What’s it all about?
Blackwork embroidery, popularised in the 1500s, is a form of “counted thread” embroidery where patterns are stitched on the evenly-woven grid of the fabric. Blackwork is intricate, often using repeating geometric patterns as subject or texture.
Blackwork pieces can range from medieval flora to naff nanna to hipster geometry. The best thing about it is that you don’t need the “freestyle” artistic drawing skill that you do for other needlework – the grid-based pattern makes it effortless to both design and transfer to the fabric, with beautiful results.
What will we cover?
The class will take you through designing, planning and stitching your own blackwork monogram. Starting with the basics of preparing your fabric, threading your needle and choosing/designing your pattern, through to reading that pattern, stitching techniques and ways to finish and display your work.
We’ll also cover some background of the history of blackwork and share examples of the other things people can do with this beautiful medium. You will come out of the class with a project you have the skills to finish, as well as a foundation of skills to pick up other “counted thread” embroidery such as cross-stitch.
Who will be teaching?
Emily is a desk jockey in a creative industry by day: by night she’s a ninja crafter, having picked up knitting, crochet, cross-stitch and other handy skills from friends, family and the internet. She’s a big believer in this sort of handiwork as a blend of engineering and art that benefits best from learning the foundations and experimenting at will.