Category Archives: Blackwork

Rooster: More Feathers

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Hannah

I’ve been working away on the feathers. Maybe the upper layer of feathers could have a vertical pattern, as if they are drooping. I’m afraid the PhD dissertation takes priority, so I’ve got limited time for embroidery and posting.

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, My work | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Rooster: Feather Experiment

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Hannah

I tried a couple of experimental feathers (on the right) before finding an arrangement I liked: solid outline on one side with horizontal lines filling it in, which creates stylized feather shapes. This covers the same blocks that the cross-stitching … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, My work | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Rooster: Body in Blackwork

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Hannah

I started work on the blackwork body. I’m glad I chose a darker ground fabric. If I was working the pattern on white I’d consider backing it with something. I think it would be tricky to keep the tails on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, My work | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Rooster: Gold feathers

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Hannah

I cross-stitched the gold feathers plus some decorative dots. I’m still thinking about the large black feathers – maybe fill them in with double running stitch over two squares? That would be quicker and easier than cross-stitch, and still fit … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, My work | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Rooster Project: Start

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Hannah

I can resist no longer. New project! This is the blackwork/cross-stitch rooster from Carol Leather of X-Calibre Designs. I am swapping out the suggested threads for DMC Floche 815, 310, and 437. I like this fabric, though it isn’t even-weave, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, My work | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Kasuti Bluebird

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Hannah

This was inspired by a comment from a friend on my post about Kasuti embroidery. The bird is in DMC 3807 blueish purple and the border is in DMC 718. It came out really well! The stitched area is about … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Finishing techniques, Indian embroidery, My work | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Medieval Middle Eastern counted thread embroidery

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Hannah

I found a fantastic website from Mathilde Eschenbach with charts for medieval Middle Eastern counted thread embroidery (blackwork, pattern darning, cross-stitch) plus photos of the original pieces. Here are a few example thumbnails to inspire you to take a look:

Posted in Blackwork, Cross-stitch, Embroidery around the world, Free resources online, patterns and designs | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kasuti: Indian cousin to blackwork

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Hannah

Kasuti is a type of embroidery from Karnataka, India. Like blackwork, it is geometric and worked in double running stitch. However, it is traditionally very brightly colored. I found a few books in the library on the subject, and have … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Indian embroidery, My work | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Blackwork Pattern Book: Ensamplario Atlantio

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Hannah

 String or Nothing has posted a brand new free blackwork pattern book, Ensamplario Atlantio! It’s pretty cool – there are over 200 patterns in there. The patterns range from simple geometric repeats to stag heads and griffins. Anyway, if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, books, Free resources online, patterns and designs | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Blackwork and Color Theory

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Hannah

Kathy at The Unbroken Thread recently completed an absolutely beautiful blackwork piece. The first photo is the finished piece. The second photo is missing some of the border, but it is at less of an angle so you can see … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackwork, Color and design, Free resources online, Goldwork, patterns and designs | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments