Back to the Beginning

So I've been tooling along, talking about blackwork and sharing my patterns, thinking everything is hunky dory.  Suddenly it hits me. I never explained what blackwork was.  Yeah, there are a thousand sites that tell the story of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, and Holbein. And yeah, there are some really great tutorials out there with wonderful diagrams.  Why should I reinvent the wheel?

I'm not, really.  I'm just consolidating information, making it easier for you when you come to visit.  And besides, I have these nifty pictures I took and they shouldn't just take up space on my hard drive.

So here it is. The Basics of Blackwork.

Work the stitch in passes, or journeys.
On the first journey, work the even-numbered stitches: 1,3, 5 etc.

On the return journey, work the 'in between' odd-numbered stitches: 6,4,2 etc.

You will end up where you started.

Side trips are worked as their own little journey.

Work the element in one direction, turn around...

...and join back to the main path

Voila!  In the traditional sense, blackwork looks the same on the back as it does on the front,
though modern blackwork may or may not hold to that tradition.  

Flikr

South Doorway, a photo by Melissa Blake1 on Flickr.

Flikr is a great place to visit when you want to see some wonderful blackwork. One of my favorites is Melissa Blake of the UK. She finds inspiration in local architecture. "South Doorway" is a favorite of mine. See more of her work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissa_blake_creations

New Freebie!

Here's a charming small that should set your imagination free! I needed a break from the wedding invitations and this was the perfect project.  You'll find the pattern on my Blackwork Smalls page.

Post Pattern Depression

It's my own fault.  I don't need to get so involved, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  Sometimes a design becomes so intriguing, so mesmerizing that when I finish it, even under the joy and thrill of accomplishment, I feel a sense of emptiness, a little bit of loss.  Such is my relationship with "Blessings."

I think I'll set the stitching aside and go read a book.

"No Measuring Required" Diamond Ornament

This is a wonderful and easy method for finishing your small blackwork designs.  The diamond ornament can be embellished all sorts of ways and makes a charming sachet.  There are several tutorials on the 'net, but I found most of them to be downright difficult.  Lots of measuring, mitering, and pressing.  I figured out a way to get my diamond the right size without rulers and without counting!  Come along; I'll show you how.

Find the side of the diamond.   Start at the outermost detail of one side of the diamond.  Stitch a running stitch in a diagonal line from that point to the topmost point of the pattern.

Continue all the way around the pattern.  Go all the way around, especially if you're using even weave fabric.

I was a half stitch off on a recent piece.  A running stitch all the way around the design will insure that your diamond is symmetrical.

NOTE: Use a light-colored thread for your measuring stitch.  You will remove the stitch later in the process and darker threads have been known to leave a stain.

Stitch a border.  Using a double-running stitch, create a border using the tips of the measuring stitch as a guide.

When completed, it should look like this:

Carefully remove the measuring stitch, wash, and press your design.

Trim excess fabric, creating a seam allowance of about 4 stitches.  Press seam allowances to the wrong side of the design.

Locate the center of the border.

Start stitching by running thread through the stitch just right of center.   Pinch the border in half, locate the  stitch just left of center and begin whip stitching the border. 

Whip stitch to the end, then secure thread by running it back under a few stitches.

Repeat on the opposite side.  With both sides completed, it should look like this: 

Pinch the finished sides together.

Stitch a third side.

After three sides are sewn, stuff with batting, making sure to work it into the corners.  Do not over-stuff.  Sew the fourth side closed using the whip stitch.

Secure the four sides in the center, weaving the thread in and out of the seams several times.

Add thread to one of the tips for a hanger.  Embellish as desired.

Your "No Measuring Required" diamond ornament is now complete!