Cross-stitch enthusiasts and crafters often seek opportunities to access free patterns, promotional materials, and trial offers from popular designers. The Drawn Thread, a design company established in 1995 and based in Colorado, offers a variety of stitching projects ranging from simple cross-stitch designs to intricate specialty stitch patterns. While the company does not appear to operate a traditional "free sample" program for physical products like beauty or baby items, they provide access to free charts and promotional discounts through their official website and authorized retailers. This article details the available free offerings, promotional sales, and specific design specifications based on current documentation.
Available Free Patterns and Charts
The primary method for obtaining no-cost materials from The Drawn Thread is through the download of free charts available on their official website. These charts allow stitchers to preview the designer's style and complexity before committing to a purchase.
The Drawn Thread Free Chart The company offers a specific free chart titled "The Drawn Thread" on their website. This design serves as an introductory piece for new stitchers. Based on the technical specifications provided in the source material, the model was stitched over two threads on 32-count linen. The exact stitch count and finished dimensions for this specific free chart are not detailed in the available chunks, but the requirement to stitch over two on 32-count linen is consistent with many of the company's designs.
Stitch Counts and Design Sizes When evaluating the value of a free chart, experienced stitchers often look at the complexity and material requirements. The source material provides extensive data on various designs, which helps set expectations for the free chart and other patterns. For example: * Autumn Keeper: Stitch count of 49W x 72H, resulting in a design size of 3" x 5". * Pocket: A significantly larger project with a stitch count of 93 x 271. * Halloween Design: Features a stitch count of 183 x 74.
These specifications indicate that even free offerings likely require a moderate investment in time and materials, specifically linen and specialty threads.
Promotional Offers and Sales
While the primary focus is on pattern acquisition, The Drawn Thread does engage in promotional activities that reduce the cost of their products.
New Year Sale According to the official website, The Drawn Thread runs a "New Year Sale" offering 20% off select products. This is the only specific recurring sale mentioned in the source data. Consumers interested in purchasing physical charts or kits should monitor the website during the start of the year to take advantage of these discounts.
Official Website The Drawn Thread's official website (drawnthread.com) is the central hub for all offers. The site notes that the company has been designing unique stitching projects since 1995 and is inspired by the natural beauty of Colorado. Accessing the site is the primary way to view the current catalog and locate the free chart section.
Material Requirements and Substitutions
To assist stitchers in planning their projects, The Drawn Thread provides detailed material lists. While these are not "free samples" in the traditional sense, understanding the required materials is essential for utilizing any free pattern effectively.
Fabric Recommendations The majority of the models listed in the source data were stitched on specific types of linen: * 32 Count Dirty Belfast Linen: Used for designs such as the "Autumn Keeper" and "Chrysanthemum." * 32 Count Summer Khaki Belfast Linen: Used for the "Bee Keeper" and "Free and Brave" designs. * 30 Count Antique Lambswool Linen: Used for the Halloween design.
Thread Requirements Designs frequently call for hand-dyed silk flosses, which can be more expensive than standard cotton floss. Specific brands mentioned include: * Dinky Dyes Silk floss * Needlepoint Inc Silks * Gentle Arts Sampler Threads (GAST) * Weeks Dye Works * Caron Waterlilies * DMC floss
Notable Discontinuations and Substitutions The source material highlights specific items that are no longer available, which is crucial information for anyone attempting to replicate a design based on a free chart: * Rainbow Gallery Wisper thread W107: Listed as "not available at this time" for one design. * Mill Hill beads 03040 (Flat Black): Discontinued. The suggested substitute is Mill Hill beads 62014 (Frosted Black). * Buttons and Beads: Many designs require specific embellishments such as 4mm black buttons, 7mm mother of pearl star beads, or 6mm burgundy buttons. These are typically "not included" in pattern purchases and must be sourced separately.
Community Verification and Project Examples
Third-party sources provide insight into how stitchers utilize The Drawn Thread patterns. A fan site (xsfreebies.tripod.com) lists user comments and project examples for designs like "Autumn Keeper" and "Bee Keeper."
User Reports * Autumn Keeper: Users report stitching this design on 32-count cream Belfast linen. One user (Aniza) noted using "GAST and OWS overdyes," indicating flexibility in thread choice. * Bee Keeper: A user (LauraW) stitched this on 32-count cream Belfast linen, adding a border to enlarge the piece and using a motif to frame initials on the back. Another user (mudmonkey) stitched it on 18-count ivory Aida, which is a deviation from the recommended linen but demonstrates the pattern's adaptability. * First Snow: A user (Catherine ABC) stitched this on Edinburgh linen using Weeks Dye Works threads and finished it as an ornament.
These community reports serve as unverified but helpful guides for stitchers looking to adapt free or purchased patterns.
Conclusion
The Drawn Thread provides cross-stitch enthusiasts with access to a free chart on their official website, serving as a no-cost entry point to their designs. While the company does not offer physical product samples or a traditional freebie program, they support the crafting community through promotional sales, such as the 20% off New Year Sale. Successful completion of their designs requires careful attention to fabric specifications—primarily 32-count Belfast or 30-count Lambswool linen—and specific hand-dyed threads. Stitchers should be aware of discontinued items, such as specific Mill Hill beads and Rainbow Gallery threads, and seek recommended substitutions. For the most accurate patterns and current offers, consumers should always refer to the official Drawn Thread website.