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.

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

Billet-Doux

While billet-doux is French for "love letter", the literal translation is "sweet note". We thought that struck just the right note for this sweet piece perfect for a Secret Sister gift or that special stitcher.

A Sweet Note for Thee

Because we used motifs from a Quaker sampler, "A Sweet Note for Thee" seemed the perfect name for our little note. Decorated with coordinating ribbon, this little beauty is a practical gift, too - it holds a lovely Kelmscott mother-of-pearl ruler in it's own pocket, and Swarovski crystal beaded pins nestled in 100% wool felt alongside some tapestry needles.

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

A Sweet Note for Thee $17.50*

Petit Bijou

Petit bijou is French for small jewel, and that's just what we thought this tiny packet reminded us of.

King's Baubles

King's Baubles (because the motifs come from Mary King's 1807 sampler, and because we chose some lovely crowns for our jewel) is a wee packet of bejeweled pins and tapestry needles nestled in 100% wool felt and wrapped up in a pretty card with silk ribbon. Ribbon, Swarovski crystals and felt coordinate with the colors of the sampler. This tiny gem is perfect for slipping into a card to mail off to your stitching friends, or to include with an exchange package!

Mary King 1807. English. Private collection.

King's Baubles $6.00*

Cherry Hill Farm Tea

We made too much! This tea really is a special blend, made up for the Lady's Companion box - but we overestimated how much we'd need for the boxes, so we have a limited number of tins for sale. The tea is a flavored black tea sold in loose tea form - a blend of Cherry Almond tea from Market Spice and Diablo Cherry Cinnamon tea from Teas of the World, and features a luscious cherry scent. (What else?)

Each special tin holds approximately one ounce of tea - enough for several pots.

Cherry Hill Farm Tea $6.00*

Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Probably American. Private collection.

Our take on the pyramid etui – choose our version and you’re done when you take it out of the package! We had a lot of fun figuring out how to make these little beauties. Our set comes complete with an attached pin keep in the center, adorned with lovely Swarovski Crystal beaded pins; a thread counter with twin heads and a pretty crystal flower; a pair of needles resting in a coordinating wool felt; a mother of pearl thread ring with coordinating silk thread; and another ring with silk ribbon. The whole set is beribboned and beautifully tied up with a bow!

Elizabeth Elliott's Garden Etui $30.00*

Tag the Bag!

Now I Know My ABC’s

Royal Blush

South of the Border

“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! Three designs: Now I Know My ABC’s, Royal Blush, and South of the Border. 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

Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Probably American. Private collection.

Now I Know My ABC’s Thread Palette $6.50

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 Magnetic Bookmark 2.50*

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 Finishing Labels $10.00*

Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Private Collection.

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

A and C - Sara Jones Aged 9 1840 . Private Collection.

B - Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Private Collection.

Now I Know My ABC's Puzzle Piece Threadwinders $6.00*

2 inches 3 inches 4 inches

2" Elizabeth Elliott May 30, 1811. Private Collection.

3" Sara Jones Aged 9. 1840 . Private Collection.

4" Jessie Brown,13. August 4, 1827. Scottish. Private collection.

Now I Know My ABC's Quick Start Set $8.50*

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*

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".

Adam and Eve

This hexagonal shaped box is a really special set. The bottom of both the box and the little "button box" is covered with felt chosen to coordinate with the colors of the featured sampler. On that ground rests a needlebook, complete with needles in that same coordinating felt, a thread palette with four coordinating silk threads, a pin keep and a scissors fob. The hand-painted ivory ruler on a recycled piano key and a variety of mother-of-pearl buttons inside the button box are included, though the scissors are not. Because it is illegal to export ivory, this set is available in the US only.

Each box and the accompanying toys are adorned with high-quality images from an antique sampler. The images are the same on each set, but the grain-painting is, of course, different - the colors are the same, but the "faux finish" varies from box to box. This particular batch is a lovely summer green enhanced with a golden brown, inspired by the scene on the box top.

These are limited editions - once they're gone they're gone!

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

Adam and Eve Boxed Set $47.50* Almost all gone!

