#Blackwork embroidery free patterns how to#

But before I tell you what I have figured out, I want to hear from you. I have answered some of these questions, in fact many of them at thigs point. I have found reds can sometimes be rather knotty to work with. Because the dye has an effect on the fiber. How does the thread work with colored threads in the case I want to get into the latest thing in blackwork-Colored Monochrome? I don’t know about you, but I have experienced how different colored threads behave differently than the exact same thread in another color.Like Aida 14 or Fiddlers Cloth just don’t show silks off at all, in my opinion the fabric is too heavy and overpowers the delicate strength of the silk. How does ground affect the thread usage? How can I work this into the sampler? Certain fabrics tend to “eat up” the pattern.The threads sampler should show very clearly the differences between the various thread samples.The sampler should answer any question a person might have about the thread as used in any type of work.In other words, if the thread is a stranded one, then strand usage should be incorporated to the piece. The threads should be used as fully as they would in any worked piece.The threads should be identified clearly in the sample or there should be a legend that will never be separated from the sampler.Or Wikipedia entry of blackwork thread usage for those of you who are younger than Baby Boomers! So what features should be incorporated into this sampler for it to be eternally useful? But I want this sampler to be useful, to be a really good reference, like the Encyclopedia Britannica of blackwork thread usage. Oh boy! You would think you could just pick up your fabric and start stitching. Samplers are the tried and true method of testing patterns! Hence birth of a new sampler!.Like twisted thread works well for Double Twisted Chain, but stranded thread just looks messy in that stitch. I have been playing with different (colored) threads in my TAST projects and it is very clear how certain threads work for one desired effect and some threads will not work in the same situation.I have read about different people’s preferences. I’ve looked at and bought a sample of every black thread out there. I have struggled with what thread I want to use for my Mystery Sampler project.Also an international community of stitchers, I’m expecting that anyone needing help with translations can find someone there. It’s the best way to keep up with what’s new at the Library. I mentioned in my last post that I am an avid fan of the Antique Pattern Library and have joined that Yahoo group, too. (As if I didn’t already have enough internet reading to do!) It is also a good group that is supportive and very creative as well as opening up even more of the international stitching world. I have also joined the Yahoo group The Sampler Life. Anyone who has been following The Shop Sampler blog will know that I have been playing with samplers and stitch practice for this year through the Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge at PIn Tangle and with the support of the Stitchin’ Fingers community.

This little project is a marriage of my love of blackwork and my love of samplers. This motif is 34 stitches by 34 stitches. But, I think this will entice you to try your hand at this free pattern, too. I’ve gotten quite a bit further on, but don’t have it photographed yet. The best news is that the piece is designed by Elizabeth Almond, one of my blackwork heroines! The design is called “Saving the Stitches.” Here’s a bit of my work.

#Blackwork embroidery free patterns how to#

So if you’re anxious about how to tackle the more complex pattern, we can talk about it here.

In fact, for the first blocks I will be posting pics and notes about how I tackled each block so you have as few dark threads crossing as possible on the back side. But you can practice tracking journeys so your backs will be very neat so when you want to do a reversible piece, you will feel more than ready. The other SAL is more time-consuming but a true joy for the blackwork freak ( a non-derogatory 1970s term for someone loves something almost to the exclusion of all else!) You will learn oodles and oodles about “journeys.” You don’t have to do this as a reversible piece in fact, I don’t think you can.