 228 | about 2 hours |
| Initials Frame | 27 × 17 | 1.9 × 1.2 in 4.9 × 3.1 cm | 2 | 235 | about 2 hours |
| Boo! | 29 × 17 | 2.1 × 1.2 in 5.3 × 3.1 cm | 2 | 258 | about 2 hours |
| Trick or Treat | 52 × 34 | 3.7 × 2.4 in 9.4 × 6.2 cm | 3 | 269 | about 2 hours |
| Happy Birthday | 68 × 26 | 4.9 × 1.9 in 12.3 × 4.7 cm | 3 | 364 | about 3 hours |
| Welcome Sign | 49 × 17 | 3.5 × 1.2 in 8.9 × 3.1 cm | 2 | 390 | about 3 hours |
| Eid Mubarak | 70 × 27 | 5.0 × 1.9 in 12.7 × 4.9 cm | 2 | 528 | about 4 hours |
| Merry Christmas | 76 × 42 | 5.4 × 3.0 in 13.8 × 7.6 cm | 4 | 669 | about 5–6 hours |
| Home Sweet Home Sampler | 86 × 36 | 6.1 × 2.6 in 15.6 × 6.5 cm | 4 | 737 | about 6–7 hours |
| Alphabet Sampler | 53 × 49 | 3.8 × 3.5 in 9.6 × 8.9 cm | 2 | 888 | about 7–8 hours |
Stitching lettering neatly
- Find the centre first
- Fold the fabric in half both ways and mark the centre. Start from the middle of the middle line of text so the sampler ends up centred with even margins.
- Count the gaps as well as the letters
- The space between letters is part of the chart. Grid your fabric every ten squares with a washable pen or a single running thread to keep lines level.
- Stitch borders last
- A border has to meet itself at the corners. Stitching it after the text means you can adjust by a stitch or two if your counting has drifted.
- Leave a generous margin
- Add at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) of spare fabric on every side for stretching and framing. The size calculator works this out for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the words on a sampler pattern?
Yes. Use the text generator to type your own words with the same alphabets and borders, or open a sampler in the Studio and edit it stitch by stitch.
How big is the Home Sweet Home pattern when stitched?
The pattern page gives its exact stitch count and the finished size on common fabric counts. As a rule, divide each dimension by the fabric count to get inches.
Do the alphabets include accented letters?
Yes. The alphabets cover accented Latin letters such as é, ñ, ü and ç, so names like José or Zoë can be stitched correctly.