Introduction
Cottage Garden Samplings is a brand that produces cross-stitch patterns, often themed around nature, seasons, holidays, and whimsical characters. The provided source material details a wide array of pattern collections, including series like "Year in the Woods," "Fabulous House," "Snowman Collector," and "Time For All Seasons." These patterns are typically offered for purchase from various online retailers, such as Down Sunshine Lane and Traditional Stitches. The documentation specifies that these are finished needlework designs, not free sample programs. The information focuses on pattern availability, design themes, stitch counts, recommended fabrics, and thread brands, rather than promotional offers or freebies.
Understanding the Cottage Garden Samplings Product Line
Cottage Garden Samplings designs are categorized into distinct series, each with a specific theme. These series are sold as individual patterns or as part of larger collections. The source data does not indicate any free sample programs, trial offers, or no-cost product trials associated with these cross-stitch patterns. The patterns are available for purchase, with prices listed in U.S. dollars (e.g., $9.00, $10.50, $13.00) on retailer websites.
Key Pattern Series and Themes
The brand organizes its designs into several thematic series, each catering to different stitching interests.
Year in the Woods Series: This collection features woodland animals and nature scenes. Specific patterns mentioned include "The Beaver" (Year in the Woods 11), "The Little Brown Bat" (Year in the Woods 10), "The Woodpecker" (Year in the Woods 9), "Barn Owl" (Year in the Woods 8), "The Bald Eagle" (Year in the Woods 7), "The Bear" (Year in the Woods 6), "The Ferret" (Year in the Woods 5), "The Raccoon" (Year in the Woods 4), "The Jackrabbit" (Year in the Woods 3), and "The Fox" (Year in the Woods 1). A second series, "A Year in the Woods II," is also referenced, with designs for "The Bobcat" (#8), "The Northern Cardinal" (#7), "The Chipmunk" (#6), "The Turkey" (#5), "The Crow" (#4), "The Koala" (#3), "The Sugar Glider" (#2), and "The Wolf" (#1).
Fabulous House Series: This series depicts various types of houses and structures. Patterns include "Floating House" (#9), "Lighthouse" (#8), "Housebarn" (#7), "Tree House" (#6), "Hobbit House" (#5), "Cottage" (#4), "Green House" (#3), "Castle" (#2), and "Santa's House" (#1). Additional designs like "Tudor-Style House" (#13), "Log Cabin" (#12), "Haunted House" (#11), and "Fairy House" (#10) are also part of this collection.
Snowman Collector Series: This series features snowmen in various professions or roles. The source lists "The Clown" (Snowman Collector 2), "The Needleworker" (Snowman Collector 1), "The Witch" (Snowman Collector 11), "The Countryman" (Snowman Collector 10), "The Farmer" (Snowman Collector 8), "The Scarecrow" (Snowman Collector 5), "The Postman" (Snowman Collector 4), and "The Shepherd" (Snowman Collector w3).
Time For All Seasons Series: This collection represents different times of the year or specific holidays. Designs include "Christmas Eve" (Time For All Seasons 12), "Oct31" (Time For All Seasons 10), "Sweet Summertime" (Time For All Seasons 7), "Strawberry Harvest" (Time For All Seasons 6), "BeesySpring" (Time For All Seasons 5), and "Love Is In The Air" (Time For All Seasons 2).
Holiday and Seasonal Samplers: Beyond the series, individual holiday-themed patterns are available, such as "Christmas Star," "Merry Christmas," "Christmas," "Christmas Parade," "Christmas Delivery," "Storytime With Santa," "Trick or Treat," "Cast A Spell," and "Snow In Love." Springtime designs like "Fresh Flower Market - Springtime Series #6" and "Bee Happy - Springtime Series #5" are also listed.
Other Collections: Additional series mentioned are "Basketful of Love," "Peacock" (which may be a pin cushion), "Peacock Pin Cushion," "Symphony Of Friendship Sampler," and "Midnight Drift."
