Shhhhhhhhhhhh - this is the page you don't want your secret sister to see! It's full of items just perfect for a gift exchange, a hostess gift, or just "because" for your favorite stitcher!

Naturally, all our items can be good gifts, but these were designed just for this kind of gift and we think they'll be especially appreciated by stitchers.

Everything we make, we make with our four hands. Individual differences will occur in any handcrafted item. It's these differences that make them special!

All of our items are made in limited numbers - when they're gone, they're gone! We do not make more. Instead, we move on to something new! Check back often to see what we're up to!

To place an order from outside the United States, please contact us!

Boxed Sets

We love these little boxed sets - whether you call them "tool boxes" or "toy boxes" - they are fun! They were fun to make and we think they look terrific on display with our other needlework tools.

Each papier-mâché box is hand painted with a grain-painted finish, and filled with lots of "toys". Because they are hand-painted, each is different. The photo features just one painted design of many.

Honeysuckle Cottage Boxed Set

The Honeysuckle Cottage set is made from images of the Grace Roberston/Isabel Davidson 1815 sampler. The thread palette is the image of the signature line: "Grace Roberston shewed this with Isabel Davidson 1815 aged 9" and is adorned with silk threads whose colors are drawn from the sampler. The pinkeep shows the gorgeous peacock with Grace's initial - one of our favorite features of the sampler. Filled with Swarovski pearl- beaded pins, this peacock is very proud indeed! Inside the bitsy box is an abalone waxer made with beeswax. The Lace scissors sport a honeysuckle fob and the house needlebook opens up to show special peacock adorned pins and two needles, and the little booklet holds pages of charts for motifs from the sampler.

The pièce de résistance is the little ivory ruler made from an antique piano key and hand-painted with one of the birds from the sampler. Because of the law against exporting ivory, the Honeysuckle Cottage Boxed Set is available only to be sent to U.S. addresses.

We've been working on Honeysuckle Cottage Boxed sets for the past few weeks - they will be ready to ship in time for Christmas. We think they'd make a lovely Christmas gift for yourself or someone special. Let us know if you'd like us to send it as a gift.

We are waiting for just one item to arrive in our workshop, then we will have them all boxed up and ready to ship by December 14th.

Boxed sets are sold retail only. They are limited editions - when they're gone, they're gone, so hurry and place your order!

Honeysuckle Cottage Boxed Set $39.75*

SOLD OUT!!! THANK YOU!

Mademoiselle's Peacock Accoutrements

We have imagined a sweet mademoiselle sitting and stitching on a fine summer day. She is wearing her best ensemble, and has arranged herself in the formal gardens on her family's estate. Rows of elegant flowers abound and peacocks wander through the hedgerows, showing off their fine feathers every once in awhile. Feeling very grown up, indeed, she assembles all her stitching accoutrements about her as she settles in for an afternoon of "samplering". Each is a needlework tool fashioned in the form of something you might find in any young lady's wardrobe. All these matching pieces are taken from the same piece of peacock tapestry - undated.

Peacock Pocket

This lovely piece holds a gorgeous set of Swarovski crystal adorned peacock pins and a peacock thread counter, as well as needles all nestled in 100% wool felt. Fold up the pocket and tie it with silk ribbon to keep your supplies neat and handy.

Mademoiselle's Peacock Pocket $15.00*

This pretty glove holds a pair of embroidery scissors while showing off the fine feathers of the fanciful peacock on the gauntlet. A scissors fob features a close-up view of the peacock. Tied up with silk ribbon and glistening with a mother-of-pearl button, Mlle's glove is a dainty thing sure to please the discriminating needleworker.

Mademoiselle's Peacock Glove Scissors Pocket $12.00*

For Mademoiselle's dainty foot - a slipper befitting Cinderella! This clever design features an antiqued gold thimble heel and Swarovski crystal headed pins hidden in the toe in a bed of 100% wool felt. The shoe is decorated with tea-dyed lace and all tied up with a silk bow on a mother-of-pearl button.

Mademoiselle's Peacock Shoe Etui $10.00

I.R.S. 1738. German. Private collection.

Mademoiselle's Oak Tree Folly Thread Palette $6.50*

Mademoiselle's Oak Tree Folly Bookmark $2.50*

From the hand of Tomasa Barrera, November 29, 1844 at the age of 6 years. Mexico. Private collection.

This pretty piece reminds of all the wonderful French alphabet samplers, so we named it Abecedarie! Swarovski crystals adorn your pins, nestled, along with a tapestry needle, in 100% wool felt!

Abecedairie $3.00*

Billet-Doux**Love Notes

Swan Lace
A.H. 1862. The Netherlands. Private collection.
Our Swan Lace Scissors Pocket holds a pair of Kelmscott Lace Scissors, lovingly nestled in a pocket adorned with sampler motifs and tied up with silk ribbon and mother-of-pearl button!
Swan Lace Scissors Pocket $19.75*

Regency House Bookmark $2.50*

Tag the Bag!

