Blackwork [Paperback]

Lesley Barnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

Blackwork is a classic 16th-century embroidery technique in which stunning monochrome designs are created by embroidering a large variety of counted-thread geometric patterns in black thread. This book covers everything from creating a design to choice of fabric, threads, and stitches, with many stitch diagrams and suggested patterns. A host of beautiful blackwork pictures, both traditional and modern, will inspire any enthusiast, and there are even ideas for working with colored threads. From timeless charm of Elizabethan embroidery to the bold chiaroscuro of contemporary work, blackwork's entrancing intricacy never ceases to appeal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Search Press (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0855328061
• ISBN-13: 978-0855328061
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,592,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Blackwork by Lesley Barnett, June 29, 2000

By 

Margaret Cooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackwork (Paperback)

I ADORE blackwork embroidery and was really anxious to get this book! Have to confess to being a tad disappointed though. If like me, you have absolutely no imagination and rely on the brilliance of others to produce graphs and charts, then this book isn't for you. However, the book is beautifully printed, very well written with an excellent overview of the history of Blackwork and contains easy to read and understand chapters on Materials, Equipment and Stitches.

The book does include photographs of some stunning blackwork embroidery, but there aren't any charts for the less gifted such as myself,(!) to work from although with the aid of a magnifier, it would be possible to use the photos instead of charts.

This is an 'inspirational' book and would be great for the experienced embroiderer who can look at a leaf, a photograph or an interesting geometric design and turn it into a needleworked piece. For the 'imaginatively challenged' among us,and newcomers to Blackwork Embroidery, this book is great to own and would grace any needlworker's library, but not overly useful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love cross-stitch? Try blackwork., July 4, 2011

By 

Mona "needlework fancier" (Shirley, MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blackwork (Paperback)

The patterns are easy to read. The creativity in design is more satisfying than regular cross-stitch as it's up to you to decide what pattern to choose to fill in the outlined space.