Blackwork Embroidery

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Blackwork embroidery in Holbein stitch. Detail of portrait of Jane Seymour by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1537.

Blackwork Embroidery is a simple form of embroidery, stitched in black thread on white or off-white fabric. It is often called simply "blackwork".

1 Technique
2 History
3 Modern blackwork
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Technique

Blackwork is a form of counted-thread embroidery and is usually stitched on even-weave fabric. Any black thread can be used, but firmly twisted threads give a better look than embroidery floss. Traditionally blackwork is stitched in silk thread on linen or cotton fabric. Sometimes metallic threads or coloured threads are used for accents.

Scarletwork is like blackwork, except it is sewn with red thread.

The stitches used are double running stitch (which is also called holbein stitch) backstitch, and sometimes stem stitch.

Historically, there are three common styles of blackwork:

In the earliest blackwork, counted stitches are worked to make a geometric or small floral pattern. Most modern blackwork is in this style, especially the commercially-produced patterns that are marketed for hobby stitchers.

Later blackwork features large designs of flowers, fruit, and other patterns connected by curvilinear stems. These are outlined with stem stitch, and the outlined patterns are filled with geometric counted designs.

In the third style of blackwork, the outlined patterns are "shaded" with random stitches called seed stitches. This style of blackwork imitates etchings or woodcuts.

[edit] History

Christopher Hatton wearing a blackwork shirt.

Elizabeth I wearing blackwork sleeves. The design has large flowers filled with geometric patterns.

Historically, blackwork was used on shirts and chemises or smocks in England from the time of Henry VIII. The common name "Spanish work" was based on the belief that Catherine of Aragon brought many blackwork garments with her from Spain. (This theory was debunked by A. J. B. Wace in the 1930s). In reality, 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. (See also 1550-1600 in fashion.)

[edit] Modern blackwork

Today, blackwork is more popular than ever. It has a modern feel due to its austere, formal quality. Much of the success of a blackwork design depends on how tone values are translated into stitches.

Amongst the motifs used, maps are parlicularly popular. So are chessboards and other designs which could be the subject of a pen and ink drawing.

Blackwork is used in Assisi embroidery to outline the main motif and some of the decoration. Both modern and folk-art cross-stitch are sometimes combined with blackwork or similar backstitch embroidery.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Blackwork embroidery

Digby, George Wingfield. Elizabethan Embroidery. New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1964.
Gostelow, Mary. Blackwork, Batsford, 1976; Dover reprint, 1998, ISBN 0-486-40178-2
Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, 1979, ISBN 0-89577-059-8.
Wace, A.J.B.: "English Embroideries Belonging to Sir John Carew Pole, Bart", Walpole Society Annual, 1932-33, Vol. XXI, p. 56, note 2.