Blackwork Hystory
Historically, blackwork was used on shirts and chemises or smocks in England from the time of Henry VIII. The common name "Spanish work" craft was based on the belief that Catherine of Aragon brought many blackwork garments with her from Spain, and portraits of the later 15th and early 16th centuries show black embroidery or other trim on Spanish chemises. Black embroidery was known in England before 1500. Geoffrey Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales describes the clothing of the miller's wife, Alison: "Of white, too, was the dainty smock she wore, embroidered at the collar all about with coal-black silk, alike within and out." Blackwork in silk on linen was the most common domestic embroidery technique for clothing (shirts, smocks, sleeves, ruffs, and caps) and for household items such as cushion covers throughout the reign of Elizabeth I, but it lost its popularity by the 17th century. ( wikipedia.org ) Craft, Craft and more Craft coming soon.
Spanish Blackwork Book 2
Beautiful Blackwork Samplers
Click on image to be re-directed to the book purchasing site.
Enter the title - Beautiful Blackwork Samplers - into the search box.
This sequel to Lesley Wilkins' successful Beginner's Guide to Blackwork offers a rich source of new ideas and inspiration to embroiderers, whatever their skill level. This timeless sixteenth century embroidery technique originated in Spain Beautiful patterns were worked on to clothing as decoration and later on blackwork designs were used to embellish household items. Inspired by the past, Lesley Wilkins illustrates her techniques with a whole host of flowers, plants, birds, animals and figures. She covers everything - from what materials to use and working with a chart, to getting started and how to stitch. Taking samplers as a theme, she creates an exquisite range of designs using black, red and gold threads Borders are built up by repeating and joining motifs, and clear step-by-step photographs accompany the author's comprehensive instructions. All the designs are charted, with inspirational pictures of embroideries showing how to build up finished designs.
Direct links to free filler pages.
Just click on the page you would like to look at.
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
Also - Have a look at my new Ebooks
Click on the image above to be taken to my
'Spanish Blackwork E-Books' page.