Blackwork is a timeless, classic sixteenth-century embroidery technique in which beautiful designs are created by stitching geometric designs on to evenweave fabric. Inspired by the past, Lesley Wilkins illustrates her techniques with a whole host of wonderful designs - 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. Patterns are created by small stitched units which are combined in many different ways - some heavily textured, some delicate and light. Borders can be built up by repeating and joining motifs. Clear step-by-step photographs accompany the authors comprehensive instructions, and the motifs, borders, fill-in patterns and images are all charted, with inspirational pictures of embroideries showing how to build up finished designs.
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About the Author
Lesley Wilkinson discovered blackwork during her school years, when she visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. She has been fascinated by this technique, and also cross stitch ever since. Taking her inspiration from the wonderfully intricate designs of years gone by, she now designs and sells blackwork and cross stitch kits and charts.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent introduction to Blackwork taking you from preparing your fabric, how to stitch right thru to mounting and hanging your work on the wall. I particularly liked the samples of fill in-stitches and borders showing them both as finished work on fabric and the graph paper pattern.
The author has given a super example of how effective different fill-in patterns can be by using an oak leaf outline a number of times, each filled in with a different pattern. This has inspired me to take a bolder approach in selecting my patterns.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By F#m7
Format:Paperback
This book is quite good at what it does, but it has to be noted that it is almost exclusively concerned with samplers of geometric blackwork on aida cloth. Personally I was hoping for some more information on larger freestyle designs in which blackwork designs are used as fill-in patterns as well as some help with the application of blackwork to more natural fabrics such as linen.
The book offers only a very basic historical background. While the author explains the fabrics and threads that can be found in modern handicraft shops, she doesn't specify what materials would have been used in the 16th century. Neither does she document which of the designs in the book are historical and which of them were merely inspired by historical examples.
That said, all of the designs she offers are charming. There is a multitude of individual design elements as well as effective fill-in patterns to be found in this book, and they make lovely motifs to start with for any beginner who hasn't yet started to develop her/his own designs.
The book offers only a very basic historical background. While the author explains the fabrics and threads that can be found in modern handicraft shops, she doesn't specify what materials would have been used in the 16th century. Neither does she document which of the designs in the book are historical and which of them were merely inspired by historical examples.
That said, all of the designs she offers are charming. There is a multitude of individual design elements as well as effective fill-in patterns to be found in this book, and they make lovely motifs to start with for any beginner who hasn't yet started to develop her/his own designs.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Velvet
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I liked the cover on the book, and the variety of patterns and there was a good variety of 'fillers'. I like it how she inspires you to 'look around' for ideas too. I also liked the history but, felt a lot of it 'came from Wiki' and there could have been more historical info on it ie photographs. Still, it gave me a buzz to learn more about blackwork myself and I quite fancy going to the V&A or look round castle for Tudor paintings that have blackwork. I had a terrible needlework teacher and hated sewing, but now I love it. I do cross-stitch but I really love the simple, stylish and 'traditional' aspect of blackwork. I like to bring the tudor period to 21st century embroidery. I have made our local castle in blackwork and now I am making a Buddha in blackwork and I think this is just the beginning. I have had some brilliant feedback. I am really looking forward to practicing the fillers and trying out my own ideas. I will get her sampler book of blackwork too. It is going to be an exciting adventure.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stitcher addict
I am a beginner on Blackwork and have found this book most helpful. I am looking forward to attempting the coloured Blackwork illustrated in this book.
Published 20 months ago by M. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very good book
I have purchased this book at a craft show in Birmingham and would definitely recommed it to beginners and more advanced stitchers. Read more
Published on 15 April 2010 by A F
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good start
This book is a good, quick start producing patterns on aida but should not be taken as a historical reference - you will not be turning out fantastic Holbein stitched garments from... Read more
Published on 12 July 2009 by Sallie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent samples
I would advise this book for anyone who would want to create their own designs. There are literally dozens of pattern examples to choose from and good ideas for making up your own... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by Nanny Nina
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