Pattern Specifications and Stitching Details
The provided source material includes specific technical details for several patterns, such as stitch counts and recommended materials. This information is crucial for stitchers planning their projects.
Stitch Counts and Fabric Recommendations
Stitch counts (width x height) are provided for many designs, indicating the size of the finished piece. For example: * "Christmas Star" has a stitch count of 60W x 85H. * "Year in the Woods 11 - The Beaver" has a stitch count of 99W x 110H. * "Fabulous House Series 9 - Floating House" has a stitch count of 172W x 107H. * "A Year in the Woods II" series patterns have varying stitch counts; for instance, "The Wolf" (#1) has a stitch count of 145W x 145H.
The documentation specifies that models are stitched on specific fabric counts, such as 32-count, 36-count, or 40-count linen. Recommended fabrics include: * Stone Grey Belfast Linen (32 count) * Water Lily Linen (32 count, #65203 from Wichelt Imports) * French-Lace Linen (32 count, #65110 from Wichelt Imports) * Country Mocha Edinburgh Linen (36 count) * Nocturne Linen (40 count, by Picture This Plus) * Ancient Linen (40 count, by Picture This Plus) * White Chocolate Linen (32 count) * Smokey Pearl Belfast Linen (32 count, listed as an alternative fabric)
Thread and Floss Requirements
Patterns often specify the type and number of skeins needed for completion. The brands mentioned include: * Weeks Dye Works: Used in patterns like "Christmas Star" (Celadon, Graphite, Azaleas, Emma's Pink, Envy, Galvanized, Graphite, Grits, Island Breeze, Onyx, Pumpkin, Squash, Turkish Red, Turquoise) and others. Specific notes indicate that for some designs, if stitched 2 over 2 on 28 or 32 count linen, 2 skeins of "Whiskey" (Weeks Dye Works) are required. * Gentle Art Sampler Threads (GAST): Frequently used, with colors like Baby Spinach, Black Licorice, Buttermilk, Cidermill Brown, Cottage Blue, Faded Rose, Pecan Pie, Pineapple Sherbet, Soot, and many others listed across various patterns. * DMC: Commonly used, with DMC conversions often provided in the pattern instructions. * The Gentle Art Simply Shaker Threads: Used in some designs, with colors like Chalk, Grape Leaf, and Toffee.
Some patterns also note the stitch method, such as "2 strands over 2 linen threads" or "1 strand over 2 linen threads," which affects the final appearance and thread usage.
Purchasing and Availability
The source data indicates that Cottage Garden Samplings patterns are sold through specific online retailers. The websites provided in the source list are:
* https://www.downsunshinelane.com/collections/cottage-garden-samplings
* https://www.traditionalstitches.com/c_cgs.html
* https://cottagegardensamplings.com/
These sites function as e-commerce platforms where customers can browse and purchase individual patterns or collections. The listings include prices, which are standard retail prices. There is no mention of free samples, discounts, or promotional trials in the provided documentation. The purchase process appears to be a direct transaction for the pattern PDF or printed chart.
Evaluation of Source Reliability
The provided source data consists of product listing pages from online retailers and detailed pattern specifications. These sources are reliable for understanding the product catalog, pricing, and technical details of Cottage Garden Samplings designs. However, they are commercial sales pages and do not constitute a free sample program. The information is presented as factual product data, not as promotional offers or trials. No unverified user reports or third-party deal blogs are present in the source material; all data comes from the listed retailer and brand-associated websites.
Conclusion
The provided source material describes Cottage Garden Samplings as a brand that sells cross-stitch patterns through online retailers. The documentation details a comprehensive range of pattern series focused on themes like nature, holidays, and architecture. Specific technical information, including stitch counts, fabric recommendations, and thread brands, is available for many designs. The source does not contain any information about free samples, promotional offers, no-cost trials, or freebies associated with Cottage Garden Samplings. The patterns are sold at retail prices, and the available websites are e-commerce platforms for purchasing these designs. Consumers interested in these patterns must purchase them directly from the listed retailers.