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General Craft Discussion => Full range of crafts covered here => Other Crafts => Topic started by: deirdreofthesorrow on March 18, 2006, 11:19:28 AM

Title: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: deirdreofthesorrow on March 18, 2006, 11:19:28 AM
I have been doing this for years, that is until I discovered paper crafting! But I have never met any one else who even knows what it is, far less does it. Just wondered if there was anyone one out there who has been tempted?
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: lady-jane on March 18, 2006, 01:37:52 PM
i was tempted onice, when i got broad with cross stitching but then i found papercrafting
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Dawn on March 18, 2006, 02:45:13 PM
 ???Well you have me intrigued if no-one else :)
Go on tell us more - What is Blackwork??
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Lyn52 on March 18, 2006, 03:58:09 PM
I still do blackwork and love it, I use it with my papercrafting sometimes.
Dawn, blackwork is said to be one of the oldest forms of decorative embroidery, bougt to England by Katherine of Araragon, its a form of cross stitch done in one colour, black to the purist, though some people use other colours today, most patterns are symetrical and very delicate, it can look almost as delicate as the finest lace. I have seen some truly beautiful pictures done in blackwork, I have done a MillHouse in shades grey and black for my MiL.
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Dawn on March 18, 2006, 04:05:46 PM
Thanks for that, I bet it looks wonderful. We must push for that gallery. (Lets hope the boys don't read this one  ;D )
I have done some cross stitch, in fact I have a dragon in the cupboard that still only needs the finishing touches doing. Think I bought that 1 before Jade was born & she's 8 now ;D
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: sdixon on March 18, 2006, 07:34:01 PM
I did blackwork for a long time and have pictures of Henry 8th and 6 wives plus Mary Rose ship which was named after his sister. They have been done in black and gold.

Sylvia
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Isabel M on March 19, 2006, 03:48:26 PM
Hi

I did a bit of Blackwork at a day-school workshop quite a few years ago.  It was just a practice piece but I enjoyed doing it as it was a change from doing c ross stitch.   Always meant to try it again, but sadly haven't gotten round to it, as patchwork and quilting became my "thing" shortly afterwards.
xx Isabel M
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: deirdreofthesorrow on March 19, 2006, 10:31:21 PM
Very simple, and it doesn't have to be black. I have one that I have done it is laid out like a formal garden and done in 9 shades of green.  
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: jenny5mum on March 22, 2006, 04:28:53 PM
I have done black work, i did a sample of a christmas carol Away in the Manager, with the musical notes. It looked brilliant, never had chance to any more not with another baby in the house. But it did look stunning. This one was done on white aida with black anchor thread. It has pride of place ever Christmas, mind you we have to find it as it is packed away with the christmas decorating. The only thing was I never had chance to get it framed, hence the reason why it is rolled and up and put away for another year.

If you use gold thread then it called gold work, again both are beautiful to look at. And when finished you really have to stand back to see the whole picture, and yes when Katherine is old enough for to start again I will gladly source some new patterns and have another go

Anf yes it is very easy, you start from the middle just like you would a normal cross stitch and work you to edge. I find that if you draw two lines through the chart marking the centre friom top to bottom & right to left, then counting from the middle of canvas how many squares. Thew hardest bits is having no knots, but if you make sure that your first piece of thread is a double piece and loop you needle through it, there is no need for a knot
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Susiel on March 25, 2006, 05:34:51 PM
It's something I've wanted to try for a while now but never got round to it.
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: deirdreofthesorrow on March 26, 2006, 02:17:42 PM
I would never use knots in any kind of needlework :o!
I have mastered a special weaving technique that was shown to me by a lovely lady who was a master needle woman, what this lady couldn't do wasn't worth knowing.  :'( I nursed her for some time before she died, and she taught me many useful needlework tricks, I have been doing many different types of needlework for years, but the favourite has always been blackwork. That was until I developed a cardmaking obsession, needlework NEVER cost me this much!!! ::)
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Dawn on March 29, 2006, 09:24:11 PM
You have the Gallery section now, Would love to see some examples ;)
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: maisie on March 30, 2006, 10:50:08 AM
ive done blackwork and still cross stitch, i like to have more than one craft on the go also i have more than one cross stitch project on the go.
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: pipers on April 05, 2006, 09:18:59 AM
Blackwork is very dramatic - fantastic effect.
havent done any for a while but still cross stitch - mainly wedding ring pillows.
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: jenny5mum on May 04, 2006, 01:40:51 PM
This piece of blackwork is done and aida and it has the first part of Away in a Manager as well as the notes

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i151/jenny5mum/P5040015.jpg)
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Lubeloo on May 05, 2006, 12:04:25 AM
WOW that is really beautifull Jennifer, what a wonderfull heirloom for your children :)

lyn  xx
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: Thommy on May 05, 2006, 12:38:34 AM
I saw examples of blackword in this months Cross  Stitcher mag.  They looked fab and i'm dying to try it but I have too many cross stitch pieces on the go at the moment. It looks difficult but i'll give it a go .............sometime!!!!  lol  :D
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: keepsakes on May 26, 2006, 07:57:26 PM
 Black work is beautiful. it has several names. Spanish stitch, after katherine of Aragon. Henry the 8th's first wife, Blackwork because mainly worked black on white. Although sometimes stitched in gold thread to show off wealth. And Holbein Stitch after the famous court painter. His paintings were so detailed you could copy a design from his paintings. Well you did ask lol. It is not difficult to do. best wishes to all marian (Keepsakes)
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: blackworker on May 28, 2006, 01:34:03 PM
Hi every one
i  do blackwork and cross stitch for a designer   i enjoy the challenge, at the moment i am doing a cross stich for her called edwardian ballroom
 my stitching has been round the craft shows in birmingham and  manchester and the photo on the front of the kits are the ones that i have stitched.
 i also make cards and go to craft group meetings! no time for house work!!  lol   ;D
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: craftysooz on May 30, 2006, 01:07:56 AM
Has anyone got a simple pattern I could try ? I can't get on with x stitch unless it grows quick, perhaps blackwork would be good for me to try.
Title: Re: Blackwork , anybody?
Post by: fotofool on August 30, 2006, 08:32:20 AM
Marian,

Just spotted your visit before I dash off to work

Also noted your posting on Blackwork from May

Sounds interesting

However,  a belated welcome to the forum, sure if you pop on frequently you will locate some one with a similar interest.

Andy, the fotofool

If you have photos of your blackwork etc, why not post them on here and share your joy?