Materials 4
Basic blackwork techniques 6
PROJECTS
Tealight holders 10
Padded pouch 14
Moth-patterned cushions 18
Embroidered garland 22
Pendant lampshade 26
Lace-look make-up bag 30
Camellia blouse 34
Black sampler 38
A fish on my satchel 42
Jolly table mats 46
Moorish blanket 50
Little girl’s dress 54
Elegant little mouse 58
Bernadette Baldelli graduated from Paris’s prestigious Duperré School of Applied Arts, where she specialized in textiles. She has worked for DMC, created pattern collections for major yarn producers and has published a great many books about embroidery, knitting and crochet.
A beautifully presented book with clear instructions and patterns.
The photos are styled nicely and show all the elements of the
stitching, which is really helpful for reference whilst making up
any of the patterns. I particularly like the french table mats and
the elegant little mouse. Because of the way blackwork is done, you
could easily adapt any of the patterns to suit a different
project.
*Amazon*
Blackwork is a Moorish style of embroidery which came to Britain
via Spain with Catherine of Aragon. In this book are sixteen modern
projects using the traditional stitches, showing how it can be
updated and reinvented for the 21st century. There are even some
splashes of coloured thread among the black and white which gets my
approval. No style should be so mired in tradition that it can’t be
dusted down and remixed for a new generation of stitchers. The
stitches remain the same and there are instructions for these, but
I think the person who will get the most out of this book will be
somebody who is already au fait with the basics of
embroidery. It will help if they can also sew, as most of the
projects involve more than just blackwork. Diagrams and patterns
are given for a makeup purse, pillows, lampshade, soft toy mouse
and simple child’s tunic dress. Patterns need to be resized or
measured out, and then made up following text instructions. Other
simpler pieces with less making up include wraps to add interest to
candle holders, a sampler, bunting and table mats. Some of the
embroidery is geometric; others depict flowers, moths, children
playing, words and a fish. All are the type of designs that aren’t
contemporary as much as timeless, and Catherine of Aragon would
have been familiar with this style of embroidery used to decorate
clothing. There are some lovely projects in here that are sure to
have wide appeal.
*Amazon*
This book is filled with stunning projects that can be kept as
heirlooms or given as treasured gifts.
I loved the Elegant Little Mouse and think this will be my first
project.
The Blackwork Embroidery is both stylish and decorative and really
does give a beautiful finish to each of the designs.
The projects are complete with instructions and design charts which
are easy to understand. Also included are some templates, some will
need enlarging and all come with fixings listed.
Techniques for your Blackwork are given, but the beauty of this
book is really in the projects. The decoration on the Camellia
Blouse is exquisite. Blackwork is a simple embroidery technique and
beginners can achieve a beautiful result.
*Amazon*
This book has beautiful photographs throughout. Clear instructions
are written and pictorial. There are handy tips & information
regarding the difficulty level of projects, which are both nice
additions, for beginners to experienced. Black sampler would be the
favourite project to do, being a 'newbie', it would be good for
learning the various stitches, and makes a lovely finished piece of
work to display.
*Customer review*
This book is useful to both beginners and experienced stitchers of
Blackwork embroidery. It has clear instructions and beautiful
photographs. The projects instructions are well laid out and easy
to follow. It explains clearly what tools are needed and which
threads give the best results. I have enjoyed looking at all the
designs and hope to do the Butterfly design first.
*Customer review*
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