Mounting the Chambord Plaid in cross stitch
1 - Preparing the linen squares
When you have embroidered all the squares, iron them carefully and trim them to measure 13 cm x 13 cm. Make sure each motif is perfectly centred. Attention: the precision at this stage will impact the final result.
Once trimmed, lay the squares right side down on a large table or on the floor, following the mounting plan.
2 - Assembling the vertical bands
Carefully pin the squares that form the first vertical band, and sew with a 1 cm seam allowance. Press the seams open with an iron. Repeat this process for all the vertical bands.
3 - Joining the bands
Once all the vertical bands are assembled and the seams pressed open, pin two bands together. Ensure that the corners align perfectly. If you are unsure, tack the bands together before sewing. Repeat this process to join all the bands.
4 - Adding the backing
When the bands are fully assembled, cut the backing fabric to match the dimensions of the plaid. Place the backing and the plaid right sides together and sew around the edges, leaving a 20 cm opening. Clip the corners, turn the plaid right side out, and close the opening with invisible hand stitches.
5 - Attaching the ribbons
Cut and sew the ribbons in place, starting with the horizontal bands. The mounting plan indicates where to place them. Repeat for the vertical ribbons.
6 - Finishing the edges
Sew the ribbon around the outer edge in one continuous piece. Pay special attention to folding the ribbon neatly at the corners. Finish by overlapping the ribbon ends for a seamless look.
A legendary project
This project has become almost mythical! I came up with the idea in 2007 while working on a book for Flammarion. As I described in Maison Sajou Point de Croix (published in 2007):
“Like all seasoned embroiderers, I have drawers filled with linen scraps and leftover threads. This project was born from the desire to use these remnants and transform them into a kind of masterpiece...”
When the book was published, it was a huge success, and customers began requesting the kit even if they didn’t have enough scraps or threads. At first, I developed instructions using DMC threads, as we didn’t yet offer Laine Saint-Pierre or Retors du Nord. Eventually, we created the complete Chambord plaid kit, selling hundreds worldwide. This project sparked delightful exchanges—photos and updates from embroiderers sharing their progress, encouragement, and feedback.
After being removed from the catalogue for a time, the kit was reintroduced following renewed demand when we displayed two finished Chambord plaids in our Paris store. Now, this kit is poised to become a classic of embroidery art. Most motifs come from my vintage archives, sometimes simplified or enlarged, and were originally designed for filet crochet work.