Blueberry Hill

This is a lovely set made from one of our favorite samplers. The bottom of both the box and the little "button box" is covered with felt chosen to coordinate with the colors of the featured sampler. On that ground rests a needlebook, complete with needles in that same coordinating felt, a thread palette with four coordinating silk threads, a pin keep and a scissors fob. A variety of mother-of-pearl buttons inside the button box are included, though the scissors are not.

Each box and the accompanying toys are adorned with high-quality images from an antique sampler. The images are the same on each set, but the grain-painting is, of course, different - the colors are the same, but the "faux finish" varies from box to box. This particular batch is a vibrant blue enhanced with a deeb brown-black, inspired by the scene on the box top.

These are limited editions - once they're gone they're gone!

Jessie Brown,13. August 4,1827. Scottish. Private collection.

Blueberry Hill Boxed Set $38.50*

Boxed sets are available for retail sales only.

We have been so excited that Giulia Punti Antichi has designed a wonderful Adam and Eve Etui just to hold some of our Adam and Eve products! The design is gorgeous, based on motifs from our Caroline Reeves sampler. It may be purchased at many of your local needlework stores!

The coordinating Adam and Eve Cards, Finishing Labels, Bookplates, Needlebook, Thread Palette and Pin Keep are available now as a set.

Adam and Eve Set $38.50*

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*

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

Ring Around the Rosey 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*

Quick Start Sets

There you are at the beginning of a sampler class when the teacher says - "measure in three inches from the side and three inches down from the top to begin your stitching", and pandemonium reigns as everyone looks around for a ruler or measuring tape! While everyone else scrambles, you simply reach into your bag and pull out your Quick Start Set. The three-inch square sits at the top left corner of your linen and you put in your first stitches while your neighbor is still searching for a ruler.

The Quick Start set includes two inch, three inch and four inch squares - just place them on the corner of your linen, and you can put your needle in three inches down and three inches over from the edge. Get a quick start in class or when you're itching to start that next sampler... The three squares are adorned with high quality photos of antique needlework. They are mounted on artist's board and have a protective coating.

We have a lot of fun shopping for just the right ribbon to enhance your Quick Start set - but sometimes when we go back to buy more, we can't find exactly the same thing - so rest assured the ribbon which adorns your set will have been chosen to complement the designs in the set, even if it's not quite what you see in the pictures here.

Our Quick Start Sets are not only practical - they're gorgeous! They grace your stitching basket and make you look really smart!

Just place your quick start square on your linen and start stitching!

1. 2. 3.

1.Caroline Reeves, 1830 - her work. American - probably Pennsylvania. Private collection.

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

3. I.R.S. 1738.German. Private Collection.

Adam and Eve Quick Start Set $8.50*

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

Quaker Quick Start Set $8.50*

2" IRS MDG 1738 3" Sara Jones Aged 9 1840 4" Jessie Brown, 13. August 4, 1827. Scottish. Samplers are from a private collection

Three different views of houses from antique samplers grace this set.

House Quick Start Set $8.50*

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!

Mary King 1807. English. Private Collection.

Carnation Threadwinders $6.00*

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

Floral Urn Threadwinders $6.00*

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

Quaker Alphabet Threadwinders $6.00*

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!

Jessie Brown,13. August 4,1827. Scottish. Private collection.

New!

Blueberry Hill Thread Palette $6.50

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

New!

Pretty Polly Thread Palette $6.50

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

New!

Golden Swan Thread Palette $6.50*

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

New!

Quaker Tussie-Mussie Thread Palette $6.50*

A Tussie-Mussie or Nosegay is a small bouquet given as a gift with extra attention given to the Language of Flowers. The carnation shown in this pretty thread palette denotes love.

Sara Jones Aged 9 1840

Cherry Hill 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*

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

Quaker Alphabet Thread Palette $6.50*

Original design by Becky deVries-Wong.

Bird Song 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!

Mary King 1807. English. Private collection.

Deer Friend Trifold $19.50*

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*

Finishing Labels

Our finishing labels feature high quality photographs of antique samplers.

For the back of your framed pieces - it's not finished until it's identified for posterity! These lovely finishing labels make it easy to be sure all the important information is there for future generations. Self-adhesive. Eight per package.

Caroline Reeves Garland Finishing Label $10.00*

Adam and Eve Finishing Label $10.00*

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

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