Now I Know My ABC’s

Royal Blush

South of the Border

Swan

“Many suitcases look alike – please be sure you have the right bag!” – Haven’t we all stood at the baggage carousel wondering which non-descript black bag is ours? Worry no more! With our sampler luggage tags, you will identify your own in no time. And if your suitcase should somehow be lost, never fear – your name, address, phone numbers, email (whatever you want, really) are all on the back so the airline can reach you when they find it! Four designs: Now I Know My ABC’s, Royal Blush, South of the Border and Swan . Specify which and fill out the form so we know what information you want on your tags – they will be custom-made for you, and sent out with the rest of your order. Tag’s actual size is 4 1/2” x 2 3/4”. Design size is 3 3/4”x 2 1/2”.

Tag the Bag! Two tags - mix and match designs $10.00 *

Please fill in the form - your luggage tags will be custom made for you, using the information you provide. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after you submit your form by email to: inthecompanyoffriends@gmail.com

Once you've filled in the form, please save it to your computer for your records and send us an email with the form as an attachment, or cut and paste the information into the body of your email. inthecompanyoffriends@gmail.com

Tomasa’s Threads Thread Palette

Our thread palettes feature generous-sized holes each holding a full skein of your floss. The holes are carefully punched and smoothed to take care of your special threads. Made from art board and adorned with a photograph of antique needlework. Just like 6-year-old Tomasa Barrera, you can hold your threads in style, using this gorgeous thread palette. Ornamented with designs from Tomasa’s sampler, your threads will be held safe and sound.

From the hand of Tomasa Barrera, November 29, 1844 at the age of 6 years. Mexico. Private collection.

Tomasa’s Threads $6.50*

Crowning Glory Pin Keep

Our pin keeps feature high quality photographs of antique samplers, and have 100% wool felt to protect your pins. These pretty pin keeps are the perfect finishing touch for your smalls collection. Crowning Glory combines familiar motifs in a very charming manner. Actual size 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Elizabeth Buck Aged 11 years. 1826. English. Private collection.

Crowning Glory Pin Keep $10.00*

Diamond Bouquet Pin Keep

A lovely bouquet to grace your sewing box! Actual size 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Ann Wilson her work finisheb Ogust the 25, 1810 agb 11 (sic) English. Private collection.

Diamond Bouquet Pin Keep $10.00*

Nautica Magnetic Bookmark

Our Bookmarks show off high quality photographs of antique samplers. They feature a magnetic closing and slip over the top of your book's page to securely mark your place. A must for your special needlework books, and a wonderful gift to slip inside a greeting card for your stitching friends! Nautica is part of our newest line from ship samplers.

Ann Wilson her work finisheb Ogust the 25, 1810 agb 11 (sic) English. Private collection.

Nautica Magnetic Bookmark $2.50*

Floribunda Bookmark

Floribunda is taken from a gorgeous Dutch sampler.

A.H. 1862. The Netherlands. Private collection.

Floribunda Magnetic Bookmark $2.50*

Remembering Sue:

set of Bookplates and Magnetic Bookmark

Amey Cougill ca 1820. Ohio. Private collection.

New!

This pretty set based on an Ohio Sampler remembers our friend and mentor, Sue Studebaker. Profits are being donated to the Sue Studebaker memorial fund at Colonial Williamsburg for the purchase of a sampler in Sue's memory. A brief history of the stitcher is included in the package.

Remembering Sue Bookplates (Package of 10) and matching Bookmark $10.00*

Samplers with alphabets are often the most charming and captivating. Originally done by children learning to make their letters so they could later mark linens, alphabets on samplers just seem "right". There are many different kinds of alphabets on samplers. We have chosen some of our favorites for these wonderful designs!

Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Private Collection.

Now I Know My ABC's Bookplates $8.50*

Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Private Collection.

Now I Know My ABC's Pin Keep $10.00*

Let Love Abide

Let Love Abide is a lovingly compiled documentation of the extensive sampler collection of Marian Soss. Never seen before in any publication, this book not only gives you images of 104 samplers, but also an insight into how Marian's collection grew from a modest gift for her wedding, to a truly magnificent assemblage!

Every cent of the profits from this book will go to Marian's favorite charity: Mission Hospice in San Mateo, CA.

See a preview. Be sure to change the size to 100%

Must have Adobe Reader to view this file. Download the free version here:

To place an order from outside the United States, please contact us!

Let Love Abide: The Marian Soss Sampler Collection $30.00*

Schwenkfelder Days of Remembrance

2008 Engagement Calendar and Catalog of

Schwenkfelder Samplers and Needlework.

This lovely desk calendar gives you a week at a time with a place to mark your engagements. The facing page for each of the 52 weeks in 2008 features a color picture of needlework from the Schwenkfelder collection. This is a great catalog of this important collection. Schwenkfelder samplers are at once different and similar to other Pennsylvania samplers - find out for yourself! This is a great addition to your sampler research library - something you will use with pleasure for years to come in your study of samplers and other needlework.

Don't forget your birthday buddies or secret sisters - what a terrific gift this makes for your needlework friends. Don't miss out - this is soon to be out of print - make sure you get your copy!

Please note that this is a 2008 calendar - while it is outdated as a calendar, it has enormous value as the only printed source for the Schwenkfelder Sampler Collection.

$21.95 plus shipping and handling** Your purchase of this wonderful book supports the samplers - a portion of every sale is donated to the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center for the preservation of the samplers.

See a preview: Sample.pdf Be sure to change the size to 100%

Must have Adobe Reader to view this file. Download the free version here:

To place an order from outside the United States, please contact us!

$21.95* Your purchase of this wonderful book supports the samplers - a portion of every sale is donated to the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center for the preservation of the samplers.

Pin Keeps

Our pin keeps feature high quality photographs of antique samplers or contemporary pieces with an historic feel. They have 100% wool felt to protect your pins. These pretty pin keeps are the perfect finishing touch for your smalls collection. Actual size 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Elizabeth Bechtel 1833. Schwenkfelder collection.

Queen's Stags Pin Keep $10.00*

©2008

Mary King 1807. English. Private collection.

This pretty pin keep has a crown on one side and cherub on the other.

King's Putti Pin Keep $10.00*

This elegant pin keep is taken from the Ackworth sampler stitched by Hannah Westcombe in 1783. This was a gift to the participants at the Ackworth seminar in December, 2008. If you missed out on the trip, you don't have to miss out on this pretty piece. Profits will go to the sampler fund at Ackworth School.

Hannah Westcombe Pin Keep $10.00*

Puzzle Piece Threadwinders

We think these pretty threadwinders look like pieces of a wonderful jig-saw puzzle, so we named them Puzzle Piece Threadwinders. They have a whimsical look to them and are very handy to have to keep your extra threads 'tamed' while you are working. Our threadwinders are made with art board and feature a photograph of antique needlework. They are not only practical - they're gorgeous! They grace your stitching basket or project bag so you can just pick up and go! Three per package.

To place an order from outside the United States, please contact us!

A.H. 1862. The Netherlands. Private collection.

Golden Crown Threadwinders $6.00*

Thread Palettes

Coordinating with our Quick Start Sets, these pretty thread palettes round out your stitching supplies. Each palette has 12 generous-sized holes to hold a full skein of your floss. The holes are carefully punched and smoothed to take care of your special threads. Made from art board and adorned with a photograph of antique needlework, the palettes are about four inches square, and will fit into your stitching basket or project bag along with your Quick Start Sets!

1817. Sarah Almy’s Sampler Wrought in the 11th year of her age, 10th month. American. Private collection.

Golden Swan Thread Palette $6.50*

A.H. 1862. The Netherlands. Private collection.

Swan Arbor Thread Palette $6.50*

I.R.S. 1738. German. Private collection.

Adam and Eve Thread Palette $6.50*

Ornaments

We have been having such fun playing with the new Schwenkfelder quilt images and it suddenly came to us - these would be beautiful ornaments! Whether they grace your holiday tree or your favorite pair of dressmaker's scissors, these are sure to please your eye and sense of whimsy. Some of them, we decided should do triple-duty as pin keeps as well! For those, your pins rest in 100% wool felt to keep them safe!

Schwenkfelder collection.

Field of Roses Pinkeep/Scissors Fob/Ornament $10.50*

Schwenkfelder collection.

Rose Gay Pinkeep/Scissors Fob/Ornament $10.50*

Schwenkfelder collection.

Sunflower Scissors Fob/Ornament $10.00*

Schwenkfelder collection.

Flying Geese Scissors Fob/Ornament $10.00*

Friendship Trifolds

A lovely token of friendship - just right for your stitching friends! Open the trifold to find bejeweled pins, needles and a mother of pearl ruler with a coordinating fob or silk threads on mother-of-pearl rings. The outside of the case features motifs from an antique sampler, and all the embellishments were chosen to coordinate with the sampler.

To place an order from outside the United States, please contact us!

Rosina Shultz 1817 Schwenkfelder Collection

Friendship's Delight $11.75*

Eleanor Dade aged 13 years on the 14th of May 1835. Private collection.

Adam and Eve Trifold $11.75*

All images are the property of In the Company of Friends™

*A small handling charge will be added to actual shipping costs at checkout.

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