Customer Reviews

Blackwork Embroidery (Dover Embroidery, Needlepoint)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must admit I was hoping for more from this book but was rather disappointed with it. There is a short section on the history of blackwork that makes some assumptions about historic pieces without explaining why the author believes it and in some cases seems to be contradicted by other writers on the topic. The author also makes a strange statement about it 'being wrong' to do the historic styles of blackwork as that society (Tudor through Stuart eras, I presume) no longer exists. There is a brief bibliography at the end of the chapter -- which seems a rather odd place for it.

The fillwork patterns are not charted and look to be be hand-drawn. Not very well either! Uneven and since this is counted thread work, they'd be difficult to use. There is no documentation for the sources of the patterns either.

The thing that I find the biggest waste in the book is the author's nearly twenty pages of 'rough sketches' of designs for pieces that may or may not be included and even if they are, it's certainly nothing I'd want to do.

Geddes writes a consise overview of the history of Blackwork that is easy to read and digest. She references many authors, paintings, and such; but there is NO bibliography. patterns are included, but are NOT referenced, so they cannot be used as documentation on a reproduction. Excellent B&W reproductions of famous 16c. paintings.

If you are looking for an easy. step by step. graphed out pattern book, this isn't it. The author has a unique approach to pattern design. Using newsprint of different light and dark patterns she maps out the pattern then shows the finished product. This is an art book of blackwork.
I tried it out because of the low price but I am bragging to my friends because it is the freshest approach to pattern design I have seen in years!
Kudos to Elizabeth Geddes!!

There isn't exactly a wealth of books available on the topic, and this one does blackwork justice. Looking through it just might make you want to try it! Some great ideas.

This book is most definitive and inspiring. Beside supplying all the historical information on blackwork, it has wonderful contemporary designs. This is a must for anyone interested in Blackwork.

I was expecting this to be a typical How-to book with patterns and instructions, but it actually has quite a lot about the history of this type of embroidery as well. It has lots of pictures of historical pieces, also. Unfortunately they are in black and white and it's hard to make out some of the intricate details.