I don’t share a lot of blackwork embroidery content over here because it’s not a technique I’ve ever tried, and it is a little different from cross stitch because it uses different patterns to form the design, which can include but is not exclusive to cross stitches.
If you’ve never heard of it, blackwork embroidery is a type of counted thread embroidery that is traditionally worked in black thread on white fabric. It is characterized by its intricate geometric designs, which are often filled with repeating patterns. Colors other than black may be used in contemporary patterns.
Blackwork was popular in England in the 1400s to the 1600s and it was often used to decorate clothing, household items, and other objects.
While it’s not always made with cross stitches, it can be worked on Aida fabric or evenweave, and you can otherwise use the same supplies as you would for counted cross stitch. Shapes are often outlined in backstitch, running stitch or Holbein stitch, then filled in with geometric designs made from running stitches or cross stitches.
Want to learn more about blackwork embroidery? Check out this overview from The Sewing Directory. You can start learning blackwork by making a sampler of some of the simple designs shown in that article, then use them in a simple project.
What caught my eye and had me wanting to write about blackwork in the first place was this pretty little bird design from Amanda Gregory Designs. It uses different colors as well as different stitches to mark the different sections of the robin, so it doesn’t look like traditional blackwork even though it is done in that style.
Needlepointers also has a good collection of blackwork embroidery patterns you can check out. I love the flowers and fruit collection from Blackwork Archives (which is of course another great source for patterns).
Have you ever done blackwork embroidery? I’d love to hear your tips!
[Photo: Amanda Gregory Designs.]
Get Started Stitching Blackwork with These Free Designs
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