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We have put together this guide to help you with your Blackwork Embroidery projects. We hope it helps to make your projects quicker and easier to complete. Should you have any comments, suggestions or improvements we could make to our How To guides please contact us.
What is Blackwork Embroidery?
Blackwork Embroidery is a form of counted-thread embroidery that is usually stitched on even-weave fabric. Any black thread can be used, but firmly twisted threads give a better look than embroidery floss. Traditionally blackwork is stitched in silk thread on white or off-white linen or cotton fabric. Sometimes metallic threads or coloured threads are used for accents.
Where do I start?
Start with the outline. This will seem backwards to any cross stitcher but will make sense in the end.
How many strands do I use?
If a design uses outlines (and most do) you would normally use 2 strands of floss to stitch the outlines and a single strand for the fills.
Stitching blackwork outline?
This can be up to the individual. You can use double running stitch (Hobein stitch) as it gives a clean, sharp outline which looks the same on the back and front of the work. However you can use backstitch, but would get a thicker line on the back of your work. The disadvantage of backstitch is that it tends to show through from the back when you turn a corner, especially if you are working on finer fabrics. Once the outline is in place you can make it more prominent by whipping it. All you do is slip a threaded needle under each stitch without going through the fabric.
Do I need an outline?
Some blackwork designs, however, don't use outlines. It all really depends on the pattern and design it self, you can complete a black work design that you stitch the background and leave the design itself blank. This technique has been borrowed from Assisi work.
There are many different black work pattern to use for fill patterns I have listed a few below with pictures and techniques to completing these.
Black work pattern 1
This pattern is useful for small areas of a design, and gives a dark overall effect. It doesn't have any obvious direction in its final appearance and can therefore be used in an area of any shape. If, however, it had been made up of distinctly vertical rows it would better in an upright shape rather than a horizontal one.
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This pattern is useful for small areas of a design, and gives a dark overall effect. It doesn't have any obvious direction in its final appearance and can therefore be used in an area of any shape. If, however, it had been made up of distinctly vertical rows it would better in an upright shape rather than a horizontal one. |
Blackwork pattern 2
A very simple black work pattern to stitch, this is a small pattern that is repeated time and time again which give a medium tone to your work. The diagram below splits the pattern into rows to help you follow it. Each stitch is taken over one Aida block or 2 even weave fabric threads.
Using 1 strand follow the first row until you reach the right hand outline of the area you are filling.
2. Row 2 work in the opposite direction placing the stitches I have coloured pink in the diagram. The arrows will help show you the direction to take.
3. Change direction again for row 3. Here I have coloured the existing stitches in black, with the new ones again in pink.
4. Reverse direction again.
5. Carry on repeating what you have just done on your new line.
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