Calico Sampler - Nashville Preview

February 12, 2026

Our first design coming to the Nashville Needlework Market in March is Calico Sampler.

I used a verse of the poem by Edward Lear called "Calico Pie". The poem is what's known as nonsense poetry. A form of verse that is usually whimsical or humorous but that defies any rational or allegorical interpretation. In other words...it's just fun.

The design was a complete celebration of springtime and flowers and birds! I finished the model into a pillow with patchwork squares on the top and bottom.

Stitch count 315 x 82

Fibers
Classic Colorworks (CC) Eve's Leaves (2), Rosy Glow, Blue Beadboard, Perfect Piecrust, Peanut Brittle, Hickory Sticks (2), Poblano Pepper

Gentle Art Sampler Threads (GAST) Green Apple

Weeks Dye Works (WDW) Whitewash, Blue Heron, Dove, Seafoam, Gold, Yukon Gold, Aztec Red, Hibiscus

Finished Size as stitched on 32 ct. approx.: 19 5/8" x 5 1/8"

Releasing at Nashville Needlework Market - March 6-8, 2026

You can pre-order this design through your favorite local or online needlework shop.

DOWNLOAD A MATERIALS LIST FOR CALICO SAMPLER

Calico Pie by Edward Lear

The little birds fly
    Down to the calico tree:
    Their wings were blue,
    And they sang "Tilly-loo!"
    Till away they flew;
    And they never came back to me!
    They never came back,
    They never came back,
    They never came back to me!

    Calico jam,
    The little fish swam
    Over the Syllabub Sea.
    He took off his hat
    To the Sole and the Sprat,
    And the Willeby-wat:
    But he never came back to me;
    He never came back,
    He never came back,
    He never came back to me.

Calico ban,
    The little Mice ran
    To be ready in time for tea;
    Flippity flup,
    They drank it all up,
    And danced in the cup:
    But they never came back to me;
    They never came back,
    They never came back,
    They never came back to me.

Calico drum,
    The Grasshoppers come,
    The Butterfly, Beetle, and Bee,
    Over the ground,
    Around and round,
    With a hop and a bound;
    But they never came back,
    They never came back,
    They never came back.
    They never came back to me.