Button Alphabet Sampler - Brenda Keyes

Design: Button Alphabet Sampler

Designer: Brenda Keyes

Threads: Anchor Multicolours

Fabric: 22 count hardanger, antique white (stitched over 2)

This sampler comes from a book by Brenda Keyes - a designer to whom I turn to time and again when I'm looking for something to stitch as a gift. Her designs are timeless and tasteful and enjoyable to stitch, too.

This is quite different from her usual style, but I was looking for something suitable for my niece's second birthday.

The original design called for it to be stitched over 2 blocks of aida, and to use shirt buttons, but I wanted to keep to stuff I had in my stash, so I stitched it on hardanger and used a packet of tiny buttons I'd ordered online for another project, but had only needed 6!

I made this up into a wall hanging, with ribbon loops for suspending from dowel, but there is enough fabric hidden so that the piece can be framed at a later date.

It took me two evenings to complete - and that included the making up - I think I will keep this in my repertoire in case any friend decides to have a baby in future.