Blackwork Embroidery ---Basic concepts and designs

Blackwork -- Blackwork embroidery is a counted-thread embroidery technique, a type of cross stitch in which black thread is stitched onto white or cream fabric, normally linen. The stitches used are double running stitch (which is also called holbein stitch) backstitch, cross stitch,and sometimes stem stitch, which incidentally is perfect for geometric designs.These geometric patterns are the main basis for the Blackwork embroidery technique.

The actual term Blackwork refers to the method of embroidery, not the colour of the thread used. You might hear the terms Redwork, Bluework etc, these terms are reference to the colours of the thread that has been used in the embroidered piece. However, the true terminology “Blackwork” covers all colours, not just black (which is the traditional colour of thread that was used).

Proficient Blackwork embroiderers often undertake shaded Blackwork. This is a very clever use of the technique. A shape is filled with the repeating Blackwork stitches, however one part may be denser than another (created by skipping small parts of the design or adding small bits to it), the finished effect is a rather amazing 3D shape, created through the shading technique.

The original fabric used for Blackwork embroidery would have been linen, and traditionally clothes were made from it. However, Blackwork embroidery can be worked on most any fabric. When looking for fabric to buy for your Blackwork projects, buying a close weave fabric will result in a smaller finished piece (the higher the thread count, the smaller the finished piece).

If you are looking to start Blackwork embroidery, try it first with Aida fabric. Aida fabric, is the fabric that is mainly used today for Cross-Stitch (Cross-Stitch is the modern ancestor of Blackwork Embroidery). The average size is 14 count Aida, this is good to start practising with as you can clearly see the threads and the holes (as you’re required to count these using any counted-thread embroidery technique), once you’re happy with the results, move on to a fabric with a higher thread count and so on, until you’re sewing on fine material.

Blackwork embroidery, is a very beautiful skill to undertake and master, and will offer you hour of pleasure, your finished pieces will enchant everyone.

Attaching a pdf file for basic instruction of stitching....

 

Re: Blackwork Embroidery designs

Work Basket
Fabric – Because the patterns are often geometric patterns, the fabric must have a precise even weave. Blackwork can be worked on any even weave fabric from a 14-count Aida to a 36-count . It is up to you! Hardanger fabric is an excellent choice as it is firm and easy to count.

Threads - Blackwork is a traditionally done in a monochromic theme so the thread and fabric need to contrast. Several sources suggest using one strand of thread so it will lay flat. If a thicker line is desired, change to a thicker thread or double your threads.Working with more than two threads together is not recommended as flatness and smoothness of threads is much more difficult to control.Various types of metal threads can be combined with Blackwork.

Needles -must slide cleanly between the threads of the fabric, so a tapestry needle is recommended. Depending on the size of your thread you may need Tapestry needles in sizes #24, 26, and 28.

Equipment - You want to keep your stitches and tension even, so a hoop or frame would be a good investment. If you are working with a stiffer linen fabric, you'll want to make sure that when you're done stitching to remove the hoop as your fabric will crease significantly if left in a hoop too long.

Tips & Tricks

You should start in the center of the chart. This will help ensure symmetry and help discover any mistakes early. One really nice thing about Blackwork patterns is there is no right or wrong way to work them. You can work left to right, right to left, top to bottom or bottom to top, whatever works for you.

You want to work your piece using the Stab and Stitch. This is where the needle comes straight up from under the fabric then it is inserted straight down. This makes your stitches much more consistent. (This differs from the sewing method where you bring your needle up and across and back down into the fabric in a rocking motion.) When working the Holbein stitch there are a few different methods you can use depending on what type of look you prefer - you can pierce your original threads evenly through the middle, or come up above, or below, the original stitch. Each method has its own look, so make sure that if you start working your piece in one method, to finish it in that method!

Blackwork is done in a series of short stitches. Your finished piece will lay nicer if you use short stitches rather than be tempted to make long stitches instead. Whenever you see lines cross on a pattern you need to make them short stitches that end at the crossed point. Do not use long stitches that cross over the top of each other.


There are several ways to create texture, depth, or shading in Blackwork:

1.Add stitches where you want more shading
2.Use two shades of a color within a pattern, light colored stitching in front and dark colored stitching in back will help create depth
3.Use two different thickness of thread
4.Substitute metallic thread for part of the pattern
5.Add beads or sequins for special effect



These are the urls got from google search.Sharing with you all.Please utile them to get the basic knowledge.
You can use this patterns for Kasuthi/Dharwadi embroidery



Blackwork for Beginners:
Google Image Result for http://mktag.org/projects/sorchaBlackwork101/image003.jpg

Google Image Result for http://z.about.com/d/crossstitch/1/0/p/4/-/-/bs4_8.jpg



How to do blackwork - Outlines
How to do blackwork outlines

Blackwork Embroidery Archives


Giving some pre-stitched patterns which I got from the internet.Its only for the purpose of sharing.